Message to the 2012 Graduates of Gabaldon Elementary School, Laoag City

INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE TO THE GRADUATES

Gabaldon Elementary School Graduation Day

Gabaldon Elementary School Quadrangle, April 02, 2012

A month ago, Mrs Seriosa (Gabaldon Elementary School Principal), invited me to give a message for this event. Surprised and wondered why it was me, that even my elementary classmate, Grace Guerrero, asked me if I was the valedictorian of our class. As a graduate of this school with an average academic standing, I’m honored to be here as your guest especially that I have a keen interest with the theme for this year’s commencement exercise, “Your Gift of Learning, Our Tool for Nation Building”. I can say that the theme is aligned with my values and principles. You think maybe it’s because of my profession. Or, maybe, it’s because I have been involved with projects that are related to “Nation Building”. Those are just minor reasons why I took the theme so personally.

Long before I became a professional I have heard and witnessed so many society problems that hinder the advancement of our nation. Alcohol, child abuse, drugs, poverty, illiteracy, racial & gender discrimination, corruption, pollution and a lot. At a very young age, I, however, learned that society problems can be eliminated by living with good values; and I was taught to be considerate, respectful and generous to others. Since then I started to dream to live in a problem free nation. You think maybe I was so young to listen and live with those guiding principles. No.

We begin forming values in our childhood that starts from our family. 

·         They teach us who we are and what we should not be.

·         Teach us how to choose our friends,

Our attachment to family members has a life long effect on our personality.

(adlib – how our neighbors compare my respectful kids to other kids in our community)

Our religion complements our family in molding the moral aspect of our lives.

·         Fear of God, obey God’s rules

·         Showing respect for all the religions

·         Creating a good understanding among all the religious groups.

We are all brothers and sisters under the same God.

(adlib – openness on joining other religion, and with support from the family)

We also have political responsibilities. As the former president of the US said, “Do not ask what the government can do for you. Ask what you can do to your country”

·         Choosing the true leader of the country

·         In case you are unsatisfied with the performance of any government leader, express it in a non-violent way.

·         Coordinate with government to fight against all the national problems.

·         Pay tax properly.

(adlib – experiences as a student congress member)

Our roles in the society and how we are being influenced.

·         Chose the right group, friends and organizations to join.. “tell me who your friends are, and I tell you who you are”

·         Be more active about environment issues.

·         Participate in empowering illiterates, teach livelihood. “give beggars a fish and you feed them for a meal, teach them how to fish and you feed them forever”

(adlib – experiences in joining socio-civic group)

Another institution that plays a part in shaping our norms is the school. It gives a major contribution by providing appropriate formal education. Teachers and instructors nurture you with knowledge which you will need in the future.  Formal education creates large class professionals (adlib – roles of professionals in building the nation; teachers, doctors, technicians etc). This class provides the necessary expertise that is needed to building a nation.

There are lots of aspects that can influence our norms and values; but as an individual each of us has a unique identity. It can be easy to be financially successful, but if we don’t understand what our nation needs; we will fail to become responsible citizens. We don’t always have to be politicians to improve the government system. We don’t always have to be biologists nor ecologists to understand and give solutions to the environmental problems. We don’t always have to be preachers to give spiritual guidance. We don’t always have to be teachers to educate others.  What we need is to perform our responsibilities in the society in a consistent and progressive manner. It’s because nation building is a never ending process. It doesn’t recognize barriers, age, creed, gender and race. So does education. We call today’s ceremony “commencement exercises”, for the reason that graduation is not the end; it's the beginning (adlib – continuous learning; college, masterals, and doctorate). And the theme, “Your Gift of Learning, Our Tool for Nation Building,” is not only a message to the graduates of this school year. It is a call to all of us.

To my fellow adults, we’re never too old to learn more. Let’s continuously develop ourselves and the young generation to gain the gift of learning. Let’s help, inspire and guide the young ones to become valuable adults. Let’s continuously participate in nation building. Jose Rizal once said, “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan”. I feel bad when some people mock on it and say, “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan. Pero paglaki, hindi na maasahan”. But I say, yes, “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan”, and as we age, “isakatuparan na natin ang inaasahan ng mga nakakatanda nung mga bata pa tayo”.

And to the young generations, it’s never too early to take your part as nation builders. TIME IS YOURS, take advantage of that. While you are young, take chance and never waste your time. You’ll be in High School, and as early as today, decide on what you want to be; so that when you get to college you will be steps ahead; if you are undecided and take a course for no valid reason and suddenly realize after a year what you want to become, you will be wasting the tuition fee that your parents paid and you will be wasting a year of your life. Aim high and never put limit on your dreams. Do the best you can to reach your goal, and be strong enough to face challenges (adlib – gender and racial discrimination experiences). And always keep your feet on the ground. Go back to where you came from and think about the struggles you have been through. Share your experience for others to get inspired as well.

Congratulations graduates, and as you go to the next level, embrace your responsibilities as nation builders. To all of us, let’s all work together to build a problem-free nation. Good morning and God bless us all.