The Philippines needs leaders that embody UST’s “3Cs” (compassion, competence and commitment), Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo said.
“[The] Thomasian core values—competence, commitment at compassion—ito rin mismo ‘yung pangarap natin sa bansa: a competent, committed, compassionate leadership that puts the interest of the Filipinos front and center,” Robredo said during the virtual launch and general assembly of the group “Thomasians for Leni.”
The vice president urged Thomasians to also exhibit compassion when talking with people who hold different political views.
“Makinig, maging bukas, mag-malasakit, intindihin ang pinanggagalingan ng kahit sinong kausap. Madaling makipag-debate, mas radikal ang magmahal,” she said.
University professors and alumni also highlighted the importance of participating in conversations as the 2022 elections draw nearer.
Political science graduate Patrick Alexis Angara reminded the youth to only share factual information on social media.
“Bilang mga young Thomasians o bilang youth volunteers, kailangan natin, unang-una, [to] make sure na tama ‘yung impormasyong binibigay natin. Let’s make sure na tama and from a credible source yung kinukunan natin ng impormasyon, and we should always try to talk calmly,” he said during the launch.
Angara also urged Thomasians to make their compassion felt in their communities to ease political tension.
“Tumindig tayo. Speak out. Iparamdam natin ‘yung ating compassion sa community, bumoto tayo sa isang competent na kandidato, tapos let’s commit to this cause, kasi lalo po sa kabataan, buhay na natin ‘yung nakasalalay. Kinabukasan na natin ‘yung nakasalalay,” he said.
RJ Naguit, a UST nursing and medicine alumnus, echoed Robredo’s call for Thomasians to consider the 3Cs when choosing their political bets.
“Ang dami nating sinasabi, ‘yung values natin, competence, compassion, commitment, kailangan natin ma-translate ‘yan into concrete votes for the candidate that we support. And syempre nandun rin ‘yung role ng UST to be a social critic doon sa nangyayari sa bansa natin ngayon,” he said.
Cesar ”Jun” Santamaria Jr., an accountancy and civil law alumnus, said voters must have a firm belief in their bets.
“I think the role of every person should be the same. Every institution should be the same. To just speak out your convictions,” he said.
“Come out in the open. Sabi nga diba, tumindig ka at makikita mo may nakatindig sa tabi mo. I hope everybody does that,” he added.
Central Student Council President Krizia Milleny Bricio, who was at the event, said the country was in need of sincere and proven leaders.
“Sa panahon ngayon, nakita natin ang pangangailangan ng isang lider na responsable, may ginagawa, may napatunayan, at tapat sa kanyang mga pangako at plataporma,” she said.
The Thomasians for Leni event was attended by UST students, faculty members and alumni, as well as Thomasians from UST Angelicum and UST Legazpi, to show support for Robredo, who is a presidential candidate in the 2022 elections.
Thomasians for Leni is a group of over 1,500 Thomasian volunteers. Charm Ryanne C. Magpali
