Features - Feature Article

A commencement speech for Batch 2010 of Saint Philomena’s Academy
Written and delivered by: Dr. Francisco Raul D. Salvador

School Director Reverend Father Teofilo L. Calicdan, Campus Minister Reverend Father Dionisio Luzano, School Principal Ms. Lina M. Valloyas, Members of the Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff, Parents, My dear graduates, Ladies and Gentlemen:

A pleasant evening to you all.

This afternoon when I entered the open doors of this familiar building, I was brought back in time when thirty eight years ago, I walked away from the portals of our beloved Alma Mater Saint Philomena's Academy, unsure of what was in store for me or what tomorrow may bring.  I never dreamed of becoming a medical doctor, much less to be the commencement speaker as I am now. But here I am, and I am truly honored to be your guest speaker on this, your graduation day.

First and foremost let me congratulate our dear parents for their sacrifices, their support, and most importantly their prayers, for they have shouldered the past four years of their son's and daughter's high school education. I enjoin the graduating class to please acknowledge the sacrifices of your parents by giving them a big hand for they are the ones who truly deserve to be congratulated.

Let us also give another round of applause to thank our dear teachers and school administrators for their patience and perseverance in teaching and guiding you through all these years. (Thank you.)

To all the candidates of this commencement exercises, especially the top awardees, I bring my hands together and congratulate you for the fruits of your labor.

Now please allow me to share with you the story of our class, SPA batch 1972.  You see, all of you know the story very well, because this is also your story, we probably just tell it differently. Some would say it with laughter; others would say it with tears. It is all about the travails of youth and idealism. It is about the beautiful years in our lives when we were young and growing up, and weaving our young dreams to find our place in the sun. It is a story of camaraderie and friendship, fun and laughter. It is a story of triumph, and sadly some failures. I particularly remember that beautiful day on the 27^th of April, 1972, 189 students were officially endorsed as candidates for graduation.  We proudly ascended the stage at the new SPA quadrangle where we received hearty congratulations from our school administrators and faculty, as we received the applause from our schoolmates, and the warm love and support of our parents and guardians. It was a great four years for our class, a journey which began in 1968 when we first entered the portals of our beloved Saint Philomena's Academy.  That journey even started earlier for some of us, who have known each other since we were in the elementary grades. In SPA we received the best education offered in the community.  We took our challenges to heart, and our graduation was a testament to our labors. In the course of those four years, we formed friendships that stood the test of time, enriched by memories that have been filed away in the deepest recesses of our minds. And after 38 years, we came together for the first time this year to celebrate those times when we were young and idealistic, and were just beginning to create our goals and dreams. This year, 2010, after one full generation, we came together to celebrate what we have achieved. The road however was not the same for all of us. Some had better opportunities than others. But whatever we have achieved so far - whether as housewives, professionals, vocationally-trained workers, entrepreneurs, overseas workers, and others - it is because once upon a time, we received fine education from this fine institution of learning called Saint Philomena's Academy.            Perhaps, after years of further learning and decades of building your own lives, one of you here right now will also come back and stand here in front, giving your own testimony and inspiring the new batch of graduates. We will all be members of the alumni community and you in turn will also have reunions the way we had ours last January 22 to 24, where we had never-ending, heart-warming, and invigorating gaffing and fun activities. You might as well adopt our dictum of sharing what we have, like giving tangible things for our Alma Mater.

On a personal note, it is indeed very nostalgic for me to be back here. I might have aged in looks and years but I still could feel the energy of my youth just by being with you today in this campus where I spent my boyhood days. I was once a sacristan, so the church and the school make my second home. I believe that the most enjoyable and the most wonderful moments spent in a lifetime are during the high school years. I remember my high school days. These were the days of being with friends, of being full of creativity, imagination, and experimentations. These were the exciting times when we had our first date and dance during our Junior-Senior Prom, our first "crush" in class, our first holding hands with our M.U. (mutual understanding), and other firsts. We were playful and serious, ecstatic with every victory and forlorn when we suffer defeat. These were the times when we yelled "united we stand divided we fall" and the times we struggled in a contest or a recitation in class. It was also the time to cram for exams and cry when we fail. There was such a surge of energy in our youth that a normal young adolescent would experience. This explains why we were moody at times, mentally and physically active at all times, and so very idealistic. It was a time of trying to establish our own identity and wanting to gain independence and freedom from our parents. I know you feel it too! I know you are all restless because you are all young and bursting with energy. And if achieving success is your goal, you will direct that energy towards further studies and towards working hard and smart.  I know --because I've been there.

Just like any graduating student, I was fearful and anxious of the future. I asked myself what will become of me after high school.  I clearly remember asking my former physics teacher, then Engineer Jovito Estaris, for some advice. I was then very adventurous and I wanted to become a commercial pilot, but my parents wanted me to be a doctor. The rest is history -- I became a medical doctor. But that is not the whole of the story. My parents sacrificed a lot to put me through medical school. For my part, I struggled hard and burned the midnight candle. To finish a degree in medicine entails self discipline, focus, and the "never say die" attitude; I call it tenacity and a positive outlook in life.

Honestly, I did not intend to become a medical doctor to enrich myself, contrary to what society perceives about doctors in our country being financially rich. I became a medical doctor because I made a covenant with myself to finish the degree and to help the sick especially the less fortunate. That covenant to help the needy still holds true in my mind and in my heart. I was once a doctor for Medicins Sans Frontieres (doctors without border). We dealt with street children and hopefully I may join them again in the future.

As for you, my dear graduates, today is your day; it is the time to celebrate because it is your graduation. It is like ending a chapter in a book. Now you can shout yes me made it! However, it never really ends here, because this is just the beginning. You are now about to start a new level of endeavor, you are about to commence a new chapter in the book of your life.  Will you go on to college? Go vocational? Or start your own business? Perhaps find a job? Or start a family? Whatever it is, you choose, you will definitely be moving on.  Just like a book, you will be turning over a new leaf.

At this point let me focus on your graduation theme "Catholic Education: a Covenant for Life." This speaks of idealism, of goals and purpose in life. Pair that with our school motto "Pro Deo et Patria" --for God and country, which is still very relevant today. This theme is timely and appropriate in these times of uncertainty in our country. That is why I congratulate you Batch 2010 for being here in this Catholic community of learning. I congratulate most especially your parents who value your studies; they brought you here because they believe in the Catholic education and all the good training and preparation for life that SPA can give. Now that you are through with four years of such training and are about to embark in the next leg of your life journey, your school administrators and your teachers are confident that you are equipped with the catholic and Christian teachings and values which will serve as your armor and shield during your journey. However it is up to you to hurdle the challenge. The final test will be measured by how well you perform after high school and more so after college. The fulfillment of your dreams will depend on how well you were molded in this institution and how well you adhere to your Catholic covenant. And what is your covenant? It is a lifelong solemn commitment to live the Catholic Faith in whatever you do, as instigated by your Catholic education. It is a lifelong solemn agreement for you to choose the Catholic way of life in fulfilling the concerns of your chosen career or vocation. The values that you learned here in SPA will be your tools in your destiny. Your Catholic education does not and should not end upon graduation from high school and college. Your Catholic education is best realized when you put the basic Catholic teachings into practice in everyday life.

According to the Vatican II declaration on Catholic education, "a true education aims at the formation of the human person in the pursuit of his ultimate end and of the good of the societies of which, as man, he is member, and in whose obligations, as an adult, he will share" (Gravissimum Educationis).

In this context, allow me to share the experiences in life that I learned through all these years. Let me expound on the values and ideals of Catholic education that our institution taught us, for I believe they must never change for the next one hundred years:

The first doctrine of Catholic education is: all persons are God's creation; every element in this universe is God's creation, and we all have purpose in this life.

As a Bachelor of Science student I kept asking myself: where is the end of the universe? How will it end? That's probably why it is always the outer space when I doodled; add to that my desire to be a pilot. Even as a young boy I was fascinated by space so I kept looking at the moon and stars at night. I kept searching for the answers and up to now even scientists have no answers to my questions. If you try to Google in the internet and ask the same question of how the universe will end  you get the answer  "Scientists think they know how the universe began, but what happens at the other end of the space-time continuum is a deep, dark mystery-until now. This was written by Michael D. LEMONICK for TIME magazine.  Only God can truly understand this, for He is the Creator Almighty.

As a medical student I studied human anatomy, dissected and autopsied cadavers. I cut up the body parts, studied these parts, their functions, and explained the causes of death. Cutting up the brain, no part in any medical book showed me where faith-distrust, love-hate, happiness-sadness, freewill and decision-making reside. This is a favorite question in psychology "Do we fall in love with our heart or our brain?"         One time I asked my professor in medicine what keeps the pacemaker of the heart beating all the time. The pacemaker is a node located at the back portion of the heart, it gives electrical impulses that make the heart contract and beat. His answer was G.O.K. (God only Knows). Truly, only God knows the answers for He is the Creator.

As a medical student I was insatiable and inquisitive for truth and scientific explanations on every aspect of life. I understood scientifically the union of the ovum and the sperm cell, to the time of implantation, until this one celled living unit develops inside the womb of the mother, to the time of birth and the time he or she had her first vaccination. I understand what goes on at the time she had her first menstruation while he had his circumcision, to the different diseases and infirmities that affect man and woman and even the intricacies of how death occurs. But up to now I still continuously study medicine and other updates in technology. And what is the lesson learned?  Never quit learning new things. Be participative and proactive as a student and for a lifetime.

Be that as it may, as a man of science I strongly believe that I am just an instrument of God almighty.  He is the healer and He also makes the final judgment. He probably made me a medical doctor to be able to touch the lives of others. Of course God only helps those who help themselves. I did my part as a student; I became a doctor and was licensed to practice medicine.  I remember a classmate of mine in college who read the bible instead of medical books; he failed in our class but graduated a year later because he realized he needed to understand concepts in the medical field. So my dear students discipline, preparation and focus are important factors in attaining the goals in your life. Help yourself and God will do the rest.

Scientifically speaking every element in this earth is part of the whole universe, and has its purpose. Try to take a pinch of salt, it is chemically known as sodium chloride. Initially we add it to food to make it more palatable, to add flavor. Once absorbed by your body it has different functions; it will be part of the regulation of fluids inside your body. It therefore has several purposes. As God's creations, we are the salt of the earth.  The Bible specifically says that in the New Testament, and I quote:  "you are the salt of the earth, but if the salt lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men". Just like anyone else, God has a plan for all of us; we all have a reason for our very own existence.  We must live up to our own purpose of living; otherwise we will be like salt without any taste, good for nothing.

You may want to be a pilot like me but you end up a doctor but what is important is you are aware that God has plans for you. Sometimes your own plan will not be granted because God has something else in store for you. Learn to adapt and accept. "Thy will be done" ...for as long as you make this covenant, God will take care of your life and your purpose in this life. Lesson learned? Believe in God and believe in yourself.

The Second doctrine of Catholic education is: we should view each person as Christ-like.

During our high school days we were fortunate that we attended CYM - Catholic Youth Movement - a junior cursillo movement for the youth where we were taught Christian values. Through the instigation of our religion teacher and assistant parish priest Father Dimas Jacinto we were sent to a 3 day seminar in Bonuan, Dagupan City away from our classmates, friends and parents. In that seminar we actualized the teachings of Christ in all the activities. It was a good training ground and value formation for me since I was then what I consider the black sheep of our family. It was then that I realized the existence of God and felt the love Jesus emanating through my parents, brother, classmates and the community.  Majority of our batch mates attended the same series of seminars and I believe that what we learned about the ideals and the teachings of Christ in loving God and our neighbors are still deeply inculcated in our minds and hearts. So wherever you are and whatever you do for as long as you practice Christian values then you live a meaningful life. Loving God is loving your neighbors the way you love yourself, for in yourself and others, you must always see the face of Christ and treat Him accordingly.

You are fortunate my dear graduating students because we were both molded in the same institution. I think and firmly believe that you will all achieve your goals and you will become productive citizens. You can proudly say you are a product of a Catholic learning institution and that you made a covenant for life that you will share what you gained, be it wealth or wisdom, probably when you have reached the pinnacle of your chosen career; and then by that time you can say "I did it for the love of God and for the love of my country."  Pro Deo et Patria.

As a parting shot:

Let me recite Samuel Ullman's view about YOUTH.

"Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind; it is not a matter of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees; it is a matter of the will, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions; it is the freshness of the deep springs of life.

Youth means a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity of the appetite, for adventure over the love of ease.  This often exists in a man of sixty more than a body of twenty.  Nobody grows old merely by a number of years.  We grow old by deserting our ideals.

Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.  Worry, fear, self-distrust bows the heart and turns the spirit back to dust. Whether sixty or sixteen, there is in every human being's heart the lure of wonder, the unfailing child-like appetite of what's next, and the joy of the game of living.  In the center of your heart and my heart there is a wireless station; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer, courage and power from men and from the Infinite, so long are you young.

When the aerials are down, and your spirit is covered with snows of cynicism and the ice of pessimism, then you are grown old, even at twenty, but as long as your aerials are up, to catch the waves of optimism, there is hope you may die young at eighty."

So in closing my dear graduating class; I have shared with you my personal and professional experience and the story of our batch; I hope that you value your Catholic education for life and put into practice your Christian teachings. However remember that "Nasa Diyos ang Awa, Nasa tao and gawa." You still need to be responsible, honest, self disciplined, focused, participative, pro active, optimistic and tenacious in all your undertakings. And whatever you gain later in life, don't forget to share it with the community in which you came from.   Good luck, God Bless and congratulations.

Thank you.

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