January 29, 2010 - Friday   SMC Webmaster

  30 educators across the country gathered for the First Schools in Nation - Building Round Table Discussions at the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) in Dilliman, Quezon City last January 18, 2010.

The whole day RTD was divided into three areas of the academe: instruction, research and extension.

Father Bievenido Nebres, SJ, President of Ateneo De Manila University, talked about Producing the Next Generation of Patriots and Professionals.  He presented the Ateneo way of raising the next generation of Filipino leaders. He acknowledged that over the last 150 years, Ateneo has been proud of their alumni who were on top in the government, in business and society. "And yet, the country remains poor inspite of producing the best."

He showcased stories of the present Ateneo students who are now known as social entrepreneurs.  "mixing profit and social responsibility"

Sharing his deep personal story with GK, Butch Antolin S. Alcudia III of Saint Michael's College of Iligan talked about Gawad Kalinga as a way for holistic social formation.  His presentation dwelt on his own journey in the four walls of SMC then as a student, now as a steward of its extension arm, the Mother Ignacia Center for Social Responsibility and as a missionary of CFC Youth for Christ, he was able to point out three important things to consider for the RTD: one, having a deep and personal connection with GK; two, the importance of strong leadership in effecting change in the individuals and in the institution as a whole; three, an institution can become transformative only when transforming individuals influence others to transform as well.

GK Builders Institute National Coordinator Mark Lawrence Cruz then declared SMC as its template for the full integration of GK into its institutional structure and in its instruction.

Nation building has been a journey taken by the Philippines since it declared independence from Spain in 1898.  Living 80 years of the 122 years of ensuring a progressive country made the session of Dr. Jose "Ka Pepe" Abueva very interesting and inspiring.  He was able to narrate how governance can be shaped by its citizens and how this can transform society and ensure a nation for all.  He also highlighted how he became the "youngest disciple" of Tony Meloto.  He has been in the academe serving many presidents to becoming the President of the University of the Philippines and now as President of Kalayaan College.  "Gawad Kalinga is actually doing what is enshrined in the Constitution that should have been done by the government but the government have failed" said Abueva.

Ka Pepe was strongly affirmed by the Dean of the UP NCPGA, Prof. Alex Brillantes.  All principles of Public administration and Governance can be found in GK. While the academe is focused on the approaches of the principles, GK is accomplishing it already in the communities it serves.  Both Abueva and Brillantes shared on the research aspect.

Dr. emerson Atanacio, President of the National College of Science and Technology and Dr. Ruben Sevillejano shared about their respective expertise and showcases on GK as an extension program and all other extension templates that other institution can learn.

The RTD ended with an inspiring on the spot song number from Stephanie Reese who just came back from a major career break in the US.  She led everyone to sing BAYAN KO and AKO AY PILIPINO.