Lyceum fetes outstanding alumni
Isagani Yambot, the late publisher of the Inquirer, was honored recently as one of the Outstanding Diamond Jubilee Alumni of Lyceum of the Philippines (LPU).
Yambot, who passed away a few weeks before the award ceremonies that were a part of the university’s celebration of its 60th year, obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism degree from LPU. He had earlier earned an Associate in Arts degree from the University of the Philippines.
Yambot was one of only two print journalists among 51 awardees that included senators, congressmen, judges, justices and ambassadors. The honorees received trophies bearing the likeness of Lyceum founder Dr. Jose P. Laurel, framed commemorative stamps issued by the Philippine Postal Corp. and the special anniversary Swatch edition.
LPU president Roberto P. Laurel said honoring alumni “focuses the spotlight on what has been and continues to be, our role in our country’s life and history … as a staunch and committed partner in nation-building,” a legacy handed down by its founder, the former Philippine President, and his son Senator Sotero H. Laurel.
Roberto Laurel said each of the honorees excelled in their chosen fields of endeavor, in keeping with the late President’s belief that education should seek to develop a person’s God-given faculties and talents to make him/her an asset to the world community.
Father’s guidance
Laurel said his father, Sotero, shared the late President’s belief in “the courageous pursuit of truth and knowledge,” which guided his management of the university.
The LPU president said the different political parties and persuasions of the outstanding alumni were “unassailable proof of the vibrancy and liberalism of the Lyceum education.”
The men and women who were being honored, he said, were “outstanding Filipinos who have given back and made worthy contributions to our country and to the world.”
Speaking on behalf of his fellow honorees, Speaker Feliciano R. Belmonte Jr., a Bachelor of Laws graduate, also cited Lyceum’s encouragement of a free exchange of ideas.
Belmonte said: “Our differences—and the struggles we waged individually—honor rather than demean the legacy of this institution.”
For country and people
Lyceum mentors, he added, gave them “the courage to seek the truth, to test custom and tradition, to reject convention and explore new horizons upon which we could find new ideas and endeavors for the benefit of country and people.”
Aside from Yambot and Belmonte, the other outstanding alumni were: Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, Ernesto F. Herrera, Panfilo M. Lacson, Alvin G. Dans, Jose Macario L. Laurel IV, Saturnino C. Ocampo, Isidoro E. Real Jr., Reginaldo N. Tilanduca, Renato M. Unico, Edgar R. Lara, Maria Gracia Cielo M. Padaca, Eusebio A. Abaquin, Ronald B. Allarey, Reynaldo O. Arcilla, Rodolfo A. Arizala, Abraham R. Estavillo, Rafael A. Gonzales, Rolando S. Gregorio, Macabangkit B. Lanto, Bayani S. Mercado, Lamberto V. Monsanto, Fortunato D. Oblena;
Juan A. Ona, Farita Aguilucho-Ong, Nestor N. Padalhin, Emelinda Lee-Pineda, Rosalinda V. Tirona, Aladin G. Villacorte, Mercedes Gozo-Dadole, Angelita A. Gacutan, Alexander G. Gesmundo, Aurora Santiago-Lagman, Arcangelita Romilla-Lontok, Priscilla Baltazar-Padilla, Francisco S. Tantuico Jr., Amelita G. Tolentino, Caridad R. Valdehuesa, Victor B. Endriga, Manuel F. Bruan, Angel L. Sadang, Milwida M. Guevara, Maria M. Vicente, Charles T. Ferrer, Marcelo L. Tesalona, Rodrigo B. de los Reyes, Joel C. Lamangan, Cesar Montano, Alfredo G. Gabot and Gary David.
Belmonte said the institution itself was worthy of accolades. Except for Estrada, all awardees attended the event or sent representatives.
