John Gabriel Pelias, who is currently holding the record for having the highest general weighted average (GWA) at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, said he is doing the "noble thing" and applying to become a faculty member at his alma mater. Pelias, 19, is graduating summa cum laude with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Math. His GWA of 1.016 is the heighest grade recorded at UP Diliman in the last 63 years. In Pelias' four years in college, he received mostly 1.0's — the highest possible grade a student can get in UP. He only missed the elusive "uno" three times, in three classes where he got a 1.25, the second highest possible grade. In an interview, Pelias told GMA News Online that he believes it is his social responsibility to give back to the university that educated him for four years. He said he is currently applying to become a faculty member in the Math department. "Parang pinag-aral ka ng bayan kasi sa UP ka nag-aral, kaya magbigay ka rin (It's like society sent you to school because you studied in UP, so you have to give back)," he said.
UP, a state university, is known for its low tuition, part of which is subsidized by the government. Thus, students of UP are called "Iskolar ng Bayan" or nation's scholars. Pelias said he is not considering getting a job abroad, even if it means a higher pay, especially for someone like him who is graduating with Latin Honors. "
Ayoko naman na yayaman ako then iiwan ko yung buong bayan na nagpa-aral sa akin," he said. "
Napaka-unfair no'n." (I don't want to leave the nation that sent me to school even if it means I'll get rich. That's unfair.) He said that he cannot blame other graduates who would want to pursue a career overseas, but he said staying in the Philippines and making a "sacrifice" to work here instead, is a noble thing to do. "I don't consider my decision (to stay in the country and work in UP) as a requirement for UP students. Not everyone can do a noble thing. I'm just hoping they can sacrifice," he said. "If they can't then that's their choice."
Message in graduation speech Pelias said the university taught him that everything he does is not just about himself. He said he owes his success to his professors and his family, and that he offers back his success to them as well. "
Hindi ka nag-aaral para lang sa sarili mo. Sana magamit mo 'yung mga natutunan mo para sa ikauunlad ng sambayanan (You are not studying for yourself alone. You should use what you learn to help the nation progress)," he said. He said this encouragement to fellow Iskolars to give back to the university and the country is the message of a speech that he will deliver on behalf of his batch at their graduation on April 17. Pelias said his unwavering focus helped him in school. He said he avoided distractions and just focused on studying.
In an interview with State of the Nation on Monday, he said he does not think his academic achievements are because of genetics. "I believe
hindi naman ako born very spectacular," he said. "
Siguro nakuha ko lang 'yun out of discipline and hard work" (I believe I was not born very spectacular, but I excelled academically out of discipline and hard work.) He said hard work played a large role in his academics, especially in taking up Mathematics. "
In order to do Math, dapat very organized 'yung ideas, very logical 'yung takbo ng utak mo (In order to do Math, your ideas must be very organized and your mind should work in a very logical way)," he said, adding that practice really makes perfect when it comes to Math. He said his favorite subject in class was Algebra, which is what he also hopes to teach in UP come June. To current and incoming UP students, he offered this advice. "
Huwag lang silang pa-intimidate. Nung pumasok ako sa college, hindi ako galing sa prestihiyosong high school," he said. "
Pag pasok mo, don't consider yourself inferior or superior. Just do your best." (Do not get intimidated. I did not come from a prestigious high school when I entered college. Do not consider yourself inferior or superior. Just do your best.)
— RSJ, GMA News 
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