DE GUZMAN, Christian Louis G.

Philosophy 1 THR2
BS Business Economics | 2019-05807 Ms. Symel Noelin S. De Guzman

A new era has already started as Dr. Michael Tan formally turned over the UP Diliman
chancellorship to former Vice Chancellor for Research and Development Fidel Nemenzo last March 2 in
front of Quezon Hall.
Nemenzo has enjoyed the support of the UP community during his campaign. UP students from
different campuses, faculty, staff, vendors, jeepney drivers, lumads, and alumni joined together last
February 3 in front of the Quezon Hall, where the Board of Regents were having their meeting for the
selection of the next chancellor of UP Diliman. The crowd immediately erupted into cheers as President
Danilo Concepcion announced Dr. Fidel Nemenzo as the 10th chancellor of the university's flagship
campus, a reflection of the overwhelming support for the vice chancellor.
With all of these being said, this question popped up in my head. Why does the UP Diliman
community want Dr. Fidel Nemenzo as their chancellor? What makes him a great leader in the eyes of the
people?
Selecting the 10th Chancellor of the university's flagship campus was one of the most difficult in
UP Diliman’s history, especially at a time of protests against controversial political appointments of one
dean and one director and attempts to bring the military and police into the campus.
Throughout the search process, Dr. Nemenzo was clearly the favored one in forums and in online
social media platforms. The UP Diliman University Student Council even issued a statement of support,
noting that he “proved to us that more than being a leader, he is capable of being a follower that values
democracy, dialogue and the masses”. Faculty and alumni also sent the Search Committee letters of
support, noting his administrative experience and academic achievements.
Nemenzo also has the charisma of a UP student. As a batang UP, the incoming chancellor started
his journey in the university since his elementary days. Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in
Mathematics, he pursued his master's and Doctor of Science degrees from Sophia University. He also
stayed in the university and teaches in the Institute of Mathematics. Aside from being an alumnus and a
professor in the university, Nemenzo also embodied the true essence of becoming a UP student, the
service to the community.
Nemenzo, who has always embraced his days as an activist, said he imagined UP Diliman as an
academic center of excellence, inclusive, diverse and public service oriented. He dreams of a university
that will not only produce the top students in our country, but students who will change the world. Under
his leadership, Nemenzo vowed to create a nurturing and enabling community, to promote and defend
academic freedom as “an important prerequisite for academic excellence,” and to “encourage an
atmosphere of inclusivity and openness based on respect for and appreciation of diversity,” among others.
Aside from his credentials and vision for the university, there are more reasons why the UP
community wants Nemenzo as their chancellor. The way I see it, the philosophy behind why many people
supported Nemenzo in his campaign for chancellorship can be related to Plato's definition of a good
leader. In his work The Republic, he stated that societies should be governed by philosophers and leaders
should be a lover of wisdom. According to Plato, only philosophers are morally and intellectually suited
to govern and lead. Nemenzo, in his entire life in the university has always been interested in and have a
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passion for learning, while showing no interest in the temptations of gaining power for the sake of power.
Most people also believe that Nemenzo possesses the sense of prudence, justice, temperance, and
courage, the four cardinal virtues important in being a great leader.
At the end, it was never about campaigning for Nemenzo himself. It is about fighting for what we
believe is right, not only for the UP community, but for the whole nation. Sectors supporting Nemenzo’s
candidacy are fighting for the regularization of contractual workers, students’ and vendors’ welfare,
academic freedom, gender equality, and the advancement of civil rights. He is a true leader who inspires
through his or her vision and motivates by leading by example rather than telling and intimidating a
desired action. He is the chancellor we truly deserve.