Letter of Support from Prof. Neferti Tadiar, Barnard College, Columbia University

CMC faculty, students, staff and alumni support Rolando Tolentino

Scanned documents of signatories may be seen in this album on FB: CMC faculty, students, staff and alumni support Rolando Tolentino

On Commercial Ethos, Higher Education and Dean Rolando Tolentino for Chancellor

February 8, 2011

The Board of Regents  

Quezon Hall, University of the Philippines

Diliman, Quezon City

cc: The Search Committee

Re: Commercial Ethos, Higher Education and Dean Rolando Tolentino’s nomination for UP Diliman Chancellor

Dear Members of the Board of Regents:

The reality of contemporary  commercial  ethos  that is taking shape and defining the path of higher education has been the subject of debate worldwide, especially among scholars whose imagination of their respective disciplines stretches far and firm into the future.  That the debate on commercialization continues to bring forth disturbing questions both from its proponents and opponents is a sign that our University is alive and well. In the past five months or so, with the ending of terms of key leaders and the search for new ones, the tension between our University’s public character and the necessity to survive and flourish as an academic institution given budget constraints has very well captured inquisitive and critical minds that make up our community.

In reading the vision statements of our esteemed nominees for the next UP-Diliman Chancellor, not only have I been inspired by their apparent and sincere concern for the University, I have also been humbled by the boldness in and through which they allow themselves to speak to UP’s past, present, and future, at the same time that they define these in order to address the conditions that we face. But Dean Roland Tolentino’s vision of a “culture of innovation” within the context of a “public university for public service” distinguishes itself by its patent intellectual firepower that resonates with the necessity of a National University being an instrument of progressive social influence. Let me share with you what I consider to be the most important lesson I have learned about markets and commercialization.

It is from a graduate class on Film Theory and Criticism under Dean Rolando Tolentino where I have appreciated that to critically examine increasing commercialization of universities is not to pour a scorn on markets themselves but precisely to assert the social role of the university in critiquing a kind of free market fundamentalism that presumes markets to be so perfect. It is from that class of eleven years ago where I have been trained to problematize the crises of higher education in terms of the consequences of the gradual elimination of the division between academic and commercial spheres for both the public and private sectors. Dean Tolentino has trained a generation of art and literary critics, media practitioners and academics to raising the toughest and most thoughtful questions that cannot be resolved practically without first disabusing burning issues of their most simplistic versions and interpretations.

In conferences, research endeavors, and gatherings of academics both here and abroad, I observe that academics would customarily strike out  productive conversations by referring to academic figures they know from the country and, particularly, from the University of the Philippines. In my own experience, these academic figures would be Epifanio San Juan Jr. and  Rolando Tolentino. As a retired professor and public intellectual, Dr. Epifanio San Juan Jr. directs the Philippine Cultural Studies Center in Connecticut, U.S.A. and continues to publish books and articles, and deliver public lectures everywhere in the world. Dean Rolando Tolentino has now fully owned up to the responsibilities of a nominee for Chancellor. His international renown as a film theorist and public intellectual and his venerable record as an academic leader make the best combination of the factors needed to bring the level of Chancellorship to a higher plane. 

Great challenges come with great expectations. Currently, university students worldwide have been mounting the most fervent critique and protest against cuts to education. This, of course, is not unprecedented. In the 1960s, the same worldwide clamor for relevance and access to education pushed students “up against the Ivy Walls.” Both then and now, this exercise in opposition has been primarily directed against the policies of university Chancellors. But with Dr. Tolentino’s brand of commitment to academic excellence, honor, human rights and social justice, the ideal of university administrators as academic leaders who will serve as a credible and exemplary guiding conscience ceases to be a pipe dream. It is with my best hopes for UP and higher education that I respectfully urge the esteemed members of the Board of Regents to elect Dean RolandoTolentino for Chancellor of the University of the Philippines-Diliman.

Sincerely,

Sarah Raymundo

BA Sociology, 1998, MA Sociology 2005, UP Diliman

Lectrurer, Instructor and Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, 1999-2009, UP Diliman

Letter of support from Prof. Theodore Gonzalves, Ph.D, University of Hawaii, Manoa

Letter of Support from Gladys Nubla, University of California, Berkeley

Letter of support from National Artist Prof. Bienvenido Lumbera

Letter of support from the College Editors Guild of the Philippines

To our dear Board of Regents:

The oldest and largest alliance of collegiate student publication in Asia takes pride and honor in endorsing and supporting Dr. Rolando B. Tolentino to be the next University of the Philippines – Diliman Chancellor.

 The College Editors Guild of the Philippines believes in the capability of Dr. Rolando B. Tolentino not only to serve the UP Diliman community but also to strengthen it and put it all back together as one.

Last year, UP was bombarded with a lot of issues. There was a call to restore integrity, there was a call to revive and take a “new” look into “Honor and Excellence”, and there was budget cut. There are those who made extra efforts to divide the community using these issues but only a few looked at it in a pro-students angle and would answer the moral obligation of UP to serve the people, and one of the few is Dr. Rolando B. Tolentino.

Dr. Tolentino, former National Capital Region Chairperson of CEGP, is not only a teacher, a mentor, or a lecturer but also a Guilder. Dean RT, as Guilders fondly call him, has been one with us in our cause to fight and pursue genuine press freedom and seek justice for the victims of repression. He has been a speaker and a lecturer to almost all CEGP gatherings, giving inspiration to the young blood in journalism not only to write well but to write for the people and serve and protect their interest.

CEGP believes that Dr. Rolando Tolentino together with the UP Community can make UP one again. With the integrity of being a pro-student faculty, he pushes for the real meaning of UP’s “Honor and Excellence” and that is leading UP to a patriotic and democratic institution geared towards answering its moral and ultimate obligation of serving the people and being one with its battle towards repression and freedom.

The College Editors Guild of the Philippines, together with its more than 750 member publications all over the country, supports and endorses Dr. Rolando Tolentino to be UP Diliman’s Chancellor.

Letter of support from Prof. J. Neil Garcia, UP Diliman

6 February 2011


The Board of Regents
University of the Philippines
Diliman, Quezon City

Cc: President Afredo Pascual
University of the Philippines


Dear Sirs/Ma’ams:

I have the pleasure of endorsing Dr. Rolando B. Tolentino for the position of
Chancellor  of the Diliman campus of the University of the Philippines.

Dr. Tolentino’s credibility as a scholar and professor is beyond reproach, as
his curriculum vitae and its extensive listing of publications (both critical
and creative), fellowships, exchange professorships, grants, and awards
abundantly show. Dr. Tolentino’s record as Dean of the College of Mass
Communication likewise demonstrates his estimable and capacious leadership
qualities, guided by his commitment to sustain and promote the University’s
mission to provide an excellent and ever-renewing wellspring of innovative
national education—one that will seek to address the country’s many urgent
problems, and will instill the necessary sense of national responsibility and
fellowship that presupposes and conditions such an important task.

Speaking on a more personal note, I can confidently vouch for Dr. Tolentino’s
integrity as an indefatigable researcher, critic, leader, and artist, animated
and ennobled by his unwavering commitment to national emancipation through a
truly democratic, Filipino education. We have been colleagues at the UP
Institute of Creative Writing for more than a decade now, and in all this time
I have quietly observed and admired him for tirelessly and cheerfully working
for the good of the University, always mindful of its diverse constituency as
well as its complicated and many-valenced character.

Suffice it to say that I have complete trust in Dr. Tolentino’s integrity and
abilities. I am confident he will responsibly carry out the duties and
obligations of the office of the Chancellor, always as his own person. To my
mind, he possesses in full measure the requisite critical, practical, and
affective skills to overcome the obstacles and succeed admirably in this
regard.


Sincerely yours,


J. Neil C. Garcia
Professor
University of the Philippines
Diliman, Quezon City

Letter of support from Prof. JPaul S. Manzanilla, Department of Arts and Communication, UP Manila

I am respectfully endorsing the candidacy of Rolando Tolentino for Chancellor of the University of the Philippines, Diliman.

Roland Tolentino embodies the kind of leader the university’s flagship campus needs. He is an outstanding scholar who studies relevant topics in literature, film and popular culture. His labors in explaining the politics of in/visibility in visual culture, the political economy of wishes and fantasies (in consuming, “malling,” viewing and eating, for examples) the historical development of literary and artistic styles and the ineradicable materialism of culture are invaluable in clarifying subjects in various disciplines. Dr. Tolentino supports the scholarship of the young by consistently inviting their contributions to publications and participation in numerous conferences, believing that such undertakings should cease in being venues of mutual admiration societies by engaging with fresh and thoughtful ideas. He devotes his scholarship to addressing pressing social problems, problems that themselves define the kind of writing he pens.

Prof. Tolentino’s positions of leadership in the Film Institute and College of Mass Communication, in Congress of Teachers and Educators for Nationalism and Democracy and Alliance of Concerned Teachers, and in many other institutional and social formations demonstrate good administration. He complies with rules of good governance by being transparent in his transactions, is firm when it comes to regulations and deadlines, always hears out opposing views, is vigilant in cases of rights violation, and upholds the rights and welfare of the majority. I firmly believe that the examples he set will be tested in the difficult post of Diliman Chancellor. Further, the university direly needs academic excellence in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research, intensified development of sports and culture programs, linkages with institutions, financial support to students, and economic and other benefits to the university staff. Dr. Tolentino broadly covers these in his mission statement.

Rolando Tolentino is not only excellent but committed. The difficult duty of being honorable in excellence, he struggles to fulfill. We all need a Chancellor who upholds academic excellence and public service in their inseparable form.

JPaul S. Manzanilla

BA Comparative Literature, MA Art History; Instructor, UP Manila Department of Arts and Communication

(former Student Regent, University Student Council (Diliman) Chairperson, College of Arts and Letters Student Council Chair)

Letter of support from Nelson Nava PI. Turgo, PhD, Cardiff University

Sa mga kinauukulan,

Sinusuportahan ko po ang kandidatura ni Dr. Rolando B. Tolentino bilang chanselor ng UP Diliman.

Hindi ko masasabing matalik kong kaibigan si Dr. Tolentino. No. Kakilala ko lamang siya bunsod ng aming mga kaibigan – kaibigan ko ang ilan niyang kaibigan. Kakilala ko din siya bunsod ng kanyang mga nasulat, maraming mga sanaysay, aklat at maikling kuwentong naghawan ng mga landasin sa rurok ng iskolarship na Filipino sa iba’t ibang larangan. Naging guro ako sa Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikan ng Pilipinas ng UP Diliman sa mga panahong lumipat naman siya ng ibang kolehiyo. Magkagayunpaman, lagi’t lagi rin kaming nagkakadaupang-palad bunsod ng maliit na mundo ng akademya, ng UP Diliman, Small world, ika nga ng nobela ni David Lodge.

Naniniwala ako sa kakayahan ni Dr. Tolentino na lalo pang mapahusay ang kalagayan ng UP Diliman, ang kinikilalang flagship campus ng UP System. Malaki ang hamon sa uupong chanselor. Lahat ng sektor ng unibersidad ay gustong mabigyang pansin ang kanilang kalagayan. Bilang guro ng unibersidad, nananangan ako sa paniniwala na itataguyod ni Dr. Tolentino ang kapakanan ng mga guro, may dignidad na sahod (yung sa kabila ng pambayad sa bahay at pambili ng pagkain, may matitira pa para pambili ng aklat, pampanood ng sine at pambayad sa bakasyon), pagkilala at pagpapahalaga sa mga produktibo at de-kalidad na guro at mananaliksik at pagtiyak na yaong may karapatang magturo lamang sa unibersidad ay yaong pinakamahusay sa kanilang larangan.

Para sa mga kagaya kong batang guro at ilang taon ding nawalay sa unibersidad, sa aking pag-uwi at pagharap sa reyalidad na hindi kayang sumapat ang kita sa UP sa uri ng buhay na aking naranasan sa ibang bansa, ang tanging konsolasyon lamang  ay yaong sa aking pagbabalik, may simbuyo at alab ng kahusayan, integridad at ideyalismo ang aking uuwiang unibersidad. Pinanghahawakan ko ito sa aking pagbabalik sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas at naniniwala ako na ito ang kakatawaning pamumuno ni Dr. Rolando B. Tolentino.

Sumasainyo,

Nelson Nava PI. Turgo, PhD

School of Social Sciences

Cardiff University

Wales, UK

Letter of support from UP Sining at Lipunan

Ika-5 ng Pebrero, 2011

Isang maalab na pagbati!

Kami po ay ang UP Sining at Lipunan (UP SILIP), isang organisasyon mula sa Kolehiyo ng Pangmadlang Komunikasyon na naglalayong ipakilala at ipalaganap ang isang natatanging sining na nagmumula at para sa masa, gamit ang pelikula bilang isang pangunahing porma. Naitatag ang UP SILIP noong Marso 8, taong 2003 at mula noon ay patuloy na nagsasagawa ang mga miyembro nito ng mga gawaing makapagsusulong sa pang-kultural na interes hindi lamang sa mga mag-aaral sa loob ng unibersidad ngunit maging sa labas nito.

Nais naming magpahayag ng suporta kay Rolando Tolentino, dekano ng Kolehiyo ng Pangmadlang Komunikasyon, na mahirang bilang Chancellor ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas. Sa halos walong taon ng UP Silip, instrumental ang naging papel ni Sir Roland bilang taga-payo ng aming organisasyon bago siya mahirang na maging dekano ng aming kolehiyo. Bukod rito, naipamalas hindi lamang sa mga mag-aaral ng kolehiyo ang galing at husay ni Sir Roland kundi maging sa mga mag-aaral mula sa iba’t ibang kolehiyo ng pamantasan. Sa kanya ring pagiging dekano, direktor ng Film Department ng UP Film Institute, patuloy niyang ipinakita ang isang mataas na kalidad ng pamamahala na may pangunahing pagtingin sa kapakanan ng mga mag-aaral, sa larangan pang-akademiya man o hindi.

Bukod sa kanyang track record sa larangang pang-akademiko, masugid din si Sir Roland sa pagkampanya sa mga isyu sa loob at labas ng pamantasan, at hindi iilang pagkilos ng mga mag-aaral, gaya ng pag-kondena sa Maguindanao Massacre, tuition fee increase at iba pa ang kanyang sinamahan at pinangunahan.

Hindi maaabot ng aming organisasyon ang walong taon na patuloy na pagmulat at pagkilos sa loob at labas ng Kolehiyo ng Pangmadlang Komunikasyon kung wala ang gabay ni Dekano Roland Tolentino, at dahil dito at sa mga nabanggit ng dahilan ay ibinibigay ng UP SILIP ang suporta sa kanya upang maging bagong Chancellor ng ating unibersidad. Panahon na upang magkaroon ng marapat na representasyon ang mga Iskolar ng Bayan sa Tanggapan ng Chancellor, at walang iba kung hindi si Roland Tolentino ang nababagay punan ang posisyong ito, para na rin sa ikauunlad ng mga Iskolar ng Bayan at ng buong komunidad ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas.

Sumasainyo,

Rob Jara

Tagapangulo

UP Sining at Lipunan

(Signed)

Rob Jara

Miko Mendizabal 

Lara Mendizabal 

Charley dela Pena

Kenneth Castillo 

Marcz Banaag 

Emerson Lozano 

Owen Berico 

Deng Ponce 

Astrid Agbayani 

Aiess Alonso 

Kathy Molina 

Carlo Cielo

Viola Fule 

Daena de Guzman

Letter of support from Prof. Matthew Santamaria, Ph.D, Asian Center, UP Diliman

Greetings to all! It is with great pleasure for me to endorse Dr. Rolando B. Tolentino for Chancellor of UP Diliman.  Dr. Tolentino's achievements in research and publication are unparalleled by scholars in his field and generation.  His record as Dean of the College of Mass Communication is also quite excellent.  Moreover, I believe that among the nominees for the post, Dr. Tolentino has the best ability to reach out to the members of various sectors of the UP Dilman community. Best wishes.  Mabuhay tayong lahat! Matthew Constancio Maglana Santamaria, Ph.D. Professor of Asian and Philippine Studies Asian Center, UP Diliman

Pagkilala at Pag-endorso kay Dr. Rolando B. Tolentino para maging susunod na UP Diliman Chancellor

Mahal na Lupon ng mga Rehente:

Mula sa pang-masang organisasyon ng League of Filipino Students – College of Mass Communication (LFS-CMC), kami ay buong diwang sumusuporta kay Dr. Rolando B. Tolentino sa kanyang pagnanais na iangat ang kanyang paglilingkod hindi lamang sa aming kolehiyo o sa unibersidad, kundi pati na din sa sambayanan, bilang susunod na Chancellor ng UP Diliman.

Hindi matatawaran ang kagalingan ni Dr. Tolentino, na mas kilala naming mga estudyante bilang Dean Roland, sa pangakademikong larangan. Kilala siyang iskolar at propesor ng pelikula sa aming kolehiyo. Matunog din ang kanyang pangalan sa aming mga estudyante sa dahilang ang kanyang mga akda ay ginagamit bilang batayang teksto sa maraming larangan katulad ng humanidades, sosyolohiya, panitikan, pelikula, politika at ekonomiya. Sa labas ng Kolehiyo ng Pangmadlang Komunikasyon, sa labas ng unibersidad, at maging sa labas ng bansa ay hinahangaan si Dean Roland bilang pinuno at miyembro ng pangakademikong komunidad.

Mayaman din si Dean Roland sa mga administratibong posisyon na mapaghahalawan niya ng mga karanasan sa demokratikong pamamalakad bilang susunod na Chancellor. Kahit sa kasalukuyang responsibilidad niya bilang Dekano ng aming kolehiyo, ay hindi nahadlangan si Dean Roland sa pakikisangkot sa mga isyung nagaganap sa unibersidad at maging sa lipunan. Mariin niyang ipinaglaban ang demokratikong karapatan ng iba’t-ibang sektor ng komunidad ng UP. Para sa aming mga estudyante, tumampok dito ang matapang na pagtindig niya at pakikiisa sa pag-martsa sa lansangan upang kundenahin ang mga di-makatarungan kaltas sa budget sa edukasyon. At bilang alagad ng media na aming hinahangaan, pinangunahan ni Dean Roland ang aming kolehiyo para kundinahin ang pagsupil sa mga boses ng mga mamahayag kabilang na ang kawalan ng katarungan sa mga biktima ng Maguindanao Massacre.

Sa mga kadahilanang ito, naniniwala ang aming organisasyon na karapat-dapat na maging susunod na Chancellor ng UP Diliman si Dr. Rolando B. Tolentino. Isa siyang tunay na alagad ng media na kumakatawan sa di-mapantayang kahusayan sa maraming larangan. Higit sa lahat, taglay niya ang kamulatang hindi nahihiwalay ang bawat isyu sa isa’t-isa at bawat sektor sa isa’t-isa. Tulad namin, naniniwala siya sa bisa ng kolektibong pagkilos na siya namang tunay na paraan ng pagkamit ng ating mga demokratikong karapatan. Kailangan natin ng Chancellor na nakasandig at kaisa ng kanyang pinaglilingkuran nang masigurado ang tunay at demokratikong pamumuno.

Lubos na gumagalang,

Pangalan	Posisyon	Unit	Signature
Jake Coballes	Chairperson	CMC	(Sgd.)
Ershad Ibba	Vice-chairperson	CSSP	(Sgd.)
Jourdaine Bernardez	Secretary-General	CMC	(Sgd.)
Miko Gloria	PADEPA Officer	SE	(Sgd.)
Rochelle Porras	Member	CMC	(Sgd.)
Roselyn Correa	Member	CMC	(Sgd.)
Toby Roca	Member	CMC	(Sgd.)
Ericson Sayno	Member	CMC	(Sgd.)
Jenevieve Iligan	Member	CMC	(Sgd.)
Lau Quirimit	Member	CMC	(Sgd.)
Mikko San Deigo	Member	CMC	(Sgd.)

Letter of Support from Prof. Elmer Ordonez

TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

As a retired professor and chair of the U.P. Department of English and  Comparative Literature,  I would like to add my voice in support for Dr. Rolando Tolentino for the chancellorship of the U.P. Diliman campus.

I have read his “Vision for the University of the Philippines-Diliman” which is a most comprehensive statement of the challenges facing the institution and what he plans to do as chancellor.  His curriculum vitae is a very impressive enumeration of his academic qualifications from distinguished universities, awards and honors for achievements in his field and related areas, and the wealth of his research/publications.  Unquestionably he is the consummate and fully dedicated academic person.

Beyond this he has demonstrated his management skills and possesses the administrative experience to lead the flagship campus to overcome the challenges facing the UP System along with the new U.P. President, other chancellors, and  constituencies in the faculty, students, researchers and non-academic staff -- for public service, academic excellence, dynamic research, the cultivation of arts and culture, student support, multidisciplinary centers, welfare of the faculty, REPS and staff, and expanding the linkages of the U.P . toward a regional university.

Paramount in Dean Tolentino’s concerns are academic freedom, democratic governance, transparency, and finding a “more rationalized and clearly allocated funding” for  U.P. Diliman.  Of the latter, I am sure he will work in tandem with the new President in putting the UP System on a sound fiscal basis.

Lastly, may I say that I have known Dean Tolentino since the 80s as a student, cultural worker, academic colleague, and friend – imbued with a strong sense of nationalism.  This and his above qualities should stand him in good stead as UP Diliman chancellor.

ELMER A. ORDONEZ

(Former Professor  and Chair of the Department of English and Comparative Literature , and founding director of the University of the Philippines Press.)

Letters of Support from UP Diliman Administrative Staff and Workers

Letters of Support from UP Los Banos

Letter of Support from the faculty of UP Baguio

Letter of Support from Fritzie de Mata, University of California, Santa Cruz

Letter of Support from UP alumni Rep. Raymond Palatino of Kabataan Partylist

Letter of Support from UP alumnus Rep. Raymond Palatino of Kabataan Partylist

February 4, 2010

Lupon ng mga Rehente

Unibersidad ng Pilipinas

Ako po ay sumusulat upang ipaabot ang aking pagsuporta kay Dr. Rolando Tolentino na siyang nararapat na maging susunod na Chancellor ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Diliman.

Pambungad ng bagong administrasyon sa ilalim ni Noynoy Aquino ang pagpapaigting at higit pagsusulong ng mga neoliberal na patakaran sa edukasyon. Bagaman malaon nang pinatunayan na hindi ito ang nararapat na balangkas sa pagsasaayos ng sistemang pang-edukasyon ng bansa, walang pag-aatubiling pinagtibay ni Aquino ang nasabing patakaran sa kanyang unang panukalang badyet, kung saan kinaltasan ang maliit na ngang pondo ng mga pampublikong kolehiyo at unibersidad. Isa ang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas sa tumanggap ng pinakamatinding hagupit sa porma ng P1.39 bilyong pagbawas sa kanyang pondo. Malinaw ang tunguhin na nais ni Aquino para sa ating mga pampublikong pamantasan—na tuluyan nang tanggalan ang pamahalaan ng responsibilidad na pag-aralin sa kolehiyo ang mga kabataan, at ilipat sa pribadong sektor ang napakahalagang tungkuling ito.

Batid ng lahat ang mapaminsalang epekto nito sa ating mga pampublikong unibersidad. Sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, halimbawa, unti-unting winawasak ang pampublikong karakter ng institusyon bunsod ng sagadsagaring komersyalisasyon at pagsasapribado ng edukasyon sa lahat ng antas. Ang nagbabagong-bihis na pamantasan ay kinakatangian na ng walang humpay na pagtataas ng matrikula at pagpataw ng di-makatarungang bayarin, pagsandig sa income-generating na mga proyekto upang pondohan ang pangangailangan ng Unibersidad, di-makatarungang kalagayan ng mga pang-akademiko at di-pangakademikong manggagawa sa pamantasan, pagpasok ng interes ng malalaking negosyo sa pamantasan na sumasagasa sa karapatan at kabuhayan ng mga manininda at mga miyembro ng komunidad, at iba pang sulliraning mahusay na nailahad ni Dr. Tolentino sa kanyang vision paper na lapat sa tunay na kalagayan ng pamantasan.

Pinatitingkad ng kasalukuyang kinasasadlakan ng sistemang pang-edukasyon sa bansa ang pangangailangan ng progresibo at prinsipyadong pamumuno sa ating mga pampublikong kolehiyo at unibersidad. Hindi patumpik-tumpik si Aquino sa pagpapatupad ng mga maka-dayuhang palisiya na sumasagka sa interes at kagalingan ng mga guro, estudyante at mga kawani sa mga pampublikong pamantasan kaya't hindi natin kailangan ngayon ng mga administrator sa SUCs na tango lamang ng tango sa dikta ng nakatataas. Ang nararapat umupo at mamahala sa UP ay isang administrator na may komprehensibo at matalas na pagtingin at pagsusuri sa mga isyung kinahaharap ng pamantasan, isang kritiko na ang karanasan ay nakaugat sa pakikipaglaban at pakikibaka ng iba't ibang sektor sa pamantasan na matagal nang hindi pinakikinggan, isang bisyonaryo na may inihahapag na alternatibong binuo at hinalaw mula sa pinag-anib na teorya at praktikang nakatuon sa paglilingkod sa sambayanan.

Hindi na siguro maipagkakaila ang kahusayan ni Dr. Tolentino sa maraming larangan sa akademya—humanidades, sosyolohiya, panitikan, pelikula, politika at ekonomiya. Ang mayamang koleksyon ng mga sulatin, aklat, at artikulo ni Dr. Tolentino ay testimonya sa kanyang hangaring pag-ibayuhin at paunlarin ang diskurso hinggil sa mahahalagang aspeto ng ating kultura at pamumuhay. Sa ganang ito, malaki at maiaambag ni Dr. Tolentino sa muling pagbuhay at pagpapaunlad ng pananaliksik sa pamantasan—pananaliksik na hindi nakaayon sa dikta at kahingian ng mga korporasyon na banta sa pang-akademikong kalayaan sa loob ng pamantasan, kundi pananaliksik na mag-aanak ng mga kaalamang makaaambag sa tunay na pambansang pag-unlad at pagtuklas sa potensyal ng bawat indibidwal.

Masasabi kong sa maraming paraan, ang paglahok ng isang progresibong guro at manunulat tulad ni Dr. Tolentino sa seleksyon na ito ay hindi nalalayo sa pagsuong ng tulad kong aktibista at progresibong mambabatas sa larangan ng pulitika at lehislasyong pinaghaharian ng makakapangyarihan. Alam namin na ang mga sistema at prosesong nagpapatakbo sa burukrasya ay nilikha at pinapanatili ng mga nakikinabang sa kasalukuyang kaayusan. Alam naming kailangan naming umayon at makisabay sa ilang mga gawi at pamamalakad na nakagisnan. Ngunit nakatitityak akong hindi kailanman ikokompromiso ni Dr. Tolentino ang kanyang mga saligang paninindigan o isasantabi ang kanyang mga ipinaglalaban kahit pa maupo siya sa isang mataas na posisyon dahil una, ang pagsali ni Dr. Tolentino sa seleksyong ito ay hindi itinulak ng personal na ambisyon at pangalawa, mananatili siyang nakalubog at malapit sa kanyang mga paglilingkuran—ang mga estudyante, ang mga guro, ang mga mananaliksik, ang mga maliliit na taong malaon nang inilagay sa laylayan ng Unibersidad.

Ngayon ay panahon na kailangang pagtibayin ng Uniberidad ang kanyang karakter bilang isang pampublikong pamantasang naglilingkod sa samabayanan. Ang pag-upo ni Dr. Roland Tolentino bilang Chancellor ng UP Diliman ay isang malaking hakbang tungo sa dakilang layuning ito.

Lubos na gumagalang,

Raymond Palatino

Kinatawan, Kabataan Partylist

BA Education, UP Diliman

Letter of support from Prof. Jose Wendell Capili, Ph.D., from the Department of English and Comparative Literature, College of Arts and Letters, UP Diliman

Letter of support from Prof. Jose Wendell Capili, Ph.D., from the Department of English and Comparative Literature, College of Arts and Letters, UP Diliman

The Board of Regents

The University of the Philippines System

Quezon Hall

Diliman, Quezon City 1101

1 February 2011

To the Board of Regents, The University of the Philippines System:

I am very privileged to endorse the nomination of Professor Roland Tolentino as Chancellor, University of the Philippines Diliman.

As writers, Professor Tolentino and I are contemporaries. Professor Tolentino's creative and critical productions [e.g., Sakit ng Kalingkingan: 100 Dagli sa Edad ng Krisis (2005), Kuwentong Syudad (co-editor, 2002), Sapinsaping Pag-ibig at Pagtangis: Tatlong Novella ng Pagsinta’t Paghinagpis(1999); Fastfood, Megamall at iba pang kwento sa pagsasara ng ikalawang milenyum (1999); Relasyon: Mga Kwuwento ng Paglusong at Pag-ahon (co-editor, 1999); Ali*bang+Bang atpb. Kwento (1994); Habilin: Antolohiya ng Katha Para sa Pambansang Kasarinlan (co-editor, 1991); Engkwentro: Kalipunan ng mga Akda ng Kabataang Manunulat (co-editor, 1990)] challenged the boundaries the separated "high" art from "low" art in the Philippines. For Professor Tolentino, creative and critical productions should not cater to a privileged few. Art should be accessible to a larger demographic. 

As a panel member in many conferences, creative writing workshops, thesis and dissertation defense panels and literary/cultural projects, Professor Tolentino empowers his audience to develop a strong Philippine subject-position in their personal and professional lives. But in doing so, Professor Tolentino also encourages diversity of opinion, freedom of speech and critical judgment.

By sheer coincidence, Professor Tolentino and I became Visiting Professors at the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2005. He was detailed at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) and I was working at the Asia Research Institute (ARI). Personally, I have witnessed Professor Tolentino's articulate renditions on Philippine art, culture and society before local and foreign audiences. 

Clearly, there will be very few individuals who can approximate Professor Tolentino's capabilities and accomplishments as a writer, scholar, administrator and teacher. We need his guidance, vision and strength to enable UP Diliman's various sectors to achieve their respective goals and aspirations towards a cohesive, unified academic community.

I am truly happy to endorse the nomination of Professor Roland Tolentino as Chancellor, University of the Philippines Diliman.

Respectfully,

カピリ ホセ
Prof. Jose Wendell P. Capili, MA (UP), Monbusho Research Scholar (Tokyo), MPhil (Cambridge), PhD (ANU)

Professor (Creative Writing and Comparative Literature)
Department of English and Comparative Literature
College of Arts and Letters
Bulwagang Rizal (Faculty Center)
Roxas corner Roces Streets
University of the Philippines-Diliman
Diliman, Quezon City 1101