| Emmanuel Angeles |
In defense of education After throwing away his dream to join the Philippine Air Force and become a commercial pilot, Emmanuel Angeles eventually flew higher towards steering even brighter futures.After the Battle of Liberation in 1945, Angeles had his first taste of livelihood by assisting his father in their family’s transportation business that converted military trucks into passenger jeeps. He also worked for his uncle as utility personnel when their whole family transferred to Davao City. At that time, his uncle owns the Harvardian University and needed management help. Even though his parents held important positions in the school, there was no special treatment for young Angeles. He was also tasked as his uncle’s personal driver, bodyguard and secretary. During the direst needs, Angeles would even work as janitor, gardener, carpenter and electrician. Despite the workload, Angeles credited everything to his uncle who imparted a great learning experience to him. His former jobs became guiding tools for his future scholastic venture. Although he had always wanted to become a pilot, he decided to take up Bachelor of Laws at the Ateneo De Manila College of Law and the Harvardian Law School in fulfillment of his mother’s ardent wish. Prior to his bar exams, he went to Church and prayed that “if he passed the exams, he would devote his profession defending the rights of the underprivileged.” When he did pass the Bar in 1961, he started his law career handling “de oficio” cases, gratis et amore, as his clients were pauper litigants assigned to him by the courts. All along, however, his mother had her mind going for something that again clamored his undivided attention. At that time, Angeles had no idea that his mother already had plans to reopen the old school which his uncle gave to her as a gift. Angeles Academy, the first private highschool in Angeles City, operated with only four classrooms for each level but complete with library, laboratory and even a dormitory for the five teachers. For a while, the operations flowed smoothly until an administrative backlash resulted in its abrupt shutdown. But his mother was persistent in taking another shot at the defunct academy. For Angeles, it would mean giving up his thriving law career in Manila and going back to Angeles City to fulfill her mother’s dream. After a year of persuasion, Angeles eventually acceded to the challenge. “Eventually, my mother and I shared in her longtime dream,” he shared. With only P5,000 as starting capital, Angeles and his mother bought a brand-new Gestetner mimeograph machine, a second-hand portable typewriter, one box of carbon paper and one rim of bond paper as assets for the school plan. First, they did a feasibility study to determine the business needs in Central Luzon and as it turned out, a technical school was just what the region needed. So, they established the Angeles Institute of Technology (AIT) in 1962 located at the one-hectare land property where the former Angeles Academy was built. Because of their good credit standing, the mother-son tandem was also able to find suppliers for the library books, the laboratory equipment and the materials for construction and renovation. During the first few days after the school’s establishment, a big fire devastated a public market in Angeles City that greatly affected many residents within the area. Distraught by the tragedy, Angeles decided to pursue the school’s” service philosophy” by offering scholarships to the children of the fire victims. The school administration put up flyers and signboards to announce their special offer. Fortunately, the national press got hold of the information. On its school opening day, half of AIT’s students that were enrolled were under the scholarship. Angeles’ program also became the prelude for the Study-Now-Pay-Later-Plan that was launched in 1964. After nine years and 11 months, AIT became the Angeles University Foundation (AUF) and was formally inaugurated by then Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) Secretary Dr. Juan L. Manuel as the “first university in Central Luzon.” Distinguished members of the society became Chairman of the Board of Trustees for many years, including the late Senator Jose Roy, Archbishop Oscar Cruz and former President Diosdado Macapagal. In 1975, AUF became a non-stock, non-profit educational foundation incorporated under Republic Act. No. 6055 or the Foundation Law. In 1978, it officially became a Catholic University. “Ironically, many people assumed that the school was named after us,” Angeles said. ”But honestly, it is what it is today because it operates in the full service of the residents of Angeles City and the whole of Pampanga.” Today, AUF is recognized for its exemplary performance through the triad higher education functions of instruction, research and community service. As AUF’s Vice-Chairman, Angeles still continues to oversee operations and ensures that its mission of “total development of man for God and humanity” is realized. For his personal achievement, Angeles went on to win five honorary degrees: Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award in Social Education in 1971, Papal Award of the Noble Knighthood of the Pontifical Order of St. Sylvestre in 1983, Outstanding Kapampangan in Private Education in 1987, Ulirang Ama Award for Education in 1987, and the Outstanding Thomasian Alumnus Award in Education in 1999. “The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized problems and turned them into opportunities,” Angeles said. “Without challenges, dreams will slowly be killed by overconfidence and complacency.” Because of his outstanding achievement in uplifting Pampanga’s educational spirit through valuable entrepreneurship, Emmanuel Angeles will be hailed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Jose Concepcion III as one of Pampanga’s Inspiring Entrepreneurs. The citation is given by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, to be highlighted in the Go Negosyo sa Pampanga slated on October 8, 2007 at the Bren Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando. Go Negosyo sa Pampanga is part of PCE's latest campaign, the Go Negosyo Caravan, which aims to bring Go Negosyo forums and expositions in key cities nationwide. The Caravan has already held successful legs in Cebu, Bacolod, Baguio, and Manila. Go Negosyo sa Pampanga is presented by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship in partnership with the Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Major partners include PAGCOR, Globe, Hyundai, San Miguel Corporation, Splash Corporation, PLDT, Smart, RFM Corporation, Unilever, CILA, The Philippine Star, The Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Manila Bulletin, Sunstar Pampanga, GMA Network Inc., RPN9, NBN4, Aspac-Law and Creativoices Productions. |
