"The true aim of education is not knowledge but action."   -Herbert Spencer

As we start to feel more acquainted with the idea that the New Normal will be here for a while, I believe that all of us were able to start feeling a bit of hope again.

I am sure that at least once, most of us, if not all, have asked ourselves “Until when will this crisis torment us?” After all, this pandemic did not only affect our physical health, but also the status of our mental and social health. Mentally, in the sense that this health crisis made us anxious in almost everything that we do; and socially, because as we physically distance ourselves from people, our simple acts of love and friendship, such as shaking of hands and giving hugs, which we used to take for granted, were stripped from us due to the possibility of contracting an invisible enemy.

These things, in the perspective of a silver lining, taught us a lot. One is to not take everything for granted, and another one would be to celebrate even the smallest victories that we encounter each day. Every day is a blessing, and doing something worthwhile each day is a milestone.

The uncertainties and difficulties of this unexpected outbreak are still at hand, yet it is my belief that if we were able to remain standing during its onset, there is more that we can do to stay strong now that we are beginning to apply the lessons we learned from our mistakes in the past.

It has never been easy leading a great institution, but it has been bearable, and it was worth it because of the help of my colleagues in the Top Management and the Administrative Council, the unwavering support and contributions of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the USeP Board of Regents, the partners of the University, and of course, the whole USeP community. You have always had my back, and as a form of gratitude, it has also been my oath of commitment throughout the years to also lead you towards healing, empowerment, and rising together.

Many incidents this year attempted to break the academic spirit of resilience, but we stand united and stronger than before, since we have learned to assess areas in the University where we can still improve.

I am now on my sixth year in the presidency of this institution where I have spent more than three decades of my life. Those who have closely worked with me can attest that my commitment to serve USeP has never waived since day one. My faith in the competence of this University to change lives and transform communities will always remain.

Herbert Spencer once said that “the true aim of education is not knowledge but action.” When we talk about education, people often think that acquiring knowledge is the sole objective. While it is indeed the key, taking action is its ultimate goal, for learning is not something you do for the sake of it, but something you do in order to achieve a greater purpose.

I cannot help but believe that we were all destined to be part of the USeP community. I strongly believe that all of us are called together in the right place at the perfect time, because we are the ones who can navigate our way through any circumstance and lift USeP higher despite all the obstacles that would be thrown its way.  No words can express how grateful I am to be working with all of you.

I urge everyone to keep on with the path that we are currently taking. We will undoubtedly face many challenges and experience momentary setbacks, but let us take heart and not lose hope. As Elizabeth Edwards said it, and I quote:

“Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it’s less good than the one you had before. You can fight it, you can do nothing but scream about what you’ve lost, or you can accept that and try to put together something that’s good.”

(end of quote)

The University of Southeastern Philippines will continue to strive for greatness while preserving the University's core values: Unity, Stewardship, Excellence, and Professionalism.