Distinguished Chairperson Helena Z. Benitez and
      Members of the Board of Trustees
      of the Philippine Women’s University;
Dr. Amelou Benitez-Reyes, President of the University;
Members of the Faculty;
Members of the Graduating Classes,
Parents, relatives, and friends of the graduates;
Excellencies;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Friends:
 
 Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat.

At the outset, let me thank you most sincerely for inviting me to address this milestone event in your lives, as well as that of your parents, families, and mentors, as well as my own.

When I informed President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo that I was addressing you today, she asked me to convey her heartfelt congratulations, as well as the felicitations of her Cabinet – including all the 9 women Cabinet members.

The President welcomed the importance and relevance of the theme of today’s commencement exercises namely Global Competencies through Spiritual Renewal and Transformation. You may well recall that in her inaugural speech at EDSA three years ago, she stressed morality and leadership by example.
 
 I am therefore gratified that the Philippine Women’s University has recognized the President’s landmark decision to appoint the first woman to lead the Department of Foreign Affairs in its more than 100 years of
history.

The Department of Foreign Affairs plays a relevant role in gender and development. Encouraged by our President, we participate in discussions in both national and international fora on this issue. Just last week, at the 60th session of the International Commission on Human Rights I submitted two resolutions to promote and protect the dignity and human rights of women, particularly of migrant women workers.  There are more than 3 million Filipino women hence, my deep interest to be of help to them.  These resolutions elevated in the international arena the two laws signed recently by the President to curb trafficking and violence committed against women and children.

You may be glad to know that never before has there been such a high percentage of women among career Foreign Service Officers (perhaps because more women pass the exams). I believe we have a world record in the number of women diplomats. I am proud to say that the Department reflects the appreciation of women in Philippine society. President Arroyo and former President Corazon Aquino are stalwart exemplars of model womanhood and outstanding statesmanship.

 I am proud of the Filipino woman. I am sure you will agree that she is beautiful as a person and a human being.

The medieval and early Renaissance concept of courtly love set woman on a pedestal.  Woman was loved, honored, and almost worshipped. But she remained remote.  The rough and tumble of government and commerce, was not her domain.  Even the more serene atmosphere of academe disdained her participation.  Jose Rizal, influenced by European attitudes, portrayed a María Clara that was to be a model for many of our grandmothers.  Beautiful, dainty, and demure, she was not to be sullied by daily toil.

 We have outgrown that medieval concept. The Filipina has graduated from the old-style convent school—where she learned only such “graces” as embroidery and harp-playing.  Empowered and transformed, she is now deeply involved in contemporary sciences like engineering, finance, investment banking, information technology, and even diplomacy.

But the Filipino’s concept of woman as man’s equal antedated the European courtly ideal. Our indigenous creation myth relates how Malakas and Maganda emerged from one bamboo trunk, at the same time. They were equal unlike the Semitic view that the first woman came from the rib of man.  Our ancestors’ respect for woman was more keen, more refined, more just. It also reflects the Malay appreciation of man-woman partnership. Anthropologically, the Malay is a coast-dwelling, rice-planting race. The planting, care, and harvesting of rice require man-woman collaboration and participation.

The Philippine Women’s University is visionary.

It is true that there were—in the first quarter of the last century--at least two other schools for women, not administered by religious congregations.  There was the venerable Instituto de Mujeres and the Centro Escolar de Señoritas where, believe it or not, former President Fidel V. Ramos studied.

But it was PWU that--in line with the far-sighted vision of its founders—became the first university for women founded by Asians, not only in the Philippines, but also in entire Asia, and you, graduates of 2004 are products
of that fine PWU tradition and I salute you.

I have been focusing all this time on women, since PWU roots—as well as its name—are twined with this gender.  But I do not underestimate the worth of the men among your administrators, faculty members, and students. Your men, together with your women, testify to that partnership between men and women, making society more equitable and responsive and I congratulate PWU for opening its doors to the “other gender.” I also congratulate you on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the PWU.

The Philippine Women’s University believes in the total empowerment of women though education.  For education is a process of information, formation, and transformation.  It seeks and shares information—new knowledge--in order to bring out and enhance, through insight, through analysis and synthesis, through critical judgment a person’s innate intelligence.

 Today, I invite you to reflect on the countless people--in our society and around the world--who will never reach what you have achieved.   This thought enhances your joy and your well-deserved pride. But it should also invite you to reflect on what you have obtained from PWU:  deepening of your education; training in leadership; global competence through transformation.  But all this entails responsibilities.

 A responsibility, first of all, to continue your quest for excellence.

You should never feel that any man or woman, in the Philippines or abroad, with the same university degree as yours, is much better prepared than you. Your PWU diploma is your passport to achievement in our competitive world.  You are in an outstanding position to contribute to our competitiveness in culture, science, information and communication technology, agriculture, industry, trade – even foreign service.

A leadership responsibility, too, of helping change the world.

Start in our beloved country. As you practice, with a sense of personal fulfillment, whatever discipline you have learned, you should, at the same time, strive to help our people.  Help alleviate their poverty. Help raise
their quality of life. Help them develop confidence, in themselves and in our nation.  In the same way, President Arroyo’s government is determined to win the fight against poverty, assuring food security, housing, health care, and education for every family.  Education is the means for many to raise our people from poverty, and, like you, be formed and transformed.

 Nation building is our shared responsibility.  But especially for those who have been gifted, like you, with high-quality PWU education.

The empowerment and spiritual transformation of our people, working together—with your contributions--as isang bansa with isang diwa, leads to continued Philippine growth in global competencies.

However, it is also true that through productive work—for the good of others—we continue growing spiritually.  San Ignacio de Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, exhorted people to make of their work a prayer; to seek spiritual
perfection in work.  Our spiritual transformation, as well as of our nation, continues through our growth in global competencies.

With your globally competitive productivity—in whatever field--our income levels in the Philippines may become comparable with those in other countries. Through educational opportunities and programs--like those that
President Arroyo’s government is now pursuing—you can help develop our people to be more literate, more confident in their own competencies, better prepared to take advantage of employment and entrepreneurial opportunities that you, too, can help create.

We have examples of many Filipina women to edify us.

Who among you has not been deeply encouraged by the accomplishments of Helena Benítez in education and culture, in government, in international assemblies?

 Or by the outstanding accomplishments of countless women, among them Cory Aquino in government, of Lucrecia Kasilag in music, of Lilia Clemente in finance, of Loida Nicolás in business?

Who among us has not been inspired by the achievements of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, economist, senator, and President respected by the world community for her competence, moral and spiritual values, and utmost dedication to the Filipino nation?

They are only a few of the many, many Filipina women achievers who have made our people proud and confident.

In my own Department of Foreign Affairs, I foresee more women career officers, more women ambassadors, who are profoundly confident that they can cope with the equally-important demands of matrimony, motherhood, family management, and professional excellence, and I encourage you to join us.

I have no doubt that Filipino women will play an ever-more pivotal role in the continued development, progress, and competitiveness of the Philippines.  President Arroyo is leading us in this direction.

 I have no doubt whatsoever that Filipinos--women and men—can and will work together as equals, respectfully and joyfully aware of their difference of gender.  And they will continue to strive for excellence and work with
dedication for the uplifting of the Filipino, at home and abroad.  Filipinos—women and men together—can help change the world.

 You, graduates of the Philippine Women’s University, will live up to the vision of its founders.  We will continue striving for excellence.   Through spiritual transformation, we shall strive for competence deserving the
admiration of all peoples.  And through global competencies, achieved with intelligent, dedicated, outstanding work, we hope to be, even more, spiritually transformed.

Trusting in God and in His amazing grace, we will all succeed!

Congratulations to you all – you who are Jose Rizal’s hope for our motherland!

Mabuhay!