Iskolar Ng Bayan, Bayani Para Sa Bayan

ISKOLAR NG BAYAN, BAYANI PARA SA BAYAN
By Antonio P. Meloto, Gawad Kalinga
U.P. Commencement Exercises
National College of Public Administration and Governance
22 April 2006

Maraming salamat sa inyong paanyaya na magsalita ngayon sa
napakahalagang araw ng inyong buhay. Hindi po ako nag-aral dito sa UP,
pero dalawang tao na malapit sa puso ko ang nagtapos dito. Yong ama ko
was a graduate 68 years ago in Business Administration, at ang
pangalawang anak ko ay nagtapos sa Theater Arts in 2003. Ako'y
tuwang-tuwa dahil ito ang pinakaunang UP graduation na napuntahan ko
and it somehow lessens the guilt of not attending my daughter's
graduation dahil pinahalagahan ko ang misyon ko para sa mahirap.

When I was invited by Dean Alex Brillantes to be your speaker I asked
myself what could I possibly say to some of the brightest minds in the
country, mga Iskolar ng Bayan, many of whom want to go into public
service. I am not a politician. Since 1996, I vowed not to take on
any political position, whether appointive or elective. Gusto ko lang
magsilbi sa mahirap. I wanted to help the poor by caring for the least
of my brethren as a Christian who was challenged to follow Jesus all
the way to the slums. I wanted to learn how to care for the weak and
the powerless who were victims of history and a political system that
they thought they were helpless to change. So I speak before you as an
ordinary Filipino who has discovered the potential of every Filipino
to make a difference and to bring about meaningful change by learning
to trust one another and to work together for the common good.

Going back to my father, he lived a remarkably simple life although he
was the contemporary in U.P. of two powerful people - former President
Ferdinand E. Marcos and Ambassador Roberto Benedicto. I remember the
times when he would talk about these two popular men and I often
wondered to myself why he was happy to be a nobody - contented with
his life as a public school teacher and later on as an accounting
clerk who could hardly provide for six children. One thing about my
father, he was scrupulously honest, although frankly, I would have
been happier in those times for him to be more compromising so we
could have more comforts in life. At age 81, he died without ever
owning a piece of land... or building his own house... or driving his
own car. He left us with nothing except his good name, the respect of
his friends and the many lessons he taught me. The greatest one I
learned is that the political power of Marcos and the business empire
of Benedicto failed to bring our country out of poverty and to make
life better for our people.

It is not political power or wealth that builds a nation. Power and
wealth are mere consequences of a strong nation. A strong nation is
built by a strong people -- people who are determined to work hard,
people who are willing to sacrifice for one another and the common
good and most importantly, people with integrity.

U.P. has produced many people with integrity like my father. And it
is this value that I want to highlight for those of you who want to go
into public service or any field of human endeavor. Integrity is what
we have lost as a people. We no longer trust our institutions. We
lack confidence to succeed in our own country. We have lost the
respect of other countries. Integrity is what we have to regain.
Intelligence, competence, talents, skills we have in abundance because
we are a gifted people but they are meaningless without integrity.

My father almost failed in me when I took the path of selfishness,
wanting only to help myself gain the wealth and power that I never
had. I compromised the values and integrity that he taught me to
achieve my personal ambitions. But God intervened in my life in 1985
when I joined Couples for Christ and discovered a beautiful plan for
me, for my family and my country. My family and I cannot grow at the
expense of others but in fact achieve it by helping others find their
own security and quality of life.

Our selfishness has created the mess that we are in. Worse, we are
caught in a vicious culture of blame. Yes there is basis for blame.
Many politicians have not kept their promises... many of the rich have
not shared their wealth... some Church leaders have failed to
practice what they preach... many Filipinos have abandoned their
country... and even the poor have been criticized for not working hard
enough.

At the rate we are blaming each other, everybody is to blame. Lahat
naman nagkulang at lahat naman tayo ay nagkasala. But blaming alone
never solves the problem. It does not build homes for the poor. It
does not feed the hungry. It does not restore human dignity. It
destroys friendship. It poisons the spirit. It kills hope. Instead
of looking for fault in others let's look at ourselves -- what we have
done wrong, what we have failed to do. We need to change...but for
me, change begins with myself.

We have destroyed so much of ourselves and our country that me
changing myself is not enough... that you changing yourself is not
enough. We have to inspire change in many others... and, we have to
change together.

Change will not come easy, that's why we need to encourage and we need
to honor all the good examples around us. We need to invite everyone
to come on board. Poverty is so massive that our response to it
cannot be small.
We cannot rebuild this country if we do not engage every sector of
society including government. It is counter-productive to judge all
government officials as corrupt. In dealing with dishonest men, just
be honest. We cannot change people if we make them our enemies.
Engage them and bring out the best in them.

While many are accustomed to the path of blame, we have to discover a
new path, build a new culture of honoring those who do good.

In Gawad Kalinga, we work with National Government agencies and over
300 mayors and governors and we have been inspired by their sincerity
and their determination to help the poor in their towns and provinces.
Last year, we discovered a lot of outstanding local government
officials in our effort to rehabilitate victims of calamities and
conflict. The popular image of politicians as trapos and corrupt has
not often been our experience. In working together, most of them have
shown sincerity, deep concern for their constituents, and honesty in
their dealings with Gawad Kalinga. If we maintain our integrity in
dealing with them, they can be encouraged to respond to us in the same
way.

We have partnered with over a hundred corporations and many prominent
families and individuals. They are not the insensitive, selfish,
greedy people many have always painted them to be, when they are given
the chance to show their concern and express their generosity. Many of
them have adopted Gawad Kalinga as their opportunity to make a
difference, and many more will do the same because of their example.

Itong nakaraan lang na typhoon sa Luzon, kailangan natin ng 400
hectares para sa mga 40,000 families na nawalan ng bahay at nawalan ng
mga mahal sa buhay dahil nakatira sila sa delikadong lugar. Akala
namin mahirap kumuha ng lupa for relocation but in 2 months we were
able to raise 507 hectares in 12 provinces. Hindi pala madamot ang
Pilipino kung sila ay naniniwala.

The religious sector is likewise not indifferent. A number of
churches are responding with boldness to the call of nation-building
by restoring the dignity of poor Filipinos. Bishop Soc Villegas took
the initiative to build the Cardinal Sin GK Village for the informal
settlers in Punta Sta. Ana; Bishop Precioso Cantillas is helping in
the rehabilitation of landslide victims in Southern Leyte; Archbishop
Ramon Arguelles is providing Church land to informal settlers of Lipa
City; and today, CBCP President and Archbishop of Jaro, Angel
Lagdameo, is opening Church land in 5 vicariates to host Gawad Kalinga
communities for the poorest of the poor including many Church workers.

The Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches had not been less
generous when they partnered with Gawad Kalinga together with NDCC
(National Disaster Coordinating Council) and DSWD in building new
communities for the typhoon victims in Luzon. And now, the Church of
Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, more popularly known as the
Mormons, have volunteered their services and offered their expertise
and resources in providing water systems in GK communities all over
the country.

We are seeing a miracle in progress as different churches transcend
their differences to work together to build a nation by helping the
poor rise from poverty. This emerging unity is an affirmation of the
Gawad Kalinga spirit of non-discrimination in the choice of whom to
help and working with those who want to help.

Pwede rin magtulungan ang Muslim at Kristiyano.

Tomorrow I am flying to Camp Abubakar. Five years ago there was an all
out war that destroyed an entire Muslim community. Mahigit isang
libong pamilya ng mga kapatid nating Muslim ang nawalan ng tahanan.
Tomorrow we will see 200 houses rising from the ashes of war. Together
with Barira Mayor Alex Tomawis, DSWD and SMART, Christians and Muslims
are building peace and friendship by building peaceful Gawad Kalinga
communities in Camp Abubakar.
This is also happening in 20 Muslim communities in Mindanao.

Millions of Filipinos have left the Philippines and we thought they
had deserted us. But then again, this is not true. They have not
forgotten.
They have not stopped loving the motherland. Many are not just giving
resources to build homes and villages but are actually coming home to
help build them themselves. The Kampampangans helping Pampanga and
Tarlac... the Batangueños helping Batangas... the Bicolanos helping
Bicol.. and many more helping the provinces and towns of their birth.
They are making true the words of Isaiah, "Your sons and daughters
will come home to rebuild your broken cities."

We gave life to the spirit of negativity, pessimism and divisiveness
in our country and succeeded in convincing ourselves that we are
hopeless. When we are in an attack mode in pursuit of even the
noblest causes, the natural reaction is to defend and fight back
perpetuating an environment of conflict

We need a more radical response to our present predicament. Radical
means to be different and to be passionate. Passion for change is
oftentimes fueled by anger but passion that is more powerful is fueled
by love... Love for God & country... Love for God & our poor
countrymen. Pwede rin maging radical by following the path of love and
the path of peace.

The University of the Philippines has always been known for being radical.
It has produced outstanding men and women who risked their lives,
their families and their future to fight injustice and corruption...
most of them driven by a sincere desire for change. Despite the long
history of militancy however, this university that has produced some
of the most powerful leaders, politicians, businessmen and prominent
advocates of many causes has not lifted our people out of poverty and
our country out of corruption.

Is it possible for U.P. to champion a new brand of radicalism to what we
already know? One that entails engaging all sectors of society without
judgment or discrimination, following the path of peace and the true
spirit of bayanihan to concretely find solutions to our problems.

Instead of Ibagsak, can we try Itayo? Instead of away, puede bang
magtulungan? Instead of unahan, puede bang walang iwanan?Lalong-lalo
na sa mga matatalino, magagaling at mayayaman... yung mga mahirap na
hindi makapasok sa UP, pwede bang balikan natin? Huwag natin silang
iwanan.

Even as we exercise our right to speak up and even criticize what we
believe is not right, can we as vigorously honor what we see is good?
Can we build and restore this country, where no Filipino is an
enemy... where we will rise together because the weakest and the
powerless among us will not be left behind?

Are you radical enough for this? Let me answer for you.

Yes, you are. This brand of radicalism already exists in U.P. but not
recognized and honored enough. U.P. has Pahinungod which has done a
marvelous job of stirring the spirit of volunteerism but it needs to
be mainstreamed, sustained and embraced as a way of life. U.P. has
given birth to many NGO's and cause-oriented groups that are sincere
in their desire to help our country.

Three things that we need to recognize about being radical:

Working together to build peace in times of conflict is radical

Fraternities fighting each other is normal. Fraternities working
together... that is radical. When people unite, transcend political,
religious and cultural differences and work together for the common
good... that is radical.
That is what Upsilon and Beta Epsilon, Beta Sigma and Alpha Sigma are
starting to do in Gawad Kalinga. I honor Eric Pasion and those who
started Gawad Kalinga Youth in U.P. for being builders of peace.

Working for the good of others at the sacrifice of greater
opportunities for self is radical.

When people leave their high paying corporate jobs to give their time
to serve their country - that is radical. Melo Villaroman, U.P.
Business Economics '84, retired early at age 42 as Director for
Business Development for Asia of Procter & Gamble based in Singapore.
When offered a higher position in Europe or the U.S. he politely
declined and stated that his country needs him now. Eena Kanapi, U.P.
Political Science '92 is another radical spirit who left her job as
Strategic Planning Director of a multi-national ad company to help the
poor. Both are full-time volunteers of Gawad Kalinga, both are
sharing their expertise in helping their countrymen rise from poverty.

Promoting the message of hope in times of despair is radical.

Maria Montelibano, first graduate of U.P. AB Broadcasting,
multi-awarded TV Director and media specialist is heading a global
multi-media campaign to communicate the message that there is hope for
the Philippines if Filipinos can work together until there are no more
squatters, no more slums, no more hunger, no more crime... where there
is dignity and peace for everyone in this country.

U.P. has produced a beautiful Filipino in my daughter, Wowie. She has
put her love life on hold to host the sports-adventure show GamePlan
that showcases the beauty of our land and our people and to volunteer
for Gawad Kalinga, bringing her to the poorest and the most remote
areas of our country.

Many from this university have helped us in this Revolution of Hope -
Cris Vertido, Cheche Lazaro and thousands of nameless and unrecognized
volunteers and partners throughout the country. We are excited with
the offer of support of President Emerlinda Roman throughout the U.P.
system nationwide and offer of help from Dr. Ledy Cariño and Dr. Alex
Brillantes to mobilize UP-NCPAG for Gawad Kalinga. We know that many
more from among you and your parents will come and help.

I am asking all of you now to do what I ask every Filipino to do --

Never stop hoping for our country.
Don't stop caring for our people.
Demand greatness from yourself as a Filipino Inspire greatness in
other Filipinos.

No nation in crisis ever achieved victory without its young warriors
leading the battle. Do not wait to be as old as me before you start
to help our people and build our nation. Begin now. Like others in
my generation I am here to admit the mistakes we have made and share
the lessons we have learned.

Our greatest mistake is that we keep leaving others behind, especially
the weak and the powerless. Look at what we have reaped because of
our neglect.
And because we left them behind - this is the curse of poverty that
you will inherit from us.

For the last four years, kayo ang mga iskolar ng bayan. This nation
did not choose you to be her scholars so you can just help yourself.
This nation chose you so you can help others. Don't forget the poor
-- the many others who will not have the privilege of a U.P.
education. Go back to the towns and the communities where you come
from and give land to the landless, build
homes for the homeless and help grow food for the hungry.

This is the foundation of nation-building. From there, it grows to
productivity built from discipline and talent. Nation is not about
business it is about economy. Nation is not about political parties,
it is about governance. Nation is not about projects and programs, it
is about vision.
Nation is not about power and position, it is about leadership.

Let me send you off with a prayer.

As you go your way now, may God almighty light your path and embolden
your heart. May you be the joy and consolation of your parents for all
their hard work and sacrifice, knowing that you will be the future
full of hope. May you heal the wounds of our nation and restore the
dreams of our people. May you be the new generation of heroes that
will bring our people to the promise land. May God be with you every
step of the way.

Apat na taon kayong iskolar ng bayan.
Habang buhay kayong bayani para sa bayan!

Congratulations at mabuhay kayong lahat!

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From: Jun.Abenido@unilever.com