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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Speaker Romualdez addresses 'alleged donation' to Harvard University

Speaker Romualdez addresses 'alleged donation' to Harvard University

Published Sep 17, 2023 05:07 am

At A Glance

  • House Speaker Martin Romualdez neither confirmed nor denied the supposed donation he made to Harvard University and instead said he was respecting the "gift policy" of the centuries-old university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 

received_1382654835546789.jpegHouse Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

 

 

 

 

 

 

House Speaker Martin Romualdez neither confirmed nor denied the supposed donation he made to Harvard University and instead said he was respecting the "gift policy" of the centuries-old university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 

"In light of recent speculations regarding my alleged donation to Harvard University, I choose to respect the institution's gift policy," Romualdez, leader of the 311-member House of Representatives in the Philippines, said in a statement on Sunday, Sept. 17. 

"Harvard has already communicated that they 'do not discuss the terms or specifics of individual gifts', and I stand by that principle," he said. 

Romualdez visited Harvard last April for a speaking engagement. 

What's "more important" according to the House leader is to "redirect our attention to the significant milestone achieved — the introduction of the Filipino language course at Harvard." 

"This is a remarkable acknowledgment of our culture and heritage on a global platform," said the Leyte 1st district representative. 

"As mentioned by Mr. Jose Marco C. 'Marcky' Antonio II '25, co-president of the Harvard Undergraduate Philippine Forum, our focus should be on celebrating this achievement. I firmly believe in promoting and preserving our Filipino identity, and this step by Harvard is a testament to that effort," he said. 

Romualdez called on Filipinos to "embrace this moment of pride and unity for our country and our language". 

Harvard University--founded way back in 1636 as Harvard College--recently introduced a Tagalog course among its academic offerings. 

“The teaching of Tagalog at Harvard University is a source of great national pride. The university is one of the top academic institutions in the world, if not the best. Its programs are emulated or duplicated in other institutions of higher learning," Romualdez said at the time the new course was announced. 

Tagalog is the dialect on which the Filipino language is mostly based. It is reportedly the fourth most spoken language in the US, which is home to some 4.2 million Filipino Americans.

 

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