Thus declares the vision statement of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), a commitment of the first city-funded local university in the country for 39 productive years.  A covenant with the people of Manila, under the leadership of City Mayor Jose L. Atienza Jr., as its benefactors to provide high quality college education to financially disadvantaged but intellectually deserving of Manila's youth.  A passion for academic excellence as PLM grows from strength to strength.

 “We are very proud of our track record in licensure examinations, having been ranked among top schools in the country today based on a CHED four-year study of colleges and universities fielding candidates for PRC board examinations,” PLM president Benjamin G. Tayabas claims.

 Himself a TOSP awardee in 1965 and the recipient of the Philippines Jaycee Senate's The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) award in the field of education, Dr. Tayabas envisions “more and more of our students and faculty members to receive outstanding citations and distinguished awards as proof of the star quality of scholarship at the Pamantasan.”

 Two-time PLM President Tayabas defines the new focus of the city university “simply an excellent university” to a “truly outstanding Pamantasan in support of the city government program of “Buhayin ang Maynila” of Mayor Lito Atienza.  The university enjoys the full support of the present leadership of the city government.

 “At PLM, we will continue to stay on top and stay in front as we mobilize the resources of the university to support the programs and services of the city government as our way of demonstrating our gratitude to the people of Manila who pay for the education of Pamantasan students,” Dr. Tayabas says.

 This year's 39th Foundation Day celebration will usher in the year-long series of activities and programs.  Anchored on the Ruby Anniversary theme, “Soaring High and Leaving Footprints in Pursuit of a Legend in Quality Higher Education,” the University will focus its attention on the enhanced student participation in pursuing the tri-focal mandate of the University, namely, quality academic programs, research, and extension services.

 In the tradition of academic excellence, PLM will embark on strategic initiatives to put high premium on quality instruction, research-based, market-driven and service-oriented academic programs.

 Aware of the many challenges of our times, the University has crafted its Medium-Term Development Agenda.  The Development Agenda has mainstreamed into the PLM system some innovative programs and best practices as articulated in the academic programs that are market-based and responsive to the industry needs.  Further it shall give emphasis on new trends and approaches in instruction and assessment of quality in higher education research.  As demonstrated in the university extension services, the PLM's philosophy of “Malasakit sa Kapwa, Malasakit sa Madla” has been the guiding light for students and faculty undertaking their community services at the barangays of the City of Manila.

 In describing the new perspective of education at PLM, Dr. Tayabas intones: “Since most of our students come from poverty-stricken and oppressive home environment as they struggle for daily survival, our classroom must be liberating and dynamic and not oppressive because our students are entitled to a liberating education; above all, education at Pamantasan must promote the culture of life and not of violence and death.”

 In the education agenda of Mayor Atienza for the city, PLM is envisioned to provide quality college education at the least cost and thus making Pamantasan education as, in his words, “The best success option for Manileños.”  Mayor Atienza is an alumnus of the city university.