Carpe Diem

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DAVID vs. GLORIATH. This has been the talk of the town. Many foresee the recurrence of the match between David and Goliath. The courageous warrior said in his interviews that he is prepared to run against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (Gloriath), if ever she declares her candidacy as congressman in the 2^nd District of Pampanga.

Who is this warrior brave enough to face one of the most powerful women in the world according to Forbes Magazine? He is Professor Randolf “Randy” David, a Filipino journalist who speaks his mind through his weekly column in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and is also a former television host. He is a known writer of Sociology books that other professors use. Some of these books are “Reflections on Sociology and Philippine Society” and the award-winning book, “Nation, Self, and Citizenship: An Invitation to Philippine Sociology”. He is also a sociologist and a renowned, notorious professor in the University of the Philippines, diliman.

If the opponent won’t cheat or buy votes, he said he is confident that he has a very good chance of winning against President Arroyo simply because many people dislike her. He would also like to challenge President Arroyo in a debate battle on policy issues which he hopes she will have the courage to take. He said in an interview with him last July 24, 2009, “But that’s the whole problem about having a president who is not contented with serving out the full term of her presidency but insists on staying in power even if this means having to occupy a lower office…” He thinks that the spirit of the constitution discourages incumbent presidents to use the powers of the laws to promote their political ambitions. He added, “I think it’s because of that that I was prompted to make myself available as a challenger in case she pushes through with that diabolical idea.”

“If she does not run, as I hope she will not, then I see no reason why I should be a candidate for any public office. I LIKE my job as a TEACHER.” Professor Randy loves his current job which is teaching. He also said that he would have been a lawyer like his father or perhaps a politician if he is not a professor now. But he still prefers to be a professor. He has been a professor in UP diliman for a long time now. In 2007, he was named one of UP’s Centennial Fellows in recognition in his scholarship and valuable contribution to Philippine sociology and social awareness in the Philippines. If Hogwarts of Harry Potter has a He-who-must-not-be-named, UP has a He-who-must-be-avoided -- Professor Randy. Some say that he is one of the teachers that you have to avoid in UP if you still want to graduate because of their studies. “I am not a terror teacher. I never flunk my students” He wants his students to take his course seriously and expects his students to do their work conscientiously. According to him, he still gets many students and that many are not deterred by his reputation as a strict professor. Some UP students do not want to become his student because they are scared of him but one UP student said that it is an honour to be a student of Professor Randy.

Professor Randy is not just a sociologist, a journalist and a “strict” and “terror” professor. He is also a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather to his family. He is happy when he is with his family. He said that he has a lot of happy moments in his life but there is no day he considers happiest because every moment of his life is a happy day for him. Some of these happy moments are when he got married, birthdays of his children, the day his son got married, the day his first grandchild was born and when he takes a walk with his granddaughter.his image as a terror and strict teacher. Professor Randy thinks of these impressions as a good thing because his students won’t take his course for granted and hopefully they will be more diligent in

Professor Randy isn’t just fond of giving lectures. He also likes taking walks, bird-watching, gardening, and reading. He likes eating. He said that he knows what good food is and tries to cook it. He’s not always successful but he knows when food is good. He thinks that it is his gift. He loves to watch Spongebob and Mr. Bean with his granddaughter whom he is very grateful for. He also rides an enormous motorbike, enormous enough to ride Hagrid on it, and he loves to explore the country on it. He shared that three Sundays ago, one of the people riding with his group had a fatal accident and died on the spot. It was his first time, according to him, to eat breakfast with somebody just a few minutes ago and the next moment he is lifeless. He said that if he only has a day left, he would probably write a letter to his loved ones and tell them what to do with his body. He will visit his last will and testament. He also would like to take a walk with his family and if he still has time left, answer his email. This shows how much he loves his family that he would like to spend his remaining time with them.

Although he is prepared to face President Arroyo and is feared by his students, he also has something to fear. Professor Randy fears insanity. He fears it more than death and illness. He would rather choose to lose his eyesight, sense of feeling or sense of taste than lose his mind. He thinks that losing his mind means being a living dead. When you are not in the right mind, you are open to all kinds of humiliations that life offers.

He is known as a professor and the would-be opponent of President Arroyo but he wants to be remembered as someone who has enriched people’s way of thinking about important issues, someone who has broadened their imaginations and someone who made them think differently, think of life more broadly. He would like to be remembered by his students in particular as somebody who strengthened their interests in learning. He also would like to be remembered by those who loved him as a thoughtful person, gentle and tender.

Professor Randy David will not just be David who fought Goliath but a David who is a paragon of courage and virtue. “Live Dangerously. Seize the day. Enjoy life. Be happy.” – Professor Randy