NATIONALISM AND THE
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Renato S. Puno
1960-1961
The Philippines is slowly being engulfed in
a wave of nationalism that is sweeping Southeast Asia today. The trend is not unexpected.
Fact is, it is predictable. For the Philippines is but a small puby country. Just like her
Asian neighbors, hence the need to re-examine one’s cultural and social heritage, to
break down the narrow walls of ethnocentrism.
Were the history of the Philippines to be
traced back, one is most likely to think that this country will embrace nationalism
swiftly and fervently. For nationalism is not a new idea to the Filipinos. Its seeds have
been planted by such all time heroes as Rizal, Mabini, Del Pilar, and others way back in
the last years of the nineteenth century. It was the force that unshackled the Filipino
mind from the invidious forces of bigotry, obscurantism and narrow-mindedness; the force
that stopped the Filipino intellectual elites and aristocratic middle class from
exploiting the masses which formed the backbone of society. Slowly but surely, it led the
Filipinos to an age of enlightenment. Then to clamor for reforms. Then to revolt. Then
finally to freedom.
Today the seeds of nationalism are slowly
withering. It is the solemn and inescapable duty of University men to let it flower again.
As the only state institution in the country, the University of the Philippines should
lead the revival movement.
By virtue of its peculiar position, UP
serves as the capstone of the country’s educational system. Bound to advance the
frontiers of knowledge, to transform knowledge into leadership. It needs no stressing that
a university should not be a ‘band of political zealots.’ The ugly heads of
politics should never be seen in the university. But the task of leading the people in the
attainment of their national aspirations is far from being politically colored. It is a
task that every university cannot shirk. Failure to do so is treason to its idea and
ideals.
Nationalism is a force that is capable of
revolutionizing the order of things in the social complex. It afects the destiny of the
Filipino people in general and the University of the Philippines in particular. That is
why UP should utilize all its resources to prevent nationalism from being misdirected. To
be remiss to this duty is to be party to a preventable confusion. As the intellectual
cream of the society, they should never allow mobocracy and majoritarianism render the
concept of ordered liberty an illusion. For nationalism is wild concept that is equitable
with the various isms - even communism. Hence, the UP populace, steeped in the politics of
democracy, spearhead the proper hedging and canalizaton of this slippery idea.
Nationalism will lead the Filipinos of
today to a renaissance long overdue. To an awareness and pride of our social, economic and
cultural values. To a more dynamic filipinism. It will provide an answer to the dream of
the late Senator Jose P. Laurel for ‘a new social and economic pattern that will
answer the needs of common man, emancipate the human spirit of millions, awaken them to
the sun of freedom and opportunity.’
The Philippines today stands at the
crossroad of its destiny. On one hand are the powers that be which can flood the country
with economic goods in exchange of our dignity and self-respect. On the other is its
people plagued by poverty, starvation, and corruption. Inspite of prospects of economic
blackout, however, the future of the Philippines must be deeply rooted in the rock of
nationalism. Enlightened nationalism which means love of country and its people. In
achieving this end, the University of the Philippines must provide the intellectual
leadership. For these are trying times. Challenging. Fraught with danger. To be sure, the
battle will be uphill, the efforts tremendous, the sacrifices demanding. But all these
must be done. Simply must. For our sake. For posterity. For a more vigorous Philippines. |
