The joys of a UP life
Third and last part
The writer gives a tribute, with affection and gratitude, to the University of the Philippines, where she served for 36 years, most of them in the Cebu campus. She still teaches one class in political science.
Her remarks, made on behalf of retired faculty, were given during a “Halad Pasalamat” program. “What am I in love with?” she said. “Three things—the campus, the students and the work environment.” — Editor
The work environment. Academic excellence is the backbone of a UP education. The performance of the faculty is evaluated regularly based on the highest standards. There are no shortcuts as we climb the academic ladder. I recall that as a member of the task force that prepared the policy papers for the opening of diplomatic relations between the Philippines with the USSR, and later on with China, I was already conducting briefings for the diplomatic corps when I was still a young instructor. But mind you, when I delivered my first public lecture to about a thousand listeners from the academe in 1975, I was shaking from head to toe. After that, I could face any audience.
Commitment, hard work, discipline, lifelong learning and constant retooling bring out the brightest colors of the rainbow in us. By colors, I mean teaching, research and extension. There is a summit in each of us; we can reach it by conquering peak by peak.
Our ace? The UP branding is a sure win. We just have to seize the day, the hour and the moment. Walk an extra mile, and the gateway to academic nirvana opens wide and clear.
No faculty in other institutions of higher learning in the country enjoy as much academic freedom as we do. This magic potion of academic freedom skyrockets us to greater heights and enables us to explore unknown galaxies as long as we exercise it with responsibility. We can then all shine in our own ways. Wala nay libakay. Good-bye, crab mentality!
This happy occasion is a celebration, so I don’t want to bark about the state of the classrooms and lack of facilities. Instead I would like to share with you the farewell speech of Fil-Am Dr. Benjamon Muego, a visiting professor from the United States in the late 1980s. He had been so critical about everything in UP Cebu from the tables, chairs, to the office, classroom, the library, the washroom and . . .
“By the way, who is this Prof. Etemadi?” he roared. Apparently, the students made a comparison between his teaching strategies with mine. At his despedida party at Great Han Palace, however, the great wall of pride and prejudice crumbled. Dr. Muego stated candidly: “I am so impressed that you can do so much with so little.”
On behalf of the faculty retirees, I would like to express our deepest appreciation to the University of the Philippines for giving us the platform to share our knowledge, wisdom and experience with the escolar ng bayan ,who are the hope of our future. You are, aren’t you?
Thank you very much, UP Beloved, for giving us the academic space to be the best of what we can be, growing and glowing as we carry the torch of the university in our engagement with the local governments and communities trying to make a difference in the lives of people.
Without the support of the administration and staff, we could not have done what we set out to do. The assistance of the staff cannot be discounted. Sometimes little things matter the most in life.
Never have I been questioned by my Social Science Division chair regarding my whereabouts though I used to hop from a meeting at City Hall to another meeting with NGOs and then ran like a headless chicken to my classes, but would always come prepared for class.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank Prof. Lydia Ybanez, the guiding star during those pioneering years; the gentleman Dr. Manolo Vaño who also looks down from heaven. Here on earth, the intellectual live wire Prof. Flora Generalao, the silent-water-runs-deep Prof. Yuleta Orillo, and the genderized engendering gender specialist Dr. Rhodora Bucoy for their confidence in me. Also supportive were Prof. Fredeswinda Kangleon and Dr. Cherry Ballescas. This early, our newly appointed chair Prof. Wency Mende already showed wisdom and sincerity when she prepared a new document for me to replace an earlier version executed months ago.
I will always cherish the friendship that has been cultivated among my colleagues especially among my former students who are teaching at the Social Sciences Division. There are eight of them—Henry, Claire, Weena, Francis, Lenie, Cathy, Rene and Chezie. My list of special mentions among the administrative staff and the representatives is endless; those who are in it know that in their hearts.
Retirement does not mean fading away. It means changing the dance steps from tango to the gracious yin-yang yoga poses of cat, cow, dog, camel, cobra, dragon, and warrior, radiating inner beauty, tranquility, and harmony with nature and closeness to the Divine. Yes, retirees continue to dance; for to dance is to live. “Live to dance!” according to Paula Abdul.
There is no farewell in the world of academia. Retirement is harvest season 2, 3, 4, 5 and so on, an endless cycle of reflection, summing up of one’s experiences and writing –manuals, memoirs, books and speeches like this.
The joy of working with my former students is one of the greatest rewards. The mentoring continues and mutual learning takes the relationship to a higher level of transcendental consciousness.
It means there is no more divide between the teacher and the learner; the teacher may become the learner, and the learner, the teacher or they become classmates. Arm in arm, the partners undertake new adventures and the journey continues in search of new knowledge and to build a good society, one that is inclusive, just, sustainable and livable.
