Teaching Minds, Touching Hearts, Transforming Lives: PLM inaugurates Atty. Reyes as its 11th President

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) conducted the Investiture Rites for its 11th University President, Atty. Domingo “Sir Sonny” Y. Reyes, Jr., at the Justo Albert Auditorium, Feb. 15.

Dr. Ma. Flordeliza Anastacio, former professor of Pres. Reyes and the Vice President of Centro Escolar University - Malolos; CV Zalamea, Ice Clemente, Raven Quan, former students of Pres. Reyes; and Ms. Myra Reyes-Barrera, Pres. Reyes’ sister, gave their salutations and shared their memories with their beloved Sir Sonny as a student, a teacher and a father figure, and a brother.

“Your journey to this presidency has been marked by hard work, perseverance, and passion for making a positive impact on the lives of kids, students, and the people around you. I have witnessed your dedication, principles of integrity, inclusivity, and academic excellence in education. I am confident that with your leadership, PLM will flourish and continue to be a beacon of inspiration for students, faculty, and the entire community,” Ms. Reyes-Barrera said.

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and Manila City Mayor Ma. Shielah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan also sent their regards to the new PLM President with his installation to the post.

Atty. Carlo Florendo Castro, the University Board Secretary, read the citation of Board of Regents (BOR) Resolution No. 5163, ratifying the appointment of Sir Sonny Reyes as a BOR member and his election as the University President last October 2023.

Afterwards, former President and incumbent 2nd District of Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA), City Vice Mayor Yul Servo-Nieto, Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua, and BOR members Dr. Joseph Berlin Guanzon and Atty. Castro led the bestowal of the University symbols such as the hood, the PLM Academic Collar, the University Charter and Mace upon the new PLM President.

Also present in the ceremony were government leaders, presidents and heads of various local universities and colleges, family and friends of Pres. Reyes, college deans, officials, and members of the Executive Committee, as well as representatives from the PLM Supreme Student Council, and Ang Pamantasan.

After the bestowal of the University symbols, Pres. Reyes took centerstage and delivered his inaugural address. He shared his discernment on leaving his career as a lawyer and pursuing the mission of higher education.

“Tinalikuran ko ang maginhawa at maperang karera ng aking propesyon na pagiging abogado, at tuluyan ko nang niyakap ang misyon ng edukasyon nang mahigpit, buong-buo, at walang pag-aalinlangan o pagsisisi man… Sa Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila nagtuloy ang misyon ng teaching minds, touching hearts, and transforming lives to the last, the least, and the lost,” the PLM President stated.

Pres. Reyes then emphasized that during his term, he will be focused on achieving two aspirations: continuity and improvement of PLM’s quality education, and strengthening of the efficient service provided to the PLM community and its stakeholders. Furthermore, Pres. Reyes shared that for the next three to four years of his term, he will be committed to excellence in higher education by allocating budget for learning laboratories, extensive review of PLM’s programs and its curriculum, accreditation of the roster of programs that PLM continues to offer, involvement in research and internalization, strengthening institutional partnerships, integration of technology in service of PLM and its stakeholders, and the implementation of PLM’s performance matrix.

The new PLM President closed his inaugural address by expressing his admiration towards teaching personnel and students of the Pamantasan, that despite the challenges in the academe, their perseverance continues to be evident.

“Lahat tayo ay maituturing na guro or teachers in our own rights, not necessarily in schools but in other areas of our chosen endeavors, I hope you could say the same to your future mentees. For in the end, it is the love for what you do and the love for the people that you encounter because love will always make the difference,” Pres. Reyes stated.

After the Investiture Rites, the PLM community and distinguished guests gathered at the PLM Open Field for the wreath laying ceremony in front of the statues of Dr. Jose Rizal and former City Mayor Ramon Bagatsing.

Students from the PLM Chorale together with members of the Magwayen Creative Scholars’ Guild performed “Ngayon ang Simula at Ako, Ikaw, Tayong Lahat ang Pagbabago”, a commemorative song for this momentous event, composed by Pres. Reyes himself and music accompaniment by Prof. Harold Perfecto Galang. Vice Chair for Arts and Culture of the Presidential Committee on Arts, Culture, and Sports.

Before the Investiture Ceremony, the PLM community and distinguished guests had a eucharistic celebration presided by Rev. Msgr. Ernesto Mandanas.