Actor and Quezon City Councilor Alfred Vargas delivered an emotional tribute to his late manager, Lolit Solis, as he graduated valedictorian from the University of the Philippines’ Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning (DURP) program.
Vargas, who finished with a General Weighted Average (GWA) of 1.0288, received the Dean’s Medallion for earning the highest academic standing in the Class of 2025 at UP Diliman’s School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP).
During the valedictory rites at the UP Film Center, he tearfully dedicated his diploma to his mentor of 21 years, who passed away just days before the ceremony.
“Nay Lolit, para sa ’yo ang tagumpay na ito,” Vargas said.
He also acknowledged the support of his wife, Yasmine, and their four children—Alexandra, Aryana, Cristiano, and Aurora—thanking them for their patience and understanding throughout his studies.
In his speech, Vargas emphasized the role of compassion and integrity in urban planning, calling on fellow graduates to lead with empathy.
“This graduation is meaningless if we choose indifference over kindness, if we prioritize ourselves over others, or if we abandon our principles and the fight for what is right,” he stated.
“Walang halaga ang ating pagtatapos kung hindi natin isasabuhay ang kabutihan at kagandahan ng loob. Simple pero totoo. Walang halaga ang lahat ng ito kung tayo ay mananatiling bulag at manhid sa mga nangyayaring kasinungalingan, katiwalian, pati na rin ang malawak na kahirapan,” he added.
“Hindi sapat ang ating mga kamay. Kailangan natin ng puso,” he declared. “Hindi sapat ang teknikal na kaalaman o malalim na expertise para maging urban planner—kailangan natin ng puso at malasakit.”
For Vargas, kindness is the core of public service: “Kindness is the root of malasakit, good governance, paninindigan para sa social justice, paggalang sa pagkapantay-pantay, at pagkilala sa dignidad ng bawat isa.”
“Without kindness, we cannot find sustainable and inclusive solutions to the pressing challenges in urban planning—overpopulation, housing shortages, inadequate infrastructure, environmental degradation, traffic congestion, urban blight, resource scarcity, poor health and safety, substandard education, social inequality, and more.”
He urged fellow graduates to “go beyond tokenistic public consultations,” encouraging them to “genuinely listen to and empower diverse community voices, especially those often marginalized, in the planning process.”
Drawing from his own work in government, he reflected on the importance of listening: “Pakikinig at paninindigan sa tama ay sadyang napakahalaga.”
He cited the establishment of the Quezon City Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) in 2011—created after consultations with the PWD community—and its impact, including over 25,000 issued IDs and 4,000 assistive devices provided. He also highlighted the same participatory approach in crafting the National Integrated Cancer Control Act.
“Let this graduation be a natural ending to our graduate course and the beginning of a new breed of Filipino urban planners who can lead with kindness, expertise, and character,” he urged.
“Nothing is impossible and everything is achievable when we spread kindness,” he concluded, calling for planning that reduces disparities, promotes equity, and upholds dignity.
Already a holder of a Master’s in Public Administration from UP and an AB Management Economics degree from Ateneo de Manila University, Vargas is currently pursuing a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning at SURP—continuing a path defined by learning, service, and now, a heartfelt dedication to a mentor gone too soon.
