“The Thinking Head.” Choosing The Next UP President – From Critical To Creative, UP Must Go, Because UP Diliman & The Oblation Are Too Critical!

In 2018, I took the photo above at the UPLB Makiling Art Gallery exhibit. Today, I that as symbol of what UP Los Baños has become: “Science & Art & Heart.” Compare with the Oblation UP Diliman is known for: “Art & Hands.” UP Los Baños is now Creative; UP Diliman remains Critical. That is why, if you ask me, the most-deserving next UP President is former UP Los Baños Chancellor Fernando C Sanchez Jr.

(digital Lumix FZ100 image, 08-10-2018)

Mr Sanchez has the Head with the Vision that I love: “To catapult the university into a globally competitive graduate and research university contributing to national development” (Mark Jayson E Gloria, “Chancellor Sanchez Presents Three-Year Accomplishments,” 31 July 2020, Campus News, uplb.edu.ph).

All of UP must contribute to National Development. Enough of Oblation, Objection, Opposition!

Thursday, 01 Dec 2022, Jean Mangaluz says, “57 Nat’l Artists, Scientists, Other Academics Endorse Nemenzo For UP Presidency” (Inquirer.net, newsinfo.inquirer.net). Their joint statement says, among other things:

It is our most informed and judicious view that, among the current aspirants for UP President, only UP Diliman Chancellor Fidel R Nemenzo fulfills all of our criteria for an ideal and exemplary academic leader.

Ladies & Gentlemen 57, Mr Nemenzo is your “hard-core” UP System Chancellor that I call here “Critical Head.” Numbering 57 (my favorite number), you artists, scientists & academics signing the manifesto have this single message: “UP, Staying Critical!”

Your endorsement letter said, “We are certain that, as UP President, Chancellor Nemenzo will lead the UP community into [path-breaking] horizons to enhance and solidify UP’s status as the country’s premier institution of higher learning in the service of the nation and beyond.”

Now then, “in the service of the nation,” this does not fit: “UP, Staying Critical!”? Spreading my arms Oblation-wise, I ask, “UP, where is your Creative?” Aren’t you ashamed looking at the above image?

That is why my UP President is Mr Sanchez, who is “an arborist, landscape horticulturist and planner” (uplb.edu.ph). The leader must have a head – and a heart (the hurt he hides inside, “better to surrender to God,” I say).

Tell me, a UP Los Baños alumnus – BSA ‘65, major in Ag Edu, 2.36 WA), Civil Service Professional Level, 80.6% – “How do we create a UP that cares for the innovative, developmental?” A related question: “Why is UP Diliman itself so far behind the digital times?!” (Read my blogpost, “UP Ranks 412th In The Latest Quacquarelli Rankings Worldwide & Is Proud Of It! Mahiya Ka, UP, My Alma Mater!” 11 Nov 2022, Gardens Guardians, blogspot.com). Detail: UP Diliman has 30 technical journals, but only 3 are up-to-date! Puro ngawa, walang gawa! “All words, no work!

What UP (System) needs right now is a President who is art & head & heart all at the same time. Now then, to help solve Farmer Poverty and Climate Change, UP should be teaching inside and outside classrooms less critical thinking and much more creative thinking!@517