Nestle G. Taala, AB Mass Communications, Cum Laude and Alton Bigelow Awardee encourages her fellow graduates to dream big.
“Miracle is just another term for hard work… and prayer.”
Central Philippine University is indeed a dream came true. I first entered CPU when I was in second year high school because of a youth convention held at this very auditorium. It was then the time I decided to be a Centralian when I would be in college. I was planning to take up Journalism alone but the school offers Mass Communication in general and I compromised because of that dream. So I became a Centralian and it felt like home.
But dreams sometimes, turn into nightmares. As I entered the portals of CPU, I’ve meet different people with different personalities. Each one could either make you or break you. Every person left lessons after all the experiences you had with them. Have heard hurtful words and I was down because of the people I thought would be my buddies forever. I got lost in the track and though every night I had my quiet time with the Lord and devotional, I was depressed and the feeling of anxiety was crippling. No one knew but there was a time, such a hilarious time when I thought of ending it all. To end the pain, to end this life. Christian ka pay amo na napaminsar mo! I always told myself. But being a Christian does not make one invulnerable to such things. During those times the verse Psalm 34:18 had been my refuge. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” And as time passed by, I had a realignment in my life. As a daughter of an OFW, I realized that it’s not worth giving up. Si Mama ko gapanglimpyo to sang kasilyas sang iban nga tawo tapos gainamo pako ni? She might not be there to pamper me with the words I needed but she became one of the very reasons for me to stand up.
My OJT, meetings, our productions, theater rehearsals, outreaches, sometimes they happened all in one day and I had to run for one appointment to another. Literally. And it was tiring. Very tiring. “Nan kay hap-an tanan.” But who cares? I love being productive anyway. And I knew those were God’s ways of healing my depressed soul. It wasn’t an overnight process but little by little, I felt healing. Indeed, He turned my mourning into dancing.
Now, I am speaking on behalf of those who were emotionally unstable for the past years yet no one knew about the struggle; those who had lost some friends along the way and had to eat alone in a fast food chain; those who had lost a loved one be it a father, a grandmother, or a brother during the toughest days of college life. I speak on behalf of those who weren’t anyone’s favorite and had to work their way to the top; those who went through self-doubt and self-blame often; those who nearly gave up but found a single light to hold on; those who had dreamt of CPU to be their Alma Mater and now had been honed intellectually, skillfully and spiritually; Lastly, I speak on behalf of those who made it! No matter what we all went through, WE MADE IT! The truth is college was just a walk in the park—Jurassic Park. But one thing remains certain: all the good and bad experiences are God’s mysterious ways to make us the kind of Centralian who is ready for anything.
The medal is a memory made tangible. Maybe what makes one an Alton Bigelow or Alma Mater Awardee is that one can still testify how faithful God in his/her life is with all the struggles he/she had faced during his college years. And I believe every Centralian can testify.
To Central Philippine University, our dearest Alma Mater, we thank you for molding us to be beyond better. For pushing us to our limits and to make us realize that we actually can. And so we did!
To our teachers and mentors, thank you for serving as our second parents and friends here at Central. This journey might not be made possible without your guidance and patience.
To everyone we’ve met along this journey, thank you for all the experiences! We’ve learned from you too.
And to the One who sufficiently gives, the Author of all of these, Father, we thank You more than we could ever express. Thank You for not leaving us nor forsaking us.
Batch 2018, I believe we are all proud to be a Centralian graduate. Now, it’s time for us to go out and to make Central Philippine University proud of us through Scientia et Fides.
Jason Lewis U. Chan, BSSE, Summa Cum Laude, thanks Central Philippine University for maintaining Exemplary Christian Education and imparting Christian values.
To our guest speaker Mr. Ronald Zack, members of CPU Corporation and Board of Trustees, Dr. Teodoro Robles, university president, to my dear teachers, faculty and staff and to those who are here to support us, to my fellow graduates, good day!
Back then, College felt like a far off dream. I never imagined I would be standing here before everyone right now. Much like most students, I didn’t know which course I wanted to take but I already had courses that I’m sure I didn’t want to take. Out of all the schools here in Iloilo, I chose Central Philippine University. I ruled out all the possible courses and finally chose Engineering. There were a lot of engineering departments but there was one course that I felt was different, Software Engineering. Before, it seemed like a mysterious course to me since CPU was the first and only school in the Philippines that offered this course. So I consulted my friends and family and in the end I finally decided to take that leap of faith.
And here I am 5 years later. I would like to clarify to all of you that I’m Chinese, not Korean. I know quite a few people who have mistaken me for a Korean in my college life, that’s ok. And now some of you might say: “He’s Chinese, it’s a given he’s good at studying, good at math, ‘Asians.’” Sorry but I would not agree with those statements. Why? Because it doesn’t matter what race you are, what nationality you have, your skin can be any color of the rainbow! But you know how we become successful? Because of the One above, our God. One of my favorite Bible verses throughout my life is written in James 1:5 which says: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” I do not consider myself smart but all the wisdom and knowledge that guided me throughout my life was from Him. I didn’t know if this was the right course for me, some may have the same sentiments, but I know that our God is the one in control of everything. He always has a plan, and as long as we put Him first in everything that we do, He will give us the best.
That’s enough about me. This moment is for all of us, for the graduates! I may not know your struggles throughout this journey. People might have different perceptions of your course. Some may look up to it, some may not. I believe that no course is easy and they all prove challenging, but do not be discouraged by what others say. Be proud of the course you have finished. Be proud of the degree you now hold in your hands. I may not know most of you here, but I can truthfully say that I’m moved by all of you graduates at this moment. I’m joyful to see so many of us graduating because I know of the effort we have all put in, the countless tears we have shed, precious memories of studying with our friends, days of laughter and of sadness! All those unforgettable memories have led up to this moment. Be proud, hold your head up high, we made it, we deserve it!
I know that some of our family members may not be here, they may be working elsewhere to support us. Other’s parents may no longer be here anymore, but I know no matter where they are right now, the joy they are feeling at this moment is indescribable. And as we look back at the help and guidance we’ve received up to this point… no really, please, look back, This is not only our day, fellow graduates, but we also dedicate this day to them, the real stars of this ceremony, our parents, guardians, and all those who have supported us.
To my friends! You know who you are. Thank you for spending my college life with me. To my Engineering teachers and beloved dean, Engr. Dany Molina who have taught me so many math equations, confusing physics concepts, and software engineering skills. To CPU for maintaining Exemplary Christian Education and imparting Christian values. I have certainly learned of scientia in this institution and more importantly, of fides! To my family that has supported me from the moment of my birth. And of course to our Almighty God who has sustained me all these years. Even though I had a rough time, looking back, those were precious memories and lessons that I will keep with me all the days of my life.
To end, I would like to quote what One of my close friends once said: “Life is more of a marathon than a sprint. We do not aim to finish first, we aim to finish at our own pace.” It doesn’t matter how long it will take you to reach your goal, what matters is that you reach it in the end. Congratulations batch 2018!
All smiles – Marjorie Rice, BSEd-Mathematics, Summa Cum Laude congratulates her fellow graduates.
Thank you Ms. Perla Guillergan Londres Waters for the inspirational message and thank you to the graduation board for the honor to speak on behalf of the graduates.
Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Atty. Von Lovel D. Bedona; University President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles; distinguished administrators; respected faculty and staff; dearest parents and guests; and fellow graduates of Batch 2018, ladies and gentlemen, what a BLESSED afternoon!
“This is not the end of the beginning; it’s not the beginning of the end. It is THE beginning, of our lives, of a new chapter of our book.”
Can you believe it? Years ago, most of us walked into these halls as nervous as we were the first day of school. We were the freshmen, the low men on the totem pole. Now, those same years later, we’re leaving the school behind to a whole new crop of people, most of whom were just as nervous as we were when we arrived. Graduation is one of those steps in life that defines a coming of age—the ending of one era of life, as a student or the one being shown the ropes, and moving on to a new stage in which you are a leader, a doer and an achiever in the wider world.
It is a great privilege for me to be standing here in front of you, on behalf of batch 2018, to express the happiness that we feel in our hearts today. All of us are blessed with talents and are worth congratulating, and this is what this day is all about. How many times have we imagined what this day to be like? I have to say, I have thought about this day so many times I could have memorized every imagined scene. But not even the best of my imagined scenes could compare to the real scene I am greeted with right now. It’s a challenge to compress all my thoughts into something long enough to be interesting, but short enough so that you won+t fall asleep.
I have a secret to tell, coming from Subic, Zambales, allow me to tell it in my native language. “Dumarating tayo sa punto ng buhay natin na kailangan nating mamili. Pinili ko siya. Akala ko sasaya ako sa piling niya. Akala ko siya na talaga. Pero hindi pala. Mahigit isang taon din kaming nagsama. May mga panahong naging masaya rin ako sa araw-araw naming pagkikita. Pinilit ko iyong sarili kong maging masaya sa mga pagkakataong kapiling niya ako. Habang tumatagal iyong sayang naramdaman ko ay napalitan ng sakit, hirap at paghati. Unti-unti niya na akong sinasaktan. Masyado niya na akong na-pressure sa mga gusto niya. Nasakal ako ng sobra. Hanggang sa dumating ako sa punto ng buhay kong, kailangan ko na siyang bitawan. I had to let go. I was the one who left. Hindi niya ako nagawang pigilan. I guess we were never meant to be.”
Yes, I shifted course. I received a lot of comments, bad and good. A lot of people wondered why I transferred. Some assumed bad things. But I let God take me to where He wants me to be. One thing I’ve learned about my experience is to trust the perfect will of the Lord and He will bring you to places and look where he brought me, up on this platform, talking and saying “Lord JESUS this is all because of you.”
First, as quoted in the Bollywood movie 3 idiots, “Follow excellence and success will chase you.” This has influenced my perspective and beliefs not only about education but also with life. It is rampant nowadays that many teens had to follow the paths which were decided by their parents or mentors not only in education but in their careers as well for that we tend to forget what is really important. Second, I wanted to strive for success. But you know, success without happiness is really the worst kind of failure. Along the way, I realized that if you strive for accomplishments, it won’t last long; on the other hand, if you keep on striving for excellence, success will follow. And when I say “excellence,” I’m talking about you pursuing your “passion.” Be whatever you want to be, do whatever you want to do and become the master of what you choose to do. Each of one us should never forget the importance of putting our hearts and soul into something and excel in it simply because of the joy of doing something meaningful. Lastly, we should not be determined by what others say and think but be defined of the brave choices we make. Never be afraid to fail for it is only a stepping stone to improvement. Failing at first is not the end of our journey. It’s a portal to a more exciting one. A trip to grow more and be the best you can be.
Seeing you my beloved batch mates inside this auditorium is a living testimony that GOD had done great things in your lives as well. Everything you have been through. All the times you have been pushed on even when you felt you couldn’t. All the mornings you got out of bed no matter how hard it was. All the times you wanted to give up but you got through another day. Never forget how much strength you have learned and developed along the way.
Before I end, I also want to express my unfathomable gratitude to Central Philippine University for the quality education, to the teachers and professors who had tapped into our passion. I commend them on how they exerted effort in teaching us. I delight with you my fellow batch mates on how our teachers made us experts in our own chosen field. And most of all, I am deeply grateful for how the faculty and staff of our beloved Alma Mater had given a platform to our voices.
To my College of Education family and friends who have helped me in achieving this goal, to all the teachers who became part of my journey, THANK YOU SO MUCH for believing in me. To my co-student teachers under the supervision of the CoEd Dean, Dr. Junsay, we sustained not just a great working relationship but created a bond that turned into friendships. They have also been carved in my heart not only as friends but as my second family, thank you. To my ML teachers’ squad, they are the ones who taught me na hindi sa lahat ng oras kailangan puro aral. Kami iyong mga teachers sa umaga pero gamers sa gabi. To the friends I have in the Accountancy department who already graduated last year, iniwan na nila ako pero they will always have a place in my heart. I will always treasure our memories and bonds together because they were also the reason for who I am today. To my MATH-ira MATH-ibay family, we have always been there for each other. In good times and in bad times and most specially in our math examinations. May mga oras na akala natin hindi na natin masosolve iyong mga problema natin pero Math taught us that in every problem there is always a solution. When it comes to team work, wala na atang makakatalo sa atin.
To my family, my brother and most especially my mother, when I look at her it feels like I’m looking at the purest love I know. Thank you for your sacrifice just to give me the life I deserved. May every tear that has ever fallen from your tired eyes on my behalf become a river of paradise. To my grandfather, some people don’t believe in heroes but I guess that’s because they haven’t met you Lolo. You are my pill of happiness and you motivated me in everything that I do. Thank you for coming into our lives.
Graduates, you should know that your parents are very proud of you today. They have high hopes for you, and they believe in you, and you are making them proud by showing what you can do. Take a look at them now, and you can see them smiling. These commitments and the follow-through that your parents (your guardians or surrogates) completed is where the bulk of the credit for this graduation belongs. Yes, the students did the work but without the love, support and guidance given by the parents this day would not have been possible. I would like to request all the graduates to stand up, look behind you and give your parents or your guardians a big round of applause. Thank you, you may be seated.
Let us continue to become a channel of blessing and inspiration to the people around us. Let us continue to keep the Central Spirit alive in us and above all, let us continue to live according to the will of God. All of us will carry the badge of honor to beat our limits and go beyond boundaries.
I will leave you with my life verse, Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This is not yet the end of our journey. It’s just the beginning and I would like all of you trust and have faith that God has a plan for you.
Guest Speaker Mr. Ronald Zack inspires the graduates with his testimony.
Good Afternoon graduates, parents, families, Dr. Robles, members of the CPU Corporation and Board of Trustees, administrators, faculty, and staff. Congratulations to all the graduates, and to your parents who made it possible, and even, in many cases, to your older siblings and other family members. Thank you for the honor of inviting me to speak here at Central Philippine University, a world class university. I also want to specially thank President Robles and my wife for introducing me to, and welcoming me into, the amazing CPU family. Next year, my wife, whose maiden name is Erlinda Villanueva Arlos, will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of her 1969 CPU nursing class graduation. Over the 38 years of our marriage, I have met many of her classmates. I+ve been so impressed how the women and men of that class of 1969 have remained so close all these years, being separated by miles around the world. Many of her classmates have lived and worked in the Philippines, United States, Germany, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and other countries. Despite the distance, they remain close to this day—a testament to CPU and the strong bond among alumni.
On a personal note, a more selfish note, had it not been for CPU, Erlinda may not have gone to the US as a nurse, and I may not have met my best friend and the love of my life. Salamat Gid, CPU.
I am going to speak to you, in a few minutes, about three major principles that will guide your planning for your life, and I want to remind you, Graduates, that your education is just beginning. While your current accomplishment is great, you have only scratched the surface of your education. You will and you must, keep learning.
When I told a friend I had been invited to speak at the university+s commencement exercises, he said, “Why? Why you?” I asked, “What do you mean?” And he told me, “Well, for one, you+re a high school drop out.” That+s true. I thought about it. Why me? And I thought, “Of course, me. Because I am a high school drop out. It may be different in the Philippines, but in the United States, I was able to get another chance—several chances thanks to my parents and to my faith in God. While I did drop out of high school, I was still able to go on to college. And then, I actually dropped out of a few colleges, too. In fact, I have completed, and incompleted, credit courses at 19 different colleges and universities. Going to college became a lifelong occupation that, so far, has resulted in five college degrees. It can be done. And if I can do it, anyone can do it.
I received my first degree, in nursing, at the age of 22—probably close to the age of a lot of you. At 29, I received my bachelor+s degree in Health Occupations and English. At 38, I was awarded my first master+s degree—a Masters in Linguistics. My master+s thesis, by the way, dealt with research regarding some grammatical elements of Hilagaynon-Ilonggo. But please, don+t try to speak to me in Ilonggo. I won+t understand. At 49, I obtained a Juris Doctorate, my law degree. At 59, I achieved my Masters in Nursing Education.
Over the years, I+ve had a few careers: In nursing and teaching, in insurance and real estate and in law.
I have also owned businesses. I have viewed all these careers as service occupations and I believe that anything we do, should ultimately be done to serve God through serving others. In all my careers and occupations, I have experienced successes and failures. I value my failures far more than my successes—I+ll tell you why in a bit. My point is that I+ve studied many subjects and tried many different careers.
Sometimes that+s what it takes to find the path you will eventually follow. Sometimes that+s what it takes to find the path God wants you to follow. And sometimes, that is the path God wants you to follow. And I believe nothing I’ve ever studied and nothing I’ve ever done as an occupation has been wasted. It all has some application to what I am doing now and what I will do in the future.
Currently, and for the past many years, I have been focused on two careers—nursing and law. I have been able to combine these in a unique way. In each area, I deal with what are often called end-of-life issues. As a lawyer, I specialize in estates and trusts. I often say, I help people plan for disability and death. As a nurse, I often work with the geriatric population (with older people), and also in hospice. Hospice, in the United States is a medical program providing additional services and comfort care to terminally ill patients. So, in nursing, as well as in law, I am helping with issues related to disability and death.
While it may sound like I am focused on the negative, my message is a positive one: what I am really focusing on is life—living. But in planning for life, we must keep the end in mind. The motivational speaker, writer, and coach, Stephen Covey, wrote a book called the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. The second of those seven habits is to begin with the end in mind. Begin with the end in mind. In my interpretation, we must begin with the ultimate end in mind. So we all need to realize we are only here for a limited time. Don+t waste it. There is nothing more precious than time.
The Filipino-American author, Cecilia Manguerra Brainard wrote a beautiful novel called Magdalena about three generations of women in Cebu. In one passage from her novel, the protagonist reflected, and I quote: “One day soon, this body will be old; and not too long afterwards, it will turn to dust. This thought frightened her, made her think how insignificant she was, made her realize that she alone can give her life significance.” End of quote. In this passage, she offers us the lesson that you can all be significant. Your lives can and will be greatly significant. But you are responsible for making that happen—and, with God+s help, you+re going to do it.
When I talk to people about planning I talk about three major principles that should guide them in planning and living. Those are: 1) Everybody is different; 2) Things change; and 3) Keeping the ultimate end in mind, everyone dies.
Now, the first principle—everyone is different. Very important. And this is why you alone can give your life significance. While it is important to have role models and mentors and many productive relationships, it is equally important that you accentuate and celebrate your individuality. You cannot rely on someone else to give your life significance. Your plan is different from everyone else’s. God’s plan for you is different from his plan for everyone else. Don’t be afraid to assert that difference. Don’t be afraid to let your differences shine through. Unfortunately, many people try to gain significance through imitation and mimicry. That doesn’t work. Each one of us is better than that.
In my lawyer life, I use this principle, that everyone is different, to demonstrate why everyone needs an individualized estate plan. The estate plan consists of a number of documents like a will, trust, powers of attorney—a list of instructions for how that person wants to be treated if they become disabled, and how they want their property distributed after they are gone. I tell my clients, there is no one size fits all plan. One of my colleagues says, you can buy a one size fits all bathing suit. But someone will be embarrassed. Just look around you.
There is no one size fits all plan for life. Be you. Your individual significance will come through service to God and service to others in your own unique way. But remember too, the gratitude owed to those who made this possible for you. Your parents, older siblings, other relatives, teachers, and friends who encouraged you and helped with your education.
The second major principle, things change, is just as important as the first. You will often create plans that will change. Some will end in failure—I’ve had many of those. The only way to not ever fail is to do nothing. Failure forces us to grow. I used to do a lot of criminal appeals—taking criminal cases, in which my client was found guilty—and asking a higher court to reconsider that decision. These kinds of cases have a very low rate of success. The reason for that is that the vast majority of criminal defendants did what they were accused of and if they were convicted (found guilty) in a court trial. There was probably evidence to prove it. But under the law, they are entitled to an appeal to a higher court—for a second chance. And a few appeals are successful. I would tell my clients, often speaking to them through plexiglass in a prison visitation area, that their likelihood of success—of prevailing in an appeal—was extremely low. Often less than 3-5%. Sometimes they would ask, “Then why bother?” I would tell them that although there was only a small chance of succeeding if we try, if they didn’t try, they had a 0% chance of prevailing. And you never know. If you succeed, you are that much ahead. If you fail after trying, you probably just remain in the same place.
When I was considering at the age of 47 to go to law school, I was being encouraged by Kevin, a doctor and a dear friend of mine. I was looking for excuses not to go. Arguing against law school, I told Kevin that by the time I finished my 3 or 4 years of law school, took the bar, and became a lawyer, I would be over 50. Kevin said, “But, Ron, if you don’t go to law school, you will still be over 50 in 3 or 4 years and not a lawyer.”
So don’t worry if your plans have to be re-drawn. When I first graduated from college as a nurse at 22, I never would have thought I would someday be a lawyer. Things change. I never planned on having all daughters. I never foresaw the path I now find myself on. And I have always been a very goal-oriented person—the kind who writes down their goals, monitors the progress, checks them off, and reevaluates. But we must be flexible and resilient. One of my professors when I studied education said that in teaching you always had to monitor and adjust, monitor and adjust. The only constant in education, he said, the only thing that never changes, is the fact that things will always change. And that is how life is. Don’t become so entrenched in doing things one way, remaining on one path. Embrace change. Be prepared to reinvent yourself. Be prepared to fail and to start over. It is the way to grow and succeed and certainly the way you give your life significance.
The third major principle in planning is everyone dies. Not a happy thought. The American comedian Woody Allen says, I am not afraid of death, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.
Some people accuse me of being obsessed with death. Early in my nursing career when I worked in intensive care and emergency departments, I witnessed a lot of people die. I was profoundly impacted by those deaths and I think it was one of the things that has caused me to value my time so much. And it has also given me a sense of urgency, a need to accomplish and a need to serve. Another experience had an even stronger impact on me. In 1990, at the age of 37, I was diagnosed with lung cancer. At that time, that type of cancer, adenocarcinoma of the lung, had a 5% five-year survival rate. In other words, when I was 37, the likelihood I would have lived to age 42 was very low—5%. Like winning a criminal appeal. Fortunately, the cancer was caught very early, the treatment was effective, and my prayers were answered. Twenty-six years later I am still alive. And that experience served to change my perception of a lot of things. And since that time, every second is so precious to me. But you don’t need a near death experience to realize how precious time is. Steve Jobs, the founder of the Apple Corporation, said, “If you live each day as if it were your last, some day you will most certainly be right.” For Steve Jobs, that day came when he was just 56 years old.
My point in beginning with this ultimate end in mind is not to be morbid, but to drive home the fact that our time is so limited. We don’t know when our time will end. And we can’t change the past. We only have control over the present. And we have to use the present to make our future. There is so much wonder and excitement in the world. So much beautiful variety. So many things available to us, so much that we can accomplish. So much good we can do. We will be much more successful, fulfilled, happy, and significant keeping the ultimate end in mind, using time wisely and treating time with the deep respect it deserves.
Again, the 3 major principles in planning:
1) Everyone is different.
2) Things change.
3) Everybody dies—time is precious.
Again, thank you so much for the opportunity to be with you on this special day. I wish you all a beautiful future. God bless you all.
Ms. Perla Londres Guillergan Waters together with CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles and Ms. Carmelle Frances Romero.
Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees Atty. Von Bedona, University President Dr. Teodoro Robles, Past Presidents Dr. Juanito Acanto and Dr. Agustin Pulido, Deans of Colleges, CPU Registrar Ruth G. Fernandez, CPUAAI President Engineer Isagani Jalbuena, Members of the Board of Trustees and the CPU Corporation, Faculty and Staff, Parents, Families, CPU community, Fellow Alumni, Honored Guests and especially, the 2018 Graduating Class of the Colleges, good afternoon.
I am honored to be given this opportunity to be with you today. When I received this kind invitation in February, I couldn’t help but wax nostalgic recalling my growing up years in this community that I love. I grew up in a humble home on North Road, with just a fence separating our house from the mainstream of CPU’s activity. That house is gone—in its place is a big boarding house, but the gate that allowed us private access to the campus remains.
And what an access that was—a gateway to friendships and shared playtime, study time and growing up times; a portal to learning and extra-curricular activities to round up our schooling; a path to Christian teaching and example, leading to our baptism and membership in God’s family; and an opening to a community who, along with our parents, exhibited an interest in our upbringing by extending nurturing support with discipline and love, so we can become the people we are today.
I never thought I would have an opportunity to stand on this stage, one where one of my most favorite people in the world—Dr. Evangelica Padernilla—stood, just a few months ago, a stage that is symbolic of other stages in the past where people I look up to and esteem, have stood. I am humbled that my dear friend, our President, Dr. Teodoro Robles, and the Board of Trustees have found me worthy for this singular honor.
Hence, I am here today, my second trip to CPU this year, equipped with prayers and encouragement from many, here and abroad, who join me in asking God’s blessings on this special, illustrious occasion—YOUR GRADUATION.
Ms. Perla Guillergan Londres Waters inspires the graduates to pursue excellence for the glory of God.
Today, I hope to leave you with a few ideas that may prove helpful as you start this new phase of your life, hoping that perhaps ten years from now, in addition to your mother, you may look back to this day and realize, some of these did make sense.
Your tool kit—your education and experience—has prepared you for some things in life but your heart and spirit will carry you farther than you ever imagine. Commit to the journey, not the outcome. Perfection is almost always impossible to attain. Know you will make mistakes but don’t get bogged down in analyzing failures—acknowledge your shortcomings, learn from your mistakes, and with diligence, with determination and passion for excellence, with integrity, move on. During my senior year in high school, I was given the opportunity to represent CPU, then the Western Visayas region, during the final screening for the American Field Service Scholarship to the US for a year’s stay with an American family, and study at a US high school. The initial phases of the screening went very well; the final test was an essay for which we were given 45 minutes to complete. Lo and behold, I found myself literally unable to write—my head was swarming with ideas and thoughts but somehow the transmitters dictating my hand to write were disconnected. Two thirds into the period, I finally acknowledged that I would most likely fail at this task and so I asked to call my dad who had very high expectations of my success. I told him that I am very sorry, but I will fail, and I am sad that he will be very disappointed in me. He took a few seconds before he replied. He told me he would always be proud of me no matter what and asked me to pray and ask God to be with me at this time of need. And so, I prayed as earnestly as my young heart could do at that time, not for the success of this effort but that although I may fail, I may find a way to honor Him still. Guess what, the nerves stilled, and I completed the work, and a few months after that, I joined 39 other young Filipinos for an exhilarating experience being an ambassador of my country, my school, my community and my family—all because in the moment of need, no, panic, God sent me His strength and His power to teach me a lesson—not by my will or might but because of His Grace, all will be well.
Know yourself and love yourself. One of my favorite devotional writers, Holly Gerth, dedicated a passage from her book, You’re Made for a God-sized Dream, to her own daughter who was graduating at that time. I would like to read parts of it to you and I hope that you will be inspired. She wrote, “Dear dreamers and graduates, before you ever came into being, God called your name. He formed you with love and intricately designed part of who you would become. You truly are made ‘in an amazing and wonderful way’ (Psalm 139:14). Your journey on this path is not by coincidence. You are here because God looked out over all of history and chose you for a time and purpose. You could have entered the world a hundred years ago or a thousand years from now. But you are in this generation, this time, and there will never be another you or another opportunity to do what only you are chosen to complete. So, go out there in boldness that you don’t have to be like anyone else. You don’t have to do what any other person has done. You are chosen for one life—yours.”
Life carries with it an abundance of risks, distractions, heartaches and challenges—do not fall into the trap of making excuses because of your perceived inadequacies—whether these are cultural, racial, circumstantial, economic, external or any other issue that may arise. There were times in my own experience where I may have thought I deserved better recognition or reward for the work I did, or that I would not be subjected to discrimination although oftentimes I was the only minority manager and a woman, but it happened. I had a choice, as you may be faced with choices—I could have chosen to be either a passive victim of circumstance or be the active hero of my own life. So, I persevered, and learned to be content, remembering St. Paul’s encouragement in Philippians 4:12-13, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” In Holly’s dedication, she wrote: “The wonderful news? Whatever God chooses for you to do, He will equip you.” Know yourself, love yourself, because God first loved you.
Remember the difference between worldly and godly success, choose wisely on how your legacy will be remembered. Recall how Jesus responded to His disciples as they argued about who would be greatest in the kingdom of God (Mark 9:33-37; 10:35-40). Jesus shattered their understanding of greatness by saying, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Mark 10:43). Know that there may be times when you will be called to do jobs no one else wants to do, as a servant does, and often doing them when no one else is looking. Are you a failure then? What if God evaluates our success or failure differently than the world does? What if God measures our faithfulness by our daily commitment to walk with Him? What if God determined our worth not based on global effects of our endeavors but on our relentless pursuit of godliness? What if God evaluated our faithfulness and greatness, not simply by our material and professional successes but by how well we cared for our family and others entrusted into our care? David McCullough Jr., a high school teacher, in his speech given at Wellesley High School’s graduation, considered as likely the best high school commencement speech ever, told the graduates, “The great and curious truth of the human experience is that selflessness is the best thing you can do for yourself.” And Elizabeth Dole, a woman I admire very much, summed it well when she said, “Life is not just a few years to spend on self-indulgence and career advancement. It is a privilege, a responsibility, a stewardship to be lived according to a much higher calling, God’s calling. This alone gives true meaning to life.”
Live a life of kindness and love. Let me share with you a story I read about two horses.
There is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing. If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to the horse’s halter is a small bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow. As you stand and watch these two horses, you’ll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray. When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, it stops occasionally and looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn’t too far behind to hear the bell.
Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those God places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse helping others find their way. Make friends along life’s way—good friends are like that, you may not always see them, but you know they are always there, listening for your bell just as you are listening for theirs.
How many times throughout the years, the ringing bells of friends and loved ones have guided me—my husband whose quiet, reassuring presence has been my rock; my parents for their everlasting goodness; my siblings and extended family—you continue to instill the solidarity of our family as the anchor we always lean on; dear friends from childhood, through adulthood, and even now in almost the sunset of our lives—our lifelong adventures are lessons of joy; my teachers and mentors—through the years of my schooling and beyond, you have continued to ensure I learn my lessons well through your enlightenment, affirmations and example; pastors and congregations who have given me my spiritual homes; and many others, even strangers—whose open hands and caring hearts have opened doors, given advice, extended solace after heartbreak and disappointments, provided cups of cold water to quench my thirst or soothe my anxious brow—to all these special folk, some of whom are here, and many more beyond the sound of my voice, through your lives, you display eloquently how the Golden Rule comes to life—words are inadequate to express my gratitude and love for these many kindnesses. How can I repay these God-given blessings? Perhaps by working hard so that we have established for CPU a more solid union of alumni worldwide; by opening our home to those who need a meal, a bed, or a caring visit; by being dedicated to the ministries of our home congregation especially in a lay care giving outreach to those experiencing life’s crisis; by being available for my children and grandchildren as they navigate their lives’ pathways; or just by keeping my little bell handy so in some small way, my life can be a conduit of the Lord’s mercy and grace, just as His children have been to me.
A final reminder—be kinder than necessary—everyone you meet is fighting a battle, so love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, keep your bell close—and leave the rest to God.
In closing, let me leave you with these three assurances:
1. Clarity will come with experience and understanding of your purpose. Steve Jobs reminds us of this in his quote, “Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
2. God will equip you—you are “chosen.” As Holly Gerth reminds us,” Being chosen means you will be given all you need. Being chosen means that success is simply obedience and trusting God will do the rest. Being chosen means that you have a great big God as your partner every step of the way.” One of my most favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
3. Be not afraid. I will conclude with this true story. On December 25, 1939, Great Britain was at war with Nazi Germany. King George VI would continue the holiday tradition of addressing the British Empire in a live radio message. As you may know, King George VI was not comfortable with public speaking due to a speech impediment, yet on this occasion, his speech became the inspiration to a nation in crisis. Speaking in measured tones and from his heart, he said, “A new year is at hand. We cannot tell what it will bring. If it brings peace, how thankful we shall all be. If it brings us continued struggle we shall remain undaunted.” Then as an encouragement, he read from a poem given to him by his 13-year-old daughter, Princess Elizabeth: “I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the year, ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.’ And he replied, ‘Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be better than light, and safer than a known way.’”
If there is anything that you take away from our time together, remember this—regarding the future, God is already there. You are given the Present to be the difference you can be. Whatever happens, be still and know that He is God. Hence, all will be well.
Those of us assembled here, especially those who love you, and extending it to include the greater CPU community worldwide, as well as all God’s people assembled—will be cheering you on, every step of the way. The best is yet to be for you—the Hope of coming generations—and we can’t wait to see it unfold!
You have been very kind, I appreciate you and I am proud of you. May God bless you always.
Rev. Dr. Armando S. Kole together with CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles and Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian, Senior Pastor, University Church.
Mark 10:35-37, 42-45
Delivered by Rev. Dr. Armando S. Kole during the College Baccalaureate Service held at the Rose Memorial Auditorium on April 22, 2018
Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, President, Atty. Von Lovell Bedona, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, my colleagues in the Board, corporation members, pastoral staff, other officers of the administration, deans, department heads, faculty, staff, dear parents, and graduating students – good morning. First of all, I’d like to thank Dr. Robles for inviting me as speaker for this Baccalaureate Service. I consider this a privilege on my part, and I praise and thank God for this opportunity.
Graduating students, how are you this morning? I know you are all excited to graduate. Hence, allow me to extend my warmest congratulations to each one of you. Graduation is scheduled today and tomorrow and, guys, I know how you feel right now. Each one of you will come up the stage to receive your diploma, telling one and all that you have completed all the requirements for graduation. All of you will soon launch out into the deep waters of your profession; swim like an expert in your chosen field. In spite of some difficulties that you have gone through during the past four of or five years of your stay here at CPU, like the backbreaking and draining nights of study, the exams to hurdle, the projects to accomplish, not to mention the financial privations that perhaps many of you have experienced, yet by God’s grace, you were able to survive the struggle. You are all survivors, and each one of you is a conqueror in your own right. Hence I look at your graduation as a milestone and a triumph for you and your family. One author says, “No matter how dark the beginning, one who strives can reach the sun.”
A new day has come for you and the opportunity to put to good use what you have learned here at CPU is now open. And so give your best to your chosen career, and always nurture the passion towards excellence. Have an urge to rise above the ordinary, be innovative, and open yourselves to essential changes, and do a miracle by translating what you feel and think is impossible to become possible for you, and all these demand faith in God, hard work, determination and commitment on your part. Excellence discourages mediocrity, timidity, and risk avoidance. On the contrary, excellence encourages people to become risk takers, adventurous, and charismatic. But above all, any drive towards excellence requires great humility and servant attitude. This is the example that Jesus our Lord wants us to follow. Friends, we now live in the most highly developed intellectual age in history where every field of study is aspiring for excellence in the acquisition and application of knowledge.
Despite the so-called “intellectual boom” in our world, this university makes sure that fides remains a sine qua non to what you get here. Sine qua non is a French word for “something that is essential,” and education should never be separated from faith in God, and God is essential to all of us. He alone possesses wisdom and understanding. CPU does not want to produce “educated barbarians,” or people who are intellectually giants but morally and spiritually, dwarfs. And for many years now this University keeps on emphasizing the importance of EXCEL or Exemplary Christian Education for Life so that every graduate of the university will bear the truth and character of Christ in their life and career. Let me say this to each one of you: be committed to veritas (truth) in your life and conversation. It is said that everyday 4.6 billion contents/information are being uploaded on the internet. And as more and more information is uploaded, the quest for what is true becomes harder and harder. Raul Castro, an expert in advertising, says “always aim for the truth because it’s your bet. Even with all the lying and manipulating, the truth will come out anyway and the backlash will only be bigger if you’re not truthful.”
You are fortunate to receive the kind of education here at CPU. Be grateful to your parents and guardians and other significant people who have invested the best years of their lives, especially your teachers or professors who taught you. It takes patience, creativity, and resourcefulness for them to be able to impart knowledge to you. There are times that they become the object of ridicule of some students for one reason or another, and most often their efforts are unappreciated. We have to appreciate these people. This reminds me of a batch of graduates who sent an emotional letter of thanks to their teachers. The letter says, “Dear Teachers: The time has come for us to leave you. But as we leave we bring along with us the legacy of education and Christian values implanted in our minds. The education we acquired for five long years makes us confident to face the new challenge that awaits us in the world. Dear teachers, you have been patient. You have unselfishly given us your best. When we became deeply troubled, especially with our grades, your encouragement gave us hope. In all our struggles and attempts you were there. We are happy that you have a great part on our success. Because of it we will never forget you. From the bottom of our hearts we want to say ‘THANK YOU.’” What a nice letter from the graduates!
Your next step after graduation is to prepare for the board exam. I hope you will be able to make it. Someday you will become professional engineers, certified public accountants, nurses, good lawyers, great teachers, in-demand motivational speakers, etc. “As trained professionals,” says one popular speaker, “use your skills and talents as bridges over which you invite others to cross, then having facilitated their crossing, encourage them to create more bridges of their own so that others will also enjoy and benefit from them.” Generations come and go and people will always remember you because of your contributions in society. However, I have this advice for you: No matter how good you are in the practice of your profession, and regardless of your achievements someday, don’t forget to put premium on godly character and personal integrity, for these are the twin factors to life’s success and happiness.
In this world it is not how much have we achieved in life, for the question always boils down to who God is to us in the practice of our profession. Don’t always think of what you can get out of your profession. Instead, think of what you can contribute towards the development of our nation and the world. You will soon experience a transition in your life; you will be making decisions, and in the midst of opportunities and offers which will come your way, especially after you pass the board exam, whatever might be your accomplishments in the next 5, 10, 15, or 20 years in your professional journey, remember this: you are still a nobody until God becomes somebody in your life and career. Cling unto Him and acknowledge Him in all your undertakings. Jesus once said, “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” You are all graduating and graduation means different things to different people. It could mean brighter prospects for better jobs, stronger platform for salary negotiation, or promotion in lifestyle.
There are guidelines and principles in the Bible that I want to share with you this morning. Mr. Vance Packard in his book entitled Status Seekersstates that people who are educated generally continuously seek a higher plane in life. They want to “go up in the world,” be number one in whatever field they choose. This atmosphere of competition is most prevalent in western countries, especially in the United States. This is not bad in itself. However, it becomes dangerous when competitiveness supersedes humanity or even worse, virtues such as compassion, love gentleness and peace.” Alfred Adler, Austrian psychiatrist and psychologists also says that “people strive hard to compensate for their human inadequacies and feeling of inferiority against other individuals. And so they desire nothing better than to get to the top of the pole just as fast as possible, way ahead of their counterparts.”
Why do people desire to be on top of everything? There are two reasons for this, says Fil Tolentino, a Baptist pastor now based in USA. First, it gives people power. That means that by human standards, they have earned the right to lead, to get what they want out of people. Second, it gives them money. I agree with him. In our socio-economic environment, it seems that money shapes and dictates people’s value judgment of others. The level of respect accorded an individual corresponds with how much money he has in the bank. I am not here to throw judgment. All I am saying is that these are readily observable practices in today’s society. This is the society where you shall be going out into, and you need to go prepared. According to the result of the survey conducted by the Omaha World Herald, as much as 68% of the population of the world rates “money-making” as the most important goal in life. From this we can infer one thing: Two goals drive people in their occupational and professional careers, and these are money and power. Let us go to our New Testament text.
Our text helps us to analyze how these widespread goals for money and power fit in our culture and value system as Christians. James and John were disciples of Jesus, and they identified themselves with Him. One time, they too, like other graduates, were looking ahead. They were crystallizing their goals, trying to state what they hope to achieve in their lives. We read James and John asking Jesus in Mark 10:37 “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” Power was obviously what the brothers wanted. It may be that they were not just talking about the spiritual realm. It may be that James and John also wanted power and recognition while living their earthly lives. Let us look at verse 42. Here Jesus has a clear answer. He said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (43-45)
Graduating students: let not earthly power and glory be the organizing principle of your lives, as you move in your lives from this moment on, and let no selfishness make you take the narrow view even if such attitude is rampant today. Lust for power and money can secularize your outlook; it can also make you fall back into the ways of darkness. There are two kinds of approach to life that are open to us. The first is the way of Babel, where one is greedy, competitive and selfish; achievements are more important than people; power is sought at any cost. In this approach to life, one must grab what he wants in case anyone beats him; he builds himself by running other people down. Do you remember God’s destruction of the Tower of Babel? The way of Babel creates chaotic communication, generates suspicion, hatred and conflict. We do not want this to happen in our work.
The other approach to life is the Way of Pentecost. This way unites people because it knows that human happiness is not a commodity in short supply. One does not get more of it by depriving others of it. The way of the Pentecost is life in the Holy Spirit. He is the source of sharing. He gives gifts which can be used for the good of other people. He heals the selfishness, the pride, and resentment and all the other things that divide us. The difference between the two approaches lies in whether we value persons above things, relationships above possessions, service of others above power and status. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be a slave of all.” Jesus did not make this statement only as a theoretical proposition. Here he presented his own life as a living illustration. This means that anyone who wants to follow Jesus must put service at the top of his ambitions’ list.
Can we apply this in our lives? It may be that some of you, graduating students, will become rich and powerful someday. Good, if in a positive way you use your wealth and power for other people. Listen to this: a person in a position of power has a choice. He can use his influence either to exploit or hurt, or to lift up and serve. I pray you will choose rightfully. I pray that you will say with conviction, “I am going to make service the primary goal in my life’s career and work. As you leave school, you are faced with the question of your priorities. To get ahead, to be successful, certainly, but let it not be at the expense of your own humanity and your relationship to your family, friends, and neighbors. To get a job, certainly, but let it not become the whole meaning of your life. Work exists for people not people for work, just as the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. Whether you get a job easily or whether you find it hard, remember that your dignity and worth do not come from your employment but from God who loves you and expects you to be the kind of persons he wants you to be.
Graduates, organize your life as Jesus organized His—making service a priority and a blessing to others. Deep and abiding satisfaction is experienced not by those who ask and make demands, but rather by those who give and make sacrifices. This is Jesus’ way. Let it be yours as well as you move in your life from this moment on. Thank you and good morning. God bless you!
Rev. Dr. Armando S. Kole encouraged the graduates to have a heart of gratitude.
Central Philippine University held its College Baccalaureate Service for the second semester of the academic year 2017-2018 last Sunday morning, April 22, 2018.
The processional of the graduating students along with faculty, staff, administrators and worship participants started at 8:00AM. Proud parents, family, and friends of the candidates for graduation watched with joy as their loved ones ascended the stairs of Rose Memorial Auditorium of CPU.
CPU President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles welcomed everyone to the occasion. In expressing his congratulations to the students, Dr. Robles read a verse from Jeremiah 29:11, “ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” He thanked the parents for their love and support for their sons and daughters, sustaining them in their needs in order to graduate.
Cherry Lae Marie Omena, BSBA MM, summa cum laude, led the reading of the Word.
Rev. Roger T. Quimpo, Associate Pastor for Outreach, University Church, led in the Call to Celebration. Rev. Samuel R. Escubin, Associate Pastor, University Church, led the invocation. Cherry Lae Marie Omena, BSBA MM, summa cum laude, then read the Word and the Anthem for the Baccalaureate was sung by the CPU Bahandi Singers.
The Baccalaureate speaker, Rev. Dr. Armando S. Kole, was introduced by Pastor Ruth G. Lunasco, Associate Pastor, University Church. In his message, Rev. Dr. Kole reminded the graduating students how fortunate they are to receive their education from Central Philippine University and encouraged them to look back, “Be grateful and thank your teachers and your school.”
Kole’s message was filled with insights to prepare the graduates for a new world. He challenged them to be committed to the truth and to always aim for the truth; not to rely on one’s ideas alone but to always reckon with God for wisdom and understanding. He assured the graduating students that “no matter how dim it is at the start, anyone who struggles will reach the sun. In any field of study, you must aspire for excellence.” Kole’s core message was that despite graduating, everyone could still be “a nobody until God becomes a somebody” in their career.
Pastor Mary Grace F. Labis, Associate Pastor, University Church, said a Prayer of Thanksgiving. The Commissioning and Prayer for the Graduates was made by Rev. Chris Amorsolo V. Sian, Senior Pastor, University Church. Rev. Quimpo led the benediction as the Bahandi Singers offered a Send Off number for the graduates.
Graduates together with their friends and family eagerly listening to guest speaker Rev. Dr. Armando S. Kole.
A note on the speaker: Rev. Dr. Kole was born in Victorias City, Negros Occidental on February 5, 1956. He earned his Bachelor of Theology degree from the College of Theology, CPU in 1979. He holds two master’s degrees: a Master of Divinity from the Asian Theology Seminary and a Master of Theology, Major in New Testament from the South East Asia Graduate School of Theology at St. Andrews Theological Seminary. He earned his Doctor of Theology with focus on Historical-Systematic Theology Studies from the Asia Baptist Graduate Theological Seminary. He had held various positions in the past including the presidency in both the Convention Baptist Ministers Association (CBMA) and the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches (CPBC). Rev. Dr. Kole had also taught at CPU College of Theology and the Asian Theological Seminary in Bacolod City and had been actively involved in international ministry. He is presently a member of the Board of Trustees of CPU and Iloilo Mission Hospital. He is the outgoing President of the Convention Baptist Bible College, and the incoming President of the Bacolod Christian College (formerly Bacolod Christian Center).
Rev. Dr. Armando S. Kole together with CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles and Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian, Senior Pastor, University Church.
Mark 10:35-37, 42-45
Delivered by Rev. Dr. Armando S. Kole during the College Baccalaureate Service held at the Rose Memorial Auditorium on April 22, 2018
Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, President, Atty. Von Lovell Bedona, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, my colleagues in the Board, corporation members, pastoral staff, other officers of the administration, deans, department heads, faculty, staff, dear parents, and graduating students – good morning. First of all, I’d like to thank Dr. Robles for inviting me as speaker for this Baccalaureate Service. I consider this a privilege on my part, and I praise and thank God for this opportunity.
Graduating students, how are you this morning? I know you are all excited to graduate. Hence, allow me to extend my warmest congratulations to each one of you. Graduation is scheduled today and tomorrow and, guys, I know how you feel right now. Each one of you will come up the stage to receive your diploma, telling one and all that you have completed all the requirements for graduation. All of you will soon launch out into the deep waters of your profession; swim like an expert in your chosen field. In spite of some difficulties that you have gone through during the past four of or five years of your stay here at CPU, like the backbreaking and draining nights of study, the exams to hurdle, the projects to accomplish, not to mention the financial privations that perhaps many of you have experienced, yet by God’s grace, you were able to survive the struggle. You are all survivors, and each one of you is a conqueror in your own right. Hence I look at your graduation as a milestone and a triumph for you and your family. One author says, “No matter how dark the beginning, one who strives can reach the sun.”
A new day has come for you and the opportunity to put to good use what you have learned here at CPU is now open. And so give your best to your chosen career, and always nurture the passion towards excellence. Have an urge to rise above the ordinary, be innovative, and open yourselves to essential changes, and do a miracle by translating what you feel and think is impossible to become possible for you, and all these demand faith in God, hard work, determination and commitment on your part. Excellence discourages mediocrity, timidity, and risk avoidance. On the contrary, excellence encourages people to become risk takers, adventurous, and charismatic. But above all, any drive towards excellence requires great humility and servant attitude. This is the example that Jesus our Lord wants us to follow. Friends, we now live in the most highly developed intellectual age in history where every field of study is aspiring for excellence in the acquisition and application of knowledge.
Despite the so-called “intellectual boom” in our world, this university makes sure that fides remains a sine qua non to what you get here. Sine qua non is a French word for “something that is essential,” and education should never be separated from faith in God, and God is essential to all of us. He alone possesses wisdom and understanding. CPU does not want to produce “educated barbarians,” or people who are intellectually giants but morally and spiritually, dwarfs. And for many years now this University keeps on emphasizing the importance of EXCEL or Exemplary Christian Education for Life so that every graduate of the university will bear the truth and character of Christ in their life and career. Let me say this to each one of you: be committed to veritas (truth) in your life and conversation. It is said that everyday 4.6 billion contents/information are being uploaded on the internet. And as more and more information is uploaded, the quest for what is true becomes harder and harder. Raul Castro, an expert in advertising, says “always aim for the truth because it’s your bet. Even with all the lying and manipulating, the truth will come out anyway and the backlash will only be bigger if you’re not truthful.”
You are fortunate to receive the kind of education here at CPU. Be grateful to your parents and guardians and other significant people who have invested the best years of their lives, especially your teachers or professors who taught you. It takes patience, creativity, and resourcefulness for them to be able to impart knowledge to you. There are times that they become the object of ridicule of some students for one reason or another, and most often their efforts are unappreciated. We have to appreciate these people. This reminds me of a batch of graduates who sent an emotional letter of thanks to their teachers. The letter says, “Dear Teachers: The time has come for us to leave you. But as we leave we bring along with us the legacy of education and Christian values implanted in our minds. The education we acquired for five long years makes us confident to face the new challenge that awaits us in the world. Dear teachers, you have been patient. You have unselfishly given us your best. When we became deeply troubled, especially with our grades, your encouragement gave us hope. In all our struggles and attempts you were there. We are happy that you have a great part on our success. Because of it we will never forget you. From the bottom of our hearts we want to say ‘THANK YOU.’” What a nice letter from the graduates!
Your next step after graduation is to prepare for the board exam. I hope you will be able to make it. Someday you will become professional engineers, certified public accountants, nurses, good lawyers, great teachers, in-demand motivational speakers, etc. “As trained professionals,” says one popular speaker, “use your skills and talents as bridges over which you invite others to cross, then having facilitated their crossing, encourage them to create more bridges of their own so that others will also enjoy and benefit from them.” Generations come and go and people will always remember you because of your contributions in society. However, I have this advice for you: No matter how good you are in the practice of your profession, and regardless of your achievements someday, don’t forget to put premium on godly character and personal integrity, for these are the twin factors to life’s success and happiness.
In this world it is not how much have we achieved in life, for the question always boils down to who God is to us in the practice of our profession. Don’t always think of what you can get out of your profession. Instead, think of what you can contribute towards the development of our nation and the world. You will soon experience a transition in your life; you will be making decisions, and in the midst of opportunities and offers which will come your way, especially after you pass the board exam, whatever might be your accomplishments in the next 5, 10, 15, or 20 years in your professional journey, remember this: you are still a nobody until God becomes somebody in your life and career. Cling unto Him and acknowledge Him in all your undertakings. Jesus once said, “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” You are all graduating and graduation means different things to different people. It could mean brighter prospects for better jobs, stronger platform for salary negotiation, or promotion in lifestyle.
There are guidelines and principles in the Bible that I want to share with you this morning. Mr. Vance Packard in his book entitled Status Seekersstates that people who are educated generally continuously seek a higher plane in life. They want to “go up in the world,” be number one in whatever field they choose. This atmosphere of competition is most prevalent in western countries, especially in the United States. This is not bad in itself. However, it becomes dangerous when competitiveness supersedes humanity or even worse, virtues such as compassion, love gentleness and peace.” Alfred Adler, Austrian psychiatrist and psychologists also says that “people strive hard to compensate for their human inadequacies and feeling of inferiority against other individuals. And so they desire nothing better than to get to the top of the pole just as fast as possible, way ahead of their counterparts.”
Why do people desire to be on top of everything? There are two reasons for this, says Fil Tolentino, a Baptist pastor now based in USA. First, it gives people power. That means that by human standards, they have earned the right to lead, to get what they want out of people. Second, it gives them money. I agree with him. In our socio-economic environment, it seems that money shapes and dictates people’s value judgment of others. The level of respect accorded an individual corresponds with how much money he has in the bank. I am not here to throw judgment. All I am saying is that these are readily observable practices in today’s society. This is the society where you shall be going out into, and you need to go prepared. According to the result of the survey conducted by the Omaha World Herald, as much as 68% of the population of the world rates “money-making” as the most important goal in life. From this we can infer one thing: Two goals drive people in their occupational and professional careers, and these are money and power. Let us go to our New Testament text.
Our text helps us to analyze how these widespread goals for money and power fit in our culture and value system as Christians. James and John were disciples of Jesus, and they identified themselves with Him. One time, they too, like other graduates, were looking ahead. They were crystallizing their goals, trying to state what they hope to achieve in their lives. We read James and John asking Jesus in Mark 10:37 “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” Power was obviously what the brothers wanted. It may be that they were not just talking about the spiritual realm. It may be that James and John also wanted power and recognition while living their earthly lives. Let us look at verse 42. Here Jesus has a clear answer. He said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (43-45)
Graduating students: let not earthly power and glory be the organizing principle of your lives, as you move in your lives from this moment on, and let no selfishness make you take the narrow view even if such attitude is rampant today. Lust for power and money can secularize your outlook; it can also make you fall back into the ways of darkness. There are two kinds of approach to life that are open to us. The first is the way of Babel, where one is greedy, competitive and selfish; achievements are more important than people; power is sought at any cost. In this approach to life, one must grab what he wants in case anyone beats him; he builds himself by running other people down. Do you remember God’s destruction of the Tower of Babel? The way of Babel creates chaotic communication, generates suspicion, hatred and conflict. We do not want this to happen in our work.
The other approach to life is the Way of Pentecost. This way unites people because it knows that human happiness is not a commodity in short supply. One does not get more of it by depriving others of it. The way of the Pentecost is life in the Holy Spirit. He is the source of sharing. He gives gifts which can be used for the good of other people. He heals the selfishness, the pride, and resentment and all the other things that divide us. The difference between the two approaches lies in whether we value persons above things, relationships above possessions, service of others above power and status. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be a slave of all.” Jesus did not make this statement only as a theoretical proposition. Here he presented his own life as a living illustration. This means that anyone who wants to follow Jesus must put service at the top of his ambitions’ list.
Can we apply this in our lives? It may be that some of you, graduating students, will become rich and powerful someday. Good, if in a positive way you use your wealth and power for other people. Listen to this: a person in a position of power has a choice. He can use his influence either to exploit or hurt, or to lift up and serve. I pray you will choose rightfully. I pray that you will say with conviction, “I am going to make service the primary goal in my life’s career and work. As you leave school, you are faced with the question of your priorities. To get ahead, to be successful, certainly, but let it not be at the expense of your own humanity and your relationship to your family, friends, and neighbors. To get a job, certainly, but let it not become the whole meaning of your life. Work exists for people not people for work, just as the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. Whether you get a job easily or whether you find it hard, remember that your dignity and worth do not come from your employment but from God who loves you and expects you to be the kind of persons he wants you to be.
Graduates, organize your life as Jesus organized His—making service a priority and a blessing to others. Deep and abiding satisfaction is experienced not by those who ask and make demands, but rather by those who give and make sacrifices. This is Jesus’ way. Let it be yours as well as you move in your life from this moment on. Thank you and good morning. God bless you!
The processional started at 8:30 AM. Rev. Roger T. Quimpo, Associate Pastor for Outreach, University Church, led the invocation. On behalf of the university President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Irving Domingo L. Rio gave the welcome remarks. He congratulated the students and parents for pushing through the difficulties in school. He also encouraged the graduating students to pursue their careers in nursing. He reminded them of how fortunate they were to have finished their nursing courses from CPU.
Charlie D. Baldon, Graduate Program Coordinator, introduced the guest speaker, Police Senior Superintendent Lemuel P. Nalangan. S/Supt. Nalangan described his life as “a matter of choice” long after 24 years of graduating from the CPU College of Nursing. He was a graduate of CPU BSN Class of 1994. He is currently Chief of Health Care Plans and Activities at the Philippine National Police, National Headquarters.
Police Senior Superintendent Lemuel P. Nalangan. S/Supt. Nalangan with the faculty and staff of the College of Nursing.
Nalangan recalled his memorable times in CPU and how he was prepared for the nursing career. He thanked his teachers and the school administrators during his college days. “I trusted in the education that CPU had given me.”
Although he believes that as a Centralian nurse, he should care for his patients as if they were family, he also recounted his dark experience in relation to his job with the PNP. “While my heart was to care for people, going along with soldiers at war in Mindanao was nightmare. But those experiences and trainings in combat were something that tempered my spirit, my heart, and made me strong physically, intellectually and emotionally.”
He expressed admiration to the graduating nursing students, and wished them all the good things to come in the future.
Joelah V. Rio, Academic Coordinator, led the recitation of International Code of Ethics for Nurses. The Scholarships and Awards were presented by Nelida L. Lamasan, Chairperson, Scholarships and Awards. Luke John L. Panaguiton, Governor, AHS Student Council 2017-2018 gave his response on behalf of the students.
The BSN Batch 2018 next sang their Class Song, “We’ll Make It Through,” followed by the benediction by Rev. Quimpo.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
This old proverb by Lao Tzu, a popular Chinese Philosopher of his time, must have helped millions of people in different walks of life. Whatever reasons there are in a “journey in life,” whatever distance, whether short or far, these have a beginning in desire.
Desire needs a will to realize something. That “single step”—that first step, so to speak, demands a person’s enthusiasm. It is like a spark plug that starts an engine so that the vehicle could move. However, it is still the driver—the person’s enthusiasm—that will eventually bring the vehicle to what ends one would like reach because of his/her desire.
As commencement exercises mean the beginning of a journey to prosperity (i.e. employment, engagement, business, wealth), it would help that the graduate consider it his/her first step in another thousand miles that he/she needs to traverse. At this first step, one should have already drawn the direction, thought well of his/her strategies based on the available provision for the journey.
Every step is an achievement towards success. There will always be difficulties and hardships as you carry on to the thousand-mile journey after graduating from school. The journey is worth sustaining even as sacrifices have their own equivalent happiness in the end.
You can retrace your footsteps in your mind—back to your first step, the four or five years of struggle to finish the course and receive your diploma. You’ve sustained, you’ve won. You can now go on another thousand miles to reach that happiness you have been journeying for. Finally you’re done with school (or so it seems). You’re proud of your diploma. Now you’re about to begin another first step on to another success. Maybe it will be the final journey or maybe you would need to take more first steps to reach real success.
The reality is that the journey never ends. However, you can still be happy while you are on your journey—no matter how far, no matter how difficult. Every step brings a solution. Happiness is the result of every problem solved at any step along the journey. Success… success! Anything you achieve will give you just a level of success.
Finally you achieve the things you have worked for… finally you’re done with those thousand-mile journeys, each of which you started with a single step. Finally you’ve found success. But only when God is there that you find happiness. Strive to be happy, strive to find God with your journey.
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