ON THE evening of August 16, as the University of Asia and the Pacific marked its 30th Commencement Exercises, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala stood before 414 graduates–not to flatter, but to challenge. His message was not one of ease or applause. It was a call to friction, fire, and purpose.
“Choose the difficult,” he said. “Because character is formed through friction, through struggle, through fire.”
In a world that rewards shortcuts and celebrates speed, Zobel de Ayala’s words cut against the grain. He spoke not only to the graduates in caps and gowns, but to every Filipino navigating uncertainty, rebuilding after loss, and choosing integrity over convenience.
The World We Inherit
Zobel de Ayala described our times with unflinching clarity:
“Fast, but it lacks wisdom. Loud, but no one is listening. Hyperconnected, but deeply fragmented.”
For many, this diagnosis feels personal. The pandemic disrupted education, livelihoods and community ties. Social media amplifies noise but rarely nurtures understanding. In this chaos, Zobel de Ayala urged listeners to reclaim coherence—not through slogans, but through story and purpose.
Life as Narrative, Not Algorithm
“Story gives structure,” he said. “But purpose gives direction.”
This framing resonates far beyond the classroom. Whether you’re a farmer in Nueva Ecija, a nurse in Cavite, or a student in Mindanao, your life is not a random scroll—it is a narrative waiting to be shaped. Zobel de Ayala invites us to ask: What do I stand for? What am I building—not just for myself, but for others?
Leadership That Endures
He shared the Ayala Group’s 200-year journey, beginning with Domingo Roxas and Antonio de Ayala, who built a business amid colonial collapse. They didn’t chase trends—they built legacy.
“They chose to build something that would last.”
In a time when leadership is often performative, Zobel de Ayala’s example reminds us: true leadership is quiet, deliberate, and anchored in values.
Service Beyond Self
His closing words were not just for the privileged few. They echo in barangay halls, arish centers, and classrooms across the country:
“Serve something greater than yourselves. Let your values guide you, even when they set you apart. Take courage—act even when faced with fear. Endure. Persevere.”
For Those Who Weren’t in the Room
You may not have worn a toga or crossed a stage. But if you’ve ever chosen honesty over gain, community over comfort, or faith over fear—you’ve already answered the call.
Zobel de Ayala’s speech reminds us: the difficult path is not reserved for heroes. It is walked by ordinary Filipinos every day. And in choosing it, we shape a nation not of shortcuts, but of character. (totingbunye2000@gmail.com)/PN
