A Diamond Remembered: The Legacy of Atty. Guillermo E. Torres, Sr.
In a solemn mass gathering held on March
2, 2026 at the Ecumenical Chapel, Matina Campus, the University of Mindanao
community came together to observe the 37th death anniversary of its founder,
Atty. Guillermo E. Torres, Sr. The commemorative mass, presided over by Rev.
Fr. Neil Badillo, OFM, served as both a reflection on the Lenten call to mercy
and a celebration of a man whose vision fundamentally reshaped the educational
landscape of Mindanao, specifically in Davao.
The homily, centered on the Gospel of Luke, challenged the faithful to be "merciful as the Father is merciful". Atty. Torres Sr. was described by Fr. Badillo as a man who possessed such a "big and soft heart". This capacity for compassion allowed him to see beyond his own status and recognize the pressing needs of the people of Davao during his time.
Atty. Torres viewed each person as a diamond, though they may appear rough at first. He believed that education was the essential process for polishing these diamonds into their
finest form; hence, he provided tools to harness this potential. His transformative vision democratized education, opening its doors to all – from the elite to the marginalized sectors of society.
As the community marked nearly four decades since his passing, the message delivered by Fr. Badillo was clear: remembering the past is essential for navigating the future.
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