Tarlac State University welcomed home Dr. Dolores G. Matias, former university president, for the last time at the Alumni Center in Lucinda Campus for a public viewing and necrological services on May 1, 2024.
Present and former members of the university administration, colleagues, and friends joined Dr. Matias' family in honoring her life and legacy as the third TSU president and the first female president.
Dr. Arnold E. Velasco, current TSU president, showed appreciation to the late university president by noting some of her qualities worth emulating, such as being motherly, open to all, religious, and helpful to the needy.
“Ma’am Dolly, I will be adopting the things that I heard po. These will serve as my compass or footsteps to follow for me to lead the university,” Pres. Velasco said.
Dr. Priscilla C. Viuya, the TSU president after Dr. Matias, shared her memories of the first female president’s leadership.
“We will remember Ma’am Matias as a great leader. She was a nonchalant leader, straight forward... She was so practical. She had this no-nonsense kind of leadership. With her, hindi ka manghuhula kung anong gusto niya... It wasn't difficult working with her,” she said.
“Ma’am Matias gave us all these opportunities, and we will never forget this kind of leadership that she had... She gave us the template for governance and leadership. We know exactly what we have to do - make it simple, make it credible, authentic, and visible,” she added.
Dr. Dalisay V. Rigor, former TSU vice president, recalled how Dr. Matias was like an “ate” or big sister to her.
“Ang una po naming ugnayan, hindi po sa Tarlac College of Technology. Bahagi po ako ng DepEd sa Victoria West, na-assign bilang principal. Saan ko siya nakilala? Naka-enroll siya sa Ph.D. (doctorate), ako naman po, bilang bagong principal, tinuloy ko din po ang mag-aral. At siya ang dinatnan kong nakasama sa Angeles University Foundation. Naging magkaklase kami sa mga subjects...sila ‘yung mga seniors, at nakita niya ako sa aking kabataan, at pinulot niya ako bilang kapatid. Kaya sa akin, ‘Ate Dolly’ siya,” Dr. Rigor said.
“Ito po ay personal kong ugnayan kay Ate Dolly. Kaya hindi niyo maririnig noon, pag tinitingnan lang niya ako, Ate Dolly ko siya,” she added.
She went on to become a faculty member of TCT’s graduate school (now TSU) under Dr. Ernesto Cosme’s presidency, with Dr. Matias as a colleague and “silent” supporter in her new venture.
Dr. Lorna L. Dimatulac, former TSU vice president, talked about Dr. Matias’ constant guidance and encouragement, motherly love, and trust in the ability of her people.
“Hindi lang po professional ‘yung paghawak niya sa amin. Nandoon ‘yung personal care at tender loving care ng isang nanay...Kahit po hindi niya kilala basta kumakatok sa opisina niya, tinatanggap niya. Ine-entertain po niya at walang tinatanggihan. Hindi po siya namimili at tumatanggi sa mga taong lumalapit sa kanya,” she said.
Dr. Glenard T. Madriaga, former TSU vice president, shared many of his encounters with Dr. Matias.
He talked about how she was like a mother to him, who guided and gave him advice. He also said that she was very supportive of the then teaching and non-teaching union and the TSU cooperative’s activities and initiatives, where he cited that Dr. Matias was a strong advocate of women’s rights and helped with the establishment of the TSU daycare center.
“[Iyon] po ‘yung mga things that I want to share... Bakit namin ginagawa ito (eulogy)? It's not for the dead... We are doing these things to inculcate into the hearts and minds of our colleagues who are still active in the service what are the values that has to be cherished by this university... 'Yung mga pinasa sa atin ng mga nauna, na pilit din nating ipapasa sa mga sumunod sa atin, at ipapasa pa,” he said.
Ms. Aurelia S. Valencia, the TSU Board of Regents secretary, thanked Dr. Matias for the opportunities she received from her – most notedly on the establishment of the Management Information Systems Office.
"I know deep in our hearts, alam natin kung anong buti ang binigay sa atin ni ma’am. Kahit noong ‘di pa siya patay, kahit noong buhay pa siya, alam natin Ma’am Matias loves us all. She loves TSU. She loves the people of TSU. There may be some conflicts pero it is on a professional level, hindi po personal," she said.
She also said that Dr. Matias was not a weak leader, but she also was not that strong enough for people to be afraid of her. She said that she had the “heart of a mother” and the “heart of a colleague” as the university’s chief executive.
Moreover, Prof. Douglas C. Ferrer recounted his experiences of Dr. Matias' “motherly love” to the students, especially those who were orphaned, when he was the student regent and a student assistant during her incumbency as vice president until his wedding day.
“Si Ma’am Matias, alam niyo, siya ‘yung tumayong pinaka-nanay ko noon. Siya ang nagsalita ng kabutihan tungkol sa akin...kasi during that time hindi na nakauwi ang mother ko,” he said.
“Ikukuwento ko sa mga anak ko kung gaano kabuti ang mother niyo (Dr. Matias) sa akin at sa mga iba pang estudyante,” he added as a message to the Matias family.
On behalf of the bereaved family, Mr. Anthony Matias and Mr. Patrick Matias, Dr. Matias’ son and grandson, respectively, thanked the TSU community for the messages, memories, and experiences they shared to celebrate the life of the former university president.
“We will keep her in our thoughts and in our hearts, we will keep her spirit alive, and that’s what will keep her closer to us. Now, she is with my grandpa and my uncle Andrew. Thank you, everyone, for the kind words, the beautiful words. We really appreciate it. Thank you for being here,” the younger Matias said.
The university's ROTC cadets assisted in placing Dr. Matias' remains at the Alumni Center at around 10:00 AM for the public viewing. Dr. Myrna Q. Mallari, former TSU president, stood on behalf of the university to receive the body.
Dr. Matias was the TSU president from 1998 to 2006 and was OIC president from 1996 to 1998. Before her presidency, she served as the Vice President for Academic Affairs from 1987 to 1998 and the Graduate School Dean in 1986.
She passed away on April 29, 2024 at 83 years old.
The interment will be held tomorrow, May 2, at 8:00 AM at the Eternal Memorial Park in Brgy Binauganan, Tarlac City.
--------------------------
Thank you for your outstanding service and immense love for TSU, Pres. Dolly!
Details from Dr. Agnes M. Macaraeg, Dr. Grace N. Rosete, Dr. Myrna Q. Mallari, Mr. Von Rex M. Reyes
Photos/Video Screenshots from Mr. Von Rex M. Reyes, Dr. Myrna Q. Mallari, Dr. Grace N. Rosete, Prof. Edgar A. Macaraeg, Dr. Jasper Jay N. Mendoza
