GMA’s Gozon gets honorary doctorate degree

MANILA, Philippines — GMA Network chairman and CEO Felipe Gozon has received an honorary Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) degree from the Wesleyan University Philippines (WUP).

Gozon was joined by Teresa Gozon and his family during the academic convocation held on March 18 at the Central United Methodist Church in Manila. The conferment rites were led by WUP president Benjamin Turgano along with OIC-VP for academic affairs John Mark Bondoc, Board of Trustees secretary Gideon Salatan, Legal Education Board chair Marie Melanie Trinidad and Board of Trustees member Renato Simbulan.

“I am deeply humbled by the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa you have conferred on me. This recognition speaks of the many things that I stand for, the things that give my life meaning and the values I live by. For all of that, I am most grateful, especially to our Lord,” said Gozon in his speech.

A noted legal scholar, Gozon graduated in the top ten of UP Law Class of 1962 and placed 13th in the 1962 Bar examinations. He pursued graduate studies at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut and finished the degree of Master of Laws in 1965. He had opportunities to pursue a lucrative law practice in the United States but he chose to return and serve in his own country, the Philippines.

His visionary leadership provided the framework for the rise of GMA Network to become the Number 1 TV network in the country.

Gozon joins former president Fidel V. Ramos, former chief justice Reynato S. Puno, Bishop Emerito P. Nacpil and other accomplished persons in government, academe, religion and business as WUP’s honorary degree recipients.