Recognition Address by Dr. Bryan Lim
"UP is a school where you not only learn the tools of your trade, but where you become a Filipino."
This was according to Dr. Bryan Lim, a University of the Philippines (UP) alumni, who gave his address during the Recognition Day at the UP Cebu Conference Hall last March 7.
Dr. Bryan Albert Lim took up BS Biology in UP Cebu and graduated Magna Cum Laude and Batch Valedictorian of UPV Cebu last 2005. He then took up his medical studies in the UP Manila College of Medicine, and was accepted as Straight Intern in Internal Medicine in the Philippine General Hospital. He graduated last 2010 and was awarded Outstanding Intern in Internal medicine. After graduation, he worked as the First Program coordinator of the Asian Institute of Management's Center for Asian Business Transformation. He is currently taking up his Masters in Development Economics at the UP Diliman School of Economics.
One of the first things he said was that entering UP was like entering Hogwarts, except that he had a hairless man for a dean, and not Dumbledore. Not wanting to be formal in his talk, Dr. Lim decided to tell the crowd some of his stories back when he was in college. With the objective of being able to share a few words of wisdom to the young people, he shared with the audience five things he learned since he graduated.Division of clusters is an illusion. By this he meant that people tend to isolate themselves according to their college course. "What I love about UP Cebu maliit tayo, pero completo. UP Cebu was my playground... ang saya!" To him, it was an advantage that UP had a small population because it gave him the chance to interact with people, learn, celebrate, and integrate various fields. Being one himself, he said that hybrids are what our world needs in order to solve problems. "For example in Medicine, although it is biomedical in nature, its outcomes are social as it aims to alleviate poverty, inequality and promote social justice. Also, policy, health financing, management are key tools. Effective communications and promotions are crucial for any successful health program."
His second point is that wisdom is not the same as knowledge. Equating the two is a common mistake, one that often results in arrogance. According to Dr. Lim, it's not always about the grades. "There is a danger in obsessing over grades because it deprives you of reflection," he said. He also said that this will cause students to be delusional and think they know so much. According to him, a student must ask himself, "How will my studies affect society?" A connection needs to be built between the the self and the development of the country. "Your academics aren't there to make you feel good about yourself, but so you can be of service." Knowledge, as he said, is at the tip of our fingertips, while wisdom is acquired through reflected experience.
Integrity and honor before excellence, the core of Professor Solita “Winnie'" Monsod's lecture was mentioned by Dr. Lim, which led to his next point: good deeds can go a long way. Relevance, as he said, is the yardstick of excellence. Therefore you have failed as an Iskolar ng Bayan if you cannot contribute to the development of society. After all, helping other people has "positive externalities" that we may not realize. He told his audience that being able to alleviate issues like poverty despite not being directly affected by it, actually matters. Solidarity affects us all.
There are certain things we learn that we should never unlearn. To be concrete about his next point, Lim shared his experience back when he was in elementary. Once, he ended up getting a zero in a quiz. The other kids who also got a zero had their spanking by their moms outside school while he took the advantage of the fact that his mom was at home by keeping his score from her. Unluckily, a friend of his spilled the beans. When his mom found out and learned his seatmate got a perfect score, he was surprised by her response. The mom said, "Oh, okay, at least you didn't cheat." And from that experience, no matter how small it seemed, he learned a value that somehow formed the base of his being. " Honor first, before excellence. Integrity, honesty are paramount. When these are violated, the 'excellence' that comes out is not real," he said. In relation to the same point, he said that we must never forget to fight for what we think is right. "The moment we stop fighting is the time we accept that something's right," he explained.
His last point is to be careful with decisions. Bad decisions lead to other bad decisions, until one is in a path that he no longer wants to tread. Lim said that we must live knowing that our life is a contribution to our country, and at the same time, an example for the next generations. According to him, being a Filipino is forging solidarity, being responsive to the issues being faced by our own country. The problems of our people, especially the poor, is our problem as well. UP is a school that allows one to concretize these issues. "Never forget to allow UP to nurture your hearts," he concluded.
Ceritificate of Recognition. Dr. Bryan Lim receives his cerificate of recognition from Dr. Ritchelita Galapate, Officer In-Charge of the office of the dean. Contributed photo/Alyssa Ashley Manugas
All Smiles. Some of the university and college scholars have their picture taken with Dr. Bryan
Lim at the end of the Recognition Day at the UP Cebu Conference Hall last March 7. Contributed photo/Alyssa Ashley Manugas
(Contributed by Jorja D. Yrastorza, BAMC3, UP Cebu)