Duty to the forgotten

Every graduation at the University of the Philippines serves as a powerful reminder and challenge to respond to a greater call. This call encourages graduates to give back to the community and society that supported their education. It emphasizes the importance of gratitude through service and contribution. The tradition inspires students to use their knowledge for the greater good. It reinforces the university's mission of fostering responsible and compassionate leaders.

While the call extends to society as a whole, it is especially directed toward those who are forgotten, disadvantaged, and marginalized. These are the ordinary people who have long struggled for equality and justice. The tradition encourages graduates to use their education to uplift and advocate for these groups. It inspires a sense of responsibility to help create a more equitable and just society for all.

Every graduation brings with it a hope that the promise of a better future for the people will be fulfilled. It signifies a collective aspiration for progress, justice, and equality. Graduates carry this hope as they embark on their journeys to serve and contribute. This enduring optimism reflects the university’s commitment to shaping leaders who will drive positive change. It reminds everyone that education is a powerful tool for building a brighter tomorrow.

A graduate from the University of the Philippines is truly a scholar of the people, embodying a sense of responsibility to serve the community. It is only right that these graduates give back and contribute to the greater good of society. They are expected to find ways to alleviate the conditions of those responsible for their education --namely, the marginalized and underserved. This act of giving back reflects the university’s core values of service, compassion, and social justice. It reinforces the idea that education should be a tool for uplifting and empowering others.

A UP graduate should never forget that his education has been made possible through the taxes of the people, turning a dream into reality. The quality education they received from their alma mater is a gift that comes with a responsibility to serve the greater good. They are called to use their knowledge and skills to help others and contribute to society. This sense of duty and gratitude should always remain at the forefront of their minds. They must remember that their success is meant to benefit the community and uphold the values of service and justice.

The naked man, the Oblation, that every UP campus has, once driven by a thirst for knowledge, he now wields tools, symbolizing readiness. This transformation signifies a shift towards national service. The call-to-action urges individuals to be driven by willingness. True compassion is highlighted as essential for understanding duty. The ultimate goal is to serve those most in need, the 'forgotten'.

True service can be seen in the faces of the forgotten aligns with Matthew 25:40, where Jesus says, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Acts of kindness towards those overlooked are a form of service to God, reflecting the concept of caring for the marginalized, mirroring the prophets' calls for justice and compassion for the poor and vulnerable. Furthermore, it echoes the teachings on humility and selflessness exemplified by Jesus, who came to serve rather than to be served.

Mabuhi ug padayon mga Iskolar ng Bayan!