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Andrew Tan's Speech

(Megaworld chairman Andrew Tan's speech delivered during the University of the East Alumni Reunion, September 2003)

written by JB Lazarte

Members of the board of trustees; the chairman of the board, Mr. Panfilo Domingo; acting president Mr. Baltazar Endriga; executive vice president Miss Carmelita Mateo; UE Alumni Association president Dr. Jesus Tumaneng; my fraternity brothers and sisters; distinguished guests; and ladies and gentlemen. I am honored to be with you tonight.

I come to you this evening wearing many hats: as an entrepreneur, as an old friend, as a very proud family man, and I am most proud to say, an alumnus of the University of the East.

Receiving this year’s much esteemed The Most Distinguished Alumnus Award is both an ennobling and humbling experience. I am deeply honored that you have given me this award, but I believe, like William Faulkner once said, this award is not made for me as a man, but to my life’s work; that the award is only mine in trust. For truly what I have done is only to follow, with my heart and mind, what our alma mater has planted deep in my soul: to dedicate oneself to the service of the youth, country and God.  

Many years have passed since I last walked the hallowed halls of our alma mater, many years since I last had banana cue for lunch on Gastambide Street. Many years later I stand here before you, my dear friends, to confess to you that it truly warms my heart that the UE that I knew is STILL the UE I find coming home to tonight: the beloved institution that is the home of countless lofty dreams, the hatching place of many great ideas, the Square One of our lives’ march to success. And of course, the UE that is home of the loveliest ladies and the most dashing gentlemen.  

No matter how much the times have changed, our alma mater’s distinct academic culture remains as strong and nurturing as ever—it is a culture that creates leaders, it is a culture that fosters excellence, it is a culture that allows us to come to terms with our own humanity. I am proud to be a part of an institution that has for most of its history taken the high road, always offering a positive vision. And I am also proud to play a role now in ensuring that our beloved alma mater, the University of the East, sustains its vigor to meet and master whatever challenges that may come its way today, tomorrow and even in the far future. 

So where do we go from here? I realize if there is one message that echoes forth from tonight’s meeting, it can be summed up in a few simple words: the answer is in our hands; it is always in our hands.  

And I sincerely believe in that, as a true blue UE alumnus should. 

Thank you very much. 

                                           - END -

               Copyright (c) 2004 by Joe Bert G. Lazarte