Commencement
Speech – Normita Feliciano Fenn, Class 1958
URS
Laboratory High School Graduation Exercises, Tuesday,
April 8, 2003, Morong, Rizal, Philippines
|
|
"Pursuing Your Dreams"
Maligayang
Bati sa Kagalanggalang na Pangulo ng University of Rizal System, Dr.
Olivia Feliciano De Leon, a fellow alumni, na taos pusong naibubuhos ang
kanyang panahon at karunungan sa pagpapalago ng edukasyon ng ating mga
kabataan; sa ating Pangulo ng Bayan ng Morong, Kagalanggalang Mayor Jorge
Bernardo at ang Sangguniang Bayan, sa kanilang pakikiisa sa mga dakilang
layunin ng ating mga paaralan upang makapagdulot ng maaliwalas at
matiwasay na paligid para sa mga mag-aaral; sa mga Kagalanggalang Dr.
Gloria Sarabia, Engineer Perlita Payofelin, at Atty. Ricardo Angeles, Jr.;
sa Kagalanggalang na Principal ng Laboratory High School, Miss Jean De
Ungria, mga administrators, staff at faculty ng University of Rizal
System, sa kanilang pagpupunyagi upang mabigyan nila at maturuan ang ating
mga kabataan ng mabuting pundasyon sa buhay; to the Parents’ Teachers’
Association, sa pangunguna ni Gng. Emily Villahermosa, at sa mga magulang
na naririto sa bulwagang ito, sa kanilang pagsubaybay at pagaakay sa
kanilang mga anak upang lumago ang kanilang kaisipan at karunungan.
Sa
mga sandaling ito ay naaalaala ko si Tata at si Inang dahil nuong ako ay
nasa high school, hindi nila ako pinagluluto o pinagagawa sa bahay para
magawa ko aking mga homework at mga school projects.
Ang
sabi po ng mga kapatid kong lalaki ay ako raw po ay namimihasa.
Nanonoor po sila ngayon.
Ako nga po ay hindi natutong magluto dahil ako ay laging nasa
eskwelahan.
Hanggang ngayon po ay ipinagluluto pa ako ng aking mga kapatid at
mga hipag.
Magandang
gabi po at maligayang bati rin sa mga magtatapos at sa ating mga panauhin
at Kababayan na nakapalibot sa atin ngayong gabi.
Our beloved Morong High School has evolved into many different phases of academic excellence, now a Laboratory High School, under the prestigious University of Rizal System. I thank and commend Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, for her vision in the establishment of a university system in our town and neighboring communities. I congratulate Dr. Olivia Feliciano De Leon and wish her well as she guides this institution into continued advances in education for years to come.
We are here tonight to honor and commemorate the graduates of The Class 2003 of University of Rizal System, Laboratory High School. This is indeed a memorable moment as you are about to join the batch of graduates under the umbrella of the University of Rizal System. I stand proud as an alumna of Morong High School, partaking in a ceremony of an institution, so revered and so loved, by thousands of graduates who came from our beloved Town of Morong and surrounding communities. You will soon be a part of us, who are the beneficiaries of the hard work by the founders of Morong High School, Mr. Monico Mateo, along with Mr. Vivencio Bernardo, whose sons are with us tonight: Atty. Monico Mateo, Jr. and Mayor Jorge Bernardo. The legacy that their fathers left behind will forever be with every student who stepped on the threshold of this great institution, making us strong in spirit, allowing us to become productive members of our society.
Forty-five years ago today, I was one of you, eager and anxious to receive that high school diploma. Standing before you now, I am reminded of the sadness I felt that night, knowing that my dream of going to journalism school will not be realized because my parents are not financially able to support me.
As I exited the gates of Morong High School that night, I looked up in the sky imagining myself like a bird, determined to fly, clutching my high school diploma, dreaming to have a college education, get a good job, and to be able to help my parents, my brothers and my sisters. That even though I will miss growing up with them, the rewards of a better future will be forthcoming.
My wings landed in the United States where education became a reality through hard work and commitment. I did not fulfill my high school dream of being a journalist; however, God gave me a more meaningful calling. I pursued a career with a top international company, General Electric, where I worked under the helm of some of the best trained managers in the world, who guided my career, always nurturing, encouraging me to achieve and learn, that opportunities for men and women, regardless of race, color, or religion, are limitless to those who are determined and willing to work hard. Under GE's sponsorship, I obtained an advance degree in marketing, in turn rewarding me with a career that took me to many different parts of the United States, broadening my knowledge and personal skills.
The lessons I learned from my mentors remain with me to this day, to be aspiring, always learning new things, new ideas, and new skills; never to forget that other part of God's calling: to give back to the community, to the schools, and to my fellow alumni, remembering where I came from, and how I got to where I am.
In pursuing my dreams there are basic principles I applied that were taught by my parents and teachers of Morong High School: the value of honesty, fairness and integrity. Like myself, these values will be reflected in your relationships with your college classmates and co-workers, as well as in your day-to-day interaction with your family and the community you live in.
For example, if your dream is to become a doctor, you will exercise your best skill and know how to save the life of your patient, if you become an agriculturist, you will produce crops that are healthy to the consumers; if you become an engineer, you will build a structure that is environmentally safe for the neighborhood; and, if you become a banker, you will do your best to take care of the money that was entrusted to you by your friends, neighbors, and other depositors. The deposits that they put in your bank are hard earned money that they hope to use for their livelihood. In other words, as you pursue your dreams into reality, do not betray the trust of your family, friends, and neighbors.
On this momentous occasion in your lives, I congratulate you on behalf of the Morong High School Alumni Association; dedicated to "Promoting Unity and Friendship"; a global association that is strong, diverse, and vibrant. We stand ready to support you hand in hand, heart to heart, as you pursue your dreams. The technology is there to link with your fellow alumni and be informed on what is going on in our respective communities, to be able to tap the vast alumni resources to guide you in your education and careers. You are the future leaders of our alumni community who, for generations, come home to our alma mater to celebrate and lend whatever support. In your journey, do not forget to say hello to your teachers, send them emails to let them know how you are. Magmano kay Dr. De Leon, kay Miss Jean, at sa inyong mga teachers, paminsan minsan. They will give you inspiration.
My dear graduates, I stand tall and proud tonight in front of your parents and teachers, imparting my dreams and values, with hopes that you will also have this unique experience. That forty-five years from now, you can say that "I can walk shoulder to shoulder with kings, queens, presidents, with my friends and neighbors, feeling confident that I have lived my life with honesty, fairness and integrity, as I am a proud alumni of Morong High School!" God Bless You!
Mabuhay at Magandang Gabi Po sa Inyong Lahat!