AIUB Journal of Business and Economics

Volume 6, Number 1 ISSN 1683-8742 January 2007: pp . vii - x

ACCEPTANCE SPEECH THE 2006 PRESIDENTIAL AWARD, PHILIPPINES

Carmen Zita Lamagna

ASSOCIATE EDITORS NOTE

It was a great occasion for AIUB when its Vice Chancellor Dr. Carmen Z. Lamagna received the 2006 presidential award in Manila, Philippines on December 07.2006.It was a great honour for her and also for her workplace AIUB. She was also chosen as the spokesperson of the 48 awardees on this historical occasion and she rendered this acceptance speech. In this speech she has placed her love and affection to her country, people and her family. Her speech echoes her indomitable spirit, unique sense of duty, and sincere devotion to her work.

Prof. Dr. Anwar Hossain Dean, Faculty of Business Administration of AIUB; Associate Editor of AJBE

Vice Chancellor, American International University-Bangladesh [AIUB]

viii

AIUB Journal of Business and Economics, Volume 6, Number 1, Jan 2007

On behalf of the 48 awardees and all the overseas Filipinos around the world, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to our beloved President, HE, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Chairman Dante Ang, Executive Director Jose Molano of the Commission on Overseas Filipinos (CFO), members of the Executive and other Committees and the Filipino Communities abroad who supported our nominations, participated in the processing of voluminous documents, and in the selection of the eventual awardees. It is such a great honor for 48 of us to be singled out among 8 million hard-working Filipinos, many of them equally deserving as the chosen 48, for these prestigious Presidential Awards. Madame President, ladies and gentlemen, today we are prouder, more than ever before, to be Filipinos for having been recognized in this exalted way! I had never, in my wildest dreams, thought that I would be standing here in Malacanan representing our fellow Filipinos residing permanently, or momentarily working in 190 countries around the world. And, I am not even sure whether I can do justice to describing the feeling and fulfillment that we, as Overseas Filipinos share at this moment -- in only 3 minutes. Maraming Salamat (Thank you) from the bottom of our hearts. I proudly call myself a pure Filipino, from a humble and modest family, tubo sa (roots from) Las Pinas, though my parents tell me that there is a mix of Spanish and Chinese ancestry in me. There were 6 children in the family and my parents struggled hard and sacrificed much to send us all to college because they believed that education is a lifetime investment. Thanks to them, I am where I am right now, with a good measure of self-confidence as a professional. In turn, let me express our commitment to do the same, if not more, for our own children who must now be equipped with better knowledge and tools to cope with more complex challenges in todays highly competitive world. By so doing, we the Overseas Filipinos contribute to the betterment of our families and to the international competitiveness of our beloved homeland and people. I used to question my friends and relatives who, before me, chose to work abroad and leave behind their families. Are you running away from responsibilities or looking for greener pastures or both? Later, I came to realize that it was the Filipino spirit of sikap at tiyaga (diligence, hardworking and perseverance) embedded in us by our heroic forebears that has brought us to distant shores as nurses, doctors, caregivers, seafarers, engineers, construction workers, musical artists, teachers, and many other occupations.

Acceptance Speech: The 2006 Presidential Award, Philippines

ix

Never mind the pain of separation, the uncertainties and risks, for as long as there is job available somewhere that one could gainfully do with dignity. The most important thing was, and continues to be, that one could eventually return home to the Philippines a little better off than before and with a newly-found sense of achievement in having done our best. It is our love of home, the love for us of those who remained at home, and especially the love of our homeland, the Philippines, that have carried us through our trials and tribulations in the many corners of the world. Thanks to the magic of information and communications technology, and the easier movement across national boundaries, the world has become smaller and has opened countless new opportunities. By working overseas, we have not left behind our identities but rather extended ourselves as part of the transcendent Filipino nation. With personal resolve and unity of purpose, our Filipino spirit is even fortified. We offer our modest accomplishments and honor to our beloved country and people. Let me also thank our hosts overseas. In my case, let me express my whole hearted appreciation to the President of Bangladesh, Prof. Dr. Iajuddin Ahmed, who is also the Chancellor of the American International UniversityBangladesh, and all other private universities in Bangladesh, the Philippine Embassy in Dhaka led by Ambassador Norberto Basilio, the AIUB Board and the Chairman, Dr. Anwarul Abedin for their support, morally and financially. I also extend my special gratitude to former President Fidel V. Ramos for his continuing concern for Filipino workers and migrants abroad. . To the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, the work of searching for worthy overseas Filipinos must go on because it is through the Presidential Awards that we also come to fully realize our continuing relevance to the Philippine motherland. To my fellow awardees, whose worthy efforts have been recognizedCongratulations. Before closing, may I take this opportunity to express a sentiment which I know is shared by us Overseas Filipinos, who have come home to receive this award from our beloved President. The calamity which devastated parts of the Bicol region only a week ago and brought unbearable sufferings, is nothing less than tragic and heartbreaking. It pains to come home to hear about so much destruction and loss of human life. It can only be a call for us to do something for our countrymen and women in desperate need of help. I

AIUB Journal of Business and Economics, Volume 6, Number 1, Jan 2007

know that we have the capacity to act collectively to make this homecoming even more satisfying and worthwhile. Let us join hands and so something! Once again, Maraming Salamat po sa inyong lahat, Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! At Maligayang Pasko sa lahat!