Fr. Roger Caalim, OMI our Parish priest, Fr. Boyet Cabrera, OMI our school director, Sr. Mary Paul Diorico, OND, our dean of studies, school administrators, teachers and staff, parents, friends, graduates, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.
It is simply fitting to first of all to thank God for this wonderful event in your life as students who are now graduates. Likewise, this is a good opportunity to thank the parents and families of our beloved graduates who are here with us today for all the love and sacrifices they have lavished on our graduates. You are now beginning to harvest the fruits of your labor.
We'll, I'm very honored to be your speaker today for the commencement of your graduation.
For a couple of a days, (in fact, 2 days lang) I had a hard time twisting the possible reasons why I was chosen to be the speaker today. I thought there are many individuals whom we can think of as pilling in success in their lives. But Why me? We'll All I can think of is that I am a priest, young and vibrant, at ang pinakamadaling utusan ni Fr. Boyet na magsalita ngayon dito. Joke lang Fr. Boyet.
In any case, let me share to you some principles that could possibly help you understand a bit about the meaning of life and success in relation to this 53rd commencement exercises.
My family lives in the province of Cotabato. We were 6 siblings. My sister who was born next to me died when she was 2. We were quite a number and The meager income of my family somehow were just quite enough to send us through college. Fortunately, we have generous relatives who in a way helped us from time to time in our education.
Like some of you here, I know you also felt that life at times is tough, right? And sometimes, you can just feel that it's so unfair. But sometimes, you really just have to face some truths in life - that life is tough and if you want to succeed, you have to work harder, everyday.
But It doesn't mean that when you are having some tough and rough times in life that you can do nothing. In fact, most people who were successful in life have been to all these. Michael Jordan had to miss hundreds of shots that made him the best. Lucio Tan had to buy and sell empty used bottles that made his good in business. Manny Pacquiao had to go to the market everyday that made him the strongest and fastest boxer. Vice Ganda had to spend nights in comedy bars that made him the most admired tv personality today. Bb. Pilipinas Ms. universe 2014 MJ Lastimosa had to lose 2 times in the same pageant that she finally got the crown. All these stories and many others' tell us one thing, that we should never give up in life. The tougher life gets, the better the winning and success. Success is not what or who you are today but who you become everyday. Now, That's one.
Then the second is this: Your life is your own story. People might tell you what to do but it is your choice to make them real.
People used to tell me I'm not gonna finish my seminary formation. People would tell me I'm not gonna be a priest. So When i was in the seminary, little by little, I began to believe that they were right. Right in front of my very eyes, I did things according to their expectations. I failed to follow the seminary rules. I never listened to my parents to be a good seminarian. And later i just reaIized that I was sent out from the seminary for being immature and hard-headed. So I was out in the seminary for a year working in Davao, Bukidnon and Kidapawan. Then I asked myself, what am I doing with my life? I thought to myself that I cannot just let other people write my own story. I have to write my own story because this is my life. Yes, this is my life. So I went back on my feet, went back in the seminary and I told myself, i have to be back because this is what I want. Then after 7 years I was ordained a priest.
You may fail a lot of times in life. Whether you like it or not, at some point in your life, you will surely fail. We all do fail. But when you fail and stumble, stand up, and go back to your senses. Focus on your dreams not on your failures. For it is not what the world gives you that will determine your success or failure but how you respond to what is happening in your life.
You are graduates now, but it doesn't mean that the fight is over. You still have to work harder. Land a job. Help your family. Be the best person you can be.
Read, learn, listen, pray, love, make good decisions and never stop dreaming.
Graduates, the whole world Is bigger than what you think. It is so big that it can give you everything you need only when you want it. It is so big that it can conspire itself to help you achieve your own success.
You were taught different skills by your teachers and in this school. Use them for success. Use them to change your life. Use them to change the world and let us help one another to make it better.
And finally, Never forget that in your journey you have your family and friends who are so proud of you and they love you and will always love you no matter what. And you have a God who loves you too.
Let me end my speech by quoting to you the words of St. Teresa de Avila:
She says, "Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing ever frighten you.
Everything is changing.
Only God is unchanging.
Patience wins everything.
If you have God, you lack nothing.
Only God is enough."
To all of you, may God remain with you forever to bless you. Once again, congratulations!
It is simply fitting to first of all to thank God for this wonderful event in your life as students who are now graduates. Likewise, this is a good opportunity to thank the parents and families of our beloved graduates who are here with us today for all the love and sacrifices they have lavished on our graduates. You are now beginning to harvest the fruits of your labor.
We'll, I'm very honored to be your speaker today for the commencement of your graduation.
For a couple of a days, (in fact, 2 days lang) I had a hard time twisting the possible reasons why I was chosen to be the speaker today. I thought there are many individuals whom we can think of as pilling in success in their lives. But Why me? We'll All I can think of is that I am a priest, young and vibrant, at ang pinakamadaling utusan ni Fr. Boyet na magsalita ngayon dito. Joke lang Fr. Boyet.
In any case, let me share to you some principles that could possibly help you understand a bit about the meaning of life and success in relation to this 53rd commencement exercises.
My family lives in the province of Cotabato. We were 6 siblings. My sister who was born next to me died when she was 2. We were quite a number and The meager income of my family somehow were just quite enough to send us through college. Fortunately, we have generous relatives who in a way helped us from time to time in our education.
Like some of you here, I know you also felt that life at times is tough, right? And sometimes, you can just feel that it's so unfair. But sometimes, you really just have to face some truths in life - that life is tough and if you want to succeed, you have to work harder, everyday.
But It doesn't mean that when you are having some tough and rough times in life that you can do nothing. In fact, most people who were successful in life have been to all these. Michael Jordan had to miss hundreds of shots that made him the best. Lucio Tan had to buy and sell empty used bottles that made his good in business. Manny Pacquiao had to go to the market everyday that made him the strongest and fastest boxer. Vice Ganda had to spend nights in comedy bars that made him the most admired tv personality today. Bb. Pilipinas Ms. universe 2014 MJ Lastimosa had to lose 2 times in the same pageant that she finally got the crown. All these stories and many others' tell us one thing, that we should never give up in life. The tougher life gets, the better the winning and success. Success is not what or who you are today but who you become everyday. Now, That's one.
Then the second is this: Your life is your own story. People might tell you what to do but it is your choice to make them real.
People used to tell me I'm not gonna finish my seminary formation. People would tell me I'm not gonna be a priest. So When i was in the seminary, little by little, I began to believe that they were right. Right in front of my very eyes, I did things according to their expectations. I failed to follow the seminary rules. I never listened to my parents to be a good seminarian. And later i just reaIized that I was sent out from the seminary for being immature and hard-headed. So I was out in the seminary for a year working in Davao, Bukidnon and Kidapawan. Then I asked myself, what am I doing with my life? I thought to myself that I cannot just let other people write my own story. I have to write my own story because this is my life. Yes, this is my life. So I went back on my feet, went back in the seminary and I told myself, i have to be back because this is what I want. Then after 7 years I was ordained a priest.
You may fail a lot of times in life. Whether you like it or not, at some point in your life, you will surely fail. We all do fail. But when you fail and stumble, stand up, and go back to your senses. Focus on your dreams not on your failures. For it is not what the world gives you that will determine your success or failure but how you respond to what is happening in your life.
You are graduates now, but it doesn't mean that the fight is over. You still have to work harder. Land a job. Help your family. Be the best person you can be.
Read, learn, listen, pray, love, make good decisions and never stop dreaming.
Graduates, the whole world Is bigger than what you think. It is so big that it can give you everything you need only when you want it. It is so big that it can conspire itself to help you achieve your own success.
You were taught different skills by your teachers and in this school. Use them for success. Use them to change your life. Use them to change the world and let us help one another to make it better.
And finally, Never forget that in your journey you have your family and friends who are so proud of you and they love you and will always love you no matter what. And you have a God who loves you too.
Let me end my speech by quoting to you the words of St. Teresa de Avila:
She says, "Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing ever frighten you.
Everything is changing.
Only God is unchanging.
Patience wins everything.
If you have God, you lack nothing.
Only God is enough."
To all of you, may God remain with you forever to bless you. Once again, congratulations!
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