The University of
the Philippines (UP) System is currently again celebrating “Linggo ng
Unibersidad” (University Week) from Monday to Friday, June 16 to 20, 2025.
With the theme
“Ani at Alay: Paglilingkod at Pasidungog sa Bayan” [“Harvest & Offering:
Service & Honor to Country”], this weeklong celebration honors UP’s
Foundation Day on June 18, and recognizes outstanding individuals and
institutions across the UP System who embody the University’s values of honor
and excellence in service to the nation.
Yes Sir, or Madam – do you know how honorable and
excellent are the teachings of the UP System in service to the nation?!
Let me take the case of the UP System’s
teachings on Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio – Personally, I see
that we are honoring both on the wrong premises!
We are Malabo (hazy) on both counts. We portray Rizal
as lover of his country, but we do not describe in wider terms that love.
We portray Andres Bonifacio as savior of his country
from the Spanish colonizers, but we do not describe in definite terms that
love.
Bonifacio wanted the Spanish rule to end in the
Philippines via a Revolution; Rizal wanted to end that rule by first educating
the Filipinos what it means to have a country even as we were under the Spanish
Empire.
Ha!
The opening
program for the UP University Week will be held on Monday, 16 June 2025.
It would be
momentous for me indeed if the messages from all UP Chancellors underscored public service as the end product of
unity and academic excellence.
What public
service?
I would have
applauded if singly and posed for photographs with the above icon (bottom
image) if “public service” were defined in the final terms of “love of
country”!
“Gawad Pangulo
para sa Natatanging Inobasyon: Paglalahad ng mga Likha” is for student
innovators.”
I am hoping – and
at the same time expect to be disappointed – that the student innovations are in
the name of patriotism and not simply personal credits and wealth.
UP students today
are being taught, by default, to be “anti-him” or “anti-her” or “anti-them.” I
don’t want to go into ideology, but there is not even a single seminar that is
held for “pro progress” or “pro development.” That would need the twin lessons
of Vision and Mission – which have never been taught
in UP System classes, not even in patriotic books like those of Jose Rizal and
Andres Bonifacio!
On June 16 will be
held “Parangal At Pagkilala Sa Kawani At Retirado Ng UP System Administration.”
To all awardees whether outstanding or retired, congrats! But not what I am
looking for. Where are the UP employees, current or retired, who embody much
greater service to the country?!
Finally, how about some UP System faculties coming up
with innovations for poor families to rise from poverty to prosperity?!@517
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