Memo to the third generation of Gullases
We do want Sir Eddie and Sir Dodong to stay and manage UV forever. But we all know ''walang forever''. Sooner than later, you will have to take over. Are you ready?
I do not envy your position, my young friends. You are about to embark on a journey to lead the first Cebu university for the next 25 years or so. The first generation of Gullases from 1919 led by your grandfather, Don Vicente, continued by your grandmother, Lady Josefina until the ‘70s, laid down the solid foundations of UV for the first 50 years. Then your father, uncle, and aunt, Atty. Eduardo, Dr. Jose, and Madam Gliceria, steered the institution for the following 50 years, expanding it, making it bigger, stronger and more relevant to nation-building. You, the third generation, are mandated to lead UV and push it forward into the next two decades, then the fourth generation shall handle the next 25 years, until the succeeding generations shall continue UV's journey to the 200th year anniversary and beyond.
UV's journey of 100 years was a great saga of daring struggles, hard work and persevering commitment to the pursuit of the beautiful dream of one man, your Lolo Inting, shared by your Lola Pining and supported by your other Lolo Paul, the Bar topnotcher. The second generation; Sir Eddie, Sir Dodong, and Ma’am Sering have all made tremendous sacrifices just to carry on the big responsibility of leading and managing a growing and expanding multi-campus institution, with thousands of students, hundreds of faculty and non-teaching support staff. There were many government regulations to comply with, pressure from socio-economic downtrends, and political turbulence in the environment to surmount. They won over all odds and prevailed. Theirs were a hard act to follow.
Every student who comes into the portals of UV brings with him or her both opportunities and pressures. Every faculty member and non-teaching personnel has needs and expectations to meet. Every additional classroom and space entails cost, and every new technology, tool, gadget, and machine needs money. The Gullas brothers, assisted by their trusted advisers, and inspired by the trust and confidence of the lower echelon administrators, have solved all problems, met all challenges with patience, hard work and well-honed leadership and management skills. The second generation of Gullases have faced all constraints and came out successful in the face of all the “slings and arrows of outrageous fortunes.”
Now, they are in their late eighties. You, the third and fourth generation should be ready to take over, in case something unexpected happens. We, your most loyal alumni, have no trace of doubt regarding your competence to take over and continue the journey. We are just nearby, waiting to be summoned by our beloved alma mater, if ever our experience, our limited wisdom and our tremendous love for and loyalty to UV need to be harnessed, just in case you need us to help carry the burden. We owe so much to this institution which guided us to see the light, molded our characters, and imbued us with inspiration and wisdom on the many paradoxes of life.
In case you need us to assist in pursuing UV's journey for the next 100 years, your staff know where to find us. We shall come running and be of service to UV, our beloved. Cheers and God bless.
- Latest
