UP's pride

This was written in Japan while accessing, through live stream, ANC's Wednesday program, Headstart with Karen Davila. That morning, Dr. Mahar Lagmay of the National Institute of Geological Sciences of the University of the Philippines in Diliman was her special guest. Their timely topic: Flood Hazard Maps.

For a country plagued by so much typhoons and heavy rains, and with the Ondoy tragedy still fresh in everyone's minds and now with Juan's recent battering of several of our northern provinces, flood hazard maps are much needed, very valuable tools to inform and advise residents in flood-prone areas about how to better manage their lives and property. The maps can also guide other stakeholders, government and business among others, about what policies and projects can be done or should be avoided to save damage to people and communities.

With his students and some other volunteers, Dr. Mahar Lagmay explained that they utilized various types of maps and other available data to construct these initial flood hazard maps, which he recognized can certainly be improved more and can be more precise, given more time and resources.

However, Dr. Lagmay revealed that this whole laudable project was done, within less than a year, on a voluntary basis. He himself poured in about P700,000 and more of his personal funds for this project. And when asked why he did that, the good news or the best message he relayed that day to his audience came via his simple, honest reply: " Time to give back."

Having been educated at the University of the Philippines, he was a scholar of the Filipino people. " My parents did not spend more than P10,000 for me to get my Ph.d," he shared. " Time to give back."

As iskolar ng bayan, Dr. Mahar Lagmay knew by heart what every UPIAN is constantly being reminded to do: To have the commitment and the time to render service back to the Filipino people, to serve our people and our country.

When asked whether he ever thought of going abroad, Dr. Mahar Lagmay replied that there are many students and colleagues already abroad pursuing further studies and doing their share to help where they are. "I feel I am more needed here."

Certainly, our people and our country are so blessed to have Dr. Mahar Lagmay now in the Philippines, sharing his expertise as a scientist and as a professor of UP and encouraging other students to volunteer their talents and resources as their way of repaying, giving back to our people in exchange for having been privileged to be iskolar ng bayan. Wow!

Karen Davila and those with them at the ANC studio that morning gave Dr. Mahar Lagmay their spontaneous, appreciative applause for his exemplary service for our people. A 73-year-old viewer even considered the young fortyish Dr. Mahar Lagmay a hero for his voluntary contribution. Immediately, the humble Dr. Mahar Lagmay reminded everyone that their flood hazard project is a collective collaboration involving his students and other volunteers and that the credit should go to every member of the whole voluntary team.

We agree, he and all others who assisted and who continue to assist in this very laudable, valuable project deserve everyone's positive compliments. Like Karen Davila, we also wish that our country and this world may have more committed people like Dr. Mahar Lagmay and the other volunteers!

When asked if he asked for funding from government, Dr. Mahar Lagmay said their project does not really need much funds, but having food for the volunteers would be appreciated. 

There are really so much more good and beneficial projects that can be done, even without funds, as long as there are the committed persons who happily share, give back, and render service to our people and our country, wherever they are, however they can.

We laud and thank Dr. Mahar Lagmay for his exemplary service. Very touching to be reminded by a fellow UPIAN about UP's greatest contribution to this country: Graduates with commitment to render back, to pay, to give back to our people genuine voluntary service as iskolar ng bayan, however and wherever they can.

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