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MANILA, Philippines – “You are now in a crisis,” Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle addressed the 1,902 new graduates of the University of the Philippines-Manila on Friday, April 25.
By “crisis” the prelate meant the transition from being a student to becoming leaders, and having to choose between serving one’s interests or the common good.
“You have to make a decision: will you serve the people, or will you burden them?” Tagle told the graduates during the 105th commencement exercises at the Philippine International Convention Center.
Intelligence, he told the products of the premier state university, does not always guarantee one’s trustworthiness in position of influence.
“In fact, there are so many people who know so much, but they are the ones who do the mischief. They use their knowledge to take advantage of the nation,” Tagle said. “Please don’t add to their ranks.”
Lauding the theme of this year’s graduation ceremony “Dangal at Katapatan sa Paglilingkod sa Bayan” (Honor and Honesty in Serving the Country), Tagle urged the new graduates to be truthful and responsible members of society.
Tagle said that in order to be honorable and truthful, one must strive to find and uphold the common good.
‘Sugat ng lipunan’
The archbishop said that, at present, one of the biggest problems faced by our country is the waning trust that the people have toward society due to the amount of corruption around.
He cited the irony in the growth of the country’s GDP alongside the growing number of amount of poor families in the country.
Tagle said people are in search of the leaders and nation builders who can be trusted to truly serve the benefit of many.
He then gave them a plea, “Even your little skills, use them well not only for yourself or your families, but for our beloved country, especially the needy.”
Ending his speech, Tagle encouraged the graduates to be brave in choosing the path of honor and truthfulness.
“Be it when the people see you, or smell you, they will be able to breathe in relief and say: finally, we have found someone who we can trust to serve truthfully.” – with a report from Christian Cejalvo/Rappler.com
Beata Carolino is a Rappler intern and journalism student at the University of the Philippines-Diliman.
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