Cosette Vargas Canilao, an alumna of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) and the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Aboitiz InfraCapital, addressed the jubilarians during the Faculty and Alumni Homecoming organized by the UP Alumni Association Iloilo Chapter held at the Diversion 21 Hotel, Iloilo City on August 18, 2024.
Canilao was known to have broken the barriers in a male-dominated field when she headed the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, one of the biggest companies in the country. This, perhaps, is a feat that she never imagined when she was still an ordinary student at UPV where she earned her undergraduate studies in Business Administration major in Accounting.
“It is with immense pleasure that I stand before you tonight, surrounded by familiar faces who share a deep love for UP Visayas. While it is an honor, I must admit it’s also a bit daunting. Many of you knew me during my high school and college days, long before I became who I am today. You saw me at my best, and at my worst—struggling with exams, joining rallies, stumbling on the basketball court and field during sports fests, and yes, even getting inebriated at Tya Mel’s. It’s both humbling and heartwarming to be among lifelong friends who have journeyed with me from UPV to where we stand today,” Canilao shared during her speech.
She vouched that UPV has given her so much especially in shaping her understanding of the world and her place in it. “Here, I first confronted the realities of social inequity and the importance of giving back. We learned early on that being an Iskolar ng Bayan isn’t just a title—it’s a responsibility. UPV taught us that education goes beyond the classroom. It’s about understanding the challenges our country faces and recognizing our role in addressing them. This sense of responsibility and drive to contribute to something greater is what UP instilled in all of us,” she explained.
She affirmed that the UP education ingrained in the alumni underscores the value of service in addition to honor and excellence. But for Canilao, it raises the question of how it resonated with each graduate as she asked, "What does service really mean? And how can we, as members of this community and alumni, meaningfully contribute to it?"
Each has a contribution, and service can take many forms. “Some of us may find our calling in the private sector, using our skills to innovate, create jobs, and drive the economy forward. Others may serve by advocating for social justice, working with NGOs, or volunteering in our communities. Some pursue service within the system, whether through public office, executive appointments, or government service. No matter the path, what binds us is the commitment to use our knowledge and skills to improve lives,” she added.
She focuses on three public service roles that stands out: 1) public health workers and the challenge they face every day—which highly demand limited resources, and their endless giving of compassionate care despite the obstacles, and their service with unwavering dedication; 2) the defenders in the Public Attorney’s Office, “standing up for those who cannot afford legal representation. They ensure justice is a right, not a privilege. Despite being overworked, they remain committed to justice and equity;” and finally, 3) primary public-school teachers.
For Canilao, the third is the closest to her heart, “Our primary public-school teachers are the unsung heroes of our nation. They shape the minds of the next generation, often with minimal resources and overwhelming responsibilities. Yet, they persist, driven by a profound sense of duty and love for their students.”
She mentioned of one “Teacher Sab” who teaches in Culiat Elementary School in Quezon City who speaks of the daily struggles of a teacher—"overcrowded classrooms, limited resources, and the heavy workload that comes with underfunded schools. She highlights how primary school teachers often become surrogate parents, counselors, and role models for their students. She emphasizes empathy and understanding in addressing the diverse needs of students. Despite the challenges, she shares stories of remarkable growth and achievement among her students.”
As a product of the primary public education, having finished her grade school from SPED or Special Education run by DepEd, Canilao admits she hasn’t done much to give back. “I have a lot to make up for.” She calls on her fellow alumni to take action saying, “We can advocate for better working conditions, mentor teachers, assist in classrooms, or support supplementary education programs. We can push for initiatives that bring technology and resources into classrooms, easing the burden on teachers and enhancing the learning process.” She proposes for UPV to be the Center of Excellence for primary education in Panay, in the Visayas, or even in the country with its Professional Education program.
Canilao highlighted that one of her most rewarding professional experiences was being selected Executive Director of the PPP Center, and that she enjoyed working for the government. "Although we implemented large-scale infrastructure initiatives, the PPP for School Infrastructure Project—which constructed close to 16,000 classrooms nationwide—was my favorite. One of the happiest moments of my life was turning over those fully equipped classrooms to elementary public-school instructors and pupils. It was more important to provide optimism than it was to simply build more classrooms.”
Canilao capped her message with a challenge to her fellow alumni as they celebrate their shared history and the bonds forged at UP Visayas, “Let us work together as UPV alumni to make a meaningful impact in supporting our primary public-school teachers and the education of future generations. Imagine the ripple effect we could create—one that extends far beyond our alma mater and into the very fabric of our society.”
Canilao finished her Master of Science in Finance from UP Diliman in 2001, Executive Program, Corporate Restructuring in from Harvard Business School in 2006; Executive Education in Market Economy in 2013 from Harvard Kennedy School, and Global Leadership Executive Program from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford in 2016.
