Unveiling of CA Vision Marker
Feb. 1, 2007

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:

The renowned but controversial Catholic theologian Pierre Teilhard de Chardin once declared: "That is the greatest success I can dream of for my life - to have spread a new vision of the world".

With a clear written-down vision for the Court of Appeals now etched in marble, the Honorable Court of Appeals has given the legal community an new inspiration - the inspiration to strive for "the greatest success" as de Chardin puts it: "to spread a new vision for the world".

Thank you, Presiding Justice Ruben Reyes. Thank you for stoking the flames of passion and idealism in our hearts with your courageous Vision. Your example shakes us out of the luxury and comfort of our personal complacencies; challenges us to discard our penchant for mediocrity; summons us to search for our own Vision for ourselves and the world, and to etch this Vision into a symbolic marble altar in our hearts.

It is said that to have a clear Vision is the hallmark of idealism. In this age of the predominance of visual media, idealism has become indeed a rare commodity. "Miranda es credenda" - to see is to believe - appears to be the motto of this generation. Hardly anyone settles for faith in the unseen; for hope in what lies in the future not in what can be seen today.

The beloved American writer Jonathan Swift, however, underscored an important principle. He wrote: "Vision is the art of seeing things invisible". With no pretension at being able to approximate the literary agility of this writer, I dare paraphrase Mr. Swift, and I propose that "to the idealist belong this noble art - that of seeing things invisible".

Perhaps, the visionary-idealist is truly a man of faith; a person extraordinarily gifted with the capacity to hope. But a Vision Statement such as the one inscribed in this marker, is more than an expression of hope. It is a declaration of certainty: the certainty that if action is taken today, what is invisible in the present shall become tomorrow's reality.

Presiding Justice Reyes has manifested his faith, expressed his hope, and has declared his certainty that there shall be four hallmarks in the exercise of the Appellate Court's judicial mandate: righteousness; reason; responsibility; responsiveness.

Not only are the four a description of the invisible future; they also are the guideposts on how that future can become reality.

More important, they are the very hallmarks of the person and character of Presiding Justice Reyes, himself. For, it must be said that the Vision we pursue for the world is nothing more than the expression of who we are.

The American pioneer in the feminist movement, Emma Goldman, authored these words: "The idealists and visionaries, foolish enough to throw caution into the winds and express their ardor and faith in some supreme deed, have advanced mankind and have enriched the world."

Presiding Justice Reyes' ardor and faith in a righteous, reasonable, responsible and responsive Appellate Court inspire the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in aspiring for clarity of its own vision for service; and challenges us to take concrete steps and action today to become the organization described in our Vision.

For the inspiration and the challenge, we are grateful to Presiding Justice Reyes. We can only reciprocate by expressing our commitment to walk alongside him as he "advances mankind and enrich the world", borrowing the words of Ms. Goldman.

The Book of Proverbs contain these words: "Without a vision, the people perish".

With a clear written-down vision, we will not only survive; we will emerge victorious.

Thank you very much and good morning.