An Odyssey to Excellence*

(Second of two parts)

The trials (betrayal?) of 1994-1996. Sailing the ocean blue is never smooth, for stormy weather sometimes lurks in the horizon. So it happened that in the mid 90s, as we cruised along, a threat to our scientific activities arose from most unexpected quarters. Silently, nay surreptitiously, forces were mobilizing to construct a heavy industry, a mega-cement factory, 500 meters from our seaside marine laboratory in Pangasinan, an excellent facility barely completed with foreign and national funding. And who was behind this development? None other than a member of our own Board of Regents. And who would not help us fend off this looming threat? None other than the president of the university!

Being in this university is oftentimes a paradox. We pride ourselves of many achievements, and for good cause. But we also sometimes witness inanities unheard of in a civilized country. Thus it was that I first got wind of the proposed cement factory not from UP officials but from a public announcement at the municipal beach next to our marine station during a routine field trip.

The details of ensuing events are too numerous to recount here. Suffice it to say that neither the regent nor the president, officials who are mandated to look after the welfare of their constituent units, was inclined to assist. Rather than make a big scene on campus and waste time, my decision was to ignore them and bring in other people to help us. Thus, all the constituent units of the university, except for the one from which they came, made public pronouncements condemning the proposed development. Many national and international scientific bodies came to our support. Three major international funding institutions committed to environmentally sustainable development lent their assistance to us. But most of all, the decent people of Bolinao opposed a project that was perceived as detrimental to their health and well-being. Hence, after more than a two-year controversy, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources "denied with finality" the request of the cement factory proponents for an environmental compliance certificate. Common sense and decency had prevailed.

The past decade with the changing of the guard (1997-2006). 1998 brought about the recognition of the MSI as the first and only Center of Excellence in Marine Science under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) COE/COD scheme of promoting and rewarding scientific excellence. The MSI continued its march forward as a vibrant, productive, graduate department of the College of Science. For this period, we produced about 20 ISI-indexed publications per year, an average of 1.2 per senior staff, which is world-class. Its ability to draw research funding from national and international sources remains its strength, each year drawing in twice the amount of the total budget that it receives from Quezon Hall.

I stood down as director at the beginning of the new millennium after leading it for a quarter of a century. The institute’s present vigor is manifested in its being designated in 2004 as one of four international Centers of Excellence by the Global Environment Facility/World Bank Project on Coral Reef Targeted Research and Capacity Building for Management. Under this program, the once threatened Bolinao Marine Laboratory has become a greater nexus for international coral reef research. The benefits include the upgrading of facilities, including broadband complemented with wireless Internet connection, a new PABX telephone system that allows researchers to reach international contacts, plus a number of other vital equipment. Equally important, more than half a dozen graduate students are being supported under this program. Three senior staffers of the institute serve as members of international working groups in coral reef research, with additional research funding.

Conclusion. How have we been able to achieve this triple designation as "Center of Excellence"? We, in the Marine Science Institute, are ordinary Filipinos coming from all over the Philippines, born in this beautiful and blessed land, raised and educated in this society with its particular history, collective memory, political institutions, and economic status. Many have written volumes on how these aspects of our life have held us back from realizing our true heritage: an excellent nation at par with the best in the world.

I have recounted to you this afternoon the "Odyssey to Excellence" of the Marine Science Institute. What made the difference? In desperate times as we find ourselves today, we continually seek models which may serve to inspire us to improve our personal condition and the environment around us. I believe that it was in consideration of this that I stand before you this afternoon to share some experiences and some trials that may be of value to you as you venture forth in a very competitive and challenging world, armed with a new degree. To conclude my speech, I shall provide you some of the guideposts that we followed in our odyssey, which may be useful for your continuing journey in life. The first four are concerned with institution-building, which you may not be doing till later in your lives, but which you should know about. The rest are more personally relevant to the younger graduates.

First, there must be a vision, as lofty as possible, that must be pursued relentlessly. Ours was a three-stage goal: first, to be the best marine science institution in the country, then in Southeast Asia, and finally, in the tropical developing world.

Second, we created a nurturing, supportive environment where all could do their research. Early on, we decided in our recruitment policy, that the only crabs that would be allowed in the center would be crustaceans. Respect, collaboration, and unity are essential.

Third, dedication to work is essential to productivity. Our work ethic was the 40-hour week at one’s place of work, which did not normally include one’s home. Deliver what you promise to establish your credibility, especially if you are going back to the sponsor for continued support.

Fourth, recruit only the qualified to be your collaborators, preferably honor graduates. Thus, at one point, the MSI included one summa cum laude, one magna cum laude, and half a dozen cum laude graduates in its senior staff. Multiply this brain power with the extra time dedicated to work, and the resultant "IQ hours" of the institute as I call them, are unmatched by any department.

Fifth, basic virtues like honesty, fortitude, and humility are not to be compromised. One should make a personal commitment to cultivate these in one’s youth, and to interact with people who espouse these virtues. It was painful to let go of several Ph.D.’s that scored low in this regard, but it was necessary for the health of the unit in the long run. We must have the moral strength and great faith to withstand political and corporate pressures if we are to be truly successful in life.

Sixth, a positive attitude toward life is an important ingredient to success. Too much time is spent bellyaching in a typical Filipino work setting, when one’s attention and energies should be focused on opportunities, opportunities to remove obstacles and move ahead, or really genuine opportunities to race forward in pursuing one’s goals.

Seventh and finally, especially for young people in an age when we are bombarded by contradictory ideas, trust in Divine Providence and follow the Golden Rule. This exhortation may seem a bit strange in this secular campus, but my past religious training has left its influence. Examples are too numerous to list but let me just mention two. I have spent the better part of my life serving others, principally my students, my colleagues in the institute, and our nation at large. Going into retirement last year after 31 years of service, I was awarded two international research grants that have brought me more funding than I ever had in the years past. And, in recognition of my key role as the coordinator of the Philippines/Southeast Asia Center of Excellence in Coral Reef Targeted Research and realizing that the UP would cease to pay my salary upon my retirement, the sponsors of that GEF/WB program saw to it that I was fully compensated for my time.

But the greatest compensation that I have is not the material benefits that many aspire for. Rather, it is the recognition that I enjoy among peers in this country and all over the world, something that money cannot buy, a respect that buoys up the spirit even in these trying times, a satisfaction of fulfillment that I have served my people well, often at great cost. This, my dear graduates, is my parting message to you: Serve others well before you serve yourself, and the Man Upstairs (God, Allah, Yahweh) will look after you! Congratulations and Godspeed!

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*Commencement speech of Edgardo D. Gomez, Ph.D., University Professor Emeritus, at the 95th General Commencement Exercises, University of the Philippines-Diliman last April 23.

Edgardo D. Gomez obtained his Ph.D. in Marine Biology from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, University of California-San Diego. He is a NAST academician and board member of several local and international organizations on coral reef management. He has been the recipient of numerous awards for his accomplishments as science administrator, and for his pioneering work on the culture of giant clams, coral reef ecology and management. Send queries or comments on this article to [email protected]