Mass - Engineering Week 2006

The following homily was delivered to professors and students on the occasion of their opening-day eucharistic celebration of UST Engineering Week 2006, at the Sports Complex of the University of Santo Tomas, Manila. The theme of the weeklong celebration is "Engineering@99: future-ready"

There was the story of an old man, circa 79 years of age, who happened to plant a small mango tree several yards from the front door of his house. It also happened that another man 10 years younger than him, was passing by and saw the elder planting the tree. With chagrin on his face, he approached the old man and asked him, "Do you think you can live long enough to eat the fruits of that tree?" Of which the elder replied, "No my good man, I don't expect to live that long so that I may enjoy the fruits of this tree. But I'm very grateful to God that he has still given me strength to plant this tree precisely for those who will come after me. It is just my way of thanking Him and those who have planted trees whose fruits I have enjoyed all my life. And by my gratitude and labors, hopefully by planting this tree, others will be benefited".

There is a popular folkloric expression which says "planting rice is never fun". Indeed, to plant rice or any crop regularly in an open field while the planter is being constantly exposed to the natural elements and other inconveniences, may not be fun to some since planting, as a rigorous if not a tedious activity, demands a lot of dedication and sacrifice on the part of one who plants - the constant watering and caring, tilling the soil, fertilizers, the monitoring and weeding out of undesirable elements like reptiles and insects which may destroy, disrupt or hinder the growth of what has been planted. Such sustaining efforts may require considerable time and energy. In other words, to plant may not be easy nevertheless it is an activity given to man from above since it is by divine design that the fruits of the earth are to be under his disposition in sustaining his earthly existence.

Now, perhaps we can relate "planting" with "planning" since both refer and point to the future. Like planting, planning is a natural activity inherent in every human person. Why do we say it is something innate in us? As a part and parcel of our lives, planning serves as the reasoned concrete expression of our God-given capacity to dream; it is the psychomotor that enables our dreams come to realization. To realize one's dream in life, one has to plan, to take stock of inventories. In order to make one's dreams come true, one has to prepare - to learn continuously and utilize wisely and adequately the tools and the means that are at our disposal so that we can achieve what we would like to be.

Our annual celebration of Engineering Week is another form of planting - planting the seed of enduring academic excellence and expertise that has always and traditionally characterized our faculty for what it is throughout the years, inculcating the seed of educative and Christian moral values such as respect, honesty, love for God and others, and an unending commitment for one's work and profession, in the pursuit of truth and in the formation of competent engineers and professional technologists at the service of the Church, the nation and the entire human community. It goes on to say that in planting the seed of sound engineering education, the faculty has always been trying to be faithful in sustaining its noble mission in molding individuals who can be godly, wise and compassionate experts, dynamically integrative and authorities in their chosen engineering and technology courses in every place they may find themselves. And permit me, if I may say, that our week-long celebration is specifically intended as an added learning experience and preparation for our students who will, in the future, take the place of their illustrious mentors, and who will be joining the ranks of alumni who have carved a name for themselves beyond the academe, when their times comes.

To all faculty professors and staff who have unceasingly and constantly dedicated themselves to living the engineering and technology profession, and who continuously impart to our young and energetic students the divine imprint of God, the All-encompassing Engineer and Technologist of the universe, it would be wise to recall the lessons of our story - perhaps we won't be able to live that long in witnessing the success stories of our students, and/or enjoy the fruits of our labors in the academe. Nonetheless, we are encouraged to be profoundly grateful to the Lord for giving us an opportunity to be part of their lives and formation. Just as you were students once and your mentors planted the seed of your success and profession, likewise, continue planting the seed of educating our youngsters who will come after you, in the grace and love of God and in the service of the entire human society.

Engineering@99: future-ready - are we ready for the future?