Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas CHANGING WORLD (Part 2) The never-ending search for new learning should be especially motivated by the desire to be of greater service to Philippine society.  Mayor Sotto couldn’t be clearer in emphasising what he learned from his alma mater, the Ateneo University, that has always encouraged its students to follow the advice of St. Ignatius Loyola of “being a  person for others.”  He encouraged the graduating students:  “Don’t let any situation dampen your dreams or visions for the future. Rather I challenge you to find ways to get more connected with your community.  All the future money and success that you might have will mean next to nothing if we’re not connected to other members of society.  So find people who share the same values as you do, connect with them, and build things together.  Be a catalyst for change together.  Reach out to the underprivileged together.  Fight for the good that you want to see in this world together.”   He ended his speech by encouraging his audience to “always stick to the values and principles that UA&P has helped shape in you.” What are the values and principles that the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) helps its students to acquire and strengthen throughout their whole lives?  The speech of Dr. Winston Padojinog, President of the UA&P, gives us an insight into these values and principles which can be adopted by any college graduate from whatever school. Since principles and values are shown in deeds, Dr. Padojinog—a management practitioner beside being an educator—started describing what he witnessed have been the reactions of UA&P students to the adversity brought about by the pandemic:  “UA&P Dragons (the label given to members of the UA&P community) think of others; they are empathetic and generous.  They immediately organize groups—big and small— to seek donations and assist those adversely affected by the quarantine:  the outsource personnel, their school mates, their fellow alumni, and even the security guards from nearby stores and establishments.  It takes a lot of character to think of others while also being in the same predicament.” President Padojinog, who was dean of the School of Management before becoming the president of the university, is at the very forefront of redefining capitalism from “stockholder capitalism” to “stakeholder capitalism.”  Very much conscious of the justified criticism that Pope Francis has hurled against untrammelled free-market capitalism in which the unique obsession is with maximizing profit for the stockholders, the budding entrepreneurs who are produced by the various business education programs of UA&P are taught to always think of the welfare of each of the various stakeholders of any enterprise.  The CEO and other members of top management must be willing to sacrifice part of the profits of a business to address the need for higher wages for the workers, greater safety for the consumers, financial security of the numerous small suppliers, environmental sustainability, and reasonable tax payments especially during hard times when the government is the only source of income for millions of households through the Social Amelioration Program. (SAP). The second feature of UA&P Dragons, according to President Padojinog, consists in their having initiative, industriousness and openness to dialogue and collaboration.  It is hoped that the adversities faced especially by the poorer elements of Philippine society will nurture the spirit of cooperation among the graduating students of today.  Dr. Padojinog praised the students for their collaborative spirit:  “The university was able to manage the shift to emergency response teaching mode because the student body participated in surveys that provided key information needed to guide decisions affecting all of you.  I believe that most UA&P students, instead of joining the chorus of rants on social media, went to work, exploring possible solutions to their situation and do their best to work with others.”  The very motto of the whole UA&P community is “Unitas” which means being united to  all who are contributing to the common good of the community. Especially during these times of collapsing income, employment, and enterprises,  a human value most needed is that of optimism, the ability to see that the glass is half-filled even if it is half-empty.  For this reason, President Padojinog complimented the UA&P Dragons for being optimistic and cheerful:  “With their optimism grounded on hope, they continue to move forward with a big smile on their faces despite the many obstacles before them.  I also believe that many have rediscovered the importance of prayer and the value of family life. The fact that we finished the second semester following the academic calendar and that you are here before me now as graduates—even if virtually—having fulfilled your requirements and met the standards, are clear indications of the mettle of which  UA&P Dragons are made.” Not only the UA&P graduates but also all the estimated 800,000 young people leaving universities and colleges all over the country should be able to see that portion of the glass that is filled.  When economists talk about a V-shape recovery as contrasted with an L-shape recovery (which means a much longer time before the economy will return to its pre-pandemic condition), it should be pointed out that there are sectors of the economy that were not as hard hit by the pandemic and will bounce back more quickly than others.  These sectors are the food and agribusiness industry; the digital sector (including the very large BPO-IT industry that employs more than a million generally young people); the health and wellness sector that includes not only the curative portion such as pharmaceuticals, hospitals and clinics but also the products and services that strengthen immunity against diseases, such as exercise machines, healthy food items and supplements, and even products like rubber shoes that are necessary for sports and regular exercises.  Also part of the sunrise industry sector is the whole field of education, whether formal (leading to degrees), non-formal (structured learning programs that do not lead to degrees), and informal (a variety of seminars, webinars, and online courses  offered to the public or within the confines of an enterprise in the form of in-house upskilling programs).  These are the sectors which should offer the greatest opportunities for employment to the college graduates of 2020. Dr. Padojinog has his feet planted firmly on the ground. He does not paint a rosy picture of the economy:  “The future looks challenging, at least economically.  Domestic and global economies are tanking (as the graduates were receiving their diplomas virtually, they were being informed by the media that the GDP of the Philippines declined by a devastating 16.5 percent in the second quarter of 2020).    Many industries and businesses are shut or close to shutting down.  You will be part of the close to 800,000 other graduates joining the labor pool with difficult prospects of immediate employment.  Meanwhile, 7.8 billion people are waiting for the vaccine, hoping to leave this malaise behind once and for all.” A realistic view is that the COVID-19 can be controlled at manageable levels to allow a return to normal social behaviour only two to three years from now.   But what are two to three years compared to the next 40 years more of expected life of those graduating from college in 2020?  During these coming four decades, the Philippines is considered to be one of the most promising emerging markets in the whole world, according to a good number of independent think tanks and financial institutions.  Optimism about the long-term prospects of the Philippine economy is, therefore, founded on solid grounds and not just a case of “whistling in the dark.” To be continued.