“Ni President! Umayen! ‘Diay ID yo!”
“Ne! Awan ag-picture nga awan ‘ti ID na a! Makita ni President nu i-post yo ‘diay FB!
Those could be among the fun lines that would come out from the lips of DMMMSU personnel had they got the chance to hold a program in celebration of President Manuel’s 50th birthday, which is today, April 30. It would have been the best day to make him smile and laugh at his own persona, watching the best impersonators dramatizing hilarious moments with him, his own antics, and certainly how he has touched the lives of many, but thanks to the infamous C-19 pandemic.
There may be no grand celebration as expected of in the life of a much respected leader who celebrates his special day, much more so as it is his ‘golden year’, but it is no unhappy day for him as he has been rained with greetings on social media since yesterday. (It’s normal. Even close friends forget about accurate dates.)
Yes! One reads it right. The President, immediately upon his installment as the 6th President of DMMMSU on Februay 8, 2019, imposed the basics—professional ethics in a more technical term.
The whole DMMMSU would echo some of his famous lines:
“If you don’t wear your ID and uniform, that means you do not love DMMMSU.”
“If you don’t report to school on time, that means you do not love DMMMSU.”
He does not get tired reminding his constituents about simple gestures of love and loyalty to one’s organization.
The basics sounded as though they were some kind of exaggeration to some yet there is no denying they have created in the hearts of employees a deep seated love for DMMMSU. And so one goes to understand that once one has developed this special love for one’s organization, the rest follows. Efficiency follows. Commitment follows. Sense of ownership follows. Love for work follows.
The President didn’t need an aggressive strategy to start with. With his simple but consistent prompts paired with his own example, he was able to gain the respect and support of the faculty members and the nonteaching personnel.
A full-fledged Professor, President Manuel has been so focused on realizing his goals as University President. His agenda are expressed in the acronym I LOVE DMMMSU:
I for institutional quality and program excellence,
L for laudable academic programs,
O for operational and scientific research program,
V for vibrant extension and community development programs,
E for efficient and effective resource generation,
D for dynamic faculty and staff development,
M for meaningful student services and development,
M for manifold physical resource and development,
M for more responsive management and governance,
S for sustained linkages and collaboration, and
U for unified, strong, collaborative and supportive alumni.
President Manuel, former Chancellor of the North La Union Campus, has been working hard for DMMMSU yet he does not grab all the credits for DMMMSU’s accomplishments—he shares them with his Vice Presidents, Unit Heads, all the University and Campus Officials. (For the list of his accomplishments during his first year as President, please follow this link.
Why he succeeds as President can be attributed to his gift of scouting talents and potentials. He knows the best person whom to appoint to for a position or project. In fact, the first major step he took when he assumed the seat as President was select the best employees to assume major administrative positions. These same select leaders helped him revise the criteria on the selection of university officials, review the organization structure and rationalize it for a more functional delivery and administrative services. As a result, DMMMSU now has the Revised Organization Structure (with BOR # 2019-481). On top of that are a number of policies, manuals, guides, handbooks which were reviewed, revised, and crafted.
Despite his strict enforcement of discipline, students and employees of all ranks can approach him. He is strict with business protocols, yet his likeable, affable, and agreeable personality invites the downcast and the burdened into his office who leave the same with a much brighter countenance.
A high profile faculty member who requested not to be named has these words about him: “leader, driven, strict, frank but very kind and has a soft heart for the less fortunate, and the best friend one can have.”
Dr. Junifer Rey Tabafunda, the Chancellor of NLUC, and the President’s friend since they were in High School, describes him as someone who is very determined. “Once he has a goal in mind, he would persevere in achieving it. Inaabot niya ito sa tamang pamamaraan. He is frank. Alam niya ang buhay mahirap. Marunong siyang magmalasakit sa kapwa at sa kanyang empleyado. He is guided by the principle of innovation and continuity.”
Outside his Office, President Manuel is a regular sight at the tennis court. He is the life in the tennis court. He keeps himself fit and at the same time maintains his circle of friends while he spends time driving balls forward and back with them.
Another long time friend to the President, Dr. Pricillo Fontanilla, describes him as a person who puts in a lot of effort in his work. “He is hard-working and diligent. He can be completely relied on. He is down-to-earth. He has a great sense of humor. HE IS LARGER THAN LIFE.”
Dr. Fontanilla went on to finish his line: “He is indescribable because he is the BEST.”
And how is he as a family man? Seeing images and reading narratives on social media accounts of his children, one can muse that President Manuel is well loved and adored. He is portrayed as an ideal father—loving, supportive, a buddy to his children. More photos and narratives further depict him as the best Daddy-Lo to his grandchildren. He sits with them, plays with them, cuddles with them. And, seeing him in person with his well pressed uniform and impeccably clean shoes, one would not doubt a second that he is well loved and taken care of by his supportive wife.
Had there been a chance for a formal gathering to celebrate his 50th birthday, and had there been no Enhanced Community Quarantine, he would have been requested to share his 50 birthday wishes. Nevertheless, if he had the chance to express them, among his list would certainly include ISA, IA, and ISO certification for DMMMSU, and DMMMSU getting back its Level IV status as a University.
The whole DMMMSU community may have missed celebrating with him today in a fun gathering, but this day still proves to be extra special. (Ayu)