BLACK GOWNS, SUPERDOME, WHEEL CHAIR , AND THE PUSH…IT ALL HAPPENED IN JUST ONE DAY…..

If there is one workplace where getting old is noticeable, it is working in a school. Each year, age gap between the teachers/staff and students, is increasing. On a positive note, it may mean another year of fulfillment seeing your students wear BLACK graduation GOWNS…because in one way or another, we’ve been part of this milestone in their lives. Each year, the speech of STI ORMOC President never fails to mention about the unselfish service of non-teaching staff and commitment of teachers in imparting their knowledge to our students… Another year as opportunity to look back at the academic year that ended, and improve academic delivery and student services for another academic year that is about to unfold.

Ormocanons are so blessed to have SUPERDOME as venue for big activities in our city. But sad to say, during our graduation, the air-conditioning units were not sufficient to cool the place so parents and graduates had to use copy of their programme as improvised fan. I have talked with the administrator of superdome and assured me that spare parts were already requested to replace defective parts. These parts are expecting to arrive soon. It was evident though that the joy of the parents and graduates outweighed the hot temperature inside the Dome. Anyway, I, myself, would not want to miss graduation of our students. I remember three years ago, I struggled to climb up the stairs of Sabin Resort Hotel despite the 5-day old fresh scars I had in my tummy due to CS for my 3rd baby just to attend our 9th commencement exercises. I had to stay at the back and watched our graduates receive their diploma from afar. Like me, friends and relatives of our students would want to witness this very important occasion. This may mean a lot to them. Maybe, some relatives and friends are benefactors of our students. Unlike other smaller venue, in SUPERDOME, graduates can bring as many relatives and friends as they can. NO LIMIT. We even have graduates who are the very first college degree holders in their family and clan. Just imagine how important this graduation is to the family and relatives of our students. So Superdome is a perfect venue for our graduation if well-ventilated.

Normally, graduates have to go up the stage and receive their diploma but this year is different because our President, our Dean and I had to go down the stage and hand the diploma to one of our DCET graduates who was then sitting on a WHEELCHAIR due to fractured bones on his legs. At first, his guardians requested if they can just carry our student to go up the stage. But we realize, Givers of diplomas have functional legs while the receiver doesn’t have. Let us break the tradition and do what we think is more humane.

I see on TV that some schools in Metro Manila( or maybe also in Visayas and Mindanao) invited politicians as commencement speakers. Personally, choosing a commencement speaker is a no easy task. We have to carefully study the professional background of the person to make sure our graduates will learn and benefit from her/his talk that is why our President decided to invite the HR Manager of Lexmark who is also the People Management Association of the Philippines(PMAP)-Cebu Chapter President, Ms. Gladys Santos. As expected, she enumerated what is it that employers want to find in a fresh graduate:1) Employers want effective Team Players 2) Employers want effective communications 3) Employers want graduates to navigate across boundaries and create networks, even after school 4) Employers want team members who are self-driven in developing professional competencies. 5) Employers want critical and reflective thinkers 6) Employers are looking for employees with leadership potentials.

Ms. Santos pointed out also that fresh graduates should adjust salary expectations to get the necessary skills and experience, as well as be patient to achieve their aspirations over a longer period. She also advised that new job seekers like our graduates need to be flexible and versatile, do not let status or pay prevent them from taking jobs that are available. They should be prepared to adapt to new environments, learn from the job through on-site training and be prepared to pick up new skills.

What is striking about her message is the word PUSH. Ms. Santos said to our 154 graduates… “You are now ready to fly away from the nest of your Alma Mater. The PUSH - sometimes we need it and sometimes we need to give it to others. And though the PUSH can be a metaphor of being brave enough to face risks, may we remember the P-U-S-H to also mean: PRAY UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS”

Lastly, I would like to :
CONGRATULATE the 154 graduates who wore they BLACK GOWNS last April 13, 2010.
THANK Ormoc City Government for the use of SUPERDOME for our graduates, their family, friends and relatives
SALUTE Mr. Ever Pactoran who sat on his WHEELCHAIR last April 13,2010. His determination is commendable despite the adversity that he has to face.
EXPRESS our gratitude to Ms. Gladys Santos for accepting our invitation and for enlightening our graduates the true meaning of the word PUSH.

All this happened in one day and I wish these will happen again next year but this time no more WHEELCHAIR. I PRAY FOR THE SUCCESS OF OUR GRADUATES AND SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS.

The past six years and the next six years…

This month is LP’s 6th year anniversary and still counting… LP has been through tough times but still standing tall despite adversities in its operation. Many popular names in print local media joined us and shared their expertise in writing to a local paper. Some remain loyal to LP and still continue to serve our co-Leyteños through news writing. LP still exists because of our regular readers, advertisers and subscribers who have given their full trust in LP. A million thanks to all who have helped LP all these years. LP aims to improve the delivery of up-to-date, relevant and inspiring news each week with God’s help.
----------------

The next six years for the Philippines is unpredictable but Filipinos have to remain hopeful that change can happen for the welfare of our fellowmen. Noynoy who is leading in the recent Comelec count for presidential race, is receiving a lot of criticisms questioning his capability to lead our country. For some, competence can be measured by accomplishments. For me, accomplishments will follow if we give one person benefit of the doubt that he can deliver results. We were divided before the election as we have our respective presidential bets but now that election has ended, let us be united with a hope that Noynoy can make things happen for the Philippines. Noynoy needs “expertise” of Villar in business, the “transformer” quality of Gordon, the “intelligence” of Gibo, the “charm” of Estrada and the “God –fearing” quality of Villanueva.

I did not vote Noynoy as president but I believe he deserves my trust that he can lead our country. If I can fast forward the next six years, only then, I have the right to judge your leadership Noy.

WISE VOTE…..

Few days from now, it’s election time. I hope everybody has shortlisted already the candidates that you will vote based on your set criteria...My criteria include candidates’ track record as government servant, professional and personal background, campaign strategy which is not detrimental to other’s people personal life, realistic platforms and convincing response to questions on problems that our county is facing now like poverty and corruption.


Everywhere, you will see and hear…VOTE WISELY. I just hope these two words will be internalized (this may have a deeper meaning) by all of us. In every circle you will shade corresponding the name of candidate you choose, coupled it with a prayer that you are choosing the right person for the post with God’s intervention. For every money you receive from overly generous candidates, think of it as their donation to the church course through you and not as an influential factor in making your votes.
This May 10 is our time to act. Let us conscientiously exercise our right to vote….Instead of giving money to our disadvantaged fellowmen, this time, give them your wise vote. On May 10, do your children a favor…give them a good future in our country…give them your wise vote.

May the good Lord be with the voters and candidates on May 10 election.

Same Dilemma

When it is time to say goodbye…

I got a text from our yaya (nanny of my 3-year old youngest daughter Jhaye) that she plans to stop working with us effective June 4, 2010 as she needs to rest for a while with no assurance that she is coming back. It was the same day when I reprimanded her because the favorite shades of her “alaga” was missing. I expect her to be the keeper of all my daughter’s belongings. I thought that that such incident triggered her decision to resign. According to her, it is really health reason.

I became emotional knowing that my trusted yaya has to leave my daughter whom she has taken cared for almost 2 years. Being a working mother, I have to let my yaya look after my daughter most of the time, more time than I have for my children. She may not be a perfect yaya but I know, she loves my daughter so much.

Call it coincidence; a month ago, my boss got an email from me informing him of my resignation effective June 15, 2010. My reason: MORE TIME FOR MY FAMILY. Working as school administrator entails greater responsibilities and as my children grow older, my time for them is becoming shorter. Like what I expect from my yaya, my boss expects me to be on top of our school’s operation. Re-aligning my priorities triggered my decision to resign.

My yaya and I are facing the same dilemma. That is, how to say goodbye to someone/something that you learn to love over these years. It may be difficult at first, but eventually once we start moving on and follow what our hearts desire, things will be better.

To my yaya, thanks for loving my daughter. I apologize if sometimes, I am too insensitive to your feelings. To my STI family, thank you for recognizing my value as an academician. My service to students will never stop as I will still work in STI as professor. My yaya, being a caregiver, will never stop as she has to take care of her own children, this time.