Our young scientists should learn to say ‘E mano ngayon!’

There is a feature article in Philippine Science Letters (http://www.philsciletts.org/) about Dr. Romulo G. Davide, a retired professor of plant pathology at UP Los Baños. Dr. Davide had humble origins, growing up poor in a farm in Argao, Cebu. In the ceremony where he received the Concepcion D. Dadufalza Award for Distinguished Achievement in 2002, Dr. Davide recounted how he supported himself while an undergrad in UPLB by working as a janitor in the dorm where he was staying. From his humble beginnings, Dr. Davide rose to great heights in his chosen field, publishing numerous papers and mentoring and training many students. His achievements have been recognized by many awards, including his election to the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and the Ramon Magsaysay Award. Dr. Davide has returned to his origins, now teaching farmers the science that they can use to improve their livelihood.

Many of us also had humble origins and, especially those coming from the provinces, may have felt timid when entering university.  The feeling may even be exacerbated after meeting very bright classmates from all over the Philippines, including some from well-known schools. But after a period of adjustment, we lose our timidity and, in my case, I started to say “E mano ngayon!” — a version of “E ano ngayon?” (“So what?”) which I prefer. So what if my classmates came from well-known schools? I can perform as well as they can. We are all the same.

Years later, those of us who go to graduate school abroad, may again feel timid because our fellow graduate students may have come from very prestigious schools from all over the world. But again soon enough, we could say “E mano ngayon!” We can perform as well as they can. (Indeed, with very few exceptions, our students do well in graduate schools abroad.)

If people tell me that they got their degree from such and such university, that they had produced so many papers, that they had gotten so many awards, my response (not vocalized, of course — I try to be polite) is “E mano ngayon!” Credentials don’t mean anything to me.

Earning a graduate degree is not an end-all. One continues to do science. Good scientific output will be recognized. There may even be awards. But even that is not the end-all. 

I believe that one should be judged by one’s total output in life — not just by what he had done in the past. Equally important to me is what one does even after already making a mark in the world.

Dr. Davide is a good example. He may no longer be active in research (he may still be — I don’t know for sure), but he continues to teach. He is now passing on the knowledge that he has learned to the people who need that knowledge the most — the farmers.

Dr. Davide is not unique in this regard. Dr. Lourdes J. Cruz, also multi-awarded and one of only a few National Scientists in the Philippines, devoted a lot of time even after her retirement from academe to helping improve the livelihood of the Aetas in Bataan.  And then there is Baldomero M. Olivera, also multi-awarded and a member the US National Academy of Science and the US Institute of Medicine and also of the NAST, who has helped and is still helping many Filipino students and young scientists do world-class science. 

(To their credit, I have never heard Dr. Davide, Dr. Cruz or Dr. Olivera (and other very accomplished Filipino scientists) advertise their numerous publications or awards. They are obviously very humble.) 

So, I say to our young scientists (and non-scientists): Remember that you can perform as well as anybody else. You might be inspired by the achievements of others, but never be awed. You can do just as well. (But you must study and work hard to prove it.) 

And when you hear people boast of their credentials or accomplishments, you can respond (preferably, just in your mind) with “E mano ngayon!” 

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Eduardo A. Padlan was a research physicist at the US National Institutes of Health until his retirement in 2000. He serves as an adjunct professor in the Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman, and is a corresponding member of the NAST. He may be contacted at [email protected].