Being an alumni of Infant Jesus Montessori Center, I was invited to give words of encouragement to Grade 10 students who are moving to Senior High School. This is what I said to them:
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Before I start my speech, I would like to congratulate
all the students who are here in front of me. I would like to congratulate the parents and
teachers who worked hard just to be able to get to this point.
This is such an honour to be invited to this special occasion
and to speak to you as well as visit my beloved alma mater after 15 years.
For the information of everybody, I was one of the first
students who enrolled in IJMC back in 1994 as a Grade 7 student. From then on,
I witnessed how IJMC has grown. A school that started out as row of houses and
now a huge school building. It just shows that Infant Jesus Montessori Centre
delivers quality education and I am very proud to be a product of this school
my, alma mater.
The moment I arrived, so many good memories suddenly came
to mind. I remembered how noisy our batch was at that time during our younger
days. I remembered how we did our programs inside the classrooms because we
didn’t have a stage at that time. I remembered how Mam Carpio and our Late Mam
Alcantara used to scold us trying to teach us a lesson.
Just like any other students, we all had our good times;
we also had our bad moments at school. We are all bound to make mistakes, but
what matters the most is how we deal with our mistakes and make it right.
I have 5 questions I want you to consider. Let these
be your guiding questions towards your path to success.
1.
Students, what do you want to become in the future?
This question has been asked so many times over and
over again, and only few can answer the question. Students, it is very
important that that you know what career or path you want to follow in the
coming years.
I want you to follow and listen to what your heart
says. If your heart says I want to be a teacher, a doctor, a dentist, an engineer,
and then do it. As long as it makes you happy and as long as it’s for the good
of everyone, then do it.
2. How
do you handle failures?
We are all bound to commit mistakes. But the important
thing you must remember is, how could I correct that mistake? What can I do that
it won’t happen again? Successful people became successful because they have
failed many times before. But instead of dwelling on it, they used it as a tool
to climb to where they are now. Remember, don’t let failures defeat you,
instead let them INSPIRE you.
3. How
do you value Education?
Do you come to school just for the sake of attendance
or to learn?
Students must realize the value and power of education.
Your teachers are here to help you be more productive citizens of this country
and the world. We could not wish for anything else but for you not just to
graduate but also to become a successful individual. What you learn here at
school is just a fraction of what there is to learn. Value your education, as I
always said to my students, it will be your investment in the future!
Remember as per Nelson Mandela, Education is the most
powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” And im sure your life
too!
4. How do you want to be remembered? Have you done your best?
Students, always
remember to do your best in everything you do. Are you this student who submits
written work or projects that lack creativity and skill? My dear students, your
outputs are a reflection of you. I always believed that everyone is talented
and all we need to do is to nurture and enhance the gifts given to us by God.
5. When
was the last time you said THANK YOU to your teachers, parents, and to every
one around you?
Students, you don’t realize how much hard work your
parents have invested in you. I remember how my parents tried to look for money
just to pay for our tuition fees for me and my two other brothers, how my
parents worked overtime just to get extra pay to attend other school activities,
do we ever appreciate the efforts of our parents and say THANK YOU to them!
I think we should also say THANK YOU to our teachers, as
they always say teaching is a noble profession and I agree. Noble because we
act as your second parent, we absorb all the issues you have with your
classmates, love problems, and even with your families. We spend so much extra
time checking your exams and reading your essays and endlessly computing.
Before I end my message this afternoon, I would like
to make a plea to the parents to please continue to love and support their
child to the fullest. They are your greatest gift and the future hope of our
nation.
Thank you very much, more power to my Alma Mater
Infant Jesus Montessori Center, and God Bless You All!
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