UP Manila Reaffirms Integrity and Service from the Heart

February 10, 2026

Text by: Charmaine A. Lingdas
Photos by: Sarah Hazel Moces S. Pulumbarit

“Bilang mga lingkod bayan, inaasahan tayong unahin ang interes ng bayan kaysa sa pansariling kapakanan. Kung ang lahat ng saklaw ng lingkod bayan—mga kawani ng pamahalaan, mga opisyal ng estado, at sinumang may tungkuling magbigay ng serbisyo sa taong bayan—ay tutupad sa kanilang gawain nang may katapatan at malasakit, makakamit natin ang isang maunlad at inklusibong lipunan,”

said Center for Gender and Women’s Studies (CGWS) Director Prof. Mary Dorothy Jose during the flag-raising ceremony on Feb. 9, 2026 at the Joaquin Gonzales Compound.

In the short program during the sidelines of the flag-raising ceremony, she emphasized that integrity and service are core values expected of public servants, noting that these principles should guide daily work in the University.

The flag ceremony was hosted by the CGWS and the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) with the theme “Service from the Heart, Integrity in Every Part.” The event gathered members of the UP Manila community, including university officials, faculty, and staff.

Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Bernadette Heizel Reyes shared reflections drawn from recent discussions among UP Manila faculty on defining the University’s educational philosophy and graduate attributes during the Writeshop attended by the members of the Committee of Instruction on Jan. 27-29, 2026.

She explained that graduate attributes refer to the qualities that all graduating students are expected to possess. She shared that 33 faculty members who recently participated in a Writeshop identified essential attributes of a UP Manila graduate. She revealed two of the attributes that closely aligned with the ceremony’s theme. One of these was integrity, described through the value of being marangal, while the other was masikhay, which she identified as fortitude and another key quality envisioned for UP Manila graduates.

Vice Chancellor Reyes highlighted these qualities that should be evident not only in graduates but also among University personnel. “I hope you find many opportunities to do what is right, to work through difficulties, and to derive joy in doing so—habang ginagawa natin ito, ginagawa natin ang ating ambag upang maging halimbawa tayo sa pamayanang ating pinaglilingkuran.” she said.