THE UNIVERSITY of Mindanao administration, led by Dr. Guillermo P. Torres Jr, held an intimate Room Dedication Ceremony with members of the family of UM Board of Trustees member Atty. Jesus ‘Jess’ G. Dureza at the UM Main Library Building in the Matina campus on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026.
Dedicating a collaboration room to Atty. Dureza is symbolic of the knowledge, dedication, and passion for education and learning that he shared with the university, and it is the hope of the UM administration and Dureza family that the students now and in the years to come embody these characteristics as they discuss their studies and work towards their futures in the hallowed halls of UM.
“Through his wise counsel and steadfast commitment to good governance, he has made significant contributions to the University’s growth and pursuit of excellence,” said Dr. Torres Jr in his address to the attendees.
Atty. Dureza’s daughter, Ms. Jeliza Dureza-Uy, also expressed her thanks to Dr. Torres Jr on behalf of their family.
“May this dedicated room stand as a lasting symbol of our shared values, enduring friendship, and collective pursuit of innovation, knowledge, and excellence in higher education,” added Dr. Torres in his citation to Atty. Dureza.
But to those unfamiliar, to look back on the career of Atty. Jess Dureza is to look back on some pivotal parts of modern Philippine history.
Serving the national government beginning with the term of the late President Corazon C. Aquino, Atty. Dureza has since operated in different capacities in the halls of power of Malacañang with every Philippine president since then; most recently in the term of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
Along with his being a former member of Congress, a national peace adviser, and a lawyer, among others, Atty. Dureza is also an accomplished writer, writing for and then serving as the publisher of the Mindanao Times, the oldest community newspaper in Mindanao.
He is also the author of “Walked With The Presidents: An Autobiography,” which recounts his experiences—the good, the bad, and everything in between—of being in public service.
Atty. Dureza is also a successful businessman and, most importantly, a present and loving family man to his brood with wife Elizabeth, and a doting grandfather to their grandchildren.
He served as a Member of the UM Board of Trustees from January 2012 to June 2026, and, during the Room Dedication Ceremony, was named a trustee emeritus member.
