51st Commencement Exercises of San Antonio School
Message of Inspiration
to the Graduates
by: Prof. Richard S.
Celeste, MBM, REB
Greetings of Peace and
Prosperity!!!
Reverend Bishop Nerio
P. Odchimar, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Bishop of Tandag
Reverend Father Allan
R. Fiel, School and Spiritual Director
Mrs. Myrna Salibay
Delaluz, School Principal and one of my former teachers in Filipino.
Mr. Rosendo R. Daytol,
GPTA President
Other school
administrators. Please allow me to make a special mention: Mr. Diosdado S.
Dagsa my former teacher in Trigonometry and Mathematics. Ginang Hyacinth
Pascual-Espinoza my batchmate and former Binibining Wika.
Members of the faculty,
staff, senior high school graduates, proud parents, my dear batchmates, my
beautiful and loving wife Mary Joy and handsome son Baby Abraham, friends,
ladies and gentlemen good morning.
It is indeed a
privilege to be this year’s Commencement Speaker of San Antonio School, an
academic institution which played a big part of what I am today. When Ma’am
Salibay-Delaluz invited me via facebook, I readily said yes for two reasons: 1.
It was a natural instinct for me to respond positively to the invitation. Time
has come that my beloved Alma Mater through the able leadership of Mrs. Myrna
would like to have me as the Guest Speaker and saying yes is my humble gesture
of giving back to the academia. Then the second reason made me realize that we
may not be successful in all aspects of our lives but we all have stories of
challenges surpassed, achievements unlocked and strengths renewed; which, when
shared creates a meaning to “at least one person” looking for some guidance and
inspiration.
My warmest
congratulations to the pioneering batch of Senior High School graduates of San
Antonio School. At long last you have succeeded the 2 more years added for your
secondary education. Some of you might have complained why you needed to take
Senior High School, but it is for you to be more equipped as you take a step
closer to your bigger dream of getting a degree in college and/or getting
employed the soonest time possible. The extensive and intensive exposure that
you have in the academe have surely imbibed in you the necessary values and
qualities for you to face another stage of your life. These values of persistence nga bisan kapoy moeskwela
for 8 hours from Mondays to Fridays, milahutay gihapon kamo. Diligence na bisan sa kadaghan assignments,
homeworks and projects, maumot og madasigon gihapon kamo sa pag submit sa inyo
teachers. Being resourceful
especially during monthly activities naa moy mabitbit like fruits, vegetables,
decorative materials og uban pa. Patience
na bisan 10 years na kamo ga skwela from elementary hantod grade 10, mapailubon
gihapon inyo kasing kasing na mihuwat tapuson ang Grade 12. Time Management sa pagbansay bansay sa
iyo oras unhon pagpaigo ang 24 hours a day na daghan requirements, exams og
uban pang aktibidades inyo apilan. Being
competitive sa sports, sa klase og sa mga kanta-kanta, sayaw sayaw og
literary. Being compassionate and caring
na tagaan nimo imo classmates og papel kay wala xa kadala, pati ballpen og even
snacks during recess. Being religious,
and all other values developed and strengthened all throughout your
schooling. Let these values serve as your strong foundation because wherever
you go and whatever you do, everything will be well.
Another great blessing for
your batch is the UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO QUALITY TERTIARY
EDUCATION ACT or the Republic Act 10931 which was signed into law by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on August 3, 2017 and its full implementation in 112 State Colleges and Universities,
78 local college or university (LCU), or a
state-run technical-vocational institution (TVI) will
be this
coming June 2018, the First Semester of Academic Year 2018-2019. College students will enjoy Free tuition and
all other school fees such as library fees,
computer fees, laboratory fees, school ID fees, athletic fees, admission fees,
development fees, guidance fees, handbook fees, entrance fees, registration
fees, medical and dental fees, cultural fees and other similar or related fees.
Graduates, say to your seatmate. Swerte ta kay
libre na atong college education.
Sa mga nanay, tatay, lolo, lola and relatives na
misuporta sa mga bata, ingna imong katapad. Salamat sa Ginoo makalingkawas nata
sa pang college sa atong mga anak, igsoon og apo. Lodging house, food and daily
allowance dakan inyo preparahon puhon puhon.
I graduated high school
last March 23, 2002 and a lot of questions bothered me at that time. Where will
I spend my College Education. Will I ever go to College? Who would support my
studies and will I ever make it? At one instance I overheard my parents
discussing: “Hain nato paeskwelahon si Balanta? An ako kita sa habal-habal kay
sakto da sa ato panginahanglan, my father said. “Magpatabang kita sa iya mga
igsoon,” my mother replied. Tears flew silently from my eyes and I pitied
myself. How can I fulfill my ambition of finishing a degree, of helping my
parents and of making myself a role model to my nephews and nieces? Then the
schedule to take College Entrance Test in MSU came and with my father’s
hard-earned money which he placed in a piggybank/alkansiya allowed me try my
luck in Mindanao State University. My father was too worried at that time that
he insisted to have the 2,000 pesos be placed “alam niyo kung saan nilagay?”
Yes under my briefs. Tinahi namin yon just to make sure that it won’t be
snatched why I’m travelling and just imagine that it was a grueling 14 hours of
travel from Aras-asan to Marawi City. Thanks to Lovella Mantilla for
accompanying us. Salamat kadayaw Tay kay sa imo pagpaninkamot pag drive ng
motor og pag ipon as alkansiya yakaabot ako ng MSU. Being far from my parents
was really challenging on my part being the youngest in our family. Yeng2, my
batchmate could well attest how we struggled during the early days of our stay
in MSU, that every time we take a phone call appointment via Bayantel and PLDT,
maghinalakay kami sa phone because of homesickness. I even told my parents that
I will be going home and I will have my studies pursued at Surigao del Sur
Polytechnic State College, now a state University. Without me knowing that my
Nanay went to MSU just to fetch me (wala pa kasi kaming cellular phone that
time, so I never had the idea of her arrival). I was actually on my way to my
P.E. class and I really got surprised to see my mother right at the commercial
center road. Later on I said, dili na ako modayon pag uli sa ato Nay. Padayon
na ako pag skwela ngadi sa MSU. Hilak na pud ko when my mother went home. Thanks
to Sir Brian, a very dear friend for convincing me to stay in MSU.
What I did then was to
focus on my studies so I could overcome the loneliness I felt with my parents
and I had a goal to finish schooling the soonest time possible so I could find
a job and help my parents financially. That goal was so clear to me:
Kinahanglan dali da ako makagraduate para makatabang na. True enough, I
completed all the academic requirements in 3 years and a half, and eventually
graduated with honors. My gratitude also goes to my Manang Mary Jane and Kuya
Bobot who supported me in my college education.
So, the first life
lesson that I would like to share to the graduates is to SET A GOAL! Setting a goal
is a mental preparation of what you want to be, what you want to do and
what you want to have in the future. Your goals serve as
the blueprint of your journey. According to Robert T. Kiyosaki – author of the renowned “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” –
Goals have to be clear, simple and in writing. If they are not written
and reviewed daily, they are not really goals. They are wishes. Wishes are just
mere expressions and may not come true. Ladies and gentlemen, I encourage you
to write all your plans in a goals book and review it daily because GOALS
become powerful and attainable as you put it in writing and have it read daily.
Second life lesson is: VISUALIZE YOUR
FUTURE and Dream Big. Visualization
is the power of creating clear mental images of who you will become in the near
future. Doing it enables you to think, speak and act as if you are
already the person you have dreamed of. This is so powerful
because you will be able to attract people who will help you achieve your
goals. The universe will conspire to make your
dreams come true. Many years back, I envisioned to have a family of
my own. I never knew when, where and how, until God gave me my beautiful wife
and He blessed us with Baby Abraham. J Sa mga graduates, you can have this vision but don’t make it a priority
for now kay moskwela pa mo sa College puhon.
Third is: PRAY AND BELIEVE IN GOD. Saying a fervent
prayer and believing in God will lead us to the realization of our
dreams. Faith in God is a very powerful guiding force available to
mankind because as we pray, we develop in us, a positive mental attitude –
making us enthusiastic and motivated in dealing life. My faith in God
was made stronger when I happened to know this passage
in Jeremiah 29:11 which has become my guiding verse. It goes this way,
“for I know the plans I have for you ,declares the
Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future.” Everything that has happened and will happen into our lives entail
God’s plans, so patterned for our own good. As one author
puts it: We all are tourists and God is our travel agent who already fixed all
our routes, reservations and destinations. So trust God and enjoy the Trip
called life.
Fourth: Believe in yourself and avoid negative people. When you meet people who would tell you that you cannot do things, stay away from them because they can steal the passion in you. You have to believe in yourself when no one else does. That’s what makes you a winner (Venus Williams). I like Dr. Daniel Amen’s 18/40/60 rule: When you’re 18, you worry about what everybody else is thinking about you; when you’re 40, you don’t give a darn what anybody thinks of you; and when you’re 60, you realize nobody's been thinking about you at all. Surprise, surprise! Most of the time, nobody’s been thinking about you at all! They are too busy worrying about their own lives, and if they are thinking about you at all, they are wondering what your are thinking about them. People think about themselves, not you. Think about it. All the time you are wasting worrying of what other people think about your ideas, your goals, your clothes, your hair and your home could all be better spent on thinking about and doing things that will achieve your goals. (Excerpt from The Success Principles by Jack Canfield).
Another thing that I would like to
emphasize is: Make it a habit to say I can, rather than maybe I can or
I cannot. When you think you can, you awaken in your mind the power
that can. This simply means that from the moment you think you can, you will
realize that indeed you can really do it and certain forces will guide you to
the realization of what you want. Thus, what your mind can conceive, your body
can achieve. Also, what is your immediate reaction when you want something and
the price seems too high. More often than not, we say I cannot afford it. But
don’t you know that there is a better way of saying it. Just mention, HOW CAN I AFFORD IT. This question
opens possibilities such as being able to raise that certain amount of money or
somebody will give you some funds or simply someone will give you what you
wanted.
Fifth is: GIVE BACK. Give back to your family, Alma Mater and Community. It is the best way to express our gratitude by
helping others in many ways that we can. I got the chance to support my nephews and nieces in their schooling and I am hopeful that it will create a positive impact in our family. you can also get inspiration from the present
situation in the community and from there we can extend help based on our
ability and capacity. I have registered Negosyo Ta sa Mindanao in DTI which
aims to empower the Mindanaoans to be enterprising. Any time soon, we will be
conducting livelihood training, business development seminars and social media
marketing workshops among others. Let us also not forget San Antonio School
wherever life may lead us.
Before I end my speech, I would like to challenge the graduates: WHO
WANTS THIS THESAURUS?
TAKE ACTION! Taking action
is one of the most proven strategies to achieve your goals. It is the best way
to succeed in life. Set aside the self-limiting beliefs and take one step at a
time. The sooner you do it, the better. With your goals written out, make it
real by taking a step one at a time. The task may be so daunting but don’t give
up. Keep pushing forward until one day, you reach your dreams.
Anytime soon, you may forget all these. Perhaps this is just one of the throwback moments you will have but I would like you to remember the bonus lesson which is to take actions. As Ms. Fleire Castro, Founder and Owner of Third Team Media puts it, “Life is about being brave and taking that next shot at success.”
Congratulations again graduates and to your respective families for this
remarkable milestone. To the school administrators, members of the faculty and
staff, continue molding the students holistically because they will be among
the ambassadors of peace and goodwill in Mindanao.
Mabuhay ang San Antonio School! Maraming salamat po.
