From PMA to ASoG: Q&A with 2024 Valedictorian Charlie Domingo

Leadership is not for the weak: it is a continuous process that requires dedication and the awareness that one can always learn and improve more. This year’s Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) Master in Public Management (MPM) Program Class of 2024 Valedictorian, Lt. Col. Domingo shares his insights on his MPM journey and how it allowed him to grow not just as a public servant but also as a leader. 

How does it feel to become the valedictorian of this batch?

I am very happy and thankful. In a way, I was also surprised since I took up the MPM program concurrently with my Command and General Staff Course (CGSC) initially, and later with my full-time job as HEA TDCS, AFP. My ultimate objective was to complete my MPM requirements on time, especially my Governance Innovation Report (GIR). Thus, I also feel fulfilled knowing that my efforts have led to this achievement. 

Why did you decide to apply to Ateneo, and why MPM specifically? 

I believed [that] the ASOG MPM program, particularly the Security Governance track, will expand my perspective as I advance in my military career and will provide me the opportunity to view the country’s pressing security concerns, evolving operational dynamics, and the internal challenges being faced by my organization beyond the traditional lens of the military. I have hoped that this will enable me to be more responsive to my mandate as a military professional and equip me to be a true servant-leader and agent of positive change not only in my organization but also in the broader mainstream of our society.

How did you find your experience with your fellow students and with the faculty? Any stories and lessons you would like to share?

I took my MPM classes with the members of the CGSC Class 72 cohort and our sessions were mostly through online platforms, hence, physical interaction was very limited. Nonetheless, we also had a series of group work and presentations, and even actual data gathering activities in our respective units during our Public Budget and Finance and Policy Analysis and Development courses. For our group, we did interviews and document analyses at Headquarters Philippine Marine Corps. From these activities, we acquired a broader understanding of the relationship between proactive and responsive policy development and conscientious, equitable, and accountable resource allocation and utilization.

In general, the process of learning from our distinguished professors has been extremely enlightening. It would be insufficient to characterize them as subject matter experts; in fact, they are recognized institutions within their respective fields. They were able to elaborate on and contextualize the practical applications of "textbook" leadership and governance concepts, particularly for defense and security practitioners like us, through their experiences in public service.

What life lesson/s will you take away from your MPM experience? 

In general, the MPM program provided me with the opportunity to enhance my personal conviction and professional competence in anticipation of increasing responsibilities within the AFP and the broader public service sector. The experience offered me a broader perspective on the necessity of collectively pursuing and integrating the various dynamics of defense and security, good governance, and equitable development to enhance the welfare of our nation and its citizens, all for the greater glory of God.

Given the chance to talk to a future MPM student, what words of wisdom would you give?

To optimize gains, a student undergoing the program must be a sponge; he/she must go through the experience with an open heart and mind. The program is designed such that students will learn not only from the professors and reference materials but also from each other. Hence, one should also actively participate during class discussions and even in informal interactions.

The Ateneo School of Government congratulates the Master in Public Management Class of 2024, and hopes that like Lt. Col. Domingo, the rest of its graduates will embody the leadership values in their own professional fields. May they all serve as inspirations and models for the societal change that the country deserves.