August 17, 2024 – Speaking at La Consolacion College Bacolod’s Graduate School Orientation, Dr. Ramon P. Ponce de Leon addressed the audience on the critical issues of global population dynamics, economic challenges, and the evolving role of education in preparing students for the global workforce. The event was held at the Luisa Medel Little Theater.
“Life is precious,” Dr. Ponce de Leon began, underscoring the significance of understanding global trends. He highlighted the world’s population growth, now exceeding 8 billion, and noted the changing demographics in countries like India and China, where young people are increasingly delaying marriage. “For the Philippines, the population is still growing modestly above replacement rate, with over 50% of our population being Gen Zs,” he added.
Dr. Ponce de Leon addressed the shifting economic landscape, pointing out that foreign investments are increasingly moving to other ASEAN countries. “This is the reason why our young professionals continue to prefer working abroad than staying in this country,” he explained. He also mentioned that the Philippine economy, largely driven by consumption and supported by foreign remittances, faces significant challenges that require a strategic response.
Speaking directly to the faculty, Dr. Ponce de Leon urged them to continue mentoring young professionals as they navigate their careers in a rapidly changing global environment. “Embrace change before change will change all of us,” he advised. He emphasized the importance of real-time trends in research, praising LCC Bacolod’s focus on blue-tech skills, which he believes will be less impacted by the rise of artificial intelligence.
Dr. Ponce de Leon also spoke about the critical role of time in the economic cycle, urging the audience to make informed decisions and prioritize discipline. “The future belongs to those who understand the value of time in the choices they make,” he said, encouraging LCCians to become multiskilled, multilingual, and creative to remain competitive in the global market.
He introduced the concept of the “BLUE” culture—Benevolent Leadership with Unique Exceptionalism—as a guiding philosophy for the LCC community. “Sometimes we have to let go of something good to make room for something better,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and innovation. Dr. Ponce de Leon concluded his speech with a call to action: “Make your journey at LCC your moral compass. Go BLUE!” His words set a forward-looking tone for the academic year, emphasizing the need for adaptability, disciplined effort, and a commitment to excellence in the global community.