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That is the literal meaning of Pan Xenia — the name of my fraternity when I was studying at the University of the Philippines-Diliman. Its full name is Pan Xenia International Professional Foreign Trade Fraternity. I entered UP in 1966 and decided to take up Business Administration (BA), Major in Accounting. Aside from academics, I was also active in student organizations that included the UP-Junior Executives Circle (UPJEC), the UP-Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (UP JPIA), and the UP Student Catholic Action (UPSCA).

We often hear from private and government economists the term demographic dividend that our nation is now reaping or about to earn in the coming years. Economic experts do not doubt this a bit. The Philippines has a big and young population—an economic asset that must be nurtured and exploited.

The traffic was horrible and I was stuck inside my car for what seemed like forever. I was looking outside and my mind was wandering when a familiar song suddenly played on the radio. “We skipped the light fandango” it began. It was A Whiter Shade of Pale which was released in 1967 and performed by Procol Harum. It brought back a lot of memories. I think I was 18 and I remember it was always playing on the radio and everyone was singing or humming it.