AFVOA Newletters of Year 2004

Page 69 of 153 new things, because they are curious. And it is this curiosity that leads them down new paths. They always dream, explore and experiment. In short, imagineering is the blending of creative imagination and technical know-how. Eisner expounds on this thought by saying that “Not only are imagineers, curious, they are courageous, outrageous, and their creativity is contagious.” The big difference with imagineers is that they dream and then they DO! So don’t just be a dreamer, be an imagineer. Better than having a vision You must have all been given a lecture at one time or another about the importance of having a vision. Even leadership expert John Maxwell says that an indispensable quality of a leader is to have a vision. The Bible also makes it very clear that “Without vision, people perish.” So no doubt about it, having a vision is important to success. But surprise! There’s something more potent than a vision. It’s a CAUSE. If all you’re doing is trying to reach your vision and you’re pitted against someone fighting for a cause, chances are you’ll lose. The Vietnam War is a classic example. Literally with sticks and stones, the Viet Cong beat the heavily armed US Army to surrender, primarily because the US had a vision to win the war, but the Vietnamese were fighting for a cause. In the realm of business, many leaders have visions of making their company No.1, or grabbing market share, or forever increasing profits. Nothing really wrong with that vision, but take the example of Sony founder Akio Morita. He did not just have a vision to build the biggest electronics company in the world. In his biography, “Made in Japan,” he reveals that the real reason he set up Sony was to help rebuild his country, which had just been battered by war. He had a cause he was fighting for. His vision to be an electronics giant was secondary. What’s the difference between a vision and a cause? Here’s what sets them apart… No one is willing to die for a vision. People will die for a cause. You possess a vision. A cause possesses you. A vision lies in your hands. A cause lies in your heart. A vision involves sacrifice. A cause involves the ultimate sacrifice. Just a word of caution. You must have the right vision, and you must be fighting for the right cause. In the end, right will always win out. It may take time, and it may take long. But if you have the right vision and are fighting for the right cause, you will prevail. If not, no matter how sincere you are, if you are not fighting for what is right, you will ultimately fail. Two final quotes. Allow me to end with two quotes that I have lived by ever since I stepped out of UP. The first comes from the Bible, which says, “To whom much is given, much is required.” Having been given the opportunity to study in UP, no doubt, much has been given to you in terms of an excellent education. Don’t forget that in return, much is now required of you to use that education not just for yourself, but for others. And as you move up and start reaching the pinnacle of success, even more will be required of you to look at the welfare of others, of society and of the country. Though I have often dreamed of addressing any graduating class of UP Diliman, I never really thought it would happen. This brings me to the second quote I have held close to my heart as I traverse the destiny God has laid out for me. “There is no destination beyond reach of one who walks with God.” My standing in front of you today, as the youngest commencement speaker of this esteemed university in 92 years, is