Fil-Am novelist and UST alumnus calls award to Mocha Uson ‘an insult’ to alumni



A University of Santo Tomas (UST) alumnus and Filipino-American novelist-poet called the awarding of the Thomasian Alumni Award for Government Service to Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux "Mocha" Uson "an insult" to all alumni of the university.
"The recent Thomasian Alumni Award recognition of Mocha Uson, a known propagandist and “purveyor of fake news” at a time when Freedom of the Press is under attack in the Philippines is an insult to all UST Alumni who believe in upholding one of the pillars of strong democracies—VERITAS," US-based Bino A. Realuyo, author of the novel "The Umbrella Country", said in a statement.
Uson was given the award by the University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association Inc. (USTAAI) on Sunday during the grand alumni homecoming.
Realuyo is a UST alumnus and was one of 75 UST High School alumni who received the 75th Founding Anniversary Award in 2003. He was cited for his outstanding achievements in literature.
Uson's efforts to evoke her idea of change, which she said UST recognized in giving her the award, "resulted in the death of many Filipinos" and ignored other alumnae and alumnus worthy of the award, Realuyo said.
"I am sure there are many unsung and worthy alumni of UST whom you can honor and recognize. Mocha Uson is certainly not one of them," Realuyo said.
The recognition of Uson, whom Realuyo branded a political propagandist, ran opposite to the respect of the truth that UST teachers and staff instilled in him.
The move was demoralizing enough for Realuyo, a former contributor to GMA News Online, to return the award he received from the university.
"I am demoralized by your recognition of Mocha Uson. As a protest of your decision to support a political propagandist who thrives in attacking the highest ideals of Philippine democracy, I am returning the award given to me," he said.
Within two hours of Realuyo's post, Uson on her wall shared a picture of her Gawad Thomasian Alumni in Government Service certificate and medal with the caption "PAALALA: Ang amplaya ay kinakain hindi inuugali."
Prior to this, the assistant secretary reposted a video of herself receiving the award with a paragraph commending the USTAAI for their supposed impartiality on the political affiliation of UST alumni.
Uson, an avid social media user prior to being appointed to her government post, also addressed her bashers on Twitter and called their continued tweets a proof of the continued "freedom of expression" in the country.
"Ako po ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa UST Alumni Association. At tulad nga ng sinabi nila tayo po ay patuloy na magsusumikap pagsilbihan pa ang mamayang Pilipino," she said.
The University of Santo Tomas Central Student Council (UST-CSC) on Sunday also condemned the awarding of Uson for her role in spreading "politically-motivated propaganda against known members of the government's opposition."
"We express dismay over this event as Mocha Uson does not, in any way, embody the ideals of a real Thomasian, and with all due respect, Ms. Esther Margaux "Mocha" Justiniano Uson does not deserve an award that was supposed to be meant solely for outstanding alumni," the UST-CSC added.
The USTAAI defended its bestowing the award on Uson, saying the sole criteria for the award is "to be a graduate of the University of Santo Tomas and in government service." 
It added that the award "is envisioned to inspire and challenge the recipients to lead the Thomasian core values of Compassion, Competence, and Commitment." —Rie Takumi/KG, GMA News

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