Reaching new heights, the University of Batangas (UB) empowered the faculty and students of the College of Business, Accountancy, and Hospitality Management (CBAHM) and the College of Law as it hosted the Founders Memorial Lecture (FML) 2026. With the theme “From Knowledge to Enterprise: A Summit on National Issues and Business Leadership,” the event was held on April 24, 2026, at the UB Juan Y. Javier Culture and Arts Building.
To formally begin the program, UB President Lily Marlene J. Hernandez-Bohn delivered an inspiring message for the participants and distinguished guests to instill.
“Universities are not merely centers of instruction; they are dynamic spaces where ideas are shaped, leaders are molded, and solutions to real-world challenges are crafted,” said University President Hernandez-Bohn, setting a high-stakes tone for a day dedicated to transformative thinking.
The morning lecture series opened with a deep dive into the Philippine legal and territorial landscape. Hon. Judge Sharmagne Joy A. Binay of the Municipal Trial Court of Mataasnakahoy presented “Streamlining Justice: How Small Claims Courts Influence Commercial Disputes and Contract Enforcement.” She deconstructed the Small Claims system as a “swift alternative” to traditional litigation. For claims below ₱1 million, she championed a procedure that moves as fast as modern commerce – prioritizing recovery over punishment with one-day hearings and non-appealable decisions within 24 hours.
“If the goal is truly to collect what is owed, the law now offers a ‘final na final’ solution,” she reminded creditors.
The summit reached a patriotic crescendo with retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio, who presented the 1875 Carta General del Archipiélago Filipino as the definitive “birth certificate” of Philippine territory. In his lecture, “The Significance of the 1875 Carta General del Archipiélago Filipino,” he traced the legal continuity through the Treaty of Paris and the 1900 Treaty of Washington. He asserted that these records provide the Philippines with an irrefutable “Torrens title” to Scarborough Shoal and the Spratlys.
“If you own a house or land, what is your proof of ownership… your Torrens title. This map is our proof of ownership.” Justice Carpio stood firmly.
The FML shifted focus to the marketplace during the afternoon session. Board of Regents Chairman Atty. Jesus V. Mayo opened the discussions by emphasizing the important role of the human element in the business industry.
“Beyond the technical aspects of business and entrepreneurship, the experiences of individuals who have faced real-life situations can better clear the blurry lines in our understanding of the topics at hand.” shared Atty. Mayo.
Mr. Marc Rainier O. Go, Vice President of the Citimart Group of Companies, offered a candid look at the 40-year resilience of City Mart in his talk, “The Entrepreneur’s Journey: Best Practices & Lessons from Successful Business Leaders.” While celebrating a diverse portfolio, he addressed the harsh realities of the pandemic and the oil crisis, urging a “call to action” to eliminate internal inefficiencies such as low productivity to ensure the company’s sustainability for the next forty years.
Complementing this corporate perspective, Mr. Francisco “Paco” Magsaysay, Chairman of Asian Vision Cable Holdings and founder of Carmen’s Best Ice Cream, enriched the summit with “From Vision to Success: Entrepreneurial Strategies that Drive Sustainable Growth.” He encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to find a higher calling beyond profit.
“When you dedicate your business to a greater [cause], hindi pera lang. Kasi, kung pera lang, hindi nyo mamahalin ‘yung negosyo n’yo,” Mr. Magsaysay inspired.
Before closing the summit, Metro Batangas Business Club President Atty. Roelito C. Garcia urged the UBian community to treat knowledge as their “greatest asset” for academic and professional reach.
By hosting this summit, UB directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reinforcing its status as a socially responsible institution committed to global progress.
Through SDG 4: Quality Education, the university provides students with direct access to national leaders and industry experts, ensuring an academic experience that remains high-quality and deeply relevant to contemporary global issues. The event further advances SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by instilling entrepreneurial resilience and practical knowledge of legal efficiency, such as the Small Claims system, which equips the next generation of business leaders to drive sustainable economic development.
Additionally, the lectures on national territory and judicial processes support SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions by reinforcing the importance of the rule of law and the protection of sovereign rights. Finally, this summit serves as a premier example of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, illustrating a successful multi-sectoral collaboration between the judiciary, the business sector, and the academe to foster a more engaged and better-informed citizenry.