Graduation Message for PJC High School (March 28, 2008)

Greetings!

I would like to express my heartfelt felicitations for the invitation you have bestowed upon me, that after 15 years since my graduation from this institution, I am now addressing you as your Commencement Speaker. Being an alumnus of PJC High School has proven to me and my friends that my foundation is strong and that since then, I have showed to them that anyone, as long as you strive your best and study harder, you can achieve your dreams and be where you are in your lives and in our society. Many years since my graduation in 1993, I faced challenges and trials – like deciding what course to pursue and which college or university to enroll. These, coupled with so many trials have made me into who I am now and what I will become in the years to come. Like you do, I come from a humble beginning. When I was in High School, I never was exceptional. I never was the bright student and much more, I never was the best – perhaps, the most behaved and most punctual as well as resourceful but never excellent in academics and it is the reason why I have to strive even harder.

I have proven to my classmates that through sheer hard work and determination to succeed, I can be what I wanted to be. Since then, I went to Mindanao State University in Iligan and went on to pursue my MA at the Lyceum of the Philippines University in Manila and returned back to pursue yet again, my PhD in Development Management from the Ateneo de Zamboanga University and now, my PhD in Educational Management from the esteemed La Salle University in Ozamis City. Even until now, at the age of 31, I still go to school, argue, think critically and share knowledge. Learning my friends, do not stop when we graduate, it is an evolving process and it continues to grow as long as we live.

I convey upon you the wisdom of American Senator Orin Hatch when he said that, “Graduation is not the end; it's the beginning”. Yes, it is a beginning of a new life, new pursuits that are both promising and challenging. As you come to claim your diploma, you bring with you the academic record which bears that you have satisfactorily hurdled the rudiments of an academic journey but you are sustained by the abiding faith and ubiquitous love of your parents as well as the entire faculty and staff of the institution you considered your own.

Yes, your own graduation is not the end, it is just another door towards more fruitful and challenging education. Some of you might want to venture into nursing, engineering, political science, chemistry, physics, business and computer, but the bottom line of all these, you choose wisely and know your capabilities and your ability to hurdle the requisites of these courses. Choosing a course in college is never easy and graduating in such chosen course is the more, not an easy way out. We do not aspire to become what our neighbors or friends or parents wanted us to become but choose which course that suits your capacity as a student and prove that you can make it. Your biggest decision after this graduation is to choose a good university and a good course. Again, my friends, choose wisely. Listen to the counsels of your parents and teachers, they know better but also look within you, if you can assuredly surpass the standards set in your chosen field.

As your theme states, “The Filipino Graduates: Celebrating Achievements, Pursuing Opportunities”, you are expected to become the living example of those who pursues every opportunity that is available to you and achieve your dreams from there. In college my friends, you may wish to know that we have varied options and avenues to try. We can obtain scholarships from the TESDA or CHED in our desire to pursue education and enroll in good colleges and universities outside our province, but we also have one inside which offers a good vantage point for quality tertiary education and that is the JH Cerilles State College. Many others are also offering good courses like SMC, Medina, SCC, and PCC to name a few. As future college students, you are influenced by so many options in choosing your college or university as well as your degree but let your decision be for what is more realistic, economical and responsive to your budget. Why pursue an education in Cebu, Manila, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Dumaguete and elsewhere, when your parents will be hard up for finances and have them worry because you have nothing to eat, no temporary shelter and clothing. Again, choose wisely.

Your theme expresses a kind of optimism that even the famous Judy Garland once said, “Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.” In our struggle to achieve our dreams and in pursuing opportunities for growth, let us be ourselves. We will be happier at our achievements when we are confident because we achieve it by being who we are and what we are, not because we have copied somebody else. Our being who we are is a true test of humility and in what we can become and what we will achieve because we place trust and confidence on our abilities, our capacities and our skills. We can be the best in the world because we imitate others, but in end, are we who we and what we are? Are we as happy and contented? My friends, your journey have just begun.

As the great Diplomat Adlai Stevenson once said that, “When you leave here, don't forget why you came” which I dearly impart upon you to continue the search for knowledge and extend help to those whose light of learning and wisdom is fading. Be an inspiration to those whose educational opportunities are limited. Make yourself the guiding inspiration to those who continually dream of a better life through education and learning. Go on graduates and help build a prosperous community, be the catalyst for development!

My sincerest Congratulations to every one of you but the most of it go to your parents who dreamt the best future for you and of course, our teachers!

Thank you and mabuhay tayong lahat!