PGMA: DECLARE 2010 AS “YEAR OF THE THOMASIAN

The following is the letter I sent today (by fax and e-mail) to the "Letters to the Editor" section of the top broadsheets:


PGMA: DECLARE 2010 AS “YEAR OF THE THOMASIAN”

Ten years ago on February 8, 2000 then-President Joseph Estrada signed Presidential Proclamation No. 243 declaring 2000 as “The Year of OFWs”. It was the result of a yearlong campaign that I – a former OFW in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – initiated in 1999. The aim was to focus more attention on OFWs and recognize overseas Filipinos’ immense contribution to the general good of our country, with the hope that it would jumpstart renewed efforts in promoting their welfare and well-being. (Incidentally I was also one of the earliest advocates of the Absentee Voting and Dual Citizenship Bills which were eventually passed into law)

On July 1, 2009 I faxed and emailed a letter to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo proposing another declaration – 2010 as “Year of the Thomasian” (http://ust400. blogspot.com/2009/06/ 2010-as-year-of-thomasian.html) – which I believe would be a very good way of ending the first decade of the 21st century and the perfect prelude to the global celebration of UST’s Quadricentennial in 2011. January is almost over and it seems no action has been taken to effect the declaration except for the referral made by Dir. Celso Cainglet of the President’s Correspondence Office to the Head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, Mr. Joaquin Lagonera, on August 6, 2009 for appropriate action. It is, however, not yet late to push for the declaration.

So why 2010 as Year of the Thomasian?

UST’s distinction as the oldest university in Asia and the largest Catholic university in the world (in terms of student population in one campus) and the fact that it counts among its alumni four Philippine presidents, six Supreme Court justices, and hundreds – perhaps thousands even – of prominent and outstanding men and women in various fields of endeavor, plus UST’s role in Philippine history, should make the university’s 400th anniversary not only a celebration for the Thomasian community but for the entire country as well. In fact, we as a people should be thankful if only for the fact that such an event of great historical importance is happening during our lifetime.

As an alumnus I, therefore, believe that it is only fitting that a tribute be made to Thomasians. But lest this sound as a bid by present-day Thomasians themselves for self aggrandizement, this is just one UST alumnus’ idea of honoring the academic community that he was once, is still, and will always proudly be a part of – the Thomasian family.

President Arroyo, let this be one of your last significant actions before stepping down from the presidency. But more than that, let it be your ultimate tribute to one of the greatest Thomasians who ever lived – your own father, Diosdado Pangan Macapagal.

For your father and the men and women of centuries past who have brought honor to UST by doing their share in the shaping of our nation through their professional expertise or talent in the fields of engineering, commerce, education, law, arts and letters, fine arts, nursing, medicine, pharmacy and sciences; for the UST graduates of the recent past who stood out or continue to stand out in the fields of entertainment, music, films, business, pageants and public service; for the entire Thomasian family of the past four centuries – declare 2010 as YEAR OF THE THOMASIAN! It would be a tribute and recognition well-earned and well-deserved, the perfect gift to the Thomasian community on the eve of their alma mater’s 400th year.


RHOEL RAYMUNDO MENDOZA
Fine Arts – Advertising 1981
1990 POEA Bagong Bayani awardee