The "pangandoys" of Don Vicente A. Gullas
My love for the Visayan language tells me of a deeper, more eloquent word than ''damgo'' or dream, and that is ''pangandoy''. A more passionate, heartfelt, committed word that signifies not just a goal or objective, but a relentless, never-say-die longing in the highest intensity. In 2019, barely eighteen months from now, the whole academic community of UV, students and alumni, faculty, non-teaching personnel and administrators, present owners both the second, third and fourth generations of Gullases and Luceros, will commemorate the first centennial of the founding of this great institution, the University of the Visayas, the first university in Cebu. This is the apex of the passionate "pangandoys" of Don Vicente Gullas and his beloved wife, Lady Josefina Rivera Gullas.
In his book, "The Art of Living Well", Don Vicente wrote these immortal words: "With God's inspiration as my guiding light someday, among the thousands of VI and UV students and alumni, I hope to produce kings and queens who will never wear crowns but shall be royals just the same. And when I shall be dead, I wish that my life will not be a tale that is told, a dream empty and forgotten. I wish it to be a prayer, or a song of love and usefulness, even if only to kindle the heart of fire in the soul of some weakling, or some unfortunate being who has still the spark and image of God in them." His words were full of faith in God, replete of love for humanity and overflowing with the passion to serve, inspire, and be a great example to others.
Last night, we, the alumni of this great center of excellence, our beloved UV, this fountain of wisdom and wellspring of learning, a haven for affordable and high-quality education for the youth who share in the founder's vision, the temple for molding of leaders, took our oath of office before Don Vicente's eldest son, former Cebu governor, former representative of both the old third district and now the first congressional district of the province of Cebu, incumbent City Mayor, Sir Eddie. Also witnessed by the hardworking Sir Dodong and their sister Inday Cering, and the grand and great-grandchildren of Don Vicente. We pledged to serve as alumni officers and do justice to the dreams of our founder, and plan for a really meaningful, memorable, and impactful celebration of UV's first centennial in 2019.
"Amor, servitum, humanitas'', our alma mater's motto, translates to "Love, Leadership, and Service to Humanity". Its vision is to be a true center of excellence that inspires in the youth an abiding faith in God, and molds them to be imbued with love, to take leadership in the service to people and country. Don Vicente's dreams is to touch the souls and consciences of the students so that they leave UV not only skilled in sciences and arts but also with hearts filled with Christian compassion, love of country and family, ready to serve the motherland in war and peace, here and anywhere in the world. The colors green and white symbolize the undying hopes of every Visayanian, and the untarnished purity of their intentions and pangandoys, just like the passionate longings of Don Vicente. We do hope and we pray.
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