This is the motto of the University of the Philippines that all iskolar ng bayan takes to heart upon entering the country’s leading educational institution.

Being recognized for embodying these ideals is definitely icing on the cake for any UP alumnus. Never did I imagine in my freshman year that I would be receiving such an award. Imagine my shock to learn that I was an awardee by the UP Alumni Association (UPAA) for Distinguished Alumnus for Science and Technology for this year.

It began when I was nominated by my classmates (UP Medicine Class 1975) for Distinguished Alumnus at the UP Medical Alumni Society Homecoming last year for our Golden Jubilee celebration. I had declined saying there are many more deserving classmates for this award but they were insistent. So, I had to come up with the numerous and stringent requirements for the nomination, listing all my life’s works, positions and accomplishments in the field of medicine.

I received the award last December much to my surprise, knowing the depth of talent in the UPCM. That would have been the crowning moment of my career and I could not have asked for more. It also came with an automatic nomination for the UPAA Distinguished Alumni awards. I was among 54 alumni to be chosen, among whom are some very well known in their fields like Nanette Inventor and Bibeth Orteza (Performing Arts and Literature). Who doesn’t know Renato Solidum Jr., whose work in Earth Sciences, Volcanology and Disaster Risk Reduction is legendary.

The Most Distinguished Alumnus is Mr. Jorge Araneta of the famous Araneta clan, and probably more famous as the husband of former Miss Universe Stella Marquez-Araneta. But he was the prime mover in the development of the Araneta Center and the Araneta Coliseum, where we have had many momentous concerts, pageants and sports events.

My English Honors classmate Rey Casambre is one of the honorees for Peace and Order. Another English Honors classmate, Marivic Eustaquio-Anonuevo’s husband’s family also received the Generational Award for having three generations of UP graduates. Our English Honors classmates of 1967 keep in touch all the time and this is definitely a moment to celebrate.

I was also happy to see some of my former students in the UP College of Medicine receive the same honor. Dr. Lorna Ramos-Abad (UPCM class 1980) is a Lifetime Achievement awardee and she was also my colleague in the Philippine Childrens Medical Center. Dr. Jean Anne Toral (UPCM Class 1994), Dr. Edward Wang (UPCM Class 1983) and Dr. Jack Domingo Arroyo Jr. (UPCM Class 1983) were among the awardees. What a great compliment to their mentors that we have produced many outstanding graduates.

Name-dropping aside, it was humbling to be in the presence of fellow alumni who have contributed to the nation in their individual fields and capacities. Hearing their achievements enumerated during the ceremony certainly cemented the leading role that UP has on the country’s development in my mind.

The theme for this year’s alumni homecoming is Leading with Dangal. Dangal means dignity but it is also means honor and integrity.

At the 41st Alumni council meeting where awardees were invited to a panel discussion, there was the question of ethical leadership. For me, the defining moment was when I had to stand up and speak at the Senate hearing on a controversy about a hepatitis B-positive unit that was transfused into a PCMC patient. With my knowledge of immunology, I tried to defuse the incipient hysteria developing over blood transfusions which could have led to patients rejecting life-saving blood transfusions. I was neither involved in the incident nor obligated to speak up but I did just the same. You don’t need to be in a position of leadership or authority to make an impact on matters on which you can contribute significantly.

Another question was the role of UP alumni in helping restore public trust and strengthen our institutions today. Public trust is based not only on what people will believe but also on how messages are delivered by people with integrity and competence. We must not be afraid to speak truth to power no matter the consequences to ourselves. Which was why I spoke out against the Dengvaxia disinformation and panic-driving witch hunt by the Public Attorney’s Office that caused hysteria and loss of vaccine confidence, that in turn led to measles epidemics that killed hundreds of children. It led to my being included in the homicide charges of supposed deaths by Dengvaxia, but I was subsequently declared innocent by the court though it cost me time, money and emotional distress. Still, I find it worth the while if only to correct the situation.

UP alumni have to live up to its motto. Mabuhay ang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas!