Recognition: A challenge and a responsibility

The honor that comes with the recognition is worthy to be cherished and valued.As we seek for affirmation on the significance of what we do, we regard recognition as a definitive justification.

Last October 27, 2017, UP Cebu Chancellor Liza D. Corro awarded the Gawad Tsanselor and Service Awards. I received the 1st Gawad Tsanselor for Outstanding Achievement in Creative Work, outstanding performance and achievement as a faculty. The award is significant both institutionally and personally. For the institution because we are celebrating the first anniversary as a constituent university and being awarded by the first chancellor of UP Cebu and seven months away for UP Cebu's centennial. Personally, for my years of creative pursuits, the university has recognized my artistic works based on set criteria.

The Gawad Tsanselor is the highest award bestowed by UP Cebu as recognition for quality performance of its faculty members and non-teaching staff. It acknowledges the highest quality obtained in the fields of teaching, research, extension work, creative works and performance.

Former UP Diliman Chancellor Caesar A. Saloma aptly said, "the annual recognition aims to encourage members of the UP community to uphold the highest standards of excellence in performing their duties and consequently, to honor those whose excellence is most distinct among their colleagues and peers."

An award is a kind of recognition aimed to felicitate one's excellent contribution in a chosen field. An award is not only a great prestige or a mark of excellence, but is also a tremendous boost for someone to strive and excel higher and aim for even bigger accomplishments in life.

I humbly dedicate the award to the men and women of the creative and artistic community, both local and national as I regard myself not only a faculty of the university of and for the people but a cultural worker of and for the community. The recognition goes to the creative minds that despite being unrecognized, they unceasingly fight for a fair share of support. They relatively remained marginalized in their quest for a wider space for creative expression.

As an advanced gift, I also dedicate my recognition to my octogenarian mother Remedios Cabatingan Rabago who will be celebrating her 88th birthday few days from now. She provided me with so much inspiration as she ventured the artistic world during her younger days both in radio and film.

Awards can give you a tremendous amount of encouragement to keep getting better, no matter how young or old you are. But one thing is certain: doing what I believe is what I will continue for the rest of my life. What I do in the university is just a microcosm of the bigger challenge and work outside.

It is now a great challenge for me to continue espousing for greater participation of concerned stakeholders for intensified exposure of cultural and artistic initiatives. And this requires not a big influence but a sustained and collective voice. And it is only then that this voice can get through the awareness and sensibilities of various institutions.

More than the affirmation from a number of people in the academe is the accompanying responsibility to sustain or even surpass present achievement. It is in this manner that with purest intention I believe I can carry out this gargantuan task. More than ever is the responsibility to aspire others to continue what I have been doing or have started. As a faculty and a cultural advocate, this is the legacy to my students, to UP Cebu, and to the community.

Daghang salamat UP Cebu. Padayon ta sa paglayag...