Impressed by UP, Pangilinan pledges P5 million in support

Business tycoon Manny Pangilinan has apparently moved on from his recent split with Ateneo de Manila University, as he pledged P5 mil to the University of the Philippines Wednesday.
Speaking at the 50th anniversary celebration of UP’s Alpha Sigma fraternity, Pangilinan said his contribution showed his “commitment to the future of UP,” according to Interaksyon.com, the online portal of the Pangilinan-led TV 5.
“There’s a quality about a UP education which has encouraged our businesses to engage Peyups across many touchpoints,” Pangilinan said.
He added that in terms of “value for money, no university gives a greater return on the nation’s investment for its children than the State University.”
“Whenever I visit UP, I think of what little government support you receive,” Pangilinan said.
“I’ve seen some of the facilities and laboratories of your science and engineering programs–they’re good, but far from the best. I know how brilliant your professors are, but have some idea how much they’re paid,” he added.
The businessman, however, noted that “pity” is not what he feels when appreciating “how limited the subsidy is for Iskolars ng Bayan.”
“Instead, I wonder: How could an institution, funded so parsimoniously, graduate consistently impressive and committed people?” Pangilinan said.
His pledge comes at the heels of his “disengagement” with the Ateneo, over “irreconcilable” differences of positions taken on controversial issues, particularly the reproductive health bill and mining.
On the other hand, Pangilinan, who chairs Philex Mining Corp. among other firms, noted that he is in coordination with UP’s National Institute of Geosciences “in thinking through the complex issues of mining in this country.”
Other current partnerships with UP, Pangilinan said, include a think tank called the Center for National Policy and Strategy with the UP School of Economics; career matching and electric vehicle studies with the College of Engineering; and the crafting of a national health plan with the College of Medicine.
The state university’s basketball varsity team is also seen to receive a boost from the support of Pangilinan, who earlier backed the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
During his speech, Pangilinan joked about how the UP Maroons keeps its morale high despite its dismal winning records in the University Athletic Association’s recent past.
“[W]ith every heartbreaking game, I remind myself: Napagod siguro kaka-rally (Maybe they’re exhausted from protesting,” Pangilinan said, referring to UP’s reputation as an activist university.
“Outside the basketball court, I like the never say die attitude of the community: Natatalo na, ang yayabang pa (They’ve lost but they still brag),” he quipped.
While signaling support for the basketball team, Pangilinan, however noted that “championships are not bought, they are earned.”