Pacman becomes a doctor
Elisabeth Baumgart
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
THE “People’s Champ” now has a new title to his name.
As he delivers blow after blow in the ring, it will now be Dr. Manny Pacquiao that will be heard throughout the arena.
Yesterday, the Southwestern University (SWU) conferred a doctorate degree in humanities (honoris causa) on Pacquiao for his “exemplary performance in the field of professional boxing and thereby making the entire Philippines proud.”
Valentine's 2009 blog
“We confer the degree on Manny Pacquiao, for he captured excellence and exemplary performance in what he does,” said SWU president Eldigardio Gonzales.
“And it will take another century for another Filipino to rise and be at equal with our honoree.”
While his exemplary performance in the ring is noteworthy and allows him to gain distinction around the globe, it is also his humanitarian efforts across the country that made him the “People’s Champ,” he said.
It was the assistance he sent to the families affected by typhoon Frank and his efforts in helping the families in Mindanao that have become some of Pacquiao’s noted humanitarian acts, said Gonzales.
Patriotism
“And his song ‘Para sa iyo ang laban na ‘to’ is a true act of patriotism,” added Gonzales.
Amid thunderous applause, Pacquiao accepted the degree.
“Kinabahan ako (I got nervous),” said the new doctor of humanities, after stumbling over some of his words.
“I will do my best to be worthy to be called an alumnus to my alma mater,” said Pacquiao.
He drew loud cheers from students as he added that knowledge is not measured by the number of books one reads.
“You cannot measure how smart a person is by how many books he reads. You can measure how smart a person is through his good nature, his love for the country, his love for his family and most importantly, his faith in God,” said
Pacquiao.
SWU was supposed to confer to Pacquiao the doctorate degree in human kinetics. However, the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) declined the first proposal.
Not in list
“According to Ched, human kinetics was not on the list of degrees that can be conferred through honoris causa,” Gonzales told Sun.Star Cebu.
Noting Pacquiao’s feats inside the ring, the SWU would have wanted to honor the boxer with a degree that was within his professional field.
“He shows the value of physical fitness, the value of physical discipline. Our honoree is able to translate human kinetics into action,” said Gonzales.
As the degree was not listed by Ched, the SWU initially asked for an exemption . The Ched, however, denied their appeal.
“They have failed to capture the dynamics of the academia of human kinetics as an emerging discipline,” said Gonzales.
Gonzales hopes that the Ched would in the future reconsider and possibly include human kinetics in the list of degrees.
Ched 7 Chairman Candelario Aytona said the commission would look into the list and possibly revise it.
“Human kinetics is an emerging field. Right now, we will be looking into the manual and in the future, the list might be revised,” said Aytona.
Pacman becomes a doctor
Originally Posted by crinkle
Reply With Quote
Posting Permissions
