SENATOR Alan Peter Cayetano is urging graduates of the Technical University of the Philippines or TUP Manila to recognize and harness their potential to drive meaningful change.

In his commencement speech, Cayetano recounted how his father, the late senator Rene ‘Compañero’ Cayetano, saw the untapped potential of Taguig City in 1984 during a campaign trip throughout Taguig, Pateros, and Muntinlupa.

He said his father observed an urban poor area with a panoramic view of Laguna Lake and recognized its future value.

“When he got to the top of the hill, nakita niya ang potential ng lugar kasi ang ganda at kita ang buong Laguna Lake. A year later, may lumapit sa kanya sabi, ‘Rene, baka gusto mo bilhin.’ And they sold it to him at P200 per square meter,” the senator said.

He said the same area is where he grew up and lives to this day with his wife, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano.

“The point I’m saying is that sa ibang tao, hindi nila napansin ang lupa na iyon pero ang dad ko nung nakita ang Laguna Lake, nakita niya ang potential,” he explained.

Cayetano also shared how he saw the potential of Taguig when it was predominantly known for flooding in the 1990s.

“Somehow God put in my mind na may potential ang Taguig. In 1993, President Fidel Ramos looked at Camp Fort Bonifacio and said, ‘May potential ito’. Kaya nung 2000 na may gustong magtayo ng sugalan, kaming mga taga-Taguig, nag rally kami. Dahil may vision kami para sa Fort Bonifacio, ipinaglaban namin ang kanyang potential,” he recounted.

With these personal accounts, Cayetano inspired TUP students to embrace their potential and vision.

“Kayo bilang graduates ng isa sa mga tanyag na university at pinag-aagawan ng employers, grabe ang inyong potential. But you have to see it. Walang potential kung walang vision,” he said.

He also emphasized the role of educators and parents in creating an environment conducive to their success.

“Trabaho ng parents at professors na ilagay kayo sa tamang environment. All of us are made uniquely. May plano ang Panginoon sa bawat isa. Each and everyone of us are made as an answer to a problem,” he said.

In closing, Cayetano expressed pride in the graduates and his optimism for their future.

“Graduates, we’re proud of you. Looking at you, [alam natin na] grabe ang potential ng ating bansa,” he said.