Opinion: Former VP Robredo Reveals Her Plans in Keynote Speech Before Fellow UP Alumni; UP Prez Jimenez Tells 'OMW' Thrust of His Administration By Manuel L Caballero

ON MY WATCH

By MANUEL L. CABALLERO

FORMER VP ROBREDO REVEALS HER PLANS IN KEYNOTE SPEECH BEFORE FELLOW UP ALUMNI; UP PREZ JIMENEZ TELLS 'OMW' THRUST OF HIS ADMINISTRATION

Ex-VP Leni Robredo.

Former PH Vice President Leni Robredo spoke as a fellow Iskolar ng Bayan (she belongs to Class 86, Diliman) before some 250 UP alumni today, Oct. 20, at the UPAAA General Reunion and Convention at Hyatt Regency in New  Brunswick, NJ.

She was introduced by fellow UP'an Atty. and author Loida Lewis . After the introduction, I jokingly whispered to Atty. Loida that our guest need not speak anymore because she had told us virtually everything about the life of Atty. Leni, including the late Jesse Robredo falling in love with our guest at first sight. 

Atty. & author Loida Lewis.

Speaking for over 30 minutes, the ex-VP who appeared comfortable speaking before former school mates, some of whom were former dorm mates, narrated her story in Diliman during her school days.

She reiterated the commitment of every UP alumnus to service, excellence and integrity.

She also shared some of her experiences during her term as vice president.

She reiterated the story of her Angat Buhay project and the services it is doing for the poor. She narrated what her Office did during the pandemic months, including the tele health consultation.

Concluding her talk,  she called upon her fellow alumni to support Angat Buhay, which, she said, will continue.

One noticeable aspect in her talk was the absence of any mention about PH politics inspite of "loud" political issues happening in Manila, especially with her successor in the OVP.

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UP President Angelo Jimenez and Manny Caballero.

In an interview with this writer, UP Prez Angelo Jimenez, who is scheduled to deliver a speech on Oct. 21,  revealed that his plan during his administration as president of the UP System (9 different UP universities) is to transform the academe into the digital age.

Likewise, he clarified that all the schools that comprise the UP System should be called "constituent universities" with equal significance to the values of UP.

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Sharing some photos taken by OMW during today's gathering.

With fellow UP alumni Luz and Ana, both of UPAAA Nevada.

UPAAA President Dr. DAVID with OMW writer.

Fr. Greg Gaston, right,Director of Filipino School for priests in Rome gave the opening prayer.

 

Dr. Joy Celo, GRC Vice Chair with OMW Columnist.

OMW with UP'ans Momar Visaya and Bobby Dumaual and Michel Storer of Rutgers U.

contributedmlc231020