Officials of the University of the Philippines System, constituent universities, and alumni chapters gathered for the 41st UP Alumni Council Meeting, Aug. 11 at Ang Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman.
With the theme, Leading with Dangal: The UP Alumni Commitment to Ethical Leadership and Nation Building, the meeting featured a keynote message from 2026 UP Alumni Association Most Distinguished Alumnus Jorge Araneta that was delivered by Araneta Group senior management consultant Rowell Recinto, a panel discussion with 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awardees, and a proposed resolution on ethical leadership. (A copy of the “Resolution Reaffirming the Commitment of UP Alumni to Lead with Dangal through Ethical Leadership and Service” can be downloaded here.)
Through this resolution, the UP Alumni Council reaffirmed that “Leading with Dangal” is “a continuing commitment of the UP alumni community, and called upon the UP Alumni Association and its chapters to make ethical leadership an integral part of how UP alumni excellence is defined, recognized, and promoted.”
Araneta, a 1958 UP Diliman graduate of BS Business Administration and chairman, chief executive officer, and president of the Araneta Group, emphasized that UP’s values of “honor, excellence and service” provide a roadmap for entrepreneurship.
Araneta said an enterprise becomes a force for personal dignity, inclusion, and progress “when actions are grounded in honor, driven by excellence, devoted to service, and anchored in integrity”. He also noted that “creativity without conscience can exploit. Ambition without accountability can erode trust. Growth without concern for people can leave communities behind.”
He added that entrepreneurship means “we are advocating agency – the belief that people can improve their circumstances and contribute solutions. We are advocating responsibility – the understanding that opportunity carries obligations. We are advocating hope.”
“Let honor guide our choices, excellence define our work, service direct our purpose, and integrity sustain our leadership,” concluded Araneta.
UPAA President and Alumni Regent Robert Lester Aranton urged alumni to confront the difficult questions leadership demands and uphold ethical leadership through judgment, stewardship, and accountability.
The panel, moderated by UPAA Secretary Atty. Herminio Bagro III, explored how alumni can serve the nation with kahusayan and dangal (excellence and honor). Associate Justice Jaime Fortunato Caringal (LLB, UPD, 2003) discussed integrity and compassion in governance; Dr. Raymundo Lo (MD, UP Manila, 1975) highlighted humility, trust, and effective science communication; Neil Aldrin Mallari (BS Biology, UP Los Banos, 1992) emphasized listening to communities and examining one’s beliefs in environmental conservation; and Dr. Ericson Dela Cruz (PhD Community Development, UPLB, 2020) called on alumni to reach out, inspire, serve, and empower communities.
Regent Alfredo Pascual also raised the possibility of a policy allowing UP to recall awards and honors from recipients, particularly in keeping with the principle that ethical leadership should be considered in granting UP awards.
UPAA legal counsel Atty. Raul Reyes presented a resolution reaffirming the alumni community’s commitment to living with dangal through ethical leadership and service. It calls for ethical leadership to be a key criterion in UPAA and alumni chapter awards and urges every alumnus and alumna to practice dangal in their professions and communities. The resolution will be submitted to the UPAA general membership for approval.
UP President Angelo Jimenez responded to the challenges raised, noting that UP must further equip leaders for a changing world. He cited recent developments, including UP Tacloban’s elevation to full-university status, the opening of the UP Mindanao School of Medicine, increased enrollment of public-school and first-generation students, expanded testing centers in geographically isolated areas, and efforts to secure more research funding. He added that UP is increasingly focused on higher studies, graduate programs, and making education more equitable, democratic, and efficient.
“We have sufficiency of intention. For the next 100 years, let us match it with sufficiency of action,” Jimenez concluded.
Among those who attended were UPD Chancellor Edgardo Carlo Vistan II, UP Visayas Chancellor Clement Camposano, UPMin Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao, UP Baguio Chancellor Joel Addawe, and UP Tacloban Acting Chancellor Patricia Arinto.
