Speech: Product Launching Festival

Speech of Prof. Richard S. Celeste, MBM during the 2nd Product Launching Festival of the Entrep 103 Class of the Marketing Department, Mindanao State University, Marawi City.

 

Everything great starts from an idea. An innovative idea worth transforming into a tangible product. An idea with the goal of satisfying people’s needs and make their lives better.

I would like to request the Entrep 103 students to please stand and be recognized. Tap the shoulder of the person to your right and say, Congrats, you have made this far. And then tap the shoulder of the person to your left and say “It feels great to be learning with you. A round of applause. My warmest congratulations to all of you for surpassing the many challenges of pursuing this activity. To the class officers and members of the core team, please remain standing as others take their seats, I commend you for your persistence, motivation and dedication to lead the class and the entire Entrep 103 students towards the achievement of a common goal. You deserve a resounding round of applause. Requesting Sir Cha to stand. You deserve acknowledgement for guiding the students in practicing what they learn. Continue to push them harder so they could appreciate the benefits of having all these. Thank you. If I may borrow the lines of the Little Prince that goes, “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eyes.” Some people might only focus on the tangibles without minding how you went through because behind this is a series of struggles, sacrifices and selfless acts just to get things done and so with that you all deserve another resounding round of applause.

There lies an entrepreneurial child in each one of us: a child who is daring, confident, determined and courageous, a child who always thinks he can do anything, and a child who believes everything is possible. Question: Do you think you still have that great confidence, courage and determination now?

Over the years, the level of self-confidence diminishes not because we are not capable but because we have been programmed or influenced unconsciously by the people around us like our parents, even teachers and the society at large who would tell us that we cannot do things. Example: You say, Gusto kong maging Doctor and your mother would reply, Pag sure dira Nak, di gani ka kabasa og tarong. How about the teachers reprimanding the students if they fail the exam or if they fail to memorize the definition of a term? How about the larger society with negative people who would laugh at us when we fail? We have then become conscious of what other people may think of us which adds to the limiting beliefs we set to ourselves. And then we say, Hindi ko nga talaga kaya, so when opportunities call you to do so, you hold back and retreat.

Added to that is our educational system with the requisites and emphasis reflected in 3 purposive statements: Study hard, get good grades and land a good job. These draw serious implications. For instance, the fear of committing mistakes hinders the creativity of the students. One becomes static and dependent largely on books because a minor mistake can be fatal. I can’t help myself but be amazed with a 20 year old boy in the name of Gian Javelona who is the Chief Executive Officer of his company Orange Apps. He said, “I think education is the main problem. All of us are molded to be employees – not employers. If you ask a student today, what they want to do after graduation, most will say that they want to work for a big, local company or go abroad and earn big money.” This is a sad reality but it’s never too late to do some things.

For example, today is the Grand Launching of your New Products in Entrep 103. It is an opportunity for you to learn how it is to become an entrepreneur. More than this launching is a series of tests and challenges on your time management, teamwork, creativity, marketing, entrepreneurial and leadership skills.

First, the time management test. I understand that you have struggled much to make both ends meet to the extent of missing other priorities not to mention the missed classes. To those who maintained a balance in all of your subjects, good for you and to those who did not, make it a goal to balance things and manage well your time. Have a to-do list as your guide and reminder. Write the tasks on your notes a night before the day begins because while you are asleep, your mind works as to how you will accomplish the tasks and so when the day comes, everything flows smoothly, allowing you to accomplish most if not all of the tasks written because some of these will need more time.

Second, the test of how it is to work with the team. I want to emphasize this: Each one of you is a significant part of the team and when you as a parcel of a subsystem do not function well, others will be affected. Imagine how much of a delay you would cause if you don’t cooperate. Always remember that your individual contributions would lead to a group success. Create a synergy for a successful undertaking.

3^rd, the creativity test. You were given the task to represent a festival in the country and you have done it so well. With your output, you deserve a grade higher than your average score in your major written exams :D

4^th, the actual marketing test, you sure have strategies to attract customers like putting up of the streamers, facilitating gimmicks and having convincing techniques to make customers buy your product. I want you to know that you will always encounter rejections but don’t take it seriously because for every 1 No from a customer is a several Yeses from other customers. You just have to believe that as long as you have something to sell, you can make a sale.

5^th, the test on your entrepreneurial skills. Starting up a business, organizing a product exhibit and selling products are really challenging. It demands much of your time, energy and yes money. But activities like this serve as one of the ways for you to appreciate what your course is all about. BSBA Entrepreneurial Marketing calls for students and faculty alike to explore entrepreneurship by engaging into it. May this grand launching and all other selling activities be an eye opener to everyone of us to consider engaging entrepreneurship worth venturing into.

6^th, the leadership test. How patient have you become in calling for a group meeting with no one in coming. How effective you are in facilitating group consensus and agreement so you could work well together towards a common goal.

All these tests are but a training ground for you - a learning avenue where you get to develop the values of being responsible, diligent, patient, disciplined and time conscious.  

 

The theme: Today’s Innovation – World Class Delights for World Class Individuals is timely and relevant as it is in consonance with MSU’s goal to be a world class institution in 2020. It poses a challenge to both young and seasoned entrepreneurs to offer innovative products so customers will be satisfied.  With a thorough and detailed focus on the stages of the product development process, anyone can come up with a brilliant idea, transform this idea into a tangible output and satisfy customer’s needs. I highly suggest that you tap the social media in your promotional activities by posting photos and update in facebook and twitter so a lot of people will know of your products who will eventually become your customers in the years to come. More so with telling the world that Mindanao is not that horrible and horrid; that we can actually do activities safely, peacefully and successfully.

Indeed, Entrep 103 is a very good foundation for your entry to the terminal or final courses Entrep 109 for the business plan and Entrep 197 for the practicum. Make your experiences here your guide posts as you continue schooling. And I encourage you to be bolder, more daring and more passionate in the future.

Before I end my speech, I would like to leave you these pieces of advice that you can keep and apply. I call it 5 Be’s.

1.      Be hungry for learning. Take every course requirement as an opportunity for you to learn, grow and be responsible. If your instructor gives you tasks to do, don’t complain right away. Always think of the benefits it could give you and find ways to learn from it. And I tell you, there’s so much learning if theories are supplemented with applications because it is through application that everything will be put to test.

2.      Be positive and be faithful. Each one of us go through struggles and some of these challenges seem to pull us down leading to decisions of giving up. As Napoleon Hill puts it, “Every adversity, every failure and every heartache carries with it the Seed of an equivalent or greater benefit.” So, don’t worry of what you are going though right now because it has a positive equivalent. Whatever struggles you have, just stay positive and never give up when you are on the verge of doing it. I want to emphasize this: Do not stop when you are tired. Stop when you are done. Also, Call unto God for interventions and believe in Him that everything will be well.

3.      Believe in yourself. Venus Williams, an Olympic Gold Medalist said, You have to believe in yourself when no else does, that’s what makes you a winner. Never mind other people who would tell you, you cannot do things. One of the joys in life is actually doing what others think you can’t because it seems impossible. Two of the powerful statements available to mankind are: I can and I am… Can everyone say I can do it…. I can make it through the rain… And say I am confident, I am diligent, I am responsible, I am productive, I am determined, I am courageous, I am talented.

4.      Be in love. There can be no law greater than Love and there can be no emotion stronger than love. Find love in everything that you do and it will make you happy. How I wish though that I could stay in love longer with what I presently do for the years to come. To the students, learn to love your course and the things you do in your major subjects because you are on the right track. Feel proud you are a BSBA Entrepreneurial Marketing student because you have a vital role as a practicing young entrepreneur in the economic development of the country. It even gives you a rare opportunity to make a difference. And so when people ask you what course are you taking, confidently say, I am taking BSBA Entrepreneurial Marketing – a course giving me the option to the path less travelled by – that is becoming an entrepreneur. Most importantly, be in love with the Almighty, the source of everything for without Him, we are nothing.  

5.      Be thankful. There is power in gratitude that could change our lives because for every thank you we say welcomes more blessings and abundance. Say thank you to your parents, to the saleslady, to the tricycle driver and to anyone you come in contact with. More so with being grateful to the Almighty for all the good things He has done for us. Even be grateful for the green fields, fresh air, and everything that you have now. Learn to appreciate.

And so I am ending this message with “Who wants this?” Taking actions is indeed key towards success and may take one action at a time towards the achievement of our dreams in life. We can have so many goals and aspirations but only if we take actions can we make these dreams real.

Thank you so much everyone for listening. May you have more sales today and for the days coming so you could also appreciate earning a profit and satisfying people’s needs. Have a great day ahead. And May God bless us all.

Speech: HOW DO I GET THERE FROM WHERE I AM NOW

Speech of Prof. Richard S. Celeste, MBM during the Seniors' Ball of Mindanao State University, Marawi City, October 11, 2014. 

Good evening Ezer Batch! Good evening warriors! How are you feeling right now? Can you please tell your seatmate right now, You look awesome tonight! My warmest congratulations to everyone of you for making it this far! You are indeed victorious warriors!

A couple of weeks from now, you will be conferred with your respective degrees and it reminds me of the day of our graduation way back in 2006. I simply got teary eyed and couldn’t help myself but ask, “WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?”  

Where do I go from here is the most common question of the students after they will be conferred as graduates. Tonight, we will transform the question into “HOW DO I GET THERE FROM WHERE I AM NOW? Again, HOW DO I GET THERE FROM WHERE I AM NOW? This question enables you to find means and I would like to share with you 5 important steps for you to reach what you want in life.

First on the list is: SET A GOAL. Goal setting 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 review it daily. Bo Sanchez – author of the 8 Secret of the Truly Rich further added that by writing down your dreams, you open yourself to life’s river of abundance. And when you read what you wrote daily, you multiply the power of that river tenfold.” Wow! Don’t you like to achieve your goals? Then start writing your goals when you get home and review it daily.

Second is: VISUALIZE YOUR FUTURE. 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. Allow me to share with you a video clip showing what I have been through and my dreams in life.

This is so powerful because you will be able to attract people who will help you achieve your goals. It’s as if that the entire universe will conspire to make your dreams come true. I myself, experienced this. I visualized to be a well known and effective motivational speaker in the world and my presence at this very moment is a justification how visualization works. When Mr. Pelongo invited me to speak before you, I readily said yes. Why? Simply because this is a great opportunity for harnessing my speaking skills and soon I will be one of the most sought speakers.

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. In Mark 11:24, the Lord says, “Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. Thus, when we ask something from God, we should be happy and believe that we already received it and eventually, what we want will be realized, provided that it is based on a selfless intention. My faith in God was made more meaningful when I happened to know this passage in Jeremiah  29:11. I consider this as my guiding verse. It goes this way, “for I know the plans I have for you, 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. What we need to do is to trust God and thank Him for everything. Showing gratitude to God can also be done by appreciating His creations and by thanking every person you mingle with, even circumstances. In fact, Napoleon Hill said, “Every adversity like disappointments, failures, misfortunes and even heartaches carries with it the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit.” Every time you will encounter an adversity, give thanks for it because behind it is a blessing.

Fourth: Believe in yourself. 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 about what other people think about your ideas, your goals, your clothes, you 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: TAKE ACTION! [WHO WANTS THIS ACTIVITY]. 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 this fifth step which is to take actions. As Ms. Fleire Castro puts it, “Life is about being brave and taking that next shot at success.” 

Want to get rich? Do business. Network with like-minded individuals. Explore possibilities. Take action!

Want your dream job? Plan, prepare and prove your worth it! Take action!

Want to tell someone you love them? Be brave. Don’t hesitate! Take action! I tried but to no avail until the other way around happened :D I’m happily into a relationship :D Thank God J

What are those five ways for you to get there from where you are now?

1.    Set a goal

2.    Visualize your future

3.    Pray and believe in God

4.    Believe in yourself

5.    Take action!

Thank you so much everyone! I fervently pray for everyone’s success! God bless us all and have a good night!

Today is the beginning of my new life...

                Today marks the beginning of my new life.

                Today, I thank the Lord for all the blessings He has given me.

                Today, I remember all the good things God has done for me.

                Today, I ask forgiveness to the people I have wronged and hurt.

                Today, I forgive every person who intentionally or not, have caused me pain.

                Today, I acknowledge the opportunities accorded me.

                Today, I thank every part of nature, the lush environment and fresh air.

                Today, I promise to focus on the positive aspects of life, even in the midst of challenges. Everything I know, has a purpose and the reason behind it is for my own good.

                Today, I want to give the best that I can and make other people happy.

                Today, I will spread the power of gratitude and positivism that everyone I encounter and those who read this will become enthusiastic and cheerful.

                Today, I will share smile to every person I meet. It costs nothing but will help enlighten depressed souls.

                Today, I offer my life to the Creator.

                Today is the best day of my life… Thank you Lord… You are loved… 

A Sharing of God's Blessings @ JCIL-COCC

Good morning and Happy Sunday everyone!

When Pastor Bayani requested me to give a testimony a couple of months ago, I was then readily willing. But my commitments and responsibilities in MSU have somehow hindered me from doing it. The day has arrived for my turn and I am giving my best shot. Before I proceed, allow me to share with you a video clip featuring God’s manifestation of blessings in my life as well as my dreams of what I would like to become, what I would like to have and what I would like to do in the coming years. Click video here. 

Thank you so much. I believe in the power of visualization and declaration J

Personally, I do not discredit for being a Catholic years back because I was then trained to consistently attend mass every Wednesday and Sunday. And yes my faith was developed. But God loves me so much that he brought me to Jesus Christ is Lord Fellowship Crossed Over Citi Church (JCIL-COCC) to be Born Again. God wanted me to have a closer relationship with Him. It was on July of 2012 when Sir Christopher Onque, my boss at Tita Fannies LCH invited me to attend the service. I was then apprehensive that time until I got comfortable attending the Sunday Service. Then came the Encounter Weekend. It was life changing for me that the love of Jesus Christ was fully revealed in me. From then on, I kept reading the Bible for my devotional. True enough, we become more vulnerable to temptations when we lose sight of the Bible and when we detach ourselves from the Church. I gave in to some but I have fought victoriously the temptations most of the time and I thank God for that.

One of the biggest challenges in my life was during my Master in Business Management undertaking at MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology when due to my lapses, my Thesis Adviser told me that she could no longer check my paper because it was quite late. I was then depressed like my dream of having an MBM degree was shattered. But I never gave up because I know God was there guiding and pushing me to achieve my goal. Thank God I graduated Master in Business Management as a Leadership Awardee.

Another blessing that God gave me is my girlfriend. Yes, girlfriend J Finally, in my 28 years of existence, I now have someone special who dearly loves me and I am sending my love back heartily J I find it strange because it’s my first time experience and I find it strange because I have not become so masculine, but I know God will guide me until I become comfortable for having in a relationship and that I will be more masculine J Thank you Lord for this wonderful blessing.

This coming May 1, 2014, I will be the new Chairperson of the Marketing Department in MSU, Marawi City J

One thing I would like to emphasize is that we should never give up our dreams. As Napoleon said, “Every heartache, failure and difficulty has a Seed of an EQUIVALENT OR GREATER BENEFIT.” I always cling on to God’s promise found in Jeremiah 29:11, “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.”

Thank you so much for having me here. May God bless us all J

Receiving a Leadership Award is an extra blessing

Receiving a Leadership Award is indeed an extra blessing. For students venturing into graduate education, getting a degree is of primary concern. The long years of drudgery in itself is enough for a graduate student to finish his/her chosen degree and receive a diploma.

Few days before the College of Business Administration and Accountancy’sPre-commencement and Recognition Ceremonies, we had our rehearsals at the IIT gymnasium. Prof. Stephen Fajardo, Assistant Dean of CBAA, then announced the graduates with extra-curricular and co-curricular achievements. I heard him say my name for the Leadership Awardees of the College which surprised me because I least expected it, considering that I was taking up a masteral degree.

Then the Pre-commencement Exercises happened.

The Program

Prof. Fajardo called me up and upon receiving the medal and the certificate made me feel grateful and proud. I thank the Master in Business Management Department/Office/Program for recognizing my contributions to the studentry and the program. Being the President of MBM Student Board from 2010 to 2012 was a bit challenging not to mention the diverse personalities of professionals I was dealing with. One thing I am grateful though is that everyone was just as excited as I was to have general orientation, get-together party, enhancement seminar, outreach program and of course the educational tour a.k.a. laag-laag :D But truly, we learned a lot from all those educational trips especially the laughter, laughter and laughter all throughout the trip :D This among others makes me nostalgic of my MBM journey because of the moments shared together. You can read my post on my MBM Journey here.

The Certificate

With Vanessa, Ma'am Abeth and my fellow MBM graduates

The award I received will always remind me to be humble no matter what; to have the desire and passion to lead; to be compassionate with others; to do conscientiously the plans even if it meant a sacrifice; and to never stop learning lessons even beyond the four corners of the classroom.

The Medal

With Rolly and Brian. Thank you so much for coming over. Thank you sab Kyong :-)

These I thank you my MBM Family. As of this writing, I am already teary eyed… Hope to always connect with you guys… Thank you thank you thank you… Thank God… 

Thank you so much my MBM Family

With my nephew JR, Tatay, Nanay, Rolly, Lloyd and Brian. Salamat much :-)

With Sir Adrian, Ma'am Narido and fellow MBM graduates

With the ever supportive CBAA Graduate Program Coordinator Prof. Narido. Thank you so much Ma'am :-)

MSU-IIT commends 1,539 graduates in its 43rd Commencement Exercises

The 43rd Commencement Exercises of MSU-IIT

The Iligan Institute of Technology of the Mindanao State University commends 1,539 graduates from the different schools and colleges of the institute during its 43^rd Commencement Exercises on April 8, 2013. MSU-IIT: Going Beyond Borders was the class theme – urging the graduates to meet the demands and challenges of the present time.

The Baccalaureate Services

With over a thousand candidates for graduation, the processional march was one of the longest lines one could ever witness during graduation. That alone, consumed 45 minutes for everyone to endure. Well, one has to withstand it, after all, on that same day, the candidates for graduation will be conferred with their respective degrees :D

The Baccalaureate Ceremony

With the spiritual leaders having reached their seats on stage signaled the MSU-IIT Octava Choral Society to render the invocation. This was followed by the baccalaureate prayers initiated by Ustadz Aladin Saga Deron, President of Imam League, Rev. Jonathan M. Cal of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and Fr. Leo A. Illah, C.S.Sp, Chaplain of the Catholic Center Campus Ministry. Father Leo before saying a prayer encouraged everyone to be always grateful and thankful to God the Almighty.

Daxter, William L. Gulben, BS EE, Magna Cum Laude, the class first honorable mention led the prayer response of the candidates for graduation. After which was the presentation of tokens and love offerings to the spiritual leaders.

The Commencement Ceremonies

Another processional march joined by the institute officials, the MSU System officials, the Regents of the University System, the Chancellor, the Guest Speaker, The University President and the Colors came to play.

The Candidates for Graduation

Dr. Sukarno D. Tanggol, the Institute Chancellor introduced the commencement speaker to everyone’s excitement. Citing his credentials being a physicist, a writer, a professor, a blogger among others, the candidates for graduation couldn’t wait for him to deliver his speech.

And so, Dr. Isagani Cruz greeted everyone “Maayong Buntag!!!”

Starting with the interpretation of the number 13, he assured the graduates that it is a lucky number. “You must start working on your next dream. This is where you will need a lot more luck,” he said.

“Chance favors the prepared mind,” he added.

Moreover, he challenged everyone by saying, “according to economists and other experts, the “new growth pole” in the country is Mindanao. This is where the country will rise or fall. “You are lucky because you are in Mindanao. You are right here where the action is. You are lucky because you studied in a school that is rooted solidly in Mindanao. You are lucky because you graduated from a school that has never deviated from its tradition of academic excellence in many fields, particularly science and technology. You have been well-prepared for the task that you now face.”

He continued, “What is the task that you now face? It is to propel Mindanao to its position of leadership. It is to be the pilot in the ship that is the country. It is to be the leader of the almost a hundred million Filipinos ready to become, if we will believe the foreign press, the next Asian tiger.

The MSU System President and IIT Chancellor giving the plaque of appreciation to the commencement speaker

Everyone applauded, being grateful to the inspirational message of Dr. Cruz.

Dr. Edgar W. Ignacio, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs recognized the candidates for graduation who received academic leadership and co-curricular awards.

Dr. Tanggol then presented 1,539 candidates for graduation to the MSU System President Dr. Macapado Muslim who then conferred various degrees to the graduates.

The graduates, faculty members and the parents

Ms. Almera O. Manan, the class valedictorian and a Magna Cum Laude BS Biology graduate, delivered her valedictory address. She tearfully recalled how she went through the challenges of being a student. Spending sleepless nights, taking endless exams and passing loads of requirements have become a routine to her and her classmates. “This is now the fruit of our labor, the result of all the hardships we had,” she proudly said. “Thank you to all our mentors, who have helped us throughout our journey in IIT,” she added.

Then, the class song entitled READY TO GO BEYOND was led by Ms. Casteelyn H. Bacera, AB English and a music awardee.

Hon. Roberto N. Lim, President of the MSU Alumni Association and Alumni Regent led the oath-taking of the graduates; after which he jokingly said, “Now, you can cry.”

Ms. Marie Joy L. Requiroso, a BS Bio graduate and class salutatorian led the pledge of loyalty to the Alma Mater.

Then the singing of the Himno ng Pamantasan signaled the finale of the Commencement Exercises.

Congratulations!!!