An Oath and a Legacy for the Land of Promise
Message of University of the Philippines (UP) President Angelo Azura Jimenez at the Welcome Dinner and President’s Night.
September 14, 2023, Dusit Thani Grand Ballroom, Dusit Thani Residence, Davao City.
Maayong gabii kaninyong tanan, Magandang gabi sa inyong lahat!
Good evening everyone!
I am humbled by the privilege of once again being honored by our brothers and sisters from the indigenous communities, particularly here in Mindanao, and more so in this series of days when I am here professing my commitment to lead our country’s national university, while manifesting my love for the people of the Land of Promise.
Karon pa lang, mangayo nako ug pasaylo sa atong mga kauban gikan sa Kaulohan kay mag-binisaya ko gamay, kini tungod sa akong dakong kalipay tungod sa pagpatigayon sa akong Investiture diri sa atoa, ug sa panalagsaon, ug unta dili katapusang higayon, nga ako ania sa Mindanao isip Pangulo sa UP.
At this point, I beg the indulgence of our colleagues from Manila since I will speaking in Bisaya once in a while, and this is because I am overjoyed that the Investiture is held here in the land of my birth, and this is a very special, and hopefully not the last, opportunity to be here as the President of UP.
Kaganihang buntag, ako nag-panaad isip Pangulo sa Unibersidad sa Pilipinas, nga akong tumanon ang iyang nag-inusarang mandato nga mangulo sa pagtudlo, panukiduki, ug pagserbisyo sa katawhan. Lakip na niini ang akong kaugalingong panaad nga akong pangulohan ang Unibersidad, dili lang isip usa ka Pilipino, kundili usa pud usab ka Mindanawon [This morning, I promised as the President of the University of the Philippines to fulfill its mandate to exercise distinctive leadership in education, research, and public service. Along with this, I also made a promise to myself that I will lead the University not only as a Filipino, but also as a Mindanawon].
When I took my oath in Sitio Mahayahay, in Anticala, Butuan City earlier this year, in the presence of school kids, I not only made a commitment to the University as its 22nd President, but also to Mindanao, the land of my birth, always known as the Land of Promise, with many of its youth still hungry and struggling to have access to the best academic, vocational, and economic opportunities which may allow them to realize their potentials, their dreams, and the promise of a better life for their families and their communities.
Pasayloa ko, forgive me, if the weight of my being a son of Mindanao weighs heavily upon my shoulders. The thought of being the first President from this land of ours is a responsibility which I do not take lightly, as it is an opportunity to not only lead the University with the distinct perspective of someone from country’s literal and figurative South, but also someone who, with the support of the whole University community, may be able to bring UP closer to these islands of ours, which have had decades of conflict, distrust, neglect, and exploitation.
Mindanao is more than the usual image of conflict that we have grown far too often see in the news. It is home to not only one or two faiths, but several, many being indigenous and important to the appreciation of our roots as Filipinos, or as we call it in Bisaya as Kagikan.
Mindanao also hosts several of the country’s diverse cultural traditions which form part of our colorful and distinct heritage. The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples or the NCIP itself said in 2009, that about 61% of the country’s indigenous peoples are found in our island, while 33% are found in Luzon, and only 6% are found in the Visayas. That is not to say that the indigenous communities in other parts of the country are not important, but it serves to highlight how much this land of ours holds in terms of heritage or what we may call here as Kabilin.
Tonight, let us celebrate the unique culture and heritage that not only forms part of the tradition and history of Mindanao, but also our identity as a nation. Isip kabahin sa mga Lumad sa Mindanaw, isa sa akong kanunay ipasigarbo ang akong pagka-Manobo, nga usa ka timailhan sa akong kalambigitan sa pagpanalipod, pagpakaylap, ug pagpatunhay sa atong kagikan [As someone who considers himself part of the Lumad of Mindanao, I am always proud of my Manobo identity, proof of my sworn duty to protect, promote and preserve our heritage].
There is no better venue to showcase what is Mindanao to our friends from other parts of the country and abroad than tonight, here in this event. And so, my friends, let us celebrate this evening and enjoy the performances, and take pride in the beauty, the culture, the history, and the people, that is Mindanao.
Daghang salamat ug maayong gabii kaninyong tanan!
