This year’s annual celebration is met by the sound of blown trumpets, stomping of combat shoes and beating of drums. Highlighted in the commemoration is the presence of Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Alexander B. Yano, who graced the event as the honored and guest speaker. Ambassador Yano, a native of Disud, Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte is a retired four-star general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. After thirty years in the military service, General Yano was appointed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam.
With the theme, “Curbing Corruption: Every Citizen’s Responsibility”, the former AFP Chief shared three-key points on how to eradicate corruption. He enumerated that first, corruption must be battled at home. This can be done through inculcating values and character in the early stage of a child’s development. Parents should not treat their children as economic investments. Second, schools and offices must be freed from corruption, safeguarding the integrity of these institutions through transparency and objectivity. Lastly, corruption must be fought in the community level. It is the responsibility of the citizens of this country to curb corruption by exhausting all means. General Yano also encouraged the younger generation to take responsibility and to work for progress.
Meanwhile, after the commemoration program, thousands of law books of the late Attorney Pablo Boncarein Badong was entrusted to the school’s College of Law by Mrs. Gloria B.Yano, sister of Atty. Badong and mother of Ambassador Yano.
In the afternoon, as part of their humanitarian cause the Philippine Red Cross Zamboanga del Norte Chapter launched a bloodletting campaign dubbed “Dugong Bayani, Dugong Makaluwas”. Students and alumni participated the event.
By
Eman Taghoy
