Senator Imee Marcos took the stage as the esteemed speaker for the 59th Commencement of the University. As the daughter of former President Ferdinand Marcos, her address resonated with both pride and a call to action for the next generation of Ilokano leaders.

“This is a sentimental journey,” Marcos began, reflecting on UNP’s humble origins as the Vigan Trade School. “So truly this is a sentimental journey, talaga naman, ibang-iba na ngayon ang UNP with the enrollees exceeding 16,700, spanning different degree programs and really seeing that finally, education is a genuine pathway out of poverty and a proof of democracy for those of us who are less fortunate in life but grandly endowed in ambition and in talent.”

The senator highlighted her father’s unwavering commitment to education, recounting how one of his first actions after the 1972 reorganization of the government was to enact the Educational Development Decree. This decree prioritized financial assistance for deserving students, skills training for out-of-school youth, and alternative learning opportunities for those unable to attend university.

“And we continue today although we in government are fond of saying parati na lang naming sinasabi sa pamahalaan na libre, libre iti eskwela, awan tuition. Tunay nga na walang binabayarang tuition, pero alam naman nating adu pay ti gastos ng pamilya natin,” Senator Marcos acknowledged, recognizing the ongoing challenges students and their families face in accessing quality education.

In her address, the senator also praised the graduating class, noting with delight that the Business Administration and Accountancy students topped the list of many graduates. She expressed hope that they would change the perception that Ilokanos lack an entrepreneurial spirit, stating, “Inaasahan ko na kayo ang magbabago ng nagsasabi na tayo raw ay pumapasok lang sa pamahalaan, pumapasok para maging sundalo o pulis, pumapasok lamang sa anumang trabaho bilang empleyado.”

The senator also highlighted the impressive number of graduates of Criminology, emphasizing the importance of adapting a “smart” approach to addressing crime in the modern era. “Today it is no longer adequate, to merely be tough on crime. More importantly, we must be smart about crime. Smart and technology indeed is what we need,” she asserted.

Turning her attention to the future, Senator Marcos encouraged the graduates to “dream high, dream big, let no one stop you from dreaming.” She urged them to give the world their best and never allow anyone to tell them that they are “not good enough and that you cannot do it.”

The senator invited the graduates to participate in her “young creative challenge,” which offers substantial prizes for songwriting, screenwriting, game development, and animation. “Malaki ang premyo niyan, isang milyon kada sector,” she announced, emphasizing her belief in the boundless potential of the young people before her.

Senator Imee Marcos inspired the UNP graduates to embrace their dreams, harness their talents, and make their mark on the world. Her words served as a powerful call to action, urging the next generation to transform their ambitions into reality and pave the way for a brighter future.

With nearly five decades of exemplary public service, she currently presides five committees at the Senate, namely: Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development; Cooperatives; Foreign Relations; Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation; and Urban Planning, Housing, and Development.

As a legislator, she has authored and co-authored a multitude of bills centered on the welfare of women, overseas Filipino workers, and the youth, including the Magna Carta for Students and the Loan Filipino Migrant Workers Act. She is also a staunch advocate for the sustainable production of agricultural products, particularly rice.