President Benigno S. Aquino III challenged the graduating college students of Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) to be “men and women for others” during the ADMU Baccalaureate Mass of 2016 held at the ADMU High School Covered Courts, Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

President Aquino stressed what being “men and women for others” mean. He outlined several key accomplishments of his administration which include the 7.7 million individuals who rose out of poverty with the help of 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program), the increase of PhilHealth beneficiaries from 47 million in 2010 to 93 million in 2016, and the filling of the backlog of classrooms, textbooks and chairs in schools all over the Philippines.

“Mula sa pagiging Sick Man of Asia, kinikilala na tayo ngayon bilang Asia’s Darling at Asia’s Brightest Spot. Ginawa nating moderno ang ating kapulisan at sandatahang lakas. Ang budget na dating palaging reenacted kaya nagagamit bilang kasangkapan upang mangurakot, ipinasa natin sa tamang panahon, at nang laging nakatuon sa makatuwirang paggugol ng pera ng bayan,” he added.

President Aquino also told the story of his days studying at ADMU 35 years ago, and what the university meant to the country in speaking about the turmoil of the martial law years.

“Hindi nagkulang sa pakikilahok ang Ateneo community sa anumang diskursong bumabalot sa lipunan. Nang may mga pilit na ipinapalimot sa atin ang bangungot ng martial law, isa ang Ateneo sa mga unang naglabas ng kolektibong pahayag,” the President said.

President Aquino ended his speech by saying that he trusts them to be “Lux in Domino,” ADMU’s motto which means Light in the Lord, and for them to be exemplary hardworking, caring, and full of integrity in their journey “down from the hill.”