History repeated itself when Fordham University conferred on President Arroyo a doctor of laws degree, honoris causa, the same honor bestowed on her father, the late President Diosdado Macapagal, 39 years ago.
It was a first in the Jesuit-run university’s annals to give the honorary degree to a parent and child.
"We’ve never given an honorary degree to a father-and-son," said Rev. Joseph O’Hare, SJ, in his welcome greetings.
"She accompanied her father when he received the doctorate degree in October 1964," O’Hare recalled.
To further highlight the event Wednesday, O’Hare cited the presence in the audience of Rev. Vincent O’Keefe, who was Fordham’s president at the time when Macapagal received his degree on Oct. 9, 1964.
Yesterday, it was the turn of the 56-year-old Mrs. Arroyo, who received from Fordham administrators the award in the presence of her family — First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, sons Mikey and Dato with their respective spouses, and daughter Luli.
The First Family flew here with the President after she concluded her three-day state visit in Washington DC.
"Two days ago, I stood on the White House lawn as the representative of my country to a rare state visit honoring a deep friendship between the Philippines and America," she said.
"Today, I stand here, honored with a doctorate of laws, by those who taught me a great deal of what I know and made me, to a great extent, what I have become.
"In every sense, they (Fordham) led as though by the hand to that White House lawn. You honor me, you honor my country, and you honor yourselves. And you have done it twice within the same family," Mrs. Arroyo cited.
Like her late father, Mrs. Arroyo said she has tried to live up to the honors conferred on her by Fordham’s Jesuit ideals, ad maiorem del gloriam (for the greater glory of God) and homo pro allis (a person for others). – Marichu Villanueva