It is with great appreciation to be giving a message for this afternoon’s endeavor

–________ Recognition day geared on the theme: “Sabay-sabay na Hakbang Tungo

sa Maunlad na Kinabukasan”

(Hakbang, Kinabukasan. Ano nga ba ang ibig sabihin ng dalawang salitang ito?
Ano ang koneksyon ng hakbang tungo sa pagkamit ng maunlad na kinabukasan?)

When I was told that I would be the guest speaker of this Recognition day, I was
shocked. For a fresh graduate like me, why am I given this kind opportunity?
Then, I began to indulge myself in an enjoyable recollection of past events.

During my elementary years, I started reading, writing, and counting. Just the
basic, the essentialist (the view that all children should be taught on
traditional lines the ideas and methods regarded as essential to the
prevalent culture) way. I even started loving school. I grow up in a very
idealistic (unrealistically aiming for perfection) way. My Mama trained me to
be competent enough in my academic and extra-curricular activities, which
helped me in aiming what needs to be aimed. As a result, I graduated as the Class
Valedictorian in my elementary years, but it wasn’t as easy as taking a 10-peso
coin on your mother’s purse. I’ve had lots of struggles especially knowing that
your Mom is an idealist. The years that I had in my elementary partially molded
me to become ready for my secondary. It was never easy for me upon entering
high school. I carried all the pressure my family expected on me. But you know
what, I just put into my mind that I am a clay, being molded by the potter, our
Potter. Slowly, my character and attitude were formed during my high school
years, though academics were much focused, we never tend to forget what
character and attitude was. There have been times when I really wanted to give
up because of some issues thrown at me. Hindi ako maghuhukas kamay and
never will I do that, pero I became a rebel once. Once lang yun ;) Despite all the
challenges and all the lemons thrown at me, I still pursued my dream towards
my tertiary. 4 years struggle in high school and the result was still priceless, I
became the Class Valedictorian of the batch 2013. Last 4 years, nakatayo rin ako
rito as I was giving my Valedictory speech, and here I am again, giving my
speech, not as the Class Valedictorian, but as a guest speaker na. Bongga noh?

When I entered College, dami kong doubts nun. Tanong ako nang tanong tungkol
sa entrance exam, kung mahirap ba, kung kaya ko ba. Really, I doubted myself
that time. I took an entrance exam and enrolled myself in Xavier University –
Ateneo de Cagayan. I was a full scholar there, so walang babayaran na. What I
needed to do lang was work hard academically. I did well, but nung nasa 2nd year
college, 1st sem ako, nagkadengue ako. And because of family matters, WE (hindi
lang ako) decided to transfer na ng ibang school. 2nd year, 2nd sem, I was
enrolled at FSUU. Balik na naman ako sa pagiging doubtful ko at pagseself-pity.
Kasi nga I feel so alone in a familiar world. Oo, madrama pero totoo. Never did I
expect na kahit transferee ako, mafefeel ko na I belong. Many would ask nga if
totoo bang transferee ako kasi I easily got close or attached to some of the Urian
people. That is what character and attitude is all about, and that is what
Northwestern Agusan Colleges taught me.
The journey towards this __________, was not a walk in the park, rather it was like
sailing across the Pacific Ocean, tossed back and forth by the raging waves. There
have been moments that we have questioned the journey that we are on, “Para
gyud ni sa akoa?”, “Mahuman kaha nako ning project?”, “Makahuman kaha ko?”,
“Makagraduate kaha gyud ko?” “Di naman nako kaya oy!”

Well, guess what? YOU are here! You made it! . You were able to conquer the
years that you’ve struggled. And guess what again? May libreng medal tsaka
ribbon pa.

Really, we were trained in an essentialist way, meaning, adherents or certain

philosophers believe that children should be taught or learn traditional basic
subjects thoroughly and rigorously. In this philosophical of thought, the aim is to
instill students with the essentials of academic knowledge, enacting a back-to-
basics approach. Such discipline might include Reading, Writing, Literature,
Foreign Languages, History, Math, Science, Art and Music. Moreover, this
traditional approach is meant to train the mind, promote reasoning and ensure a
common culture.

Now, why am I talking about these things? Pang college man ni pero bakit ko nga
ba ito shinishare sa inyo? Wala ba kayong napapansin? Diba parang may kulang?
Well, if you can see, sa essentialist way kasi, they were so much focused on
purely academics, hindi nabibigyan ng justice ang character at attitude. What this
philosophy lacks is the center of interest among children that is why, humanism
was made. This philosophy is engaged in the whole person, the feeling life, social
capacities which are important focuses for growth and development. The
objectives of this philosophy are to develop the self-esteem of a child, their
ability to set and achieve appropriate goals and their development toward full
autonomy (independence).

Let us go back now to our theme, “Sabay-sabay na Hakbang Tungo sa Maunlad na

Kinabukasan”
For us to achieve “maunlad na kinabukasan” we should also invest on character
and attitude.
Character, Attitude – two interrelated words that I think, we are all familiar
about. These have been foretold in books and taught by our teachers since
Elementary. But, over the years, have we asked ourselves how far we are familiar
with our own characters and attitudes in its truest sense? Perhaps yes, perhaps
no. But one thing is for sure, in this pluralistic society, we often (or most of the
time) consciously and unconsciously compromised our character and attitude as
we behave and interact dynamically to people from all walks of life in all
circumstances particularly in heated situations.
We, too, are oftentimes overwhelmed honing our skills and talents; too focused
on maximizing our abilities and potentialities yet we have taken for granted
knowing and assessing ourselves – our character and attitude.

I want to challenge you: to survive in an unpredictable and competitive

environment. You have to grow in your chosen discipline. Do not stop improving
yourself. Northwestern Agusan Colleges, my alma mater, our school, has surely
tried its best to provide us the quality education that we need, but developing
those fundamentals and updating our knowledge, skills, character and attitude
are really up to us.

As such, as we embark our journeys, may we bear in mind that one’s character
and attitude are fundamental towards success. These largely shape us as holistic
persons as we, at the same time, strive to shape and influence others’ lives. These
drive us to discern on how to deal, react, act, and involve to every situation, may
it be positive or negative.

Truly, it is our character and attitude that define us in all seasons of life. Thus,
may we learn to invest on building sound character and attitude to achieve our
theme which is, “Sabay-sabay na Hakbang Tungo sa Maunlad na Kinabukasan”

May all the Nacians be the hope and light of the future.

Thank you and God bless us all.