A doctoral student of mine asked me why I often write about women achievers. Well, the answer is quite obvious. Aside from my programs in the Academe, I have been involved in women organizations like the Zonta Club of Cebu 1, Women in Travel etc.
My assignments then in the Cebu and American Chambers were mostly women-based. I staged musicals for the Zonta Club of Cebu 1, the “Women Legends,” with a sequel, “Legends of Men.” These shows portrayed women and men leaders of all times.
In my Personality and Social Graces classes, my students cited Cebu’s visible model male and female leaders. “In My Diary” already cited these in my previous columns, but since the male figure is now dominant in the coming elections, I believe that wisdom, values and performance make up an ideal male leader. It is difficult to mention who among the current male politicians are ideal.
In the academe as well as in the socio-civic sectors, I had a chance to work with the following (politicians excluded) who used their intelligence, business acumen as well as academic and socio-civic perspectives to succeed, inspire and involve others to be achievers.
These are Norberto Quisumbing Jr. (+), dean Marcelo Fernan (+), engineer Joaquin Alix and Fr. Victor Lluch, OAR (+), Fr. Raul Buhay, Fr. Anthony Morillo. Fr. Ernesto Javier. Fr. Rod Salazar and Fr. Christopher Maspara, OAR.
Presently, lawyer Augusto Go of the University of Cebu, succeeds because of his foresight and compassion to help. Jaycee and Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Anastacio Muntuerto Jr. has a passion for innovation.
The same has been true to Gerry Sta. Ana, Sonny Garcia, Ben Dapat, Nestor Chua and Danny Deen. John Domingo, Dondi Joseph, Bobby Joseph and Ramon Sebastian have an excellent ace to motivate others to be creative. Peter Dy, Jay Aldeguer, Pachico Seares, Julius Neri, doctor Yong Larrazabal, doctor Troy Uy, doctor Peter Mancao, Val Sandiego, Pachico Seares and doctor Peter Lim among many others, succeeded in their own professions.
Ambassador Francisco Benedicto and Consul Enrique Benedicto keep the family tradition of leadership in the diplomatic corps alive in their children. The academic projects of the Gullas clan (University of the Visayas) have opened wider opportunities for the less-privileged. So with the Aznars of Southwestern University, the Jerezas of University of Southern Philippines, the Lizareses of the Cebu Institute of Technology.
I am sure there are more men achievers in Cebu.
Our youth therefore are not lacking ideal men to emulate. They can start with their own fathers, siblings or relatives. The home is the sanctuary of leaders.