In the face of a future yet to be written, beset by Promethean technologies and an Apolakian climate, one of the country’s foremost Filipino writers calls on a new generation of Filipino scientists to stay grounded—and stand their ground.
“Ihahabilin ko ito nang may pakiusap: Huwag sanang magbago ang isip ninyo. Kailangan ng bansa natin ng higit pang maraming scientist (I leave you with this plea: I hope you don’t change your minds. Our country needs many more scientists),” distinguished writer Dr. Rosario Torres-Yu exhorted the University of the Philippines-Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) graduating class of 2023, noted for having the most number of PhD graduates in the College’s 40-year history.
A professor emeritus and former dean of the College of Arts and Letters (UPD-CAL), Torres-Yu expressed cautious optimism for the future in her keynote address delivered at the UPD-CS Special Recognition Program last July 29. She also underscored the fundamental role of Filipino scientists in safeguarding the country’s future.
UPD-CS’ newly minted graduates should never forget why they became scientists, Torres-Yu said: “Ang kinang ay dapat timplahin ng kabuluhan para higit na maging kapakinabangan sa bayan at sambayanan. Samakatwid, hindi tayo nabubuhay para sa sariling kinang lamang (Brilliance must be tempered with purpose, so that it may better serve the nation and society. Thus, we do not live solely for personal glory).”
Torres-Yu said she would be remiss as a professor and mentor if she did not urge vigilance and caution amid the celebration. She reminded UPD-CS’ new scientists that their lives and work are not isolated from the rest of the world:
“Anuman ang laboratoryong piliin, hindi ito maitatago sa nangyayari sa mundo. Kumbaga sa bagyo, literal at metaporikal, umaabot sa atin ang unos, baha, lindol, pagkawasak ng kapaligiran, kabuhayan at kapayapaan… Gusto ko mang iwasan ang pagbanggit tungkol dito, dahil ang pagtatapos ninyo ay dapat na maging masaya, magkukulang naman ako bilang guro kung hindi ko man lang mabanggit ang tungkol dito (Whatever laboratory that’s chosen, it cannot be isolated from current global events. Likening it to a typhoon, literal and metaphorical, these storms, floods, earthquakes, destruction of the environment, livelihoods, and peace, will reach you… Much as I would like to avoid mentioning these things, as your graduation should be a happy occasion, I would be remiss in my duties as a teacher if I didn’t mention these),” she told the gathered crowd of over 400 graduates.
“Ang mahalaga ay manatili ang ugaling mapagmatyag na taglay na ninyo dahil mga scientist kayo; maging mapanuri, makilahok at pumanig sa pagbabagong makabubuti sa ating bayan at sa sangkatauhan (What’s important is that you retain your observant nature as scientists; be critical, actively participate in and advocate for changes that would lead to the betterment of our nation and of the human race),” she added.
She also touched on the need to inspire Filipino children to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through literature. Torres-Yu’s non-profit organization, Supling Sining Inc (SSI), has collaborated with UPD-CS to create the Sulong-Agham multilingual children’s books series.
UPD-CS’ Class of 2023 produced 454 graduates. This number consists of 19 PhD graduates, 108 MS graduates, seven MA graduates, three Professional Masters, five diploma recipients, and 312 BS graduates. The number of the College’s PhD graduates for 2023 is also almost double that of the previous year, the most number of PhD graduates UPD-CS has had in its 40 years of existence. (UPD-CS Science Communications)