The PLM community loves you, President Sonny Reyes
By Willie Jose
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila President Atty. Sonny Reyes is managing the affairs of the university in an enjoyable and loving way, to the delight of all the school’s stakeholders.
Because of this hands-on way of managing the PLM, he is considered “Itay” by most of the students, and these students are all his “anak.”
Anyone who follows his social media posts will find him as early as 5:10 in the morning; he is already on his way to the PLM, taking videos and posting on Facebook some of the views of the streets he’s passing by, with words like “Gandang umaga, Magnificient Manila. Embrace our umaga; it’s a gift.”
He knows the power of social media well, not only to show how he is managing the university the best way he can but also to appreciate the efforts exerted by the students to put their alma mater on the map by making it to the top of 10 of some professional regulations board examinations.
Just recently, he showed some photos congratulating some topnotchers in the social work examination, the new architects of the university, and even those students on the dean’s list who he had tapped on the back.
In that dean’s lister photo, one student commented, “Itay pogi,” and Atty Reyes said, “anak nga kita.”
At one point, the President welcomed the new kiddos in the block, most probably new students in the university.
Why is it easy for students to love President Reyes? At one time, he announced that some excitement was brewing: “Our nursing students are selling ID laces. Paging nursing community, please patronize and buy new lace for IDs”.
He’s all around the campus, seeing his staff and making it a point to meet students and give them pep talks. He has been doing all these things because he considers the school his “Barangay PLM” and has sometimes commented, “Thank you very much, Barangay PLM, for such a wonderful, enjoyable and memorable day.”
This recent Valentine’s Day, he had a simple meal with his staff in one of the rooms of his office to celebrate the Day. And here is the President’s simple message on that Valentine’s Day:
NEVER GIVE UP ON LOVE. HEARTBROKEN AS MANY OF US MAY BE, HARDEN NOT OUR HEARTS. CONTINUE MAKE, BRING AND SHARE LOVE EVEN MORE PASSIONATELY DESPITE THE PAIN, THE HURT AND THE SUFFERING THAT OUR UNREQUITED LOVE BRINGS.
LET OUR LOVE BE FELT BY THOSE WHO FEEL UNLOVABLE, UNLOVED, AND DESIRING TO BE LOVED.
President Reyes is a very busy man because early on Monday morning, he is leading the flag-raising ceremony on the school grounds, then starts managing the affairs of the university, doing the rounds in the school meeting his staff and students, signing a memorandum of agreement with the various foundations, and extending help to PLM through donations.
At times, he has to attend some functions outside the PLM, such as those initiated by the Manila City Hall officials.
I found him so amiable and warmly welcoming when I visited him recently. I was impressed by his simplicity and humility—a man not attached to the trimmings of power. He wore a simple T-shirt, and he talked to me animatedly and warmly.
Through our short talk, he conveyed his ardent desire for all alumni worldwide to visit their alma mater, and they are most welcome.
President Reyes is a straightforward “human” guy. After he finishes his work, on his way home, he finds fresh fish and kamias for his sinigang and takes a shot at this image, which he does not hesitate to post on his Facebook account.
Just today, in the middle of a snowstorm here in Toronto, I found his post “Sunday eating pleasure. Sinigang miso ulo at ilog ng isda, crispy thinly sliced pork liempo, tahong in olive oil and kaimito for dessert.”
What more can I say except congratulations on all your endeavours. You will be a big success in any field you go into because you have a great love for people and the desire to serve them your best.
