𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬: 𝐀 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐱-𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐫. 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐚 𝐉𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝐏𝐔-𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐧𝐚

With the celebration of the 20th Founding Anniversary, Dr. Flora V. Javier thought she was only invited as a guest lecturer, but little did she know that a whole other program waits for her.

Being the Executive Vice President and Vice President for the Academic Affairs for the past six years in LPU-Laguna, Dr. Flora developed a soft spot for the institution. With that, she made sure to be on top of every situation happening in the university. However, the pandemic brought drastic changes that prompted her retirement as she had to adapt to the imposed health and safety protocols.

𝗔𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻

Retirement is said to be the golden period of one’s life where they have all the time in their hands, but as for Dr. Flora, it felt like a lover’s break-up—sudden and painful. Resembling the feelings of a pained lover, the fast-paced time during lockdown disallowed her to have closure.

With a glimpse of what seemed to be a simple invitation as a lecturer to a year-long celebration, it induced her eagerness to go back to the institution. Her excitement to return poured in choosing the clothes she would be wearing as it also became her way of calming her emotions. The moment Dr. Flora saw LPU-Laguna along with all the people in their Barong Tagalog that supported the institution, she instantly found closure to her so-called break-up.

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿

She graced the stage as she shared her anecdotes of meeting Dr. Sotero H. Laurel. To her surprise, thinking that her role as lecturer was over, she was then ushered to the red carpet while everybody stood and clapped. Upon sitting on stage, Dr. Raymund Arcega serenades her to the tune of Kanlungan by Noel Cabangon to prepare for an emotional evening ahead.

A reward, entitled: Jose P. Laurel Lifetime Achievement Award was granted by LPU-Laguna to recognize her contributions that led to the achievement of the institution’s milestones. But for her, the achievements that LPU-L gained through the years would not be possible without the support of all the people behind the institution. Overwhelmed with the event, she then imparted many realizations during the quarantine period. Despite the current situation brought by the pandemic, she turned to the brighter side of things as she treated the lockdown as an opportunity to have more time with family. The time of uncertainty only strengthened her faith to God with a grateful heart that they are healthy.

𝗧𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱

Dr. Flora engraved the responsibility upon herself before to check every detail from the staff down to every student enrolled in the institution. It became clear how her love and warmth enveloped LPU-Laguna. In a heartbeat, she was loved and admired by many.

The nature of her work touched so many lives, but it was her mother-like figure that turned a professional environment to a place where the staff can also feel at home. It was ingrained in the people of the institution to treat each other as family. Together, they achieved milestones for the university guided by their vision.

The people Dr. Flora worked with felt like they were her very own children that she mentored along their journey.

“I think I wouldn’t have survived the challenges in the research office if it weren’t for you,” said LPU-Laguna’s former Research Director Dr. Gerby R. Muya.

College of Arts and Sciences’ former dean Dr. Celia A. Tibayan likened seeing Dr. Flora to an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) mother that came home to her children.

Perhaps, there are no more fitting words than “I love you,” uttered by Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and College of Business and Accountancy Dean Christopher Dennis E. Catapang as he shed a few good tears.

Dr. Flora may have retired from the institution, but this does not hinder her dedication towards LPU-Laguna. Indeed, there is no excuse for a passionate individual in sustaining the legacy of excellence at the job she does best.