I am Neorichcel: SPEECH: 51st Commencement Exercises of San Antonio School

51^st 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.