(response in behalf of the College of Science Graduating class, first posted May 1, 2011)
Filed under General Interest
Wow. What a privilege it is to be standing in front of the brightest young minds of our society today! And that’s not even an exaggeration; a bit vain, yes, but not an exaggeration.Acting Dean of the College of Science Dr. Ronald Banzon; our distinguished guest, Dr. Raul Favella; my research adviser, Dr. Christopher Monterola; members of the College Executive Board, department heads, fellow graduates, beloved parents, friends, ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant afternoon.
“SUPER EARTHQUAKE (stop) I LOVE YOU ALL (stop) WE’RE ALL UNDER TABLES” – that was my Facebook status on March 11, 2011 at exactly 12:51PM. Imagine how that message totally freaked my Mom. That message got a total of 81 comments, but zero “Like”. Yes, I was in Tokyo, Japan when the BIG earthquake hit. I, together with 100 other doctoral students from across Asia and 9 Nobel Laureates in the sciences, was there for a week to attend a convention aimed at advancing science and technology in Asia.
It is not news to us any more that science is one of the keys in improving society and humanity. If Japan, one of the most advanced societies in the world, recognizes the need to further strengthen science; then what more the Philippines – a developing nation? This is also why time and time again the general keynote of CS graduation speeches revolves around the idea of advancing Philippine science. We have a goal to realize. And, as science scholars, it is not news to us that our country is in desperate need of a strong scientific tradition.
College of Science Graduates of 2011, the good news is that we are in the best position to assume this responsibility of serving the country by doing what we all love, by practicing science! Obligation, they say. Yes, what’s wrong with that? Doing science is indeed an obligation; some might even consider it as a form of sacrifice for nation building. But, if you were to ask me, I sincerely believe that it is more of a privilege. Just think about it. Not every one can do science. Not every one is wired and engineered to do science. Not every one can contribute to the advancement of Philippine science. We are a rarity.
If you must know, every year, there are about 65,000 high-school students all over the country who take the UPCAT. Out of these, only about 400 of them qualify for admission to our college -- the College of Science. Parents and friends, that is only 0.62%. By the same token, there are around 92 million Filipinos in the country; and, in this commencement exercise, eight (8)... only eight... of these 92 million are finally bagging that coveted title: PhD in Physics. Now, if you pool in all Filipinos with a PhD in Physics, you will find that we are literally one in a million! So, if you really want to be different and make a difference, I urge you to pursue science with John Pelias and me. Let us all unite with our dear professors and help move science forward.
When I graduated from college in 2006, I was confronted with the quintessential dilemma, something that you could all probably relate to. The dilemma was whether to join the denizens of the corporate world or to stay in the academe to teach and pursue graduate studies at the same time. But you know what the real dilemma was? It was whether to succumb to the ubiquitous “expectations” from family and relatives or to follow that inner voice -- that geeky inner voice who knows perfectly well my persona and the reason why I pursued science in the first place. Of course, we all know how that story went.
Now, you might ask, did I make the right choice? I most certainly did.
What other profession lets you have clever and insightful conversations over cups of coffee with real thinkers at any time of the day? What other profession allows you to think freely and work on the things that you are truly interested in and passionate about? What other profession unceasingly stimulates your wits and at the same time gives you the opportunity to significantly contribute something to society? And these are just some of the perks that I truly value and enjoy while studying and “serving” here in UP, at the College of Science. Yes, they are intangible and are definitely not reflected on our paychecks -- but they are what truly matter. And wow! I’m telling you. Those eureka moments! Ah! Priceless!
The kind of fulfillment and satisfaction I get from doing scientific research with really smart and inspiring compatriots and friends are of immeasurable worth. I sincerely hope that I could share with all of you this sense of pride and joy.
Needless to say (but I’m gonna say it anyways), we have our dear professors to thank for inspiring us, for providing us with a nurturing environment and with the needed facilities to perform outstanding research. One concrete and tangible example is the realization of the new national science complex. Special thanks, of course, to our esteemed Chancellor and former Dean, Professor Caesar Saloma.
We are fortunate enough to be Padawans or apprentices of world-class Filipino scientist-mentors. We are thankful to them for molding us into the kind of thinkers and researchers that we are today. Without them, it wouldn’t be possible for us to pursue our passion -- to do quality scientific research here in our very own homeland. Ten years ago, doing world-class science in our country was hard to imagine; publishing in an international scientific journal, for example, was inconceivable especially without foreign collaborators. But now, the tides are progressively changing. Now, we are able to publish research outputs that are truly homegrown and done solely with our compatriots. This demonstrates our capability as Filipino scientists to crop up fresh ideas for the worldwide scientific community to relish. And what a delightful feat it is! This, my friends, is what you call “scientific progress”; and truly, it is not difficult anymore to imagine a bright scientific future ahead of us.
And of course, how can I forget the University of the Philippines, our dear Alma Mater. For the kind of academic freedom it allowed us to enjoy, we are forever indebted. U.P. has taught us not only to excel as academics but also as responsible and accountable citizens of society. U.P. is never discriminating; it gives every Filipino equal chance to maximize ones potentials regardless of ones socio-economic background. I, for one, came from Cotabato City in Maguindanao, a far-flung region from the academic hub that is Metro Manila. I spent the first 17 years of my life there in my hometown. In fact, when former President Estrada declared an “all-out-war” against the rebels in Mindanao in 2000, I was there studying math and science with sporadic machine-gun fires resonating in the background and helicopters hovering over our high-school building. But now, 11 years later, I am here with all of you celebrating my 6th graduation. We are all privileged to be given this U.P. opportunity, to be endowed with the kind of education U.P. has provided us all these years. It is our moral responsibility to give back and give more.
To our ever-so proud parents and loved ones, our sincerest love and thanks. Thank you for always being there for us, supporting and encouraging us every step of the way. Thank you for trusting us enough by allowing us to brave the premiere University of the country, the University of the Philippines. Thank you most especially for putting up with all our eccentricities as students of science. You have been the pillars of our strength since Day 1.
In my five years of stay in graduate school, I realized an important thing that I wish to share with you; that aside from doing what you really love and pursuing your passion, to be truly happy, one must have a sense of purpose that can be shared with many, especially with our blood brothers, our compatriots. One must have a goal that is bigger than oneself. The legendary Albert Einstein knew that. In fact, he said that “Man can only find meaning in life, short and perilous as it is, only through devoting himself to society.”
Fellow graduates, whatever path we choose from this moment forward, I sincerely wish us all the best and happiness. I hope that we will always find meaning in life.
Fellow scientists, we are but a rare breed; so wherever fate would lead us, I urge you, “join me in this exciting and fulfilling world of science!” Together, let us strive to make this nation a better place. It is our moral responsibility. We owe it to our mentors, to our colleagues, to the Filipino people. We owe it to ourselves.
Congratulations kanatong tanan. Daghang salamat ug maayong hapon. ●
