MANILA, Philippines - The mark of a UP student has always been a keen awareness of the country’s ailments and needs particularly because the University of the Philippines has always been a venue for fostering critical, independent and nationalist thinking. This was once again reaffirmed when UP Manila became the next stop for the Caravan for Good Governance last December 2, 2008.

The event, held at the Sentro Oftalmologico Jose Rizal Auditorium of the Philippine General Hospital was organized by the Mu Sigma Phi Fraternity in cooperation with the Office of the Chancellor and the Office of Student Affairs with the help of our partner organizations Agapay, Kalinga at Kuwentong Alay ng mga Pharmaceutico of the College of Pharmacy, Political Science Society and Behavioral Science Society of the College of Arts and Sciences and PH Sibol of the College of Public Health.

The Kaya Natin! Group, spearheading the Caravan for Good Governance, was established June 2008 with the noble aim of espousing genuine change and ethical leadership in our country. With such ends, their means of spreading their message is through interactive forums with the youth wherein they can discuss pertinent prevailing topics as well as share their own personal battles against corruption in our country’s dirt-laden political landscape.

The recently successfully concluded symposium was graced not only by the students from the different colleges but also by several key persons in the UP Manila community which include Vice-Chancellor for Administration Dr. Orlino Talens ΜΣΦ 1969, who also gave the opening remarks for the program, Dr. Rafael Bundoc ΜΣΦ 1986, Dr. Armando Crisostomo ΜΣΦ 1981 as well as other faculty members from the various colleges of UP Manila.

The first speaker was Governor Teodoro “Teddy” Baguilat, Jr. of the Ifugao Province. A UP Diliman alumnus who grew up in Manila, decided to return to his family’s province to learn more about his cultural heritage, eventually leading to his election as councilor of Kiangan and eventually to his present position as governor. He is currently leading the efforts to preserve the Ifugao culture and to restore one of the most beautiful tourist sites in the region, the Banaue Rice Terraces.

The second speaker was Mayor Sonia Lorenzo of San Isidro, Nueva Ecija. Inheriting a local government unit in disarray, Mayor Lorenzo’s efforts brought order to San Isidro as well as several awards which included the Tanging Alay sa Tanging Anak ng Nueva Ecija Award, The Award for Excellence for the Municipality of San Isidro and the Presidential Award for Best Performing Local Government Units Against Illegal Drugs.

The third speaker was Governor Grace Padaca of Isabela. This Magna Cum  Laude graduate of BS Business Administration, Major in Accountancy from the Lyceum College of the Philippines was also a former radio broadcast journalist in the region. Her efforts in public service resulted in several awards which include the International Women of Courage Award in 2007 and the 2008 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service.

ETHICAL LEADERSHIP. Mayor Jesse Robredo of Naga City calls shares his take on responsible leadership.

The last speaker was Mayor Jessie Robredo of Naga City. He earned his Masters in Public Administration at the prestigious John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and his Masters in Business Administration at the University of the Philippines finishing at the top of his class. In addition to making the history books by being the youngest mayor in the Philippines at the age of 29, his efforts have made Naga City the premier city in the Bicol region allowing him to garner some of his numerous accolades which include the 1996 Outstanding Young Persons of the World Award, the Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines award and the 1998 Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence as Most Outstanding City Mayor of the Philippines.

Each speaker’s talk was very inspiring and motivating given the short time provided. The intimate setting of the auditorium and the personal experiences of each one contributed to a gathering that surely achieved its goal – to elicit awareness and action from the youth. All throughout, the speakers were united in their stand in promoting clean elections and good administrative practices through awareness and action. The forum's conclusion provided the audience a chance to converse with our guests as well as to air questions regarding the role of youth in achieving the group’s goals for the country. All in all, it was a very fruitful experience for students and teachers alike. Surely, this movement will go the distance and achieve the change that we not only want but most importantly, need.

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