THE AUPIAN in Cyberlink August 11, 2013

THE AUPIAN IN CYBERLINK This issue is dedicate to the memory of PJ

BARAYUGA REMEMBERED

1

Dr. Petronilo J. Barayuga, former president of the Adventist University of the Philippines succumbed to a massive heart attack, August 1, 2013 in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

He was driving alone, coming home to the AUP campus where he lives. He was driving from Calamba, Laguna where he assisted an AUP foreign graduate student who had a vehicular accident, deal with the local police.

A policeman found his lifeless body in his car beside the road. Apparently he was able to stop his car and pulled over by the side of the road. However, Barayuga was still brought to a hospital where he was officially pronounced dead.

The shocking news of his untimely death quickly spread among the alumni and friends in the Philippines and around the world. He will be long remembered as a friend of the oppressed and forgiving to those who erred, giving them a second chance.

Prior to his election as president of the Adventist University of the Philippines in 2000, Barayuga saw himself as the first president of the Northern Luzon Adventist College (NLAC). He was also the principal of Northern Luzon Academy (NLA), the precursor of the Northern Luzon Adventist College. It was through his leadership when NLA became a college.

He too was once a president of the Mountain Province Mission in Baguio City. He also held positions of being a principal in Tirad View Academy (TVA), Northeast Luzon Academy

Dr. PJ Barayuga, speaking during the EASNAC Convention at Virginia Beach, VA.

2

(NELA) prior his appointment as principal of Northern Luzon Academy. He was an ordained minister of the Adventist church.

It was during his term as president of AUP when AUP was given the prestigious award, the Autonomous Status in recognition by the Commission of Higher Education (CHED). The development of the AUP College of Dentistry (COD) is an added feather to his hat.

PJ Barayuga was a working student at Philippine Union College prior to transferring to Mountain View College where he graduated.

PJ Barayuga is survived by his wife, Dr. Luz Lapena-Barayuga, formerly an AUP English professor. They have three married children -- Rodney, Ian and Liezel and nine (9) grandchildren. /sbv

The AUPian in Cyberlink August 11, 2013

2

Pellentesque:

Consectetuer:

1

Remembering “PJ”:

Note: The following article was the introduction given by Jedd Villanueva before Dr. Barayuga’s report during the EASNAC VIII convention at Virginia Beach on August 8-10 2003.

When Sam and I got married almost a decade ago, the second for both of us, a widow and a widower, I told him that he was not my first love, he was not just the latest, he was going to be the last. I was not the first choice to give the introduction today but for whatever reasons, including desperation, I was obviously the last. That’s what counts. It helps that I know the Convention Chair. Thank you, Dr. Elma Lou Roda.

It is customary for people doing introductions to have a resume’ on hand so it makes it easy to read out the many accomplishments of the person being introduced. Everyday at work, I go through a lot of resumes’. I currently do recruitment. Well, guess what, I am not working today. You know what else? I do not have Dr. Barayuga’s CV. Besides, resumes have a way of being challenged. I will tell you something about him that no one here could question.

Early in the year 1999, Sam and I went home to the Philippines. One late afternoon, around dusk, we were standing in front of the NPUM building in Pasay. I remember distinctly that I did not feel very friendly that day. I just met someone I have not seen since I left PUC years, years, and years ago. He was now, I was told, a mission president. Of course I was very excited to see him and was quite disappointed for the rather cold reception that I got. It did not help that Sam’s comment was “I guess he only had to take one look at you!”

Nearby, Pastor Jereos was having a conversation with someone. When Pastor Jereos left, the gentleman he was talking with approached us, gave us both a handshake and said, “I am Petronilo Barayuga.” Hmmmm, I thought, this man who I never met before is very pleasant and friendly! Before either of us could acknowledge him, he went on and said to Sam, “I know you, you are Sam Villanueva, you defeated my wife in an oratorical contest in PUC years ago!” I looked at Sam and he had this surprised look in his face. Then he added, “Yes, I remember you won that contest. I am married to the former Luz La Pena.” Sam thought for a second, and then just like turning on a switch, a smile beamed all over his face, even his ears were smiling! He remembered! They talked for a while and then he said goodnight and walked away.

I waited for a second after he left then asked Sam, “Who is he?” Sam, still smiling said, “I believe he is the President of Northern Luzon Adventist College.” I answered, “He did not say that!” Sam concurred, “No, he didn’t.”

That incident went into my subconscious bank and it would have stayed there, except that about a year or so later, Sam told me that the new president of AUP had been appointed. It was Dr. Petronilo Barayuga. I remembered! I asked, “Isn’t that the man that introduced himself to us that evening in front of the NPUM?” Sam answered, “That’s the one!”

Rewind…that evening in 1999, in front of the NPUM he could have approached us and declared in a ”Napoleonic” way, “I am Dr. Petronilo Barayuga, the president of Northern Luzon Adventist College!” a standard for some people. In which case, picture me, Jedd, standing there and

The AUPian in Cyberlink August 11, 2013

3

2

thinking, ”so what!” But he didn’t. He did not have to tell Sam “You defeated my wife in an oratorical contest in PUC years ago!” But he did!

Someone very wisely said, “There are no second chances for first impressions!” I was impressed then, I have been impressed since.

I am proud to present to you our speaker for this afternoon, the President of my alma mater and yours, Dr. Petronilo Barayuga. Let’s give him an EASNAC welcome.

The delegation of AUP faculties and staffs who came to PJ’s memorial services, led by Pastor Max Cadalig, second from left, Director of the University Advancement Office.

The AUPian in Cyberlink August 11, 2013

4

1

Editorial Reprint from “The AUPian” January – February 2003

POSTCRIPTS AND PERSPECTIVES BY JEDD VILLANUEVA

(Like always, but especially this time, the editor takes responsibility for this editorial. It does not reflect the opinions or views of the staff, or of EASNAC as an organization.)

We are in the midst of crisis brought about by the confused state of the Adventist University of the Philippines after the removal of its President from office. We have different versions of stories that could be classified as rumor, fact, gossip, innuendo, or fabrication that enhances and satisfies our curiosity. All of these could be classified as true, or false, no in-between. After considering the source, we add our two, three, four-cents to it, and pass it on. It is humanly accurate that it is easier to deal out the negatives, the dirt, faults, and error of either side, and then be judge and jury to the case. Being kind, considerate, and complementary is not as forthcoming or as easy to do. Negatives incite more intrigue and excitement to a situation.

A lot has been said about the reasons the President’s dismissal came to fruition, from enriching himself in the office to unsubstantiated, unscrupulous spending of the University’s money. One of the more popular claims against his favor is his style of management. He has been painted as a totalitarian and an autocratic president. Notwithstanding, it is a fact that in the span of two years, he has brought about progress in AUP that is very visible and apparent and except for those who complain about it, the change is well received. How unfair is it that at the height of his term’s progress, he is removed from office? His accomplishments in two years are more than some have done in their tenure. Is it telling us that his way of management is what AUP needs to progress? Does it depict an undesirable manager or does it reflect the general climate of laissez-faire that he has come to, and dared to change? Does the end justify the means? Do we want improvements, or do we settle for status quo? Do we want to stay lackadaisical or be progressive? Indolence is not a convenient legacy from History. It is a cultural fault that we should strive to correct. The Bible says: “Go to the ant, thou sluggard, consider her way and be wise.” (Proverbs 6:6)

“I was dismissed without due process,” was the President’s response. The expeditious way the decision was made denied him the chance to defend himself. Did the offense warrant the punishment? Was the action justified and fair? Or is it simply because, the system that he was part of, failed him? Left with no alternative, he sought justice from the Philippine court of law.

Be it ever a subtle reminder, in a miniscule scale, this touches a sensitive part of my past. That same system failed me, years and years ago. After being suspended for a year from school, without due process, and for reasons that would not hold under legal scrutiny, my father turned to the court of law for justice. The process stopped short of going to litigation when a minister approached my father and convinced him that the embarrassment the case would bring to the Seventy-day Adventist Church was not worth my vindication. It is such a travesty that because of religious myopia, the system would not hesitate to sacrifice their young!

This time around, the AUP President, with courage garnered from principles of truth, fueled by unfairness, took upon himself to challenge the system. And the system met its match.

In the midst of this dilemma when one is on the outside looking in, when there is too much information and very little one could do, frustration sets in. At one very precise moment, a thought

The AUPian in Cyberlink August 11, 2013

5

2

came to me. I have this hypothetical notion born from helplessness, superstitiously unacceptable, with a touch on the macabre. This mental escape jolted my concern in a reality that for now is just as ghastly and gruesome.

At one point or another in our lives, we have all been to someone’s funeral and witnessed trials in court. What is the difference between a wake and a court trial?

A court of law presents two sides, the plaintiff and the defendant. They were good friends once. In court, they no longer are. They no longer smile at each other. Instead, one glare at the other wishing looks could kill. Each side has files and files of wrongdoing the other has done and as much dirt as is possible to gather, to destroy one another.

On the other hand, a wake in a funeral home has the departed, the family, and the sympathizers. I would bet my last dime that no one present there has anything unfavorable to say about the dead. Anybody called upon to offer a tribute or a eulogy would relate a story or two, or three, with visible emotion or tears, about how much the revered departed would be missed. All faults, errors or misdemeanors committed in life, a far away memory. Where lies the difference? Life: the absence or presence thereof.

So hypothetically, let us say that instead of having been removed from his position, AUP’s president died. Without a doubt, the NPUM president, his nemesis, would be among the very first to offer his concerns and condolences to the bereaved. There may even be visible tears. Why not, were they not real good friends and as president of the Board of Trustees, the AUP president’s boss? Surely, considering the time he has worked in the denomination and the successes he had in the positions that he held, there would be a long line of speakers who would offer accolades on his accomplishments. Perhaps even those who have derided his “long-distance” learning as inadequate for his position would finally grant him his due, posthumously.

I try to imagine what I would say, given the chance. I would say in honesty, “We did not know him as much as we would have wanted to, but knew him enough to say we are lucky to have known him. He was a lot of fun to be with. He loved AUP as much as anyone could love AUP and has done more for AUP in his short term than we could have done collectively. He has done more in two years than some have done in eight. AUP is better for having had him. It is not just AUP’s loss. His departure is our personal loss too.”

In times like these, this is a sobering thought, rather than a foolish exercise. Does death wake our better selves and make us more forgiving, generous, and caring? Isn’t that altogether too little too late? Do we pass it up as a final gift to the departed? Does mortality show our weaker selves and make us more rational? Or do we need to render favorable accounts to vindicate ourselves of the cruel things we previously have thought and said? After all, for one thing, the dead could not change anything, for another, the ability to retaliate is gone. This is all only for those remaining. Unsolicited advise and criticism is free and plentiful until something jolts us to our senses. Let us pause for a moment and put our selves in the other person’s shoes, and see if we could measure better than them in our superior scale, and not just give a nonchalant shrug and say “that’s-why-I-am-not-in-that-position” cop out remark.

It is a given that we love our friends. So God says, “Love your enemies.” However, we cannot progress to the nobler kind of love that He expects from us for our enemies if we could not even love our friends. Life is not always measured in years. What we do with ours is our choice, always.

The AUPian in Cyberlink August 11, 2013

6

3

August 9, 2013: Postscript to “Postscripts and Perspective” Editorial AUPian Jan-Feb

2003: The sudden death of “PJ” Barayuga was a trigger to go back to an editorial written a decade ago. A lot of historical changes in AUP administration has happened since but it is always a good exercise to look back and see where we have been and where we are now and maybe adjust our “sails” so when life ends when we least expect, our epitaph reflects what we lived for. “PJ’s “ last act to help out a student says it all. Jedd Villanueva

1. Relatives pose for posterity at Dr. Petronilo J. Barayuga’s bier as it lie in state. 2. PJ’s immediate family shown with Luz, his wife; his children Rodney, Ian and Liezel with their spouses and his grandchildren. 3. Dr. Petronilo J. Barayuga lie in state in Northern Luzon Adventist College’s Aguinaldo Bolinao Hall, where the necrological services were held prior to internment. 4. Pastor Efenito Macalintal, former North Philippine Union Conference president lead the graveyard committal service of PJ.

1 2

4 3

THE AUPIAN in Cyberlink August 11, 2013

The AupIAN IN CYBERLINK

1751 Mill Plain Road

Fairfield, CT 06824

EASNAC CALENDAR

August 31-September 1, 2013

AWESNA Convention

Marriot Hotel

San Diego, CA

August 24, 2013

EASNAC Executive and EASNAC Foundation Meeting,

Fil-Am SDA Church

Beltsville, Maryland