Hon. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao, congressman, lone district of Sarangani Province, is now an alumnus of Central Luzon State University.

The Filipino professional boxer and world champion and politician was conferred a lifetime honorary membership to the CLSU Alumni Association, Inc. (CLSUAAI) in a special convocation held at the university auditorium last August 25.

The program was graced by a big cheering audience composed of the officers and members of the CLSUAAI, CLSU Alumni Foundation, Inc, (CLSUAFI), university officials, faculty and staff, other invited guests and thousands of students from the various colleges, institutes, and schools of the university.

The conferment rites was led by Dr. Ruben C. Sevilleja, CLSU president, Dr. Romeo S. Cabanilla, and Dr. Eliseo L. Ruiz, CLSUAAI and CLSUAFI president, respectively.

Former Mayor Nestor L. Alvarez and incumbent mayor of the Science City of Muñoz Efren L. Alvarez also graced the affair.

It is a great privilege to be one of the alumni of CLSU which is one of the prestigious and world-class institutions of higher learning in the country, Congressman Pacquiao said.

Citing and giving credence to the university's mission and vision, he said that his mission and vision are compatible with that of CLSU. Just like CLSU, my mission is to be pro-active, relevant and dedicated to service and excellence and my vision is directed towards poverty alleviation, environmental protection and global competitiveness toward sustainable development.

He inspired the big audience by saying that he did not allow his limitations to limit him, his adversities to prevent him from reaching his dreams, and poverty to stop him from pushing his goals. He emphasized that aside from being a boxing champion, he also aims to be

paragon of a true public servant. Also conferred an honorary membership to the CLSUAAI during the occasion was Hon. Juan "Johnny" Domino, former Sarangani representative in the 11th Congress and distinguished civic leader and businessman.