71st Commencement Exercises • August 2017 • Maria Leonor 'Leni' Gerona Robredo

“The only way to stop this emerging culture of violence and impunity is to counter it with a culture of empathy… Genuine service demands that we always come from a place of understanding and empathy. Empathy gives voice to the weak and powerless. Empathy teaches us to listen and not to impose ourselves on others. Empathy translates into empowerment, it makes people dream and realize their full potential.” Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines