December 11, 2015, 4:49p.m.- THE CHAIRMAN and chief executive officer of one of the country’s leading banks encouraged Thomasians to “bring humanity back into capitalism” as he received an honorary doctorate from UST for his contributions to the fields of commerce and banking.
“I encourage all to teach young people by example. That if we hold justness at par with profit, we gain back what is more valuable, our humanity, ” said Justo Ortiz in his address during solemn investiture rites at the Medicine Auditorium earlier today, Dec. 11.
Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. cited UnionBank for its role in the digitization of the groundbreaking Lumina Pandit exhibit of the UST Miguel de Benavides Library in 2011, which involved a grant of P50 million.
“Mr. Ortiz puts high premium on institutional heritage and national memory. For him the past is a vast story of cultural truths and timeless memories,” Fr. Dagohoy said.
Ortiz was one of the youngest Filipino officers of Citibank. He was tapped by the Aboitiz group to head UnionBank at the age of 35.
As philanthropist, Ortiz spearheaded the UnionBank learning systems program which has donated 2.5 million books to Grade 2 pupils nationwide.
Ortiz is the second recipient of an honoris causa doctorate this year, following Mercury Drug Corp. founder Mariano Que last September.
The University confers honorary degrees on those who have attained exceptionally meritorious achievements in the arts, sciences, the humanities and public service, in accordance with the rules and conditions established by the Commission in Higher Education. Clarence I. Hormachuelos
