BORN TO LEAD
VII
Silken Threads:
People and What They Say
The reality of music is in that vibration
that remains in the ear after the singer
finishes his song and the player no longer plucks
the strings.
- Kahlil Gibran
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
223
BORN TO LEAD
I have met several people in my quest for answers to
my many questions. I may have been fortunate at times to
have received the right answers; or at some moments to have
been more puzzled by the answers given, or at certain
instances, to have been humiliated, hurt and pained, such that
they only made me more questioning. Nonetheless, these
encounters have been my motivating tools to stand tall again
and strive on with my quest, relentlessly, as ever.
I have had lots of relationships- kind, friendly, loving,
but definitely, I also had my enemies who probably hated me
more than what hatred could carry and they have become
burden to my courage. I had plenty of humbling experiences
and those were the times when I decided to amend for
whatever shortcomings I may have committed and pain I may
have caused. After a while, I considered these humbling
occurrences uplifting to the moral fiber, thereby making me
whole and complete again.
As Albert Sweitzer wrote: “In everyone’s life, at some
time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an
encounter with another human being. We should all be
thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.”
To use a metaphor, these relationships are the silken
threads, woven into strands and filaments, interweaving,
encircling, coiling, sometimes smooth, sometimes knotted in
the mid part; or rough in the edges, but nonetheless, may be
rendered fine and soft again.
I have been spoken to, spoken of and spoken about.
The words these people have said, I have kept printed in my
mind and they have made me strong, inspired, enthusiastic,
albeit, in some instances, humiliated and disappointed. The
humiliation, the disappointments, I tried to make them
shortlived. They were vexation to my spirit. I transformed
them into challenges and they helped me grow and become
better.
224
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
If the reality of music is in its vibration that renders the
song lingering even when the singer has sung his last tune, so
do words spoken in praise, in love, in kindness, or in any
manner that has changed a life even in a most unusual way.
When printed, they speak in silence but their echoes are
endless and reverberating. Surely, as said: “when words pour
from the heart, it is real music.”
These words will continue to catch light to make life
worth living until the light of life in me has dimmed.
They come in the same patterns, but positively, in
varied colors. I absorbed them all and I learned from them. It
is my wish that as readers, you also will benefit from their
insights and wisdom.
Here are some of them:
“Tony came to our academic life by way of my hiring
him as Principal of the CLSU Agricultural High School in
1974. With his previous experience as Principal of the MIT
Agricultural High School, he was the perfect choice for the
position. In no time at all, he had the entire faculty, staff and
students of the CLSU high school behind him. In the
intramural games that was held the following year, the high
school unit won over the much older and bigger players of the
four collegiate units. Winning was the product of stern
discipline, hard work and determination which exemplified the
type of leader he is. But he did not stay long as PAC took him
as its college dean and eventually became its second President.
Thereafter, he became president of two and officer-in-charge of
the third state institution. In 1992, he was back to CLSU as its
fifth President.
Since my retirement, I kept my distance from CLSU.
When Tony Battad took over, the picture changed. Tony took
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
225
BORN TO LEAD
every opportunity to invite us to visit CLSU as honored guests.
Thus, we were able to meet again with friends and see the
developments in the campus.
He initiated further
improvements to the previous infrastructures I have put up,
such as the physical facilities, the academic curricula, faculty
development and the money-making enterprises. Far beyond
what I have accomplished, he converted CLSU into a mini
forest of fruit trees which is indeed a delight. Everytime we
are around, he would take us to sample the fruits of these trees
he has planted. I take pride in telling his key men that my
biggest contribution to CLSU is Tony Battad. This statement
jibes with what Tony often says: ‘I am just continuing what
President Campos has started’. I thank him for being my
‘drum beater’. I would surmise I am remembered by the
CLSU community partly because of Tony.” Dr. Amado C.
Campos, Former President of CLSU.
If I may say, the leadership of Dr. Fortunato A.
Battad is not so much a design of destiny, or circumstance, or
chance, or fate, but rather, more of a strong determination and
will. In the words of Muhammad Ali: ‘Champions are not
made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have
deep inside them- a desire, a dream, a vision. They have the
last minute stamina; they have to be a little faster; they have to
have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than
the skill.’ Because we don’t live by the rules of baseball- 3
strikes and we’re out. Rather, “like the grass- they’re stepped
on; crushed; burned; and cut, yet they still persist and grow
back”. To coin the metaphor, Dr. Battad is the tree, to which
he is passionately attached to, - that which he planted, plants,
and will plant again and again, today, even if he dies tomorrow.
But when tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever. In
its place is the legacy the person will leave behind. But, it will
not matter anymore whether the tree he has planted has grown
tall. What really counts is that whether the roots have gone
deep.
226
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
I speak not to shower him praises and adulation as if
he were an epitome of perfection, because he’s not. He’s got
lots of imperfections too. But it is this imperfection that makes
him more remarkable, because it assures us that he is human.
And it is this human-ness that up till this moment and we have
more to see in the next years of his life, that he has endured and
will endure; that he has prevailed, and will prevail.
I have always believed in the words of one great
philosopher that ‘behind every advance of the human race is a
germ of creation growing in the mind of some lone individual
whose dream wakens him in the night while others contentedly
sleep.’ FAB is a dreamer, a visionary who believes that given
the power to dream, he likewise has as much, if not more, the
power to live the dream. Echoing his dictum: ‘If you have a
vision, you must put it into action, for vision without action is
but a dream, and action without vision is just a waste of time.’
So he has always made his torch burn as brightly as possible
before handing it on to future generations.
To Dr. Battad, performance is the best public
relations, and it is no surprise that what he wants, he gets. A
great sourcer of funds he is, his generosity is seen by sharing
them through benefits and incentives. His enthusiasm and
dynamism are, by far, insurmountable; his self-confidence is
incredible; his persuasion and charisma are definitely
irresistible. He is a versatile communicator, a resolver of
conflict, a peacemaker, but to an extreme, he is highly
competitive. His persistence and strength of will at getting to
his goal are indomitable. This persistence may be likened to
Og Mandino’s greatest salesman in the words, reverberating:
‘ I will persist until I succeed. I was
not delivered into
this world in defeat, nor does failure
course in my veins.
I am not a sheep waiting to be
prodded on by my shepherd.
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
227
BORN TO LEAD
I am a lion and I refuse to talk, to
walk, to sleep with my sheep.
The slaughterhouse of failure is not
my destiny.
I will persist until I succeed.’
But only because, Dr. Battad always looks at failure
and defeat as opportunities in disguise, while opportunities to
him, are the beginnings of great enterprise. The eternal
optimist and pragmatist that he is, are best exemplified in his
favorite lines: ‘I do not wait for things to happen; I make things
happen; I create a difference.’
Above all, he has an insatiable sense of family pride.
Oh how he glories in his family’s triumphs; how he triumphs in
their achievements. To him, parenting is taking part in his
family’s accomplishments. Again, he resounds: ‘No amount of
successes can compensate for the failures in the home.’
Indeed, how true! He told me in a manner, almost akin to
prayer: ‘My greatest remaining desire is that: my first and
second generation diamonds will continue to excel in their
chosen fields of endeavor and that my grandchildren will carry
on the tradition of excellence and service.’
But like any human being, he was never immune to
frustrations, disappointments, adversities, regrets and betrayal.
He regrets that there were those whom he has helped who
turned against him, for one reason or the other. I suppose, life
is such – it is full of ironies. We cannot have the roses without
the thorns either. If we want the rainbow, we have to put up
with a little rain. Our consolation however is that, for every
love lost, there is another love gained. His other regret
however, is more expounding – that he has not done so much
to help in alleviating the cancer of poverty in our society. He
fears that he may not see the day when there will be an increase
in the number of middle class families in the country.
But ultimately, he says, that even if it takes two or
three decades more toward this fulfillment, when all have been
228
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
said and done, when life fares adown the way, he declares that
his greatest satisfaction is the consolation and the assurance
that somehow, he can proudly say that he has not failed God
and his family.
I say to you Dr. Battad, in all candor and sincerity,
that God may be silent in that regard, as yet, not until you see
him face to face, but the assurance comes from your family
whom you have nurtured and the people whom you have
touched – that you truly have succeeded. It may not be the full
assurance, but it is a ringing assurance, nonetheless. Ralph
Waldo Emerson’s verse says it all:
‘To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent
people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest
critics, and endure the betrayal of false
friends;
To appreciate beauty and find the
best in others;
To leave the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy child, a garden patch,
or a redeemed social condition;
To know that even one life has
breathed easier, because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.’
And to you from me: In the comfort of your heart,
listen to the melody of the goodness you have done to others.
It’s the sweetest lullaby your heart can hold and let your life
dance lightly in the edge of time, like the dew on the tip of a
leaf.” Dr. Victoria Santos-Lamucho, Former Director, Public
Relations, Information & Media & Professor VI, College of
Arts and Sciences, CLSU.
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
229
BORN TO LEAD
“I first met Manong Tony in UPLB and it was there that
I saw and felt his strong desire to do excellent job, not to waste
time or leave anything to chance. This characterized his future
academic and professional activities, his administrative and
private life- his intensity to perform well is simply
overwhelming.
He disciplined his 7 good children to the utmost. Can
you imagine his children playing tennis as soon as they can
hold a tennis racket? In fact it was the challenge of the ‘family’
from childhood to marriage that set him to work hard, to
double his effort that he may grow quickly in the profession.
When he became college and university president, he
extended the same discipline to himself and his staff. The rigor
he imposes upon himself is truly Spartan in action. The
pressure was always on everybody.
I had the best of relationship with the LGU leaders in
Nueva Ecija and this I owe from him.
One of his valuable leadership qualities is his ability to
deal with people in a harmonious way. Many troubles are
settled because of his person-to-person approach, bringing
those involved to talk and settle their differences.
“There is no justification for dishonesty or in taking
away money that does not belong to you,” he says. For Dr.
Battad is one who never takes advantage of the financial
resources of the institutions he leads. His children have
likewise imbibed that value of being ‘clean’ when it comes to
public funds.
Truly, we cannot but appreciate his intense dedication
to the task of building institutions and of people around him.
230
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
One finds his energy so powerful, almost inexhaustible. He
keeps working, calling people and asking them to do many
things.
As a Member of the PHILRICE Board of Trustees for 9
years, he was very supportive and generous with his advice and
appreciative of my every modest accomplishment. It was in
one incident when I was out of the Board that a revelation of
his character came out – that of a true gentleman who upholds
good manners under all circumstances. One of the members of
the BOT talked back to him a remark uncalled for: “you don’t
know anything about this” relative to an issue involving
PHILRICE and other institutions. Instead of a retort, Dr.
Battad just left the room and said nothing. Later, he told me: “I
don’t want to go down to the level of a man like that. After I
have worked so hard to earn a little respect and place in the
academe and in the administration, I should never involve
myself with people who have no respect for others.”
Additionally, he is a man who shows gratitude for even
the smallest thing you can do for him, his children and family
as in when I sent his four children on scholarship grants to the
graduate school at UPLB.
Yet, in the ultimate analysis, these little things matter so
much. As always, he makes a point: “Let us always do our
best, let us not waste our time, because there are so many
people – students and farmers who need our help and the
quality of our services.”
He was always a consummate teacher, a strong
administrator, a passionate leader all the time. He just wants us
to do our best, do the simple things in an extraordinary way
without taking advantage of others. He acknowledges his roots
and this is one basic reason why he is admired by those
professors who teach young students, by those farmers who till
the soil to produce more food for our people, and even by those
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
231
BORN TO LEAD
who walk in the corridors of power. To give oneself for others
is a unique character.
For to lead, one must first be a model.” Dr.Santiago
R. Obien, Former Executive Director, PHILRICE.
“It is with great pleasure that I share a few thoughts
about the central figure of this publication: Dr. Fortunato A.
Battad.
My earliest memory of having personally met Dr. F.
Battad was when he was assigned as the Principal of the CLSU
Agricultural High School, and I was a newly hired Instructor of
the University. I knew we shared a common reason for being
at CLSU at that early period, President Amado C. Campos.
For weeks and months, under the early morning sun, as
I crossed the road to San Juan on my way to a Beef Cattle
Project, where I was assigned as the Project In-Charge, I
watched with awe the Agricultural High School students till the
soil, plant the seedlings and nurture the gardens to full bloom
with oozing enthusiasm. And at the time of harvest, these
young students had big smiles on their faces as they counted
the sales from their crops and the learnings gained on the
proper techniques of growing and nurturing. Out in the sports
field, these young students, one by one, in a short span of time,
shone in the tracks and in the playing courts individually and as
a team, as they emerged victorious in competitions previously
dominated by the older collegiate students. Behind them was a
tireless mentor who motivated these young souls to succeed in
their undertakings. Believe me, Dr. Battad sowed in them the
seeds of correct values, hard work, determination and
discipline.
Then, one early evening, suddenly I learned that he
moved to Pampanga Agricultural College (PAC) as its
232
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
President. I am certain he was a blessing to PAC, and to many
other learning institutions that he led in the many years that
followed. In all the institutions that he led, he always leaves a
legacy. He definitely is an institution builder and undoubtedly,
an institution himself.
His “can-do” spirit became all the more evident and
worth emulating when he returned to CLSU to assume the
University Presidency. When he set out to achieve something,
he viewed obstacles, big and small, not as hindrances, but as
opportunities for success. In all these, he utilized his mastery
of motivational tools, particularly teamwork, and public
relations coupled with hard works to get things done in the best
manner and at the soonest time possible. I find him a good
destroyer of “walls” and a great architect and builder of
“bridges”, linking and bridging people as well as institutions.
He is a master of motivating people, nurturing them to grow
and to achieve to the fullest. Along the way, Dr. Battad was
responsible for quite a number of professional success stories,
earning for him, and rightfully so, the title of “kingmaker”. He
did the same excellently for sports and the environment.
If there is anyone who should take credit for what the
Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) is today, Dr. Battad is
definitely one of them. He lent a big hand during its birth and
up until it became a full-blown attached agency of the
Department of Agriculture.
In the early formative years of PCC, just immediately
after the approval of RA 7307 or “The Philippine Carabao
Act”, former President Fidel V. Ramos asked then Agriculture
Secretary Roberto Sebastian in 1993 to put the Carabao
Development Program in place, establish the Philippine
Carabao Center and appointed the undersigned as its Executive
Director.
Dr. Battad responded immediately and
unconditionally by allowing me to be detailed at DA-PCC and,
further, allowed three CLSU administrative and finance staff to
help me in the start-up operations. As a member of the PCC
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
233
BORN TO LEAD
Advisory Board during those early critical years, he
masterfully led the creation of a very positive environment and
a cohesive PCC AdBoard that allowed substantial gains for
advancing the program and the agency. Since then and in the
years that followed, wherever he went, he acted as the
“Champion” of the PCC program. Even his retirement from
the CLSU Presidency has not deterred him from continuing to
be so to this day.
With much gratefulness from DA-PCC, while he was
the President of CLSU, he unconditionally made possible the
donation of prime land on which the PCC complex now
proudly stands. He justified his action before the CLSU
community with a statement on his clear vision of the need to
support a national program that will make substantial
contributions to national development, particularly to millions
of farming families. He saw the loss of 40- hectare land of
CLSU as a gain to the entire Filipino people. What greater
vision could have surpassed that of this great man?
In sum, I am honored and proud as well as grateful to
be associated with Dr. Fortunato A. Battad: educator, public
administrator,
leader,
team-builder,
sportsman
and
environmentalist.” Dr. Libertado C. Cruz, Executive Director,
Philippine Carabao Center
“I am truly honored and proud to claim Dr. Fortunato
A. Battad as one of my former students, when he worked for
his doctorate degree in Agricultural Education at the University
of the Philippines, Los Banos in the 1970s.
His outstanding performance as a graduate student then
turned out to be a foretaste of his numerous significant
achievements later as a very successful educational
administrator of agricultural universities, particularly the
monumental progressive strides that he accomplished during
234
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
his stints as President at the Benguet State University and the
Central Luzon State University.
To me, Dr. Battad and his outstanding achievements embody
an excellent example of the longer term rewards of the teaching
profession.” Celestino P. Habito, Ph.D, Retired Professor of
Agricultural Education Officer, UN Food and Agriculture
Organization
Dr. Battad brought to his leadership and management of
key state colleges and universities the same energy and drive
he brings to his tennis game. I was witness to his brand of
energetic and visionary leadership that steered the Benguet
State University and the Central Luzon State University to new
heights of accomplishment. He has struck me as a man who is
determined to get things done and has no patience with
mediocrity and non-performance.
To me, he has been a fine manifestation of what
strong leadership can do to move an educational institution
forward. Cielito F. Habito, Ph.D, Former Secretary of SocioEconomic Planning & NEDA Director-General
“Over the years, UP Los Banos produced a good
number of graduates who made their mark in leading and
managing institutions of higher learning. Among these notable
institution builders, clearly among the best, if not the best, is
Fortunato A. Battad, Sr., passion personified.
Possessed of a rare combination of clear, strategic
vision, excellent people skills and integrity, he raised the bars
of academic performance, productivity and efficiency of the
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
235
BORN TO LEAD
institutions he was appointed to lead – in particular, Pampanga
Agricultural College and Central Luzon State University.
What set Tony, as he is popularly known, apart
though, as an academic leader/administrator and as a person is
his passion, his single-mindedness. In the performance of
official duties, in his tennis, in the rearing of his children and
grandchildren, in his devotion for the late Mrs. Battad, and
concern for his many friends, he brought total commitment and
dedication.” Dr. Emil Q. Javier, Former President of UP
System, Minister of Science, Director General, Asian Vegetable
Research Center & Former Chancellor UPLB
”Tony Battad was not the type of student one would
predict as the most likely to succeed because academically, he
was not the most brilliant in his batch. His achievements as a
school administrator were all a pleasant surprise to me. He
worked hard; nurtured collaboration with those who were
against him for one reason or another; inspired all the others so
they could find their own place in the sun; and in the end made
himself a leader whom they could respect. But most of all, he
had political savvy which gave him access to resources which
supported his dreams for the institutions he wanted to build.
He followed a policy of inclusion rather than exclusion of
perceived oppositors and emerged a better human being than
all of them, despite his imperfections. When he wants
something, he pursued it relentlessly. He never took No for an
answer, particularly at 4 o’clock in the morning. All these paid
off in the end.” Dr.Gelia T. Castillo, Social Scientist and
Professor, UPLB.
“I take great pleasure to write these words of tribute to
a friend and academic colleague, Dr. Fortunato A. Battad,
236
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
former President of Central Luzon State University (CLSU),
who retired a few years ago only to serve as consultant to
higher education agencies such as TESDA and state colleges
and universities on agriculture projects throughout the country,
including the Visayas and Mindanao. My close association
with Dr. Battad was in connection with my chairmanship of the
Board of Regents of CLSU in 1997-1999 during my tenure as
the first Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education in
1995- 1999 mostly under the presidency of Fidel V. Ramos. As
the Chairman of the CLSU Board of Regents, I visited the
campus of the university a number of times and was able to
observe Dr. Battad at work and to have a close look at the
academic programs of CLSU.
Dr. Battad is a visionary. He recognizes the important
role of agriculture colleges and universities in the economy of
the nation by educating and training the needed professionals
in agriculture and in applying this knowledge along with
mature technologies to increase agricultural productivity. He
has done this without neglecting the related academic
disciplines such as development communication, rural
development, computer services, etc., as shown by the list of
course offerings of CLSU. He worked to develop CLSU into
an internationally respected educational institution of high
academic excellence, offering courses not only to Filipinos but
also to foreign students as well.
Dr. Battad readily shared his vision and knowledge
with his colleagues in the administration of state colleges and
universities. Many of his peers respected his ideas and
opinions. This is probably because of his persuasive
personality that exudes self-confidence and according to one
observer, a stentorian voice when expressing his ideas. In this
connection, it is not surprising that his children have become
agriculture professionals and specialists.
Dr. Battad differs from many college and university
presidents I have come to know. He is a firm believer in a
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
237
BORN TO LEAD
strong one-campus university. CLSU has only one campus
located in Muñoz , Nueva Ecija, unlike some state colleges
universities with multiple campuses located far from each
other, making management difficult or inefficient. At CLSU,
the various academic units are all within walking distances,
facilitating close, personal and social interactions among
faculty members and administrative staff and between teachers
and students. The teaching and research facilities, being on the
same campus, can interact with and relate to each other,
enhancing the effectiveness of the universities as a whole.
It is no wonder that President Fidel Ramos, in an article
published in the July-December 1997 issue of the CLSU
Educator’s Magazine, praised CLSU under the presidency of
Dr. Battad as a university that looks after the needs of the
people; that has pioneered in agricultural research; that has
served as a model of entrepreneurship; that has learned selfreliance, and that has managed educational resources. All
these may be attributed to the dynamic leadership of its
president. To accomplish all these, CLSU needs a large budget.
In 1997, about a third of its more than 200-million-peso budget
was raised from donations, a feat that is attributable to the
fund–raising skill of Dr. Battad.
Dr. Fortunato A. Battad deserves our commendation for
his outstanding performance in building on the
accomplishments of his predecessors to make Central Luzon
State University one of the best universities in the Philippines.
Fortunato A. Battad: University Builder Par Excellence” Angel
C. Alcala, University Research Professor, Siliman University,
Former Chairman, Commission on Higher Education,
Republic of the Philippines
“Who is President FAB to My Life?
The success of a leader is not measured on the amount
of money he has in the bank, or the size of the house he lives,
238
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
or the number of institutions he has managed, but it is on the
number and kind of people he has inspired to follow his path.”
President FAB was my teacher in Pomology and
Meterology at the Mindanao Institute of Technology, Kabacan,
Cotabato in 1960-1961, and my Principal when I started my
teaching career as a substitute teacher. He was our exemplar of
a winner through hard work and intellectual leadership. He
inspired us to win in all our undertakings in the Future Farmers
of the Philippines, scouting and other school activities. We
worked with him as our leader for quality work and
excellence.
When I assumed the stewardship of the Departments of
Science and Technology (1992-1994), Education, Culture and
Sports (1994-1998), and Commission on Higher Education
(1994-1995), I had the honor to work with him in bringing
science and technology and education to the common people of
our country. He was instrumental in the Clean and Green
Program of DECS and helped us in our advocacy to produce
quality citizens who are Makadios, Makabayan, Makatao and
Makakalikasan.
I remember him to come to DECS at 4 a.m. to discuss
his vision and strategies of building institutions. FAB is the
only leader of our Philippine higher education system who
became President of five SUCs. It is unsurpassed and a record
we can be proud of.
President FAB is not only concerned with quality and
excellence in education, agriculture, science and technology.
He is exceedingly concerned with having a quality family. He
believes that success in one’s career cannot compensate his
failure at home. He produced high quality and excellent
children and grandchildren.
I wish him more life in giving and inspiring others.
President FAB is making a Life. God bless you and your
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
239
BORN TO LEAD
family, Sir. You are a part of many of us.” Dr. Ricardo T.
Gloria, Former DOST and DECS Secretary, and CHED
Chairman (1992-1998).
I have not known him personally. I only came to know
him when he became president of the Central Luzon State
University (CLSU), concurrently, as a member of the PhilRice
Board of Trustees (BOT). I found him very supportive. This
was initially apparent when I was selected as Deputy Executive
Director for Research and Development, later when I was
being considered as Executive Director, and even up to now
where I already am.
Most will agree, that the man has a strong personality,
unmistakable by his commanding presence. One can never fail
to notice when he is around—many times, this I have seen for
myself. As a member of the PhilRice BOT, he was always
there to give the elder-brother’s advice to Dr. Santiago Obien,
then Director, and later even to me. He understood the
problems and difficulties at the top—him being an
administrator himself. He guides and openly gives advice on
handing such matters.
One advice which made an indelible imprint and that
which particularly comes to my mind, is on how to deal with
politicians. He advised me to work well with them, keeping in
mind how such harmonious relations not only strengthen
goodwill and keep up morale among organizations but also
foster mutual benefits. To me, this is probably how I was able
to tap resources from officials holding posts at various levels,
from governors, congressmen, even senators, which redound to
improved facilities and manpower capabilities of the
Institute—like what Dr. Battad did while at CLSU.
His humility and perseverance also impress me. These
qualities are evident in the way he puts forward his initiatives
240
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
or projects. Probably not many people could picture him to be a
humble being, but working with him closely afforded me a
glimpse of the person he truly is… and he is. His persistence is
another matter in itself. When Dr. Battad makes up his mind,
he puts his heart into it. He is the kind of person who will not
tire following up matters and reminding. If there is a phone call
early in the morning, most likely, it comes from him—calling
to remind of something or just to share his thoughts on how to
do things best. At times, one may find his persistence
annoying. But a closer look at his motives will at once place
things in perspective. One would realize that whenever he
wants something done, it is not really for himself; rather for the
institution he works so hard for; or, sometimes, he just urges
you to make sure that you succeed in your undertaking.
The wisdom that he openly and unselfishly shares is all
meant to improve whatever it is that we are doing for the
institution we work for. Even now, he continues to provide
leadership—this time no longer as president nor an
administrator; but as mentor to someone with a growing career
such as what I have.
Given the dynamism that Dr. Battad’s leadership
exudes, he may be described in a profusion of varied
descriptions. But knowing what I do now, one thing is clear, he
truly was born to lead. Dr. Leocadio S. Sebastian, Executive
Director, PhilRice.
“Working with FAB is indeed an inspiring learning
experience. Through the TCASP, we at TESDA had the
privilege of working with him as we endeavored to transform
the technical, agriculture and fishery schools into more
verifiable powerhouses for quality education in the
countryside. No one had been as outspoken as FAB as he
persistently advocated for the important role played by an
educational institution in nation building.
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
241
BORN TO LEAD
His humble beginnings, unique leadership style and
management strategies have undoubtedly gained the respect
and adulation of his constituents and fellow administrators. All
these are highlighted in his book, ‘Pathways to Institution
Building,’ not so much to glorify him but to inspire others who
want to create a difference in their lives and in the lives of
other people by being an exemplary leader.
We are leaders in our own right. But we can be better
or the best leader that we can ever be by learning from the
experiences of others. FAB is one leader worth emulating. We
at TESDA are grateful for having been given the opportunity to
work with CLSU, specifically with FAB. We are hopeful that
his tribe will increase.
This is a salute to our dear and precious FAB, our
constant partner in development. We are proud to be part of
this valuable endeavor” Lucita S. Lazo, DSG TESDA 20012002.
“Do you believe in God sending a messenger to you
when you have something to ask Him? I do. I believe and the
messenger is Dr. Battad. I have been frustrated everytime I see
the farmers and not making a headway and still the same. I
have been doing a lot to help, but seemingly, I have not done
something remarkable to cause a change in the farmers’ life.
So I prayed. Lord, give me a sign. Give me a messenger.
Then one day, the governor sent me to meet Dr. and
Mrs. Battad in Balangiga and I thought he was the messenger.
And it dawned on me that something should be addressed and
this is agriculture. And there should be a medium for me to
reach the agriculture sector not only in the form of farm
demonstration because we have had of it many times, not only
in farmers’ trainings because we have had more farming
trainings than any one else.
242
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
In all the years of my public service, I had very little
thing to do and I have not helped the schools, especially the
agricultural schools. I did not know how the schools could
help in the development of the province. But Dr. Battad
opened my eyes and for that, my gratitude.
I think the Lakbay Aral of the TCASP is heaven sent. It
gives us another chance to look at the agricultural schools. It
gives us another chance to realize that many things could be
done if we do it together. If we try to understand the people
and the beneficiaries. This is a very good program and believe
me, I am impressed” (Hon. Emiliana Villacarillo, ViceGovernor, Eastern Samar).
“Plant propagation, particularly grafting is one of the
unforgettable learnings we got from CLSU.
When I see trees, I remember Dr. Fortunato A. Battad
and when I see Dr. Fortunato A. Battad, I remember
trees”(Hon. Oscar M. Halum, Board Member, Balangiga).
“Dr. FAB is one of a kind, one I admire most especially
where institution building and quest for excellence are
concerned. Working with him was the most precious time in
my life. I learned a lot not only as a government worker but as
a person, as well.
Truly, there are lots of people we can admire most in
this world. But Dr. FAB is one real person. May your tribe
increase. I am your willing disciple.” Ms. Ma Belle Echaluse,
TESDA Supervising Specialist.
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
243
BORN TO LEAD
“Dr. Fortunato A. Battad is a persistent and dynamic
leader. He puts into action his ideas, plans and progressibly
pursues these until realized. He has led many state colleges and
universities as President and always left a mark identifiable to
him.
Dr. Fortunato A. Battad is a hardworking timeconscious person. Having worked his way to college, he
knows the value of hard work and the prize of being an early
bird. He wakes up early in the morning and starts the day
fruitfully. He has occupied many responsible positions as
rewards to his good works and time-consciousness.
Dr. Fortunato A. Battad has a keen eye for spotting
responsible workers and leaders. He develops to the full their
potentials. He loves to see that his discovered talents make a
place under the sun. That is why he relishes to be called a
“king maker.”
Dr. Fortunato A. Battad expects his subordinates to
serve him well because, without hesitation or pressure, he
serves well all the supervisors he has worked with.
Dr. Fortunato A. Battad is a character. Many young
leaders can benefit from the virtues of this respectable man “
Dr. Rodolfo C. Undan, President, CLSU.
“A good many of us in CLSU will always remember
Dr. Fortunato A. Battad for his dynamic leadership, innovative
ideas and management acumen. He will not be called the
“presidents’ president” of state colleges and universities if this
is not the case. He lives to his famous dictum of working hard
244
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
and true to form, he has influenced us all to work even harder
and be output oriented.
Beneath Dr. FAB’s dynamism though is a kind-hearted
man whose devotion to his family is always apparent. He
would have all the generous introductions whenever on
speaking engagements, but he would rather be introduced as
the father of his beloved sons and daughters. Always a proud
father of his children’s accomplishments, it is his family that
will always have a soft spot in this extraordinary man” Dr. Fe
L. Porciuncula, Professor.
“A leader is a person with steadfast resolve. A crisis
brought to bear on him is not an obstacle that could thwart his
determination to pursue his goal in life. He takes crisis as a
challenge and seizes it as an opportunity to find solutions to
difficulties that impede his efforts in fulfilling a mission or
achieving a goal. He is unrelenting in his efforts to complete a
task.
There are men who falter and fall on the wayside as
they pursue their dreams and aspirations, and men with
strength of character who succeed in their quest for the ‘good
life’ and positions in leadership, whether in formal or informal
organizations. Thus it is oft repeated about men that ‘character
is destiny’. Dr. Fortunato A. Battad could be aptly placed
within this foregoing conceptual framework of leadership. In
his own way of leadership, he endured and persisted over the
years to be what he is now – an accomplished person in the
twilight of his years.
Dr. Battad is not without weaknesses as a human
being. But his weaknesses do not define him. He overcomes a
lot of human failings in society where politicians, more often
than not, influence the context of leadership in the academe
and development agencies of the government. While leaders
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
245
BORN TO LEAD
are humans and a creation of heredity and environment, Dr.
Battad has not ceased to learn how to learn. He knows where
to search for the sources of knowledge and use them quite
effectively from the perspective of educational administration
and human relationship. It is perhaps, this kind of personal
trait that Dr. Battad has remained loyal to his friends and
strengthened his relationship with people of power and
influence who can lend assistance in the process of institution
building.” Dr. Leonardo Chua, Former President of Central
Mindanao University
Dr. Fortunato A. Battad or FAB is a man of great
determination. His visions are easily transformed into reality
given these characteristics of his, coupled with his decisiveness
and hard work.
As President of CLSU during my school days when I
was pursuing my Ph.D degree, I have known him as a great
leader and an inspiration to the CLSU faculty, staff, and
students. He is the kind of scientist-leader whose concern on
the environment is of top priority. He can make people work
as he praises in public those who are performing well and
counseled those who are liabilities to the organization. In the
state colleges and universities, FAB is an institution. By a
mention of his name, leaders in PASUC would associate him to
the development and achievements manifested in the five
institutions where he served as President. He managed the
schools by moving around.
Dr. Fortunato A. Battad or FAB is a man with the right
upbringing. He can be a follower and a leader at the same
time, and never forgets those people who had helped him attain
his ambitions: a very successful professional and a family man.
He is decisive, a visionary, with very strong
imagination and maintains a modest life. He publicly praises
246
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
those who worked well and remind those who are considered
non-performing assets.
FAB is the man this country needs, and the man
worthy of emulation by the youth” Dr. Palasig U. Ampang,
CLSU Batch 1998 Ph.D-RD, President, lnstitute of Graduate
Studies (IGS) student council and now Vice-President,
University of Mindanao).
“When it comes to providing benefits for all the
employees of the university, Dr. FAB is unparalleled. His
concern for the welfare of his own family, as well as the CLSU
family is remarkable.” Dr. Elizabeth S. Suba, Director, CLSU
Testing and Evaluation Center.
CLSU was revolutionized during his time. The agribusiness program saw its peak and so many mango trees were
planted. When you see him, he spells authority. There were
many MOAs forged like that of the construction of the PCC
and the cementing of the roads as well as the establishment of
the botanical garden.
He is an authoritarian but he’s got
outputs, meaning in that he has done so much. If I were to rate
him as an administrator, I rate him 9 in a scale of 10. He
knows how to manage. He does not need other people, he can
do it himself.
Monico Arco, 2005 graduate, USSC
Councilor, College of Veterinary Science and Medicine.
“Who is FAB?
Dr. Fortunato A. Battad is a person I admire and
respect. Although my close association with him is relatively
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
247
BORN TO LEAD
short, he gained my respect and admiration. He is supportive,
honest, fair, hardworking and is very objective in making
decisions. His management style is worthy of emulation. He
is frank, fatherly to his subordinates and practices what he
preaches. He uses a lot of common sense in all his endeavors.
His expertise in human relations has won people to his side.
I just came to know FAB when he arrived in CLSU
and assumed the presidency. Before he was able to take the
post, there was a little struggle. Being the Dean of the College
of Engineering then, I was obviously on the other side of the
fence, so to speak. I was then prepared to be replaced, together
with other university officials. But FAB exercised his sense of
fairness and objectivity. No change was made. I could still
remember it right when he meant ‘how long you stay on your
post depends on you. I give you the chance to prove your
worth.’ That very momentous and noble gesture of the
President somewhat cooled down the temperature of
factionalism in the campus. From then on, he patiently did his
best to unify the constituents of the university. He humbly
reached out and won the hearts of everyone. In due time, he
succeeded and the rest is history. When he retired from
government service, he left a lasting legacy, i.e. CLSU as a
unified community, a community he has led by example
instilling in the process the culture of hard work and
commitment.
I would not have been Vice-President had it not been
for the objectivity of FAB. Although I was part of his cabinet,
I was not that close to him. Our associations were mostly
official. When the position of Vice-President for Research,
Extension and Training (VP-RET) was left vacant, not in my
wildest dreams did I expect to be designated. It was really a
big surprise when one early morning of December 1995 (at
4:00 am to be exact), I was summoned by the President to
inform me that he was designating me as VP-RET. I did not
know exactly how he arrived at that decision, considering that
aside from not being close to him, I was from the instruction
248
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
program. It can be mentioned however that I was then very
much involved in research. I am sure he really made a very
objective assessment of the situation before he made such a
decision. I will always be grateful to FAB.” Dr. Honorato L.
Angeles, VP-RET, CLSU
“Dr. Fortunato A. Battad is a person who really knows
what he says. He has bases when he makes comments or
critiques.
Dr. FAB is a person who is not selfish to recognize
good performance. He personally approaches to commend you
on what you have done. This is so because he is a witness to it
as a result of his management style of mobility in order to be
aware of what goes on in his domain.
Dr. FAB drives a good person to do more for he knows
the person who is not maximizing his potential. In so doing,
the person begins to have self-assessment toward making plans
that will benefit not only himself but the unit he belongs to.
Dr. FAB has a very strong and encompassing network.
He learns what goes on in his domain through a regular
feedback from the constituents who want to be of service to the
university. In this case, he is a very sensitive person when it
comes to the welfare of his constituents and of the university.
Dr. FAB is a person to whom you would listen when he
speaks. He is a charismatic leader.
Lastly, Dr. FAB is not only close to the CLSU workers
belonging to the upper and middle management, but most
especially to those in the lower bracket and vice versa. He
understands the plight of these employees, so he takes the risk
when their benefits are concerned. This is the reason why
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
249
BORN TO LEAD
CLSU grew tremendously during his term.” Dr. Danilo G.
Tan, Dean, College of Education.
“Very strong personality at saka pag nakita mo na siya
ang magsasalita, mas malaki ang percentage na makikinig
kesa hindi. (If you know that he is to speak, it is most likely
that many will listen). Very good and a risk-taker- leader. He
works for the best as exemplified in his words like what he
always says in his quotes. What I could remember is ‘work,
work, work harder.’
He gave emphasis on teamwork. Yan ang palagi
niyang pinaaalala sa aming mga estudyante.
Ang
pagkamayabang niya nasa lugar. ( His being proud has a
strong basis.) If he says something, he sees to it that he can
stand for it. Nuong panahon namin, (During our time,) he
treats the student government as an independent body. At the
end of each semester, I had to furnish him the financial
statement of the USSG. I will never forget what he told me.
‘Yours is the autonomy and freedom where planning for the
students is concerned’. ”
Nixon V. Agaser, Chairperson,
Department of Psychology & Former USSC President, 19961997.
“A leader is a person who influences more than just
directing others. One who has the initiative and abilities
through whom a social group expresses its recognized needs.
Our encounter with Dr. Fortunato A. Battad was both
phenomenal and rare. At that time, the old man was still the
active and untiring President of the known Central Luzon State
University. I was part of the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority contingent which was trained by
250
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
CLSU-TESDA Adopt-a-School Program. We could not help
but express our sincere admiration of him. The training which
was provided to us was only a very small part compared to how
we were challenged to strive beyond our limits. He has indeed
motivated me up to my marrow. My encounter with the man
when I was starting to become the leader of my institution
served as the springboard that catapulted me to become a
committed and determined person that I am.
As a government servant, I learned from him the hows
and whys of strong leadership which according to him are
rarely found among leaders of the generation. He has taught
me the secrets of effective partnership with the industry and the
stakeholders in the outside community and firm decisionmaking. Charisma, he said is necessary to achieve desired
goals.
There is no dull moment with Dr. Battad. His words
reverberate, particular when institution building is the menu of
the day. His being a no-nonsense man has earned for him the
reputation. He is an idol and inspiration to us, a father, a
mentor, and a friend. If our educational system could produce
a dozen Dr. Fortunato A. Battads, agricultural and fishery
school leadership shall undoubtedly regain its frontrunner
position in the Philippine education milieu.
Visit my institution, Quezon National Agricultural
School (QNAS) and see for yourself how the Old Battad has
made us proud of who we are and what we are doing. “
Teodoro M. Gatchalian, Vocational School Superintendent,
QNAS and President, Association of TESDA Administered
Schools.
“Those years at the Mindanao Institute of Technology,
Dr. Battad and I worked together under the leadership of the
late Pres. Dominador D. Clemente. I found out that Dr. Battad
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
251
BORN TO LEAD
is hardworking, honest, trustworthy, dependable, reliable and
endowed with strong public relations. He is equipped with
charisma that anyone finds it hard to say ‘no’ to him whenever
he requests or asks something. He is a man of honor, that
when he says it, he means it.
In those pioneering years of MIT, Dr. Battad showed
his interest on tree planting. He came up with a profitable
orchard. “ Teodoro P. Viloria, Ret. Administration Officer III,
USM
“ I first came to Kabacan and was employed as a
secondary school teacher in 1965.- in the prime of my youth,
energetic, enthusiastic, young blood and was assigned as
Literature l teacher. He was then principal and everybody in
the department was afraid of him. We were always on our
toes, warning me that he was a guy who loudly spoke his mind
out, but leaving no rancor in his heart after he has expressed
himself.
We called him Sir Tony. Sometimes in informal
affairs, I was tempted to address him ‘Ninong’ for he stood as a
sponsor during my wedding to one of his best basketball
players, the late Jose Alfaro Bose. Aside from a coach, he was
my husband’s professor in agriculture. He was later employed
at the DAR until he passed away in 1979.
This durable and versatile Sir Tony could be very much
misunderstood. One time he could be very nice and the next
moment could be very stern to his subordinates when the
outcome of the job related could not meet his standards. He
had his usual routine of supervision in classes.
He is gentle, kind, humorous, a disciplinarian and even
romantic. He is full of wit. His voice has the quality that
vibrated loud, clear and emphatic.
252
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
We will always remember Sir Tony in the twilight
years of my life as an achiever, a man for all seasons.”
Epifania “Eppie” Sibug- Bose, Asst. Prof. IV (Ret), USM,
Kabacan, Cotabato
“Any one who meets Dr. Fortunato A. Battad for the
first time is left with a feeling that he has met a good model of
a ‘survivor’.
Dr. F.A. Battad’s personality is dominated by his basic
goodness of heart well hidden by his bellowing vocal prowess.
A longer association with him shows a generous heart
in everything- materially, intellectually and emotionally.
Dr. F.A. Battad achieved his success through industry,
patience, perseverance and honesty. He finished his academic
courses because of these traits. He drew admirers and friends
to him through these same traits. His honesty makes him
transparent when asked about any aspect of his life.
Any struggling youth today may find Dr. F.A. Battad a
practical and effective model that could help guide him to the
pinnacle of success.” Evangeline H. Lacson, PhD., VicePresident for Academic Afffairs, PAC,.
“Dr. F.A. Battad is one rare kind of administrator who
finds great pleasure in developing his subordinates with
potentials. He is so unselfish, he cherishes the achievements of
his proteges’. He easily forgives and is never vindictive.” Dr.
Fredeswinda R. Serrano, Principal, St. Nathanael School,
Magalang, Pampanga, & Former Vice-President for Academic
Affairs, PAC.
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
253
BORN TO LEAD
“Dr. Fortunato A. Battad, CLSU President Emeritus has
a unique and distinct management style. As a leader, he is
pragmatic in his approach. He knows how to tap talents from
among the rank-and-file and the hierarchy of the institution he
leads. He develops leaders and ‘clones’ them if possible.
He may not be perfect, but some aspects of his
personality are excellent. If he wants to accomplish something,
he does not stop until he achieves it soonest. He knows how to
use the ‘stick-and-carrot’ method of reward and punishment.
As a proof that his leadership/management style works,
he used it in all the SUCs he worked with and it did work as
anyone can see in all these institutions.
His style is worthy of emulation.” Dr. Marcelo M.
Roguel, Former President, NVSIT & Executive Director, CLSU
Foundation, Inc.
“I first met Dr. Fortunato A. Battad in 1974. From
the USM, he came to serve as Principal of the University High
school. As a new figure in CLSU, everybody was observing
his actions and style in administration and management. We
noticed that he has a bright vision, hardworking, aggressive,
with strong determination to accomplish things immediately.
He puts action into his vision. His opening salvo in general
meeting was ‘I came to work, and I will lead you to work. Let
us work together.’ We were apprehensive then that he will be
‘bossy’ and a ‘slave driver.’
Dr. Battad proved us wrong because he is never
‘bossy’, rather he is one of us, a true leader. He leads the
254
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
group to achieve what is envisioned, be in academics,
agricultural activities or athletics. He is a true planner and is
output oriented. He always plans ahead and puts action on the
plan because there is no substitute for preparedness. He
exercises process evaluation and provides solution to problems
identified. With him as a leader, you can’t do otherwise but to
achieve because you will not want him to fail with all the
support and goodness.
We learned a lot and gained so much from him. For
example, he told us that we will get the general championship
in the university intramural games and that was just two and a
half months from his first day of service. With proper planning
and preparation and strong determination to get the crown, we
emerged the champion, an honor never savored by the High
School in the past. The victory was a fitting reward to the
expertise of Dr. Battad in athletics. Inspired by his leadership
and encouragement, everybody has to work with excellence.
For the first time also, vegetables and green corn had to be sold
in Muñoz and San Jose City because of their abundance, the
CLSU community had so much of them.
Dr. Battad would not let a moment pass without doing
what he thinks should be done at the moment. He has to do it
either by himself or request someone to do it. An example is
while moving around, and he would notice a water sprout
growing below the point of union of a grafted plant, he would
stop to cut the water sprout or would ask me to do it even if I
am in my best barong tagalog. Knowing the reason, I always
would oblige.
Dr. Battad is an expert in human and public relations
applied. He is apolitical but gets along well with politicians,
regardless of political affiliation. He has a personal appeal and
charisma that endears him to people.
He is very
compassionate, thoughtful and humble. He is caring to
everybody and shows his thoughtfulness in action. Many
consider him a brother or a father and a friend. He is quick in
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
255
BORN TO LEAD
giving praise and recognition on one’s good work. He is not
ashamed to admit his mistakes and would apologize even in
public. He is also very accommodating, generous and thinks of
the welfare of the majority and more with those with less in
life. He inspires and challenges his people. He has complete
trust so that everyone does his best because the leader is doing
his best.
Dr. Battad is a noted institution builder. This is
evidenced by his accomplishment in institutions where he was
assigned. The face lifting in terms of infrastructure, project
establishment and development especially in fruit tree planting
and facilities in support of the academic programs is very
noticeable. Massive human resource development is his
priority, including designations to sensitive administrative and
management positions, as part of building up leaders in the
academe and national agencies is a record of sort. In fact, I
would not have finished my Ph.D and would not have become
President of a state college without the challenges,
encouragement, inspiration and complete support of Dr. Battad.
This is a personal indebtedness, which I and my family will
never forget. I know he has done the same to many others, as
he is known as a molder of leaders.
We salute the man who has a passion for excellence, a
man who is incomparable. Many have emulated the virtues,
imitated the many ways and actions, but the uniqueness, the
charisma and the magic in his inner self cannot be copied
except perhaps by a clone. I say Mabuhay to the one and only
Dr. Fortunato Aglibut Battad, a man of vision and action.” Dr.
Edgar M. Ricamonte, Former President, Quirino State
College.
“We have known Dr. Fortunato A. Battad or Tony for
almost half a century now- 49 years to be exact. We can still
vividly picture him when he arrived at the then Mindanao
256
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
Institute of Technology – tall dark, energetic and raring for
action.
Tony is a man propelled by his big dreams for his
career, his family and the community. He started his teaching
career as a Physics 401 (Agricultural Meteorology) instructor
in 1957. His zeal and enthusiasm for work was brimming.
The leadership and management skills which Tony had in great
abundance were put to maximum use when he was appointed
as high school principal. The personal power he possessed
energized him to make things happen by translating plans into
action. He did not settle for second best in the performance of
his teachers and students.
Tony is a perfectionist but this did not make him
insensitive to the feelings of his subordinates. His great
courage, strong determination and rigid self-discipline are
tempered by kindness and compassion and this has made him
stand out not only in the academe but also in the many aspects
of his life. Sports is also a consuming passion for Tony. He
believes in the saying: ‘Men sana en corpore sano.’(A sound
mind; a sound body). He has always encouraged his children
to excel in sports and he has succeeded. We see this in the
accomplishments of his children who are top rated in sports.
He is a kind mentor, a caring colleague and a passionate
prime mover rolled into one. His dedication to service and
unwavering commitment to work hard have merited the
respect, trust and loyalty of his associates.
Tony is a man who looks back with gratitude to his
past. No matter the heights he has achieved in his career, he
has both feet firmly on the ground. We believe this is one
mark of greatness.
The years have been gracious to him. He has remained
vibrant, dynamic and enthusiastic to meet more challenges in
life. The man is certainly reaping a bountiful harvest from the
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
257
BORN TO LEAD
seeds he has sown and what good and healthy seeds they areliterally and figuratively.
For the man whose life was established upon a firm
foundation and who stands by his convictions when he knows
they are right, it is no wonder that life’s storms would never
break him down, attesting to an indomitable spirit.
Great men come and go, but Tony will always stand out
in the lives of people he has touched.
This is Tony, the passionate prime mover, dynamic and
dedicated leader.” Romy and Josie Poblete, Retired USM
Professors.
“Just after my retirement in April 1978, I was invited to
an annual meeting of a group of prominent sons and adopted
sons of Pampanga. In the presence of former PAC President
Felix V. Remigio, I was asked why I retired earlier and how
was the college with Dr. Fortunato A. Battad. After stating the
reasons, without hesitation, I told the group that the college is
in good hands with Dr. Battad whose dedication and interests
in the development and welfare of the college are beyond
question. From then on to this day, I have held on to that
impression that Dr. Battad’s dedication to the upliftment of
technical education of the youth is paramount. He has
selflessly dedicated himself to the development of the state
colleges he was assigned to - we can see now BSU, CLSU, and
the others.
While at PAC, never was there any moment when he
did not mention his plan in making the college a pride to the
country in instruction, infrastructure, personnel development,
etc.
258
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
However, his good intentions and dreams for PAC were
left partially attained when he was transferred to BSU (then
MSAC) due to the selfish personal motives of some
undesirable college personnel and politicians. Had it not been
for that unfortunate event, we have at our midst now an
institution that every Pampagueños, if not all Filipinos could be
proud of.” Vivencio P. David (Ret.) Director for General
Services & Associate Professor II.
As a student, I am very grateful to Dr. Fortunato A.
Battad for inculcating in me and my 48 classmates who
finished BSA in 1959 the values of hard work, perseverance
and persistence in our studies despite the lack of school
buildings and facilities. There were more than 340 of us who
started as the first batch of college students in 1955. There
were only two school buildings for college students so that
some of our classes were held under acacia trees. In between
his lectures in the courses he handled, he always admonished to
us to make the best of what we have and aspire for higher
goals. There were other instructors who gave us pieces of
advice and words of encouragement but it was he whom we
looked up to because of the sincerity in his words and in his
dealing with us.
As pioneering students, we were tasked with the hard
and difficult jobs of establishing and maintaining the different
agricultural projects. There were many times that we were
required to work the whole day in cleaning our 50-hectare
campus when there were visitors expected to come or to clean
the surroundings of the many rubber trees with our tabas (bolo
with a long handle). There was a time that MIT was called
Mindanao Institute of Tabas by students and parents. I now
believe that this was one of the reasons why many students
dropped out or transferred to other schools.
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
259
BORN TO LEAD
We established a citrus project in Barrio 75 under the
guidance and supervision of then Instructor Battad. The barrio
which has an area of 75 hectares is 2.5 kms from the school
campus and we had to hike the distance back and forth
whenever we would go there. It was in the establishment of
this project that I developed and learned the desire and love for
planting trees. To me, this is the most important knowledge
and skill which I got from my college education.
I returned to MIT in 1966 and was employed as a high
school instructor with Dr. Fortunato A. Battad as our high
school principal. Under his able leadership, the agricultural
projects of the school, which were mostly attended by high
school students were expanded without sacrificing academic
excellence. In our yearly participation in the FFP and FAHP
conventions for all agricultural schools in Eastern Mindanao,
MIT always emerged champion in almost all the skills/events
(agricultural, homemaking, industrial skills, parliamentary
procedure, combo, vocal solo, duet, and many others) contested
in. As the FFP adviser and trainor for the three consecutive
years that MIT became champion, I could say that Dr. Battad
was the moving spirit behind our successes. His relentless and
tiring proddings, capabilities and manner of managing teachers
and students without acting like a dictator are the other
qualities that have endeared him to his peers and subordinates
and have propelled him to prominence as an educator.
I transferred to the Development Bank of the
Philippines (DBP) in 1975 but did not lose track of the career
of the man whom I consider as my model teacher and
administrator. In every seminar I conducted, I always would
mention the name of Dr. Fortunato A. Battad as the person
who taught me the art of growing and maintaining trees which
are very important and indispensable in our ecological and
environmental systems.
At 66, I will always remember Dr. Fortunato A. Battad
because of the knowledge and virtues he has imparted to us,
260
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
most valuable is the love and passion for planting trees.”
Adriano S. Menguita, one time student and teacher, MIT & Ret.
Chief of Loans and Investment Division, DBP, Kidapawan
Branch, Cotabato.
“Dr. Battad is the most industrious that MIT has ever
had as guaranteed by the fruit trees he planted at the Barrio 75
area. During the time of drought, he would carry water from
the Kabacan River with his students and helpers to water the
plants until late in the evening.
I have found Dr. Battad to have been fair to anyone but
can afford to shout even to the president if his temper gets out
of control.
Whenever I was in trouble, Dr. Battad would always be
at my rescue.
Despite his heavy activities and school obligations, he
would always find time to play tennis with his children.
As a long time neighbor, I have known him to be a
loving husband.” Mr. Christopher Busili, Igorot, MIT laborer.
“Dr. Fortunato A. Battad was the principal when I was
a student. I was active in sports and was trained to sing and
play the guitar. I became close to him because Zosimo was my
buddy. I was fourth year high school when FAB left for his
Ph.D.
I have always looked up to Dr. FAB as my idol. He is a
perfectionist when it comes to preparation and results. He has
a strong sense of responsibility and discipline.
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
261
BORN TO LEAD
I salute his leadership.
When I saw him very recently in his visit to USM, of
course I saw that he is no longer that young as I noticed while
playing tennis. True, he may be a little slow in his running, but
the accuracy of his ball is still there.” Marcelo B. Yaogong
“Loloy”, Director of the Institute of Sports, Physical Education
& Recreation (ISPEAR), USM
“Dr. Fortunato A. Battad is a respectable administrator,
a dynamic leader with a wealth of experience to draw upon.
He is a fellow who demands excellence in himself and has
inspired others to do the same. This is FAB as a disciplinarian.
He is a model family man and God fearing.
As a friend and compadre, he is generous,
compassionate and someone the family could turn to in times
of need.
Dr. FAB is an educator, a sportsman and a remarkable
institution builder.” Yolanda K. Versola, Retired Records
Officer III, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato.
Let him be multiplied.
Should there be search committees of agencies looking
for employees, let the members be acquainted with Dr. Battad
personally or through his books. Should they succeed in
employing people like him, then they can be assured of success
for as far as I know he has turned people he worked with to be
more productive, and institutions, better organized.
How much do I know him?
262
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
I have known him from first year high school through
college as a professional and up till now that I am about to
retire.
He calls me son and those other male students under
him. He would start a class with a few minutes of ‘sermon’ on
how to be better and be best. And he practices what he
preaches; the best teacher, the best project-in-charge, the best
coach, the best tennis player.
And Dr. Battad contaminates. Many of us caught the
‘work hard’ virus.
Talk of resources in the performance of a job. How I
hate hearing people saying they cannot do an assignment
because of lack of funds. FAB should have utterly failed had
he depended on resources given him.
Eight hours per day? You cannot work well with FAB
if you depend on a timepiece.
FAB was promoted to college teaching when I reached
college. So, I had more time to be molded by him. I was never
an athlete, not even a basketball player. I was more a work
athlete or a mental athlete. I followed what I can do best and
well, I was on top of our class and was elected municipal
councilor before finishing college. Thank you FAB.
FAB was our Principal for sometime when I was with
the MIT faculty in the secondary school. Our FFP team was
the ‘winningest’ team around.
Our next encounter was at BSU where he was President
then. I thought he would just occasionally greet me. But no!
He welcomed me like a long- lost son, invited me to pass the
night at the President’s house. He took time to show me a film
on his investiture as BSU President.
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
263
BORN TO LEAD
It was a particularly cold evening. I woke up at around
3:00 A.M. and heard people’s voices. I learned that the top
people of BSU were meeting in the house of FAB. Three
o’clock in a cold morning? But that is FAB at work, I was
told.
The next day, I was escorted around by FAB himself,
happily showing me the developments in the university and a
special project- the plant nursery.
The next encounter was when he was CLSU President
and I was a member of the Sangguniang Panglalawigan of
Cotabato. It was almost 12:00 high noon and they were ending
a meeting with the PCARRD officials. FAB invited me to join
them over lunch and had me sit beside him. I felt he was proud
to introduce me as a Board Member of Cotabato and a former
student.
FAB was our principal speaker at the convention of the
Philippine Extension Network last December 2004 at Los
Baños, Laguna. He delivered a very challenging message and
one where he mentioned my name several times. I was asked
as to how come a very well-known man seems to fondly know
me. I proudly told them that he has been my mentor since
childhood.
He is very proud of his family, his children and his
grandchildren. He has guided them very well and us, his
extended family.
Talk of humility. Camantu is a Maguindanoon. He
earns his living through his share from harvesting coconut. I
have never seen him wearing shoes or sandals. But he is a very
good friend of FAB. Camantu was able to send his children
through college. Two of them are now well employed in the
U.S. Some are in business and in the USM. Has FAB
influenced Camantu’s life? To a great extent, definitely.
264
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
Striving for excellence? Need not say more. Honesty
and hard work. I have never heard his name blemished by any
talk on corruption.
Special mention is his love for trees. He plants trees
wherever he has been.
That is my idol- FAB. “
Agriculturist, Cotabato
Antonio Balagot, Provincial
“Who can forget a man of distinction as President
Emeritus Battad? Once you meet him, you’ll never forget him.
Such is the ‘X factor’ that he exudes: long lasting, lingering…
Maybe it’s his down-to-earth style; maybe it’s his friendliness;
maybe because when you talk to him, he immediately connects
with you and shows you his concern, his interest in you, or
maybe, it’s his charisma? That intriguing ‘X factor’ again.
Who knows? Words can be inadequate.
But then again, perhaps it’s because he is so convinced
of himself in that he has proven times over that he is right,
there’s simply no winning an argument with the Man Battad!
To me, he perfectly embodies a true academician who knows
the grassroots and who can tackle the brass tacks of day-to-day
challenges and concerns of the academe: faculty, employees,
staff and especially, students. People matter to him more than
anything else. He is never the type who confines himself in the
proverbial ivory tower! Down-to-earth; practical, yet he can be
so intellectual and scholarly; argumentative, yet convincing;
proud, yet full of humility so much on top of the world, yet
willing to get down to the level of the lowliest, uneducated
farmer or tiller of the soil! He has a talent in communication;
he can get his ideas across regardless of whether he is in a
company of high-sounding scientists, ambivalent politicians,
simple folks, even children! With such wisdom honed by
experience and exposure, he can always influence you in a very
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
265
BORN TO LEAD
positive and encouraging way. You can’t simply ignore the
man!
A kingmaker (president maker to be more precise), his
perception of an individual’s potentials as leader in the
academe is a track record in itself. He has been very
supportive of underdogs, deserving individuals who can’t be
given a break sometimes because of the ‘lesser connections’ to
the powers-that-be! Enter the kingmaker…and the rest will be
history!
I am also aware of his gender sensitivity. Dr Battad
recognizes with pride the significant role of women in the
academe. In all his past academic councils or among his select
group of so-called president’s men, women are in the team. I
recall early on, when graduate work for women faculty was
almost unheard of in the then MIT, now USM, he encouraged
his late wife, Mrs. Lina M. Battad to take her Masters at UPLB,
with kids in tow, they were a couple who balanced everything
indeed, and ended up victorious in the end. Most of Battad’s
daughters are in fact themselves outstanding Ph.Ds in the
academe.
I can only commend and salute a Formidable,
Outstanding, Respectable, Truthful, Unequalled, Nationalist,
Aggressive, Terrific, Original, Active, Benevolent, Articulate,
Tempered, Thunderous, Athletic, and Diligent FORTUNATO
A. BATTAD, Academician and leader par excellence.” Noemi
G. Tangonan, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato.
“I was a high school faculty under the supervision of
our Principal, Dr. Fortunato A. Battad. He was the only
principal who required his teachers to submit a weekly lesson
plan for the subjects being taught. He showed devotion in
every task assigned to him.
266
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
I saw him to be a workaholic and a perfectionist. He
cannot tolerate a sub-standard accomplishment without a
reprimand. By this, oftentimes, he was misunderstood.
While he maintained a strict discipline among his
subordinates and made follow-ups in every task, he showed
graciousness by rewarding a good work with praises and
sometimes with a party.
He is a friendly fellow. He does not miss recognizing
his friends anywhere. He is frank and truthful. His honesty is
beyond question. I never for once have heard his name being
linked to any dubious transaction during his term at MIT.
He has established a 10-hectare citrus orchard.
Through hard work with his students, they were able to carry
out the operation until the start of the rainy season.
His influence in my life carried me through the years
from a secondary school teacher up till I retired, now as a
farmer/owner of a 9-hectare mango and pomelo plantation and
a 12-hectare lowland irrigated rice farm. He has contributed so
much to the many involvements I have had in my career and
related endeavors.” Mr. Alfredo A. Evangelista, Retired one
time University Registrar, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato.
“The event marking the coming of then Pres. Ferdinand
E. Marcos to MSAC to administer the Oath of Office of Dr.
Fortunato A. Battad as President is so far unduplicated
anywhere in the country up to this day.
Dr. Battad was the 2nd President of MSAC and the first
President when it was converted to what it is now, BSU. Like
all the other administrators, Dr. Battad has his distinct
institutional management style worth emulating.
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
267
BORN TO LEAD
Dr. Battad emphasized on camaraderie among the
faculty and staff to avoid conflicts and to promote productivity,
sportsmindedness and transparency in all financial and
entrepreneurial transactions.
During Dr. Battad’s administration, although one of the
shortest, he initiated the ‘Triple Library Buildings with
Benguet motif. It was also during his time when the sports
complex and President’s cottage were constructed.
Significant during his time was the conversion of the
Mountain State Agricultural College into Benguet State
University. The conversion could not have taken place had it
not been for the timely and repeated prodding of Dr. Battad to
Governor Ben Palispis.
Now, we have Benguet State University that will
always remind its constituents of Dr. Battad.” Dr. Lucio B.
Victor, Sr., Former President of Benguet State University.
“A great deal could be said about Dr. Fortunato A.
Battad. He who has been a part and parcel of my personal and
professional life, I consider him a man who contributed a lot in
molding me to what I am now. Being our high school
principal, I was a student then. I will never forget his fatherly
pieces of advice in every assembly period that we had, his
inculcation in us the value of time management, particularly
that of punctuality, as well as the value of hard work, the
seriousness and commitment to succeed in whatever endeavors
we wish to achieve.
He is a champion moral booster, supporter who never
failed to visit and observe us practicing our respective events in
preparation for the FAHP competition. He was never short of
praises when you do good but likewise a challenging
reprimand when you do otherwise. He is a father figure to me
268
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
whom I look up to with high esteem and respect.” Edna
Marasigan-Jover, Former College of Agriculture Dean, USM
The Central Luzon State University has behind it a
record of brilliant achievements which every faculty, staff,
student and alumnus can be justly proud of. It had for its
President a distinguished leader of great vision, a veteran
administrator of high ideals- Dr. Fortunato A. Battad.
Dr. Fortunato A. Battad came at a time when CLSU
was in turmoil. Buildings were burned; employees were
locked up in legal conflicts and government support was
diminishing fast. There was uncertainty as to where the
university was heading. But the situation did not discourage
him. He lost no time in making the opposing groups embrace
each other and he succeeded in cultivating in them a
harmonious working relationship.
Today, CLSU has once more regained prominence.
There are repairs and rejuvenation everywhere. The whole
campus teemed with jubilant faces. Indeed, CLSU once again
stands majestically high amidst green parks to command
respect from all those who come within its invigorating
influence and for them to draw upon the unfailing reservoir of
reason and truth.” A tribute from the supportive men and
women of the General Administration and Support Services on
the occasion of FAB’s 62nd birth anniversary, June 11, 1995.
“He’s only 5’8” but he looks like a 7-footer among the
crowd. Even in the company of the rich and the famous, he
stands tall. When mingling with the common men, his
reassuring presence often times lends dignity to the group.
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
269
BORN TO LEAD
He is the man with a natural charisma as you will be
drawn to him inexplicably. You may hate him for his
frankness and for his inflated ego, but instinctively you will
love him and adore him for his deeds and his accomplishments
in life. He is a visionary, a dreamer and most of all a doer.
My relationship with him started from nothing. I did
not know him intimately when he first worked in CLSU as
High School Principal. To me, he is a very impatient man;
very hard to please; very demanding; and an intellectual snob.
When I was given the chance to work with him as Dean
of the College of Business Administration and Accountancy
and later on as Vice President of Administration, I have
practically changed my perception of the man. For beneath the
stern-looking, rigid, and bossy demeanor, this man has a very
soft and tender heart. He does not relish meting out
punishment, although he is a disciplinarian; he often times shell
out his own money to help his people. He is an Ilocano
spendthrift as some people say.
He is a serious Administrator. He demands a lot from
his people and from himself for the good of the University.
When he sets a target, he will do everything to reach it. He
does not claim all the credits but shares it with his people. He
is magnanimous in victory. He does not want enemies, but he
hates traitors and double-faced individuals, although he is very
forgiving at times. He meets his problems head-on and uses
the intellect and experience of his officials, for he is a team
player. He is friendly to all, but his strong personality
intimidates the uninformed, what with his booming voice and
piercing eyes. He’s a real go getter, thoughtful and kind. He is
not ashamed to personally attend to the needs of his visitors,
whether a simple farmer or a high government official. He reinvented the meaning of partnership with the Local
Government. He succeeded in involving the private sectors in
various developmental activities of CLSU.
270
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
He walks like a King, very confident and sure. He
exudes an aura of authority, but very human. He was the best
SUC President in his time, Dr. Fortunato A, Battad, Sr.- that’s
the way I know him.” Prof. Reynaldo S. Gutierrez, Vice
President for Administration, CLSU.
F - Full Steam Ahead
O – Rder of the President
R – Eady All Gears and Rigs
T – O Accomplish Our Objectives
U – Ntil in Exhaustion We Drop
N – O One Can Opt To Stop
A – S We Are Committed to Our Tasks
T – O Hell With Rest and Snacks
O – Nward.. And No Turning Back!
A – S We Aspire for CLSU’s Goal
B – Elieve it Will Be Attainable
A – S Only Ourselves Can Rein and Control
T – He Destiny We All Are Hopeful
T – He Key is A Man With A Noble Vision
A – Nd Together With His Burning Passion
D – Ay is Not Far, As Success Is Our Only Option
S – O Work, Work, Work, and Work Harder
R – Eward Ourselves When It’s All Over
RSG, 1995
“Dr. Fortunato A. Battad has a life marked with
extraordinary achievements and there is ample reason to
celebrate. We talk about life when we celebrate birthdays, its
meaning, beauty and importance. The meaning of our life is
that it should not be lived for oneself, but for others. As Helen
Keller said: “ I find life an exciting business – and most
exciting when it is lived for others.” God intended it that way.
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
271
BORN TO LEAD
He made us social beings; we will not survive alone and others
by themselves without us.
FAB has done his share in doing many things for
others. He is that kind of stuff that heroes, heroines, and saints
are made of: they think mostly of others. I know that FAB has
administered many colleges and universities and has made
tremendous achievements in those institutes of learning. We
are beneficiaries of the many things he has done to CLSU. I
am certainly proud to be here in CLSU to partake of the honors
that it has achieved until now.
FAB is a leader who must be emulated, because he is
determined, forceful and persevering in pushing for projects
that he thinks are good.
My wish is that he will continue to enjoy good health
and admiration of people who have witnessed how fruitful life
was for many in the academe.” The late Fr. Lope S. Castillo,
MSC, Former CLSU Chaplain given on the occasion of his
birthday, 2001.
The Tree *
Look at the tree, my son
With branches bare and dry
Its barks are peeling off
Its sight a lonely one.
Once it was proud and full
Of leaves that were dark green
Its bows laden with fruits
Its shade was wide and cool.
_______________
* Quoted from a poet
272
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
On sunny days men rest
Under its friendly shade
On rainy days the birds
In pair come build their nests.
But now the tree is found
Pining, wanting for friends
And neither men nor birds
Are seen to come and rest.
Its life, the life of man
When strong and rich with friends
When weak and poor alone
So learn from it my son.
DR. FORTUNATO A. BATTAD **
Sa ‘yung kaarawan’ kami’y nagpupugay
Lakip ang dalangin sa Poong Maykapal
Nawa’y lumawig pa ang nalalabing buhay
Nang makamit lubos layuning marangal.
Mga adhikaing opisyal na gawa
Naging uliran Ka’t sinamba ng madla
Bigat ng tungkulin di mo alintana
Walang pakundangan, binuno mong bigla.
Pawis, pagod, t’yagaiyong pinuhunan
Na nagsilbing tanglaw sa nasasakupan
Parang isng buhat sila ay umatang
Kaya’t naisulaong inyong paaralan.
__________________
** The poem written in Filipino has been retained without the English
translation for purposes of authenticity.
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
273
BORN TO LEAD
Sa taas ng antas ng inyong nakamit
Lahat humahanga, lahat naiinggit
Ang di nila alam ang iyong sigasig
Na Maibantayog paaaralang ibig.
Parang di pa sapat mga nagawa na
Lalong tumitindi, lalong sumisigla
Lahat kapit-bisig na parang makina
CLSU ngayon ay nangunguna na.
- Teofilo H. Montemayor, Hunyo 15, 1995
“Leadership is the capacity and will to rally men and
women to a common purpose and the character which inspires
confidence,”so said Bernard Montgomery.”
“The magic word in FAB- Fortunato Aglibut Battad Fast Action Builder.
Dr. Battad, my former principal, my former University
President and my ‘role model’” administrator is a man with
extraordinary self-confidence and possesses great persuasive
skills- probably in-born qualities of a man “born to lead” which
is a quality of a leader developed over his lifetime.
My personal judgment of Dr. FAB was not really ‘born
a king of man’ but a man of the ‘Common people’ who made
himself a great persuader by his firm resolve, patient efforts
and dogged perseverance- doing anything with all his
knowledge and ability.
His quality of leadership is very much appreciated- his
being in touch with subordinates as well as his executives who
facilitate innovations and make possible the teaching values to
274
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
his associates, Dr. FAB practices the so-called ‘MBMA’Managing-By-Moving-Around.’
Part of Dr. FAB’s myth is that he is fair, trustworthy,
sincere, straightforward, and truthful- although sometimes ‘he
plays favorite in people who have the ardent ambition/desires
and the will to act.’ He once told me ‘Romy, stand with
anybody while he is right and part with him when he goes
wrong.’
With my long association with Dr. FAB- or my
principal in the University Agricultural School (UAS) and as
my President in the Central Luzon State University (CLSU),
even though he had some detractors, he had attained successes,
admiration and positive image, even when he retired as
President Emeritus of CLSU- because he maintains his
integrity and honesty. Oftentimes he would remind me and
other of his subordinates- ‘never enrich yourself in office;
never employ any of your relatives; and adds with a teasing
smile…’Magluko ka na sa iba… huwag lang sa pera.’ (You
can go astray but never where money is concerned).
Dr. FAB is a great communicator. He is an eloquent
speaker who has the capacity to stir the emotions of his
audiences. To me, he is one of the best extemporaneous
speakers I have ever listened to, like great speakers - Former
President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Ronald Reagan of the USA
and others. He often tells his subordinates like me… the only
way you can motivate people is to communicate with them. A
popular author, Gilbert Amelio said…’Developing excellent
communication skills is absolutely essential to effective
leadership. The leader must be able to share knowledge and
ideas to transmit a sense of urgency and enthusiasm to others.’
Dr. FAB has this kind of communication skills as a leader.
Indeed, Dr. FAB is a born leader because he possesses
inherent qualities to be such and to summarize: commitment to
his responsibilities; responsible to his duties as Administrator;
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
275
BORN TO LEAD
charismatic to people; generous; possessed with initiative,
courage and has a positive attitude toward any kind of
endeavor.
Let Dr. FAB will serve as our inspiration and a Model
to others like me who may want to be a leader someday.
As John Maxwell wrote: ‘Competence goes beyond
words. It’s the leader’s ability to say it, plan it, and do it in
such a way that others know that you know how- and know that
they want to follow you.’ Dr. Romeo S. Cabanilla, President,
Aurora State College of Technology.
Si Dr. Fortunato A. Battad ay naging pangulo sa
unibersidad at ako bilang kanyang kasama o katulong sa
executive house ay kinakitaan ko ng kabaitan at matulungin sa
kapwa. (I was Dr. Fortunato A. Battad’s helper when he was
President of the university and I saw in him kindness and
generosity.)
Si Dr. Battad ay naging magulang din namin dahil
kasama ang pamilya ko sa executive house noong panahong
iyon. Kung ano and pagkain niya ay ganoon din sa amin. Kung
gaano ang oras ng tulog niya ay ganoon din sa akin. (He was
like a parent to me and my family. We ate the same food he
ate. I slept the same hours that he did.)
Si Dr. Battad kapag maysakit po siya ay akin po siyang
binabantayan. Palaging nasa tabi po niya ako dahil
napakalambing niya. ( Whenever he was sick, I was always by
his side, because he wanted me beside him everytime).
Si Dr. Battad, bilang pangulo ng unibersidad, ay
naglilibot sa gabi, tinitingnan and mga ilaw o problema ng
unibersidad. Ako ang palagi niyang kasama at alam naman ng
marami dito sa CLSU kung paano siya magalit pero marami
276
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
siyang natulungan na maging permanente. Marami rin siyang
naibigay na biyaya hindi lang sa unibersidad kundi pati sa mga
empleyado, dahil sa kanyang pakikisama sa itaas o sa national
government at sa kanya na ring pagsusumikap. (As President
he was always looking into the problems of the whole
university including the minutest detail. He was generous with
benefits.)
Si Dr. Battad ay maraming nagawa sa unibersidad na
hanggang sa ngayon ay pinakikinabangan nang unibersidad.
Libu-libong punong mangga ang kanyang ipinatanim,
kalamansi na pinakikinabangan hanggang ngayon. Siya ay
isang huwaran ng mga estudyante pati nang mga guro at
manggagawa dito sa unibersidad. (He has done so much for
the university which up to this time benefit not only students,
faculty and staff. He is a great model to the youth.)
Si Dr. Battad sa ngayon bilang President Emeritus ay
malaki pa rin ang naiaambag na kagalingan sa unibersidad,
kanya ako po bilang kasama sa maraming taon ay saludo sa
kanya. Nawa’y patnubayan siya ng Panginoon na humaba pa
ang kanyang buhay. (Even now as President Emeritus, the
university is still benefiting from his expertise and valuable
experiences. I salute him. I pray that God will grant him long
life.) Procopio Nacis, Janitor, Executive House.
It is recognized that leadership clearly entails more than
wielding power and exercising authority. True and effective
leaders are those individuals who can step into a challenging
situation and make a noticeable difference. FAB’s remarkable
competitive and distinct advantage of a leader is his
perspicacity in recognizing the potential, dignity and worth of
the individual which has been recognized as one of the most
important factors in the success and growth of organization.
This intrinsic ability of a race breed of leaders like Dr. FAB,
creates meaning in peoples’ lives, energize them and bridge the
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
277
BORN TO LEAD
gap between an organization’s present situation and its goals
and aspirations.
Despite his perceived academic authoritarian tendencies
and robust intellectual bigotry, another striking and sterling
quality of Dr. FAB as a leader is his skill in persuasively
hammering unity amidst intriguing diversity of persuasion and
beliefs among his subordinates. Harnessing the power of
diversity requires managerial ingenuity and courage which
unfortunately are uncommon to other leaders but not to Dr.
FAB. He truly recognized and appreciated the talents and gifts
of the subordinates or differences when properly and
effectively harnessed can bring about organizational strength.
Another hallmark of a true leader like Dr. FAB is the ability to
create and sustain a vision of excellence and service. A vision
is important to any organization because it serves as a beacon
of hope and common purpose. A leader’s capability to drive
himself to excellence is infectious to his subordinates. Dr. FAB
as a good communicator is able to communicate his vision of
excellence and service to people, thus he has strong displeasure
to complacency and mediocrity. He has the passion to
relentlessly pursue the attainment of his vision, that sometimes
he adopted extreme measure to overcome entrenched
opposition to serve the greatest good of the greatest number of
people. Born To Lead Is Dr. Fab’s Manifest Destiny.” Dr.
Danilo S. Castro, Dean, College of Business Administration &
Accountancy, CLSU.
“Generally, there are lots of very favorable impressions
that described the colorful life of Pres. FAB -an agricultural
scientist, athlete, and University President. Due to his
popularity nationwide he can be called the working man for all
seasons, through his self-initiative and leadership that has
earned him tremendous remarkable and impressive
achievements. He is popularly known as an institution builder,
278
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
such that he has become an idol to most, particularly leaders of
other institutions.
Pres. FAB has a strong baritone voice, which is readily
heard even in a big crowd of students under his class. His loud
voice is just one of his assets. He is time conscious, punctual
in attending his class. He used to arrive in the classroom ahead
of time and would give a short quiz before delivering his new
lecture.
He has strong charisma and is an administrator by
example.
As my brother-in-law, I used to receive from him some
brotherly pieces of advice, related to handling of family,
education of family members, leadership in administration,
official functions, and welfare of employees and the student
body. He would frequently call us by long distance, early hours
in the morning just to say ‘Hello’. To me this is his way of
showing his concern, care and love for the family. “(Dr.
Manuel G. Sabutan, Dean of the Institute of Animal Science
and Aquaculture, Faculty of the Graduate College, University
of Southern Mindanao.)
“As a neophyte in the CLSU community, I found it
challenging to be in this equally challenging community.
Hence, it would be significant to note in my memory bank the
variants of personalities in the campus. FAB made a lot of
impression in me, not because he is a known figure in the
campus; an “Emeritus”, but because he is a character that I can
withstand from dawn to dusk. Who has not known “Battad?’ I
had a glimpse of him from Silhouette. And much, much more
in Pathways to Institution Building . An old maxim says: If
you want your name to live forever, there are three things that
you should do, i.e. write a book, plant a tree, and sire a child.
FAB has achieved all three. He is such a goliath in many
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
279
BORN TO LEAD
ways: in voice, in articulation and self-image. His image is
bigger than him. I know for a fact that he is a poor boy from
Santa, Ilocos Sur, until now, he is, but no longer a boy but a
gentleman of action – a man whose obsession is to work with
compulsion to perfection, almost next to God when he
translates his ideas into actions. He does not leave any room
for mediocrity to survive. Now, joining with the veterans, but
O gee, one cannot find the cessation of his idealism and
wisdom. He is dreaming big dreams or visions tempered with
the realism of actions that neither human limitation can douse
his spirit.
I can vouch from experience that management is at his
fingertips. He built people and institutions in the service of
humanity and in the name of public service. He pushed people
to excel so long as one believes in the power of what he is
doing.
I will always cling to my belief that he will be a lover
and a child of the Earth; the trees, for ‘even if he dies
tomorrow, he will still plant trees today.’ I have drawn
inspiration from him when we were sharing the same
frequency with being ‘poetic’, that, if a tree is a ‘poem’.
I have more to say about this man, suffice it to say that
it is a privilege to have known a visionary like FABaggressive, highly motivated, born to achieve, but definitely,
always in gratitude to God.” Rev. Fr. Jommy A. Burgos, MSC,
CLSU Chaplain.
Dr. Fortunato A. Battad, our former brilliant Professor
at the University of Southern Mindanao at Kabacan, Cotabato,
is found to be very effective in transferring knowledge. Those
who took subjects with him were very happy to assimilate the
subjects under study. Dr. Battad imparted the credibility of
280
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
justice and fair play for all without manifesting ethnocentric
tendency.
While in Mindanao, he won the admiration of the
people particularly the Moro group because of his dedication to
serve and left Mindanao without acquiring any piece of land of
his own.
May Allah grant him the best of health and longer life
as model of public service. Prof. Carlita M. Sinolinding Dr.
Kadil P. Sinolinding, Sr, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato .
From the time FAB took me from my grandfather
where I spent the first 6 years of my life, I did not fully realize
and understand the impact or reason of the Spartan-like
disciplining he did to me until I and my brothers and sisters,
included were reaping success in life as student, sportsman and
academician, in our own right. Did the end justify the means? I
can truly say now that it did with the way how all of us (7
children) turned out to be. He is not only a parent to us, he is a
motivator, and he has pushed us to the limit to be the best that
we can be. The values of hard work, positive attitude, humility,
perseverance, patience and “always doing an extra mile” have
been instilled in the fabric of our respective lives that have
enabled us to conquer challenges and obstacles that come our
way. This, I think, is the greatest gift we inherited from him
and coupled by the love and nurturing we have received from
him and our mother (the late Lina Montemayor- Battad).
Born and nurtured in an academic community, the
family errand and probably the one who has spent the greatest
time to witness his more than forty years experience in leading
several institutions, I can say now that I am blessed to be a
graduate of his University of Hard Knocks, where I have
learned by example.
My benchmark for excellence,
performance, and relevance in building character of people in
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
281
BORN TO LEAD
institutions I was privileged to serve, including building my
own family has always been FAB, my father. Zosimo
Montemayor Battad, Ph.D., President, Pampanga Agricultural
College.
Not all administrators will have the opportunity to work
with a seasoned man like Dr. Fortunato A. Battad. I have heard
of him for a quite a long, long time. His accomplishments are
worthy of emulation. Working with this energetic, intelligent
and kind-hearted man is rejuvenating. He is a dependable ally
of Bataan State College in its quest of agricultural excellence.
Dr. Bonifacio R. Dumlao, Bataan State College (BSC)
President I.
FAB keeps on energizing the people of Bataan State
College, Abucay Campus to work and work for the
improvement of their projects. He instilled in us the culture of
Agriculture. He has continuously impressed upon us that there
is a bright future for Agricultural Education in this promised
campus. FAB is the moving spirit behind the successes of our
agriculture endeavors. Prof Gregorio J. Rodis, Vice President
for Administration and Development.
“I have known Dr. Fortunato Aglibut Battad since 1974
when he became Principal of the then University Agricultural
High School. As an administrator, he was a challenge to every
teacher, more so to the young. He prodded everyone to work
hard, develop his potentials and look for avenues, opportunities
to develop himself. Strict and ambitious, he wanted his faculty
to excel in every undertaking, academic and otherwise. In no
time in the history of CLSU, a high school became the over-all
282
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
champion in the intramurals, besting all collegiate units except
in basketball. The UAS projects produced vegetables and fruits
that were the envy of others because of their quality and sizes.
Watermelons could hardly be carried by a person because of
weight and size. String beans were that long, no one could find
such in any market that time. The floriculture had daisies with
big blooms, and of various colors, comparable to Baguio
blooms. Both faculty and students were disciplined, hard
working and goal-oriented. He taught the faculty and students
to dream and achieve these dreams. Now, they are fine men
and women achievers who have contributed and still are
contributing to the development of our country, particularly the
countryside.
When he left to become President of Pampanga
Agricultural College, the high school was never the same
again. Four years after he left, the UAS was closed. In June
1976, the University Science High School was established. He
came back in 1992 as president. I knew CLSU would be at the
limelight. Embarking on massive planting of fruit trees –
mangoes, rambutan, calamansi, etc., now all fruit bearing,
CLSU has become the favorite place visited not only by top
Philippine administrators and officials, but by foreign
dignitaries as well. The University Agribusiness Program (the
model of SCUS Agribusiness programs) which now handles all
university projects; the PHILSCAT, now a reality; the
Fisheries Aquaculture Center, and the Philippine Carabao
Center, (Pres. Estrada’s brain child) are but a few of his
achievements that have attained not only national but also
international prominence and recognition. But most of all, he
has turned that once divided and divisive CLSU constituents
into a united and solid team (UST), working toward achieving
the university and national goals.
In 1998, Dr. Fortunato Aglibut Battad retired, not to be
relegated to the background but to hold other prestigious
positions, like consultant to State Universities and College
Presidents, Consultant of TESDA and the Chairman of the
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
283
BORN TO LEAD
Professional Regulation Commission Board of Examiners for
Agriculture, not to mention his being President Emeritus of
CLSU.
As a person, I know him to be warm and dynamic, a
caring father to young faculty, a brother to the not so young
ones. He is both an inspiration and challenge. Just like any
father, he has propelled his children both in the family and in
the University to achieve their potentials. They have become
presidents of SCUS, key men in the national government,
scientists, doctors and professors – achievers in their own
respective fields.
The University Science High School will never forget
him. For one year that he has become the USHS PTA
President, he has renovated the first year restrooms and fenced
the USHS, warding off thieves, robbers, snatchers and
undesirable elements lurking in the dark, ready to pounce on
helpless preys. Hopefully, he will be able to finish another
Tambayan at the right wing of the USHS. That will greatly
help the first year students by providing them a place to study,
rest at noon break and do other school activities especially
during the rainy season, not to forget, that this could also
double as a classroom for PEHM activities. He still has to
reveal his other plans for the USHS.
To this great man and father of all, are prayers for more
fruitful years ahead. Indeed, the one who made the difference
in the lives of many, that is, Fortunato Aglibut Battad, Sir!
FAB- the Worker, the Achiever.” Generosa N. Eligio, Ph.D.,
USHS Principal, CLSU.
“Dr. FAB’s qualities as a leader offer abundant
inspiration for government leaders. As an administrator, he
had full consciousness of the true pulse of the university
constituents – their needs, their yearnings and inspirations.
284
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
His kind of leadership was neither power interested or
self-centered. As President of CLSU, he sought harmony, the
welding of all fractious forces that usually hinder the growth
and development of any institution so that the unity of the
university and welfare of the people can be attained and
preserved.
He was a competent and resolute administrator, a
consummate strategist who provided courageous, but dedicated
and responsible leadership.
In my 17 years of service as Secretary of the University
and of the Board of Regents, I have never seen a man with
unwavering passion for excellence like Dr. Fortunato A.
Battad.” Prof. Edgardo C. Ibañez, University and Board
Secretary, CLSU.
It is a privilege being invited to be a contributor to this
book which highlights the making of the Dean of the Presidents
of State Universities and Colleges of our country.
I did not entertain second thoughts when informed that
my testimony to the life and works of Dr. Battad shall be a part
of this document. All I did was recall the things that brought
me closer to this person of conviction and a man of action.
The worker- I have heard the name Fortunato A. Battad
during my early days as an Assistant Instructor at the Tarlac
College of Agriculture. Then, I could only content myself with
looking at his accomplishments from a distance.
My
appreciation was limited at the results of his endeavors as an
administrator.
As I continue to grow professionally, the more I hear
about his extra-ordinary ways of doing ordinary things, a sign
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
285
BORN TO LEAD
of passion to any undertaking expected of a visionary, a
dreamer but most importantly an achiever.
And so I began to envision myself as an equally
capable agriculturist, researcher and an administrator, I began
to look for persons who personify the qualities of a leader that I
consider worthy of emulation. Not for long, I found one.
Aside from my parents, I looked up to Dr. Battad. He
is not only an intellectual who provided the needed
enlightenment by those who wish to pursue a dream. He
himself served as the bearer of a torch providing light to
anybody aspiring to be successful in their chosen vocation. He
had the attitude imperative to realize one’s goals. He talks
through his actions. He listens with his mind. He explains
with his heart. He understands with compassion. His dreams
are lofty but his feet are grounded, never failing to be relevant
and responsive to the challenges of his time.
He is ahead of his time and yet he always walks the
extra mile.
Dr. Battad’s trademark as a worker is his indomitable
aggressiveness every time he sets his eyes on something. My
experience with him is that nothing is so daunting that he easily
surrenders. I can say that he considers every challenge as an
opportunity to excel and every responsibility as a venue to
serve. He has always been proactive because he does not wait
for things to happen. He does not watch things taking place.
He makes things happen the way he wants, in a manner he
desires and for as long as his standards are not met. He keeps
on discovering new things out of the products he himself made.
He considers everything as an intermediate product. He
pursues his goals like it’s his first time to succeed. Success for
him is only a part of a process for higher levels of
accomplishment. Success for him is not an end but a new
beginning for more and better accomplishments. On the other
hand, he does not consider failure as a failure but rather, a part
286
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
of a learning process. He considers short falls as rooms for
further improvement. He considers mistakes as a natural
cleansing experience for the imperfections of any enterprising
individual.
Finally, he does not stop being aggressive for himself.
He pushes his peers to their limits to the point of brinkmanship
because he believes that given the chance, every person has
something to contribute, every human being is gifted with
potentials, every member of the organization has something to
offer for the good of our community and everyone is endowed
with the talents necessary to become a catalyst for social
development. And he hates mediocrity. For him, there is no
runner-up position.
His rise to prominence in the field of institution
building, research, instruction, production, training and
extension is a mirror of his personal struggle against poverty.
Forced to do menial jobs before being able to go to school in
his childhood, in the same manner, he was forced to go on his
own despite the fact that his in-laws are in a position to provide
him the opportunity to land a job the easy way. He did not
consider this against them. Instead, he viewed this experience
as a challenge to his potentials, a wake-up call to his character
and a test to his attitude. From then on, he charted his own
roadmap to excellence one step at a time. He did not aspire to
be on top in a flick of a finger. He built his pedestal like the
Egyptians erecting their pyramid-monuments block by block.
More so, his value for hard work is manifested that even in his
retirement, he is still very much active in his favorite past –
time: institution building through agriculture, community
development through self-help.
Likewise, to ensure that his legacy continues, he
brought up his children in the mould the way his parents did it
to him. He taught them the three R’s which not only stand for
reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic for them to achieve economic
stability, but more importantly the three R’s which mean
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
287
BORN TO LEAD
reasonableness, righteousness and resoluteness to be able to be
of service to God and country.
When I finally came in close association with Pres.
Battad, I find him to be impersonal in the performance of his
duties as an Administrator. He gives praise where recognition
is due but constructively criticizes when needed. He speaks
out his mind. For him, there are no half truths nor half lies, no
half correct nor half wrong. It could only be true or false,
correct or wrong. And it pays-off, it has paid-off and it is
paying-off.
First, he does not compromise the quality of work. It
could only be up to standards or not. Mediocrity has no place
wherever and whenever he is in-charge. And this is the reason
why wherever he went and wherever he goes, he leaves an
imprint of quality performance as an Instructor, as Trainor, as
an Extensionist or a Researcher.
Second, he does not negotiate with non-performers.
You either stand and deliver or sit down and pack-up, show-up
or shut-up. In research, you either publish or perish. This is
the reason why, working with Dr. Battad is both challenging
and a very good opportunity for learning. Challenging,
because he pushes you to your limits. He requires creativity,
perseverance and positive attitude toward work and people. He
does not measure accomplishment in terms of the length of
time spent for a certain activity but rather, he is after the
quality of the output. And at times, he pushes people to reach
beyond their physical and mental capabilities, not to punish but
as a form of training people to become achievers.
And working with and for him is truly educational
because he has what it takes to be called the ‘Dean of
Presidents of State Colleges and Universities.
Long before the concept of ‘corporatization’ became a
by-word by prospective self-supporting administrators, Dr.
288
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
Battad has already made it as his trademark.
He
institutionalized programs that earned income for the university
he managed.
He established partnership with other
government and non-government agencies to strengthen the
capability of the university he heads. And he lured enterprising
individuals to invest their money in providing services to the
students at minimum cost.
All these are brought about by the innovativeness and
creativity of Prof. Battad.
Manong Fortunato’s passion for nature is incomparable.
Going around the campus of the Central Luzon State
University, we could see that for him, everything follows if
Mother Nature is taken care of.
Fresh air. Beautiful
surroundings. Food supply.
And while he had the penchant for infrastructure
development, he instituted physical structures development
within the context of preserving the original beauty of nature.
He designed buildings in such a way that our habitat is not
disturbed. He made sure of this by requiring students and
personnel alike to participate in a regular tree planting
activities. He discouraged burning of dried leaves. Instead, he
encouraged people to convert said dried leaves and stems into
organic fertilizers. Feliciano S. Rosete, Ph.D., President,
RMTU
“I have known Dr. Battad to be strict and a
disciplinarian. Because of his voice and his strong personality,
people have the tendency to be afraid of him. However, one
thing significant about his person is that he delivers. H is a
risk-taker particularly when it concerns benefits and incentives
for his constituents.”
Dr. Rosanna Mulac, Director for
Extension, BSU.
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
289
BORN TO LEAD
“I am especially thankful to Dr. Battad for having
granted me the opportunity to study for my Ph.D. Although I
had financial assistance from FORD Foundation for my
dissertation, Dr. Battad was very supportive.
I know him to be aggressive, output oriented, always
ready and always on his toes. He is role model and more like a
father to his people whom he considers as his children.
When he wants people to excel, he pushes them, to an
extent, he ‘shoves’ them so that they are jolted to really do
their best.
He is very authoritative but caring as well.
One very significant contribution of Dr. Battad is his
having worked out for the permanent position of so many
casuals who were employed as carpenters in BSU. These
casuals were able to retire and enjoy the benefits of regular
employees.
He is very good at fund sourcing. In fact even if there
was no capital outlay, the university was assured that with Dr.
Battad, the needed money will be there.” Dr. Souwright B.
Maddal, Vice-President for Research, Extension and Training,
BSU.
“I am a retired laborer of MIT (now USM). My work
as a laborer was to use a pole with a sharp scythe at the end to
bring down nuts from a coconut tree. During those days, we
290
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
were neighbors at MIT during which he was an Instructor. He
is a very good person and he never committed any wrongdoing.
He is an Ilocano and I am a Muslim. I could not
remember him doing anything wrong to me. We are close
friends and more like brothers.” Cagui Sulaiman Sapitula,
Retired Laborer, MIT, Kabacan, Cotabato.
“Leaders in the academic world come in different
forms: distinct styles, orthodox approaches, gimmick-prone,
and other sorts. But Dr. Fortunato A. Battad possesses
something the others do not have which makes him a unique
leader, par excellence, making him a cut above the rest. FAB
looms large in the national imagination especially among
higher education practitioners. He has profoundly affected the
shaping of the state universities and colleges which he headed.
His role as a symbol of stability and strength, progress and
innovation, is enhanced by his reputation as a pioneering
institution builder. As an inspirational leader, he typified
courage and perseverance in adversity, a man of strong
conviction, and completely devoted to hard work and
excellence. His extraordinary style of leadership is laced by a
mixture of real human kindness and of sometimes impish
mischief, all overlaid with an immense and purposeful
determination to achieve his goal which he clearly sees.
His ability to see things differently is what sets him
apart from the rest. I am convinced that his successes as a
leader in the higher agricultural education field stem from his
‘sixth sense’, his uncanny ability to see and foretell the future.
He has an extra-wide peripheral vision which enables him to
analyze situations with greater perspective and therefore arrive
at more accurate conclusions and apply better modes. It is not
telepathy or clairvoyance but having intuitive hunches, trusting
his gut feeling, all developed through years of practical living,
in the process accumulating a rich reservoir of enriching
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
291
BORN TO LEAD
perceptual experiences.
Long before income-generating
projects became the byword among SUCs, FAB has been its
pioneering exponent as manifested by his obsession of planting
trees as sources of revenues in the future. Where others are
just starting, Dr. Battad has gone way, way ahead. Another
illustration of his sixth sense or his third eye, is his ability to
spot future leaders, somehow seeing himself in others. This is
the hallmark of an outstanding leader, a legacy to the future of
mankind, making sure that trails will continue to be blazed, and
foundations that have been laid will continue to be built on.
Dr. Fortunato A. Battad is a great leader, but he is far a
greater man. He has rightfully earned his place in history. “
Dr. Ruben C. Sevilleja, Vice-President for Academic Affairs,
CLSU, Science City of Munoz.
“Words seem insufficient to aptly describe Dr.
Fortunato A. Battad as a person and especially as a leader. But
I believe, it is enough to say that he is one man richly endowed
with all the faculties that make up a leader par excellence – a
healthy body, a brilliant mind, a caring heart, and a Godfearing soul.
I love to describe Dr. Battad as a Dreamer who finds
genuine happiness and great success from his ability to make
all his dreams come true. He is a Doer who obtains joy and
fulfillment in executing with utmost passion, fervor and zeal
any endeavor he has set his mind and heart to do. Moreover,
he is Giver who gives his all, in fact, his very self, to inspire
people, his colleagues, his subordinates, to also bring out and
give the best in them. He is Nurturer who does not stop or
even pause to ensure the sustenance, full blooming and fruition
of every noble idea he has implanted. And most of all, he is an
ardent Lover who generously radiates and rubs off on to people
his great love for work, love for public service, and love for his
292
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
fellowmen providing them immense influence, encouragement
and motivation to also do the same.
A selfless, resolute, indomitable and unflinching leader,
Dr. Fortunato A. Battad is, indeed, one of a kind!” Julieta P.
Burnot, Officer-in-Charge, Public Affairs Office, CLSU,
Science City of Munoz.
“As one who has closely followed up the career
advancement of Dr. Fortunato A. Battad (having been his
former student and junior colleague later), I see him as a man
who has achieved so much professionally, all because of his
high sense of mission and deep commitment to public service.
Undoubtedly driven by these two service values, Dr. Battad has
acquired the education and gained the experience that later
made him an accomplished professor, very successful President
of at least five state colleges and universities, very much
sought for consultant on a number of technical and vocational
programs, and first Chairman of the Board of Examiners for
Agriculture of the Professional Regulation Commission.
It is common knowledge that while serving in such
various capacities as a public servant. Dr. Battad has instituted
meaningful reforms and introduced cogent innovations aimed
at further developing and improving every institution and every
program put under his charge to keep them attuned to the
realities and demands of the time.
Today, there is no gainsaying the fact that because of
his vast and far-reaching achievement in many fronts, Dr.
Battad is publicly acknowledged as an outstanding educator,
seasoned school administrator, creative institution builder and a
true embodiment of integrity in the public service.” Dr.
Virgilio G. Oliva, President, USM.
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
293
BORN TO LEAD
“I have been lucky and blessed to have as an adviser
and a role model, a man of integrity whose wealth of
experience in administration and leadership is truly remarkable
and worthy of emulation. My ascent to the presidency of the
Isabela State University was filled with challenges that could
daunt the spirit but I drew inspiration from the fatherly concern
and words of a man who had been acknowledged as practically
a legend in institution building and in developing leaders.
The sterling record of performance, exemplary
achievements and outstanding accomplishments of Dr.
Fortunato A. Battad as a man and as an administrator of state
educational institutions are impossible to match. They could
only be a source of lessons and inspiration to educators and
school administrators. One thing really admirable in the man is
his selflessness in sharing the secrets of his success and in
patiently and unselfishly guiding others like me to perform and
be an effective and efficient administrator in the midst of
difficulties and challenges that confront state universities and
colleges today. His leadership and management styles were
really unique but they were nonetheless effective.
He was, and still is, a man whose vision is really way
ahead of his time. He might have retired from active
administration of a state institution, but definitely, not tired, as
he still dreams not only for himself but also for the
development of SUCs and the country. He is indefatigable and
continues in his quest for quality education where he would
want SUCs to excel. He is one person who does not rest on his
laurels.
Dr. Battad has been dubbed as a ‘kingmaker’ for
developing leaders among his men and helping them become
SUC presidents. I may not have been under him but I have
been fortunate and privileged to receive such help from him.
294
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
During my candidacy for the ISU presidency, I was profoundly
touched by the concern of FAB for me. He would personally
visit or would constantly call me to give invaluable advice and
reminders, sharing his insights that helped in the crafting of my
vision, mission, program direction for ISU. The book
‘Pathways to Institution Building’ that chronicles his journey to
success, particularly, his vast and rich experiences in managing
SUCs where he served, was practically my bible. It continues
to be so and FAB is still my guide, my role model and my
mentor in effective governance.” Dr. Romeo R. Quilang,
President, Isabela State University, Echague, Isabela.
“Dr. Fortunato A. Battad was instrumental in preparing
the former MSAC to become a state university. As College
President in the early 80’s, he saw to it that the various
departments in the college have developed programs in
instruction, research and extension to qualify them to be
elevated as colleges under a university system. Thus in 1986,
MSAC was structurally ready when it was converted into a
state university, the Benguet State University.
Dr. Battad as a school administrator inspires people to
excel in their work. He is a disciplinarian. He pursues his
plans by generating full support from his key implementers.
He supports his subordinates and helps them move up the
ladder of management. I am privileged to be one of those
people he has supported to be a university president. Early on
in my career, he readily granted my request to pursue a Ph.D
degree while he was MSAC president in the 1980s. After
finishing my doctorate, he was no longer our President in BSU
but I have continued to consult him as adviser and model
administrator as he continued to become President of two other
schools after his stint at BSU.” Dr. Rogelio D. Colting,
President, Benguet State University.
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
295
BORN TO LEAD
“Since my joining the UP Beta Sigma Fraternity in
Diliman Campus in 1972, Dr. Battad’s name was a password to
most of the fraternity brothers in UP Los Baños. His leadership
qualities are not only exemplified in the discipline of
agricultural education but he also excels in the field of sports,
particularly in tennis.
Knowing him well was when Dr. Battad’s name came
out as the incoming President of Central Luzon State
University in 1992. However his assumption to duty was like
swimming in turbulent waters as turnover of power was critical
with the outgoing CLSU President. During hard times, before
Dr. Battad’s assumption as CLSU president, we became closer
as fraternity brothers and a family friend. BFAR-NFFTC being
inside CLSU and as a national agency, a courtesy call was
made to his temporary office at the CLSU guest house. And
that was the first time I introduced myself as a Beta Sigman. It
was like meeting a long-lost brother .
During his incumbency, the true spirit of
cooperation/collaboration with CLSU and BFAR as
government agency charged to enhance fisheries and
aquaculture development was strengthened.
With his
leadership and amiable personality, he was able to establish
linkages and network between researchers/scientists of both
institutions formally and informally during the GIFT project.
With his administration, an additional land area was allocated
to BFAR as a result of an ASEAN-EC project in freshwater
prawn. That was implemented in early 90’s. Dr. Battad was an
active partner in the development of institution as center of
excellence in fish genetics.’
With Dr. Battad’s professional quality and trademark as
an administrator, he has the quality of a risk manager as long as
the justification and supporting documents are in order. He is
296
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
an achiever, a doer, and a hard worker. He shows leadership
by example.
He is an early riser. He already starts working early
morning giving instructions to his senior staff, including
laborers to implement his work program for the day.
He is service-oriented and a down-to-earth person. His
concern for the environment and people from all walks of life
has made him well known as a team builder and nature lover.
He is a visionary goal setter and a performance-oriented
person.
For all the above attributes of FAB, worth emulating,
his responsible leadership and management style could forward
a society.” Melchor Tayamen, Executive Director, Bureau of
Fisheries and Aquaculture (BFAR), Science City of Muñoz.
“Personally, I do not know much about Dr. Fortunato
A. Battad. However, with the books I read about him, stories I
heard of him, the few occasions I listened to his talks, and the
very limited time he served as Consultant of the Tarlac College
of Agriculture, I formed the impression that Dr. Fortunato A.
Battad is an excellent leader of all leaders, an institution
builder, being an institution himself.
Dr. Battad is a model and inspiration to professionals
and leaders who value excellence. I admire his creative
strategies in generating resources for development. I strongly
agree with him when he said that loyalty is a principle he lives
by. This means a support to the institution where one belongs
and everything that it stands for. He stressed that one has no
business staying in an organization if he does not support its
head.
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
297
BORN TO LEAD
Despite his age, he still possesses that passion for
perfection- a burning desire for continuous self-improvement.
May his tribe increase.” Dr. Priscila G. Tangonan, Tarlac
College of Agriculture.
“I was teaching in the high school at the Mindanao
Institute of Technology, now University of Southern Mindanao
from 1963 to 1974, before I left to take my master’s degree.
I had the privilege of working with Dr. Fortunato
Battad, as my principal in the high school. I found him to be of
varied personality as an administrator. When it comes to
supervision, he was so strict in the implementation of policies
in the high school. He saw to it that everything was perfectly
done within the expected standard. He was a hard working man
and always checked that his instructions were followed to the
letter.
His dedication to work is combined by his involvement
in athletics. He had superior skill in tennis and an undefeated
coach in basketball.
He was firm in his decisions and a disciplinarian. He
also has a good sense of humor.
In a capsule, he is a man of varied interest, ambitious,
simple in taste, and has never forgotten his humble beginnings,
even at the height of his success. A rare specie so to speak.”
Filipinas Arcedo Ordinario, ED.D, Prof. VI USM (Retired)
“Perhaps even the best writers will run out of adjectives
to fully describe the extraordinary person, fondly called Sir
298
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
FAB. There is really so much in the man - boss, friend, father,
colleague, counselor, mentor, educator, administrator.
Sir FAB has significantly contributed to what I am
today as a person and where I am in my career. He has instilled
in me the values of hard work, commitment, dedication, and
loyalty to service, justice, perseverance, honesty, respect, and
patience. He taught me not to be servile but to think
independently. I learned to be more proactive than merely
being reactive to situations on hand. Sir FAB trained me to
treat people with respect and importance, regardless of their
status. Doing the right thing, instead of adhering to what is
popular.
Finally, my personal perception on the virtues of Sir
FAB is approximately described in the following quotation.
“And there are also many other things that Jesus did,
which if they were to be written one by one, I suppose that
even the world itself could not contain the books that would be
written. Amen.” (John 21:25), Adorable P. Pineda, Executive
Assistant IV, CLSU
“I met Dr. Fortunato F. Battad when he was Principal of
the Central Luzon Agricultural School (CLAS) under former
President Amado C. Campos. As principal, CLAS was all-time
champion during the University Intramural Meet.
Later, he was transferred to Pampanga Agricultural
College as President in Magalang, Pampanga. Few years later,
he was appointed President of Mountain State Agricultural
College at La Trinidad, Benguet by the late President
Ferdinand E. Marcos. After Martial Law, he was designated
President of Nueva Vizcaya Institute of Techonology in
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya by the former President Corazon
C. Aquino.
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
299
BORN TO LEAD
As president of CLSU, he initiated planting of
calamansi, mango and mahogany trees generating income for
the university. He also caused construction of a first class
gymnasium which is being used by the Physical Education
students. He revived the Agricultural Science Technology
School where sons and daughters of farmers learn actual
farming and home economics.
During his incumbency as President of the University,
he worked for regular increase in salaries and was persistent in
shoring up the university income and the increase in budget
appropriations.
What I admired most about Dr. Battad was that he was
never involved on any case of graft and corruption during his
presidency of the state colleges and universities he led. Also,
he did not take advantage of his position to enrich himself or
his family. He was a stickler to the policies of the university.
To him, the welfare of the school and its constituents was of
paramount importance. He is indeed worthy of emulation by
other administrators.” Prof. Dionisio O. Orden, Poultry
Project In-charge, CLSU (Retired)
“ Leadership entails a lot of hard work, discipline, a
people-friendly stance, determination and the drive in order to
achieve the desired goals. If there is one great leader worthy of
praise, it is no other than Dr. Fortunato A. Battad.
I had the privilege of working with Dr. Battad and, it is
indeed a worthwhile experience. Instilled in my mind is his
unforgettable and favorite quotation, “Even if I die tomorrow, I
will still plant trees.” Trees are cradles of our civilization. He
stressed such meaningful words coming from a man of humble
beginnings, but later became a legend in nation building. This
man is not only a lover of nature but also a developer of people
and an institution builder as manifested by the various projects
300
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
and capability building seminars geared toward the growth and
progress of his staff and the institution where he belonged.
One of the recipients of his notable leadership skills in various
capabilities and in the administration of state educational
institutions is the Ramon Magsaysay Technological University
(RMTU). The RMTU has successfully pole-vaulted its
development bringing pride and honor to the Province of
Zambales. Kudos goes to FAB who was always there to guide,
lend a hand and give support to the university. Dr. Fortunato A.
Battad is a leader par excellence. His vision is way ahead of
time, his work ethics difficult to match, but truly worth
emulating. He has the ability to lead by example which has
inspired his people to work, work, work and work harder. His
unique style of management and leadership is truly admirable
which paved the way toward gaining the respect of his
constituents and fellow administrators. His journey to success
is a validation of his untiring and unselfish desire to make a
niche in the realm of education. His is a story of inspiration. He
believes in teamwork.
When I got the chance to talk to him, he mentioned
three of his greatest legacies: 1) achievement of his family 2.)
building institutions and leaders; and 3.) planting trees.
These legacies were built upon a solid foundation
instilled in him during his formative years. He takes pride in
the achievements of his children and grandchildren for he is a
believer in the saying. “No amount of successes can
compensate for failure in the home.”
His policies in governance speak of who he is. This
man thinks big with his various projects and his aim of carving
a niche in his institution he served for so long. He leads by
example showing honesty in everything he does and says. He
works with a sense of direction and by moving around thus, he
has produced viable and feasible projects and activities for the
benefit of his institution.
He gives reward for good
performance. In a greater sense, he is a father to all- a father
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
301
BORN TO LEAD
who speaks well of his institution, a father who never practiced
nepotism, a father who is honest in handling money matters, a
father who has emphasized unity, team work and solidarity in
order to build a harmonious relationship, and a father who
works and works and produces fruits of his labor. All of these
things which I have mentioned are highlighted not to glorify
him but to be a source of inspiration to others who would
desire to be a leader someday and would wish to create a
difference in the lives of many. We can learn from FAB.
Indeed, I salute him for inspiring and inculcating in our
minds the value of sheer dedication and for teaching us how to
be productive, innovative and assertive in every endeavor. As
our precious mentor and partner in development, I continually
hope and pray that what he has started may be continued by
more dynamic and exuberant leaders. RMTU is proud to be a
part of his valuable endeavor.” Thelma Q. Meer, Ph.D., Vice
President, ACSA.
During my Asia Pacific Leadership Program days at the
East West Center in 2002-2003, we were required to submit a
weekly response in our Management 650 – Leadership Class.
One of the guide questions was: Discuss someone you
personally know whom you consider a leader. I could have
talked about my father, or my brother, or any other leader I
knew, but at the first instance, I only thought of Dr. Fortunato
Battad. They say that good leaders are usually down-to-earth
individuals who have a common touch. To me he is an epitome
of a leader. He is staunch in his decision yet resilient to effect
change, strict but compassionate in spirit. He is always propeople, a dependable problem-solver. As the incoming CLSU
administrator in 1992, I remember his admirable act of
approaching people whose loyalty was not his. He took a
humble step to win them and mobilize them for the
achievement of organizational objectives. He was so objective
in dealing with people that he did not consider whatever
302
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
negative attitudes they may have on him, but instead, banked
on their capability and potential to contribute to the
university’s good. He has the influential power rooted in an
inherent charisma that’s why one can never turn him
down…These qualities emerge from his whole being, hence his
leadership style comes from within. Dr. Jocelyn L. Aveno,
Associate Professor, Central Luzon State University.
“A great part of the future of our country depends on
high performing colleges and universities. These institutions in
turn depend on full functioning Presidents with fully developed
human essence and multiversatility like FAB to be able to help
contribute to that future.
FAB’s first meeting with the research, extension and
training family was held at the RET building lobby only a few
days after his appointment as the 5th President of CLSU. He
was very eager to meet this particular group whom he heard
were an energized and ‘workaholic’ lot, like him. At the
meeting, he enjoyed sharing his marvelous adventures with
hands-on community services he rendered and with advancing
science and technology in five SUCs, where he served as
President as a follower-leader, a worker-manager, using social
learning principles and transformation through leadership.
Before he started to talk, he looked around as if
searching for someone. He saw me at the far end of the hall
and beckoned me to come up front. He made me sit beside
him, putting his arm around me, as if to say: ‘come join the
new administration’. I was Vice-President for Research
Extension and Training before he came. He seemed to assure
me that no politics whatsoever should affect our relationship. I
got his message straight as he talked straight. I served him for
a while as University Accreditation Coordinator because I
joined PHILRICE as a visiting Social Scientist for more than a
year.
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
303
BORN TO LEAD
I observed that FAB was always birthing ideas to make
the university move fast, cajoling smart minds to be in tandem
with his own. He never stops reaching out and I feel as though
he never sleeps, or perhaps even in sleep he thinks and works.
As he himself often articulates, public service is the great stuff
his soul and spirit is made of, which hones his human essence,
the property that makes people become more humane.
He can change your way of thinking and doing your
work beyond the ordinary. He had touched many persons’
lives as he had touched mine on that first meeting with him at
close range at the RET building lobby.
Looking back on, and observing him still as he
continues to work as President Emeritus at the university, I
sometimes feel he is like a mosquito with his hypodermic
needles not to transmit malaria though, but his shivering
intense work ethic. Through his commanding voice, a
meaningful stare, a serious mien, a reticent smile, seldom a
boisterous guffaw, but with all the excitement of his leadership
style to touch base with yours, in pushing people to work as if
it were the last day of their lives. He chooses actions that will
make social, economic and financial impact on the university
as a whole for which he received prestigious awards.
If digital code is what drives rapid growth today,
changing life, work, health and wealth, working Presidents
with creative minds, warm heart, pure soul, energized spirit,
strong willed focused mind, unified hand and senses are what
colleges and universities need for knowledge value chain to
prosper and to produce high achieving professionals and
leaders who can drive this country overtake stampeding
knowledge economies. Finklestein and Enriquez, almost a
decade apart said that ‘human skills and competence are what
matter today.’ Unless we develop value-based competence and
work ethic attuned to the digital revolution, we will be swept
away (to join defunct economies of the past) by more
304
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
competent cultures.” Dr. Fermina Talens-Rivera, Professor
Emeritus/Consultant, CLSU.
I am exceedingly proud of CLSU. I am particularly
happy when people of all walks of life come to the university
to see for themselves what the university can offer. These
people have written and voiced out their admiration captured
into words. I look back to them and cherish them as if they
have become part of my system.
These impressions will remain etched in the printed
sands of time. These are some of those impressions told about
CLSU during my time as President:
“Although there is no competition really, but CLSU is a
fast-rising national university for agricultural development.
Agriculture deserves the highest priority. CLSU will give the
leadership.” Sen. Leticia Ramos-Shahani, February 18, 1996.
“CLSU should be supported in line with our efforts to
push the agriculture sector.” Sen. Ernesto M. Maceda,
February 6, 1996.
“CLSU is now emerging as the most outstanding
university in the Philippines. CLSU is the best performer.”
Rep. Jose C. de Venecia, Speaker, House of Representatives.
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
305
BORN TO LEAD
“CLSU’s projects have added value because of the
introduction and utilization of new technologies.” Rep.
Rodolfo B. Albano, 1st District, Isabela.
“CLSU is our top performing university. We have to
build this school together…CLSU is a fast growing institution.
This is a reflection of sama-sama or kuyog-kuyog in Visaya.”
Dr. Ricardo T. Gloria, Former Secretary, Department of
Education, Culture and Sports, 1996.
“I have seen so many innovations and projects that
identify CLSU as the premier state university in the country in
the area of agriculture. The initiative and entrepreneurs of
CLSU especially in testing and promoting new agricultural
technologies and education techniques, should be supported to
the fullest.” Dr. Alejandro W.D. Clemente, Undersecretary,
Department of Education, Culture and Sports, 1996.
“You have good programs, unique things which other
schools do not have.” Dr. Gelia T. Castillo, Social Scientist
and UPLB Professor Emeritus.
“I have traveled nationwide, precisely to the 15 regions
of the country, but I never saw a school as clean and as
306
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
beautiful as CLSU.” Ms. Marie Lou Santiago, Vice-President,
Philippine Women’s University.
“We have heard much about the Central Luzon State
University. We therefore have come not only to acknowledge
its advances but to signal to other Philippine universities and
colleges that it is about time they become center of innovation
and entrepreneurship.” President Fidel V. Ramos, April 15,
1997.
“CLSU is indeed an educational Camelot, a model and
inspiration for all educational institutions in this country. It not
only graduates highly trained alumni, it makes research and
provides extension services around the country. But more than
its productivity and efficiency, it is the ambience and the
brotherhood, that reign on the campus that would remind us of
the famous phrase: ‘Let it not be forgot that there is a place
called Educational Camelot located right in Central Luzon,
near Arayat’.” From CHED On-Line, network publication of
the Commission on Higher Education, Newsletter, 1995.
Destiny’s Child
Breathes there the man in his being
True worth in doing and believing
All the wonder and wealth of a world that is best
in the heart of one man, in his time, has destiny blest.
Who the gods have anointed
This seed and bud of days to be
Like to a tree poised and pressed to the earth
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
307
BORN TO LEAD
A friend to sun and sky is he.
The horizon is vast, the road is long
And life is short, sometimes forlorn
But like to a tree, stands majestic and tall
Gives of himself for love, honor and all.
Chisel in hand, he carved his dream
With might, his conquers won
With heaven’s beam that shapeless stone
Has formed a goal- bright, as diamond.
And life goes on, with yet time left uncarved
more dreams stamped on the yielding stone
‘Neath moonlit nights and summer blooms
Till heavenly beauty shall be his home.
Dr. Victoria S. Lamucho,
Professor VI, College of Arts and Sciences, Central Luzon
State University
Words can heal. The right words at the right time can
help us find our way through the depressing labyrinthine
course in our lives. These are words that come from people
who write and speak their hearts and minds. In the end, they
become responsible in breeding human relationships. Reading
Albert Camus: “human relationships always help us to carry
on because they always presuppose further development – a
future. “
They leave traces, even when they are long gone. They
come into our lives for a while, just like the twinkle of a star.
They shine and dim on a disappearing flicker, leaving marks.
Sometimes, they linger long, then out of our lives forever,
leaving sketches, leaving memories. They are the significant
308
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
BORN TO LEAD
others who have made lasting impact in our lives and we are
never the same again.
These people stand for the institutions I have been to. I
look at them both as my grandeur and glory, leaving notable
vestiges across, long after I have served and led them. And
truly, I am never the same again.
And for as long as these people believe and trust, with
their words of wisdom, comfort and encouragement, carrying
with them a web of loving relationships like silken threads, I
will continue to be hopeful and believing, that truly, I have
served and led well.
Silken Threads: People and What They Say
309