Beyond Honor and Excellence: University of the Philippines' new motto unveiled

The University of the Philippines (UP) has updated its time-honored motto of "Honor and Excellence."

In a Facebook post, UP president Angelo "Jijil" Jimenez announced Tuesday the addition of the word "service" to its motto.

As reflected in an image accompanying Jimenez's post, the new motto now reads: "Honor. Excellence. Service."

"Our new motto. Honor and Excellence in the Service of the Nation! UP serves. It's our reason for being," his post read.

In his speech at the turnover ceremony for the UP presidency in February 2023, Jimenez stressed the need for UP and its community to transcend honor and excellence by being responsive to the needs of others.

Jimenez said, "Ang UP ay mananatiling bulwagan ng dangal at ipagpapatuloy natin ang simulain nito tungo sa husay at dangal."

"Honor and excellence are not enough. Aanhin ang husay at dangal kung walang malasakit at kung walang pakikipag-kapwa tao?" said Jimenez, the university's 22nd president.

Established in 1908, the University of the Philippines is the country's premier state-funded higher learning institution. — VDV, GMA Integrated News