Read during the 106th UP Manila Commencement Exercises at the PICC Plenary Hall (26 June 2015).

Commencement Address
106th Commencement Exercises of University of the Philippines Manila
June 26, 2015

Delivered by
Academician Carmencita David Padilla MD, MAHPS
9th Chancellor of UP Manila

National Scientist and Former UP Manila Chancellor Ernesto Domingo, National Scientist Lourdes Cruz, National Scientist Mercedes Concepcion, Academician and former UP President Emil Javier, Academician and former UP Los Banos Chancellor Ruben Villareal, Academician Jaime Montoya, Academician and UP Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan, Chair Patricia Licuanan, UP President Alfredo Pascual, Regent Ponciano Rivera, Regent Neill John G. Macuha, Former Regent Nelia Gonzales, Former Regent Lourdes Abadingo, Academician and Vice President for Academic Affairs Gisela Concepcion, Vice President for Administration Maragtas Amante, Vice President for Development Elvira Zamora, Vice President for Public Affairs Prospero de Vera, University Secretary Lillian de las Llagas, UP Open University Chancellor Grace Alfonso, UP Mindanao Chancellor Sylvia Concepcion, UP Cebu Dean Liza Corro, Former UP Manila Chancellor Ramon Arcadio, Former UP Manila Chancellor Marita Reyes, UP System UP Press Director Jose Neil Garcia

Professor Emeriti

Vice Chancellors, Deans and Directors from UP Manila and other Constituent Units

Australian Ambassador Bill Twedell

UP Los Banos Chancellor Fernando Sanchez who was here until past midnight supervising his team in the completion of their gift, this beautiful stage

My UP Manila family

Guests, parents, my dear Patrick, relatives and friends, my dear graduates

Graduations are important milestones in our lives. Indeed, it is both the end of a chapter in our life and the beginning of a new one. When I was seated in the audience like all of you 38 years ago, I had no idea where my path will bring me. The only thing that was clear in my mind then was that I wanted to become a doctor. Yes I became a doctor and more, as my life is full of vibrant stories to share. I asked my son Patrick, a medical intern at the Philippine General Hospital and my mentees who are part of the graduating class of College of Medicine 2015 which story should I share with the rest of you, my graduates. They were one in saying – share the story on how I became a geneticist.


Turning point in my life


My path to genetics was a major turning point in my life. Early on, I wanted to become a doctor and to be specific, a pediatrician. When I was in pediatrics training at the Philippine 2 General Hospital, I decided that I wanted to become a neonatologist – a specialist who takes care of very sick newborns and premature babies – babies born before 9 months. Everything was clear and set for my training in London until the lone geneticist at the Philippine General Hospital died of cancer leaving a vacuum in our department. Since I was the youngest faculty member at that time, I was pressured by senior faculty members of the Department of Pediatrics to change my field of subspecialty from neonatology to genetics. It was a very difficult situation for me. I was upset and hurt. Although a very difficult decision to pursue a road less traveled, I finally said ‘yes’. I listened to the wisdom of the senior faculty members because I trusted them.

Upon my return, and being the only clinical geneticist in 1990, I had the responsibility of setting up genetic clinical services at the Philippine General Hospital. In a decade, I was able to set up four genetic laboratories at the National Institutes of Health followed by a series of newborn screening laboratories nationwide – in Manila to serve the National Capital Region, Region 4 and 5; in Iloilo to serve the Visayas; in Davao to serve Mindanao; in Angeles City to serve Northern Luzon and in Batangas to serve Southern Luzon.

Looking back now, I have no regrets. I am happy I made that difficult decision in 1987. If I pursued the path of a neonatologist, I will be working in 3 or 4 hospitals only. Because I opted to be a geneticist, I became instrumental in setting up the newborn screening program that is currently being offered in more than 5000 hospitals in the country bringing hope to every newborn in the Philippines. As of today, the program has saved 120,000 babies from mental retardation and death.


Life Choices and Challenges


My dear graduates, life is made up of choices. In every crossroad in our life, we always have a choice. The best choice may not always be the easiest. The right choice may not necessarily what you want. But you will always have a choice, and in 1987 I listened to my mentors and made a decision and there was no turning back.

At every step of the way, I could have said ‘no’. I could have stayed where I was comfortable. But I felt that I had a bigger responsibility to society, to the country. And I hope that whenever you are confronted with these choices, keep in mind what your education stands for. Keep in mind the hopes and aspirations of the people who sent you here in UP – the Filipino people.

However, as I have said, the best, the right choice, may not always be the easiest. Let me rephrase that: it is often not the easiest. There is a reason why such road is, as they say, less traveled.
Having pioneered many programs in the country, I have learned to be ready for frustrations. My tips, Learn to transform these frustrations to challenges, and challenges to successes. Look for creative ways to transform frustrations to success. Teach yourself to be resourceful in offering creative solutions to old problems. Be proactive yet patient.

Let me share with you that in 1992, I first offered newborn screening to the Department of Health. At that point, they turned me away. It was very simple and understandable. DOH said – no data, no policy. This challenged my team to research and produce the data. In 1996, a team of 24 hospitals joined the advocacy of newborn screening even if funding was extremely difficult. The 24 hospitals came up with a creative source of funding to support the pilot study. Nobody believed that it was worth funding. I distinctly recall a project defense in June 1996 when our project proposal was at the verge of being rejected based on the tone of questions and comments. As a closing statement to the panel, I said that newborn screening has been proven to be successful in many countries in the past 30 years. The newborn screening study group was just inviting them to be part of history. Of course, that closing statement clinched the approval of a small grant.

In 2000, my team was having great difficulty integrating newborn screening in the public health system. In one of my meetings at DOH, they said that our operational problems needed legislation. My co-faculty members at the College of Public Health encouraged me to enroll at the Master of Arts of Health Policy Studies to gain skills in policy writing.

In 2003, I wrote the draft bill and gave it to Senator Flavier. When the bill was filed, several sectors, including physician groups, tried to stop this bill from being passed. A bill that translated to saving lives was being rejected by physicians…….sadly yes. But the newborn screening bill was miraculously passed in less than a year.

If I stopped in 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2003, then the country will not have a national newborn screening program today. All hospitals and birthing hospitals are now required to offer newborn screening and every day, newborns are saved from mental retardation and death. For those not familiar with newborn screening, this entails taking a few drops of blood from the heel of a newborn and testing for 28 conditions where complications like mental retardation and death can be reversed if treatment is started at birth. My dear graduates, 38 years ago, I did not even think that I had the ability to rally, to plan and to implement a project of this magnitude.

I am sure that during your four years in UP, you had your own share of frustrations. But you are here now, moments away from receiving your diploma. Your presence here is a testament to overcoming those frustrations. So I believe in UP’s own little way, it has taught you how to persevere and overcome barriers. Bring this with you as you enter the real world and I assure you, you will go far.

In your batch, 70 000 took the UPCAT and only 13 000 were accepted. And you are among them. Society is looking up to UP to be the source of leaders of the next generation. Prepare yourselves to be the future leaders of our society.
I am confident that UP has prepared you for the challenges of society. In your stay in the university, there were many subconscious opportunities of teaching you how to become a leader of society. May it be through your own classes or organizations, through your council leaders and professors, or through the alumni of our university, those who have come before you. My dear graduates, be proud that you have been educated by professors who 4 are leaders in our society, trailblazers in their own fields, people who continue to sacrifice their life in the hopes of improving the society we live in.

I must confess I was very shy as an elementary and high school student and never did I imagine my capacity to be a mover of society. UP transformed me to be a leader – first as a student leader during my undergraduate years in UP Diliman; as a class officer at the College of Medicine and eventually as part of the Medical Student Council; as a resident trainee and eventually a chief resident of Pediatrics; and then UP Manila administration. I believe that inside each and every one of you is a leader. You are all capable of being agents and leaders of change in our country.

Let me tell you, however, that where I am right now would not have been possible without my mentors. When we are young, we tend to be impatient, irrational sometimes, simplistic and yet ambitious sometimes. We need mentors to guide us, to push us to bring out the best in us, to show us the bigger picture, and to show us the bigger role that we have to play in society.

I have been fortunate to have been mentored by many great men and women in the University. In 1993, 22 years ago, when some of you were probably not born yet, I was fortunate to be appointed as Director of Ugnayan ng Pahinungod Manila, the volunteer program of UP Manila. I was the youngest director at that time and most of the other deans and directors were 20 years my senior. Imagine the dynamics and wisdom that surrounded me. Every day, every activity was a learning opportunity.

In 1999, my mentors pushed me this time to convert my small genetics unit to an Institute of Human Genetics, which had a national flavor. It was difficult to understand at that time why they were pushing me to go national when I was happy to head a small unit at the Department of Pediatrics. The Institute of Human Genetics now provides the most comprehensive genetic services in the country.

Had it not been for my mentors, I would have stayed in my comfort zone. But they believed that bigger things had to be done, and they believed that I could be instrumental in getting these done. They pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I will be forever thankful that they did.

From my mentors, I learned that leaving comfort zone does not mean leaving the country to look for greener pastures. As a UP student, leaving your comfort zone should mean being someone more than just for yourself, being someone for others, being someone for the nation to help the nation.

Through the years, I have realized the role and importance of having a mentor. Because of my mentors I came to understand the essence of stewardship – of mentoring – of passing on a legacy.

I must confess that I have enjoyed my lunch dates with my mentees who are graduating from the College of Medicine this year – Jed, P3, Dior, Steph, Carol, Anjo, Ian and Zaid. Every 5 date was a reminder to me that I have a responsibility to share my wisdom and life experiences with my UP Manila constituents.

I urge you to pro-actively look for your mentors. Mentoring is a highly valuable development activity. At the core of the activity is the relationship between the mentor and the mentee, where the development of the mentee is the key focus. Following the successful program of the UP College of Medicine, UP Manila is now embarking on a university-wide mentoring program to be implemented at the College level. It is not limited to faculty-to -student but will also involve senior faculty-to- junior faculty and faculty-to admin. Mentoring will be an institutional commitment of UP Manila.


Expectations from UP Manila


My dear graduates, the UP education has equipped you with the abilities to take the lead in nation-building. Remember, there is an obligation to give back.

However, as you create your own ripples in society, know that UP Manila will continue to improve and strengthen itself, to continue producing able leaders, and agents of change.

And even as you venture a new life outside the university, I want to reassure you that your home university UP Manila will be here to support you. As much as we are proud to have you as our graduates, we hope that we continue to make you proud graduates of our University.

My vision for UP Manila is anchored on UPs mandate to perform its unique and distinctive leadership role in higher education and development as stated in the UP Charter of 2008 or Republic Act 9500. UP Manila’s national role has been reaffirmed by its designation as the national health university under the new UP Charter of 2008. I envision UP Manila as the National Center of Health Research and Development for the Filipino people, building on the outstanding accomplishments of its dedicated academic community and alumni.
We are fortunate that through the years, UP Manila has had a remarkable history of successful leaders who have patiently coursed UP Manila through considerable growth and change. This legacy reflects a strong institution with a clear sense of identity and purpose. We will continue to build upon this powerful tradition. In 20-30 years, you will be these leaders. Make us proud.

UP Manila will sustain its national role as a prime contributor to national health goals. It is my vision for UP Manila to be recognized as a change agent in the health system that harnesses knowledge and innovations into usable and practical forms.

UP Manila will gain the trust of society such that the public will always defer to UP Manila for valued opinion on health issues that affect the Philippine society.

UP Manila will provide a nurturing environment for accelerated CHANGE and INNOVATION so that UP Manila will continue to grow academically and keep its competitive advantage.


UP Manila as a Policy Hub


UP Manila through the National Institutes of Health, is now actively engaged in reviewing health bills at both Senate and House of Representatives. For very controversial health issues, UP Manila will now host academic debates to get views of different sectors within the University and outside the University.

A newly created committee directly under my office is the UP Manila Health Policy Development Hub, a joint undertaking of the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Public Health, and the National Institutes of Health – 3 units that will assist all the UP Manila colleges and units in the generation of policy reviews, policy statements among other things. As I speak to you, 13 policy statements are being finalized and soon to be published and to be shared with the concerned government agencies and the general public. To name a few: we have ready policy statements for health resources for an aging population; controlling sugars for better health among school children; and health and economic effects of asbestos use in the Philippines.

UP Manila will not be reactive to health issues but rather be pro-active as UP Manila will assist government and the private sector in providing creative solutions to health issues.


UP Manila as an academic partner of DOH


UP Manila will affirm its role as the major academic partner of the Department of Health in responding to health issues of the country. Many of our faculty members serve as consultants at the Department of Health in their individual expert capacity. My dialogues with the DOH are now centered on leveling up to institutional partnership on major programs. Having closely worked with DOH since 2000 as an academic partner for the newborn screening program, I saw the major advantage of institutional partnership as it brought more opportunities for synergism between the 2 institutions.


UP Manila as a Research Hub


The upcoming 1 billion National Institutes of Health building will change the landscape of research in UP Manila. The new facility will bring together in one location more than 300 faculty researchers and research staff in different socio biomedical disciplines. This will solidify efforts for increased interaction among the different health colleges and institutes within UP Manila. There are 10 existing institutes and 3 Centers. The animal research facility on the 15th floor of the new National Institutes of Health building will be a state-of-the-art facility that will be home to researches of both basic and clinical departments. The addition of the National Center for Clinical Trials will provide enormous benefits for our population in the form of new and better drugs, tailored for the Filipino patient. These 2 facilities will be the gateway between scientific studies and human testing and will enable our researchers to perform Phase 1 to Phase 4 clinical trials. All these studies will ensure that NIH will be the trendsetter for innovative ideas in health research.


Coming home


My dear graduates, there are many reasons to come back to UP Manila.

First, there are new structures that you will want to visit. Your much-awaited Student Center will be ready by opening of classes in August 2015. The gym will be ready by next semester. The 8-storey dormitory that will house 300 students will be ready by the next school year at affordable rates. And in 3 years, attend a conference at the 500- seater auditorium of the new National Institutes of Health building.

Second, you can come back as a student again. UP Manila currently has 39 postgraduate MA, MS and PhD programs to choose from. Just like me, as a faculty member, I went back as a student 10 years ago to learn the skills of policy making. If a residential program is a difficult compromise with your job, consider the UP Open University.

Third, you can come back as a researcher by being part of any of the institutes or study groups of the National Institutes of Health. Be actively engaged in round table discussions, in academic debates, in basic and clinical researches. The National Institutes of Health is not only for UP. It is for everybody.

Fourth, you can decide to become a faculty member. Faculty members have the intangible reward of mentoring the next generation of leaders.

Fifth, come back as part of a core group of alumni who will help move UP Manila forward. We expect UP Manila to spread its wings through its alumni. Wherever you go, always bring with you the University’s cherished traditions of excellence, honor and service to the Filipino people.

Just like any mother to her children, I am sending you off hoping you will do great in the real world. With optimism that you will make your own mark, go and chase after your goals, achieve your dreams. And in the process, find a reason to come home.

My dear graduates, you have a bright future ahead of you. But never forget, as I have said, what your UP education stands for.

In following your dreams, do not be afraid to leave your comfort zone.

Listen to your mentors, and be enlightened by their wisdom.

Know that there will be frustrations along the way, but trust in the fact that you know more than to give in to these.

UP has trained you to be the best that you can be.

UP will continue to improve itself to provide exemplary education to its future students; and

UP will continue to be a driving force of change and growth in this country.

You are always welcome to come back to UP Manila. We encourage you to come back to UP Manila.

Congratulations my dear graduates. Seek your adventure in life.

A pleasant good morning to all of you….

 Chancellor Padilla_Message to the Graduating Batch of 2015.pdf