“Instilling Excellence in the Young” was the theme of the Graduation and Recognition Exercises of the Aguinaldo International School-Manila held at the Grand Ballroom, Pearl Manila Hotel last April 23, 2010. Ms. Corazon Nerezamia Burgos, Class Salutatorian, delivered the welcome remarks and Dr. Jose Paulo E. Campos’ the President’s Message followed next. Dr. Campos shared these words “Our students, together with their parents, after many years of hard work reap the golden harvest. For us in education, this is the rhythm by which we live, and we look forward to the future and imagine the possibilities what these young students will grow up to be. This school has gone through a journey. We began as Emilio Aguinaldo College Science High School, and then we worked through a transition for it to become an international school. For us, this means not just to focus on science but also the arts in the curriculum; a double perspective. Not only did the curriculum change but also the pedagogy of this school. Learning is very important, it tells you what you can become; it has become part of you, just like eating, drinking and breathing. Congratulations to all of you. ”
The AIS Program Director, Ms. Lileth L. Cuaresma, introduced the graduation speaker, Ms. Benazir Abdulwahid, who delivered this message to the graduates “I come back to my alma mater and the graduation celebration today. I am here to speak my thoughts on a theme that is appropriate to the call of the time; a time when the world is about competition and excellence and a game of a few. As I look at each and every one of you today, I can sense varied emotions; I urge you to experience happiness and a sense of accomplishment for this major milestone, I also ask you to have that sense of excitement in taking the next step in your life. It is a tall order to pursue a track that leads to no other direction but the capability of each one as an individual. Any decision that you make today, such as what course to pursue in college, has serious repercussions for your future; a future shrouded by uncertainty. Always remember that what you do today is important, because you are exchanging a day in your life. Follow your dreams but do not limit yourself to your comfort zone. The subject you excelled in at high school may be a point to consider, but ask your self, “Does it always relate to my continuing interests and passions?”, “Can it lead to a career where I enrich myself and excel?” Excellence must be the key word to live by. We may fall short of it at times yet let persistence prevail and you will reach your goal.
My own experience of striving for excellence became resolute, nothing is impossible when there is determination and commitment. How to achieve excellence may be a question, but that should not be a constraint to you, my dear graduates. You come from a school that I am also a product of, which I am proud to say has relentlessly instilled excellence in its students. You are equipped with learning and values that will serve as your tools in conquering your respective places in your community. Indeed, the four years of secondary education has prepared you not just academically for a higher learning, the competent faculty members have, in the process, made you responsible as focused individuals, bringing out in each one of you the right attitude and values - the incontestable formula for any triumph. Your parents, who have been there to pick you up and inspire you to go on, have also played their crucial role in shaping you as achievers. My own parents have not let go of my endeavors, whether it is academically related or not.
In the world of college, I came to realize that when the youth speaks, the world listens. We are a powerful voice of our nation, but the youth being the hope of our Motherland is not an empty statement. We are the vanguard of excellence and responsibility. We, the youth, care for our country and our future. Many times we are given the chance to be trained to learn from our mistakes, so we will not be able to make the same mistakes again, it is therefore our responsibility to strive for excellence to be able to help the progress of our nation. Let us give back what our beloved country has given us. Dr. Jose P. Rizal was an ordinary man with extraordinary dreams. He was a man who always strove for excellence and learned continuously and this he offered our beloved country, the Philippines. He believed that there is always room for improvement and development of oneself. It is always not enough to just stay contented with what we have, let us continue honing our raw knowledge and always aim for excellence.
There is a famous cliché, “you and you alone set the limits of your performance, you and you alone set the limits of your success”. There is a world of opportunity ahead of you. After finishing high school, you now face the greater arena by exploring a higher level of learning, of shaping yourself towards a better and responsible matured individual. You now have the responsibility of saving the nation from falling in the pit. It cannot be underscored enough, that the biggest force of this nation is the youth. Your diploma is never meant as a decoration; knowledge is not a sole proprietorship, it is to be shared and be a means to serve others, only then that it can be said that education has achieved its objectives and you as a learned person has grown and excelled.
I am very grateful to my parents for having sent me to this school; you probably feel the same appreciation. My sense of gratefulness comes from the belief that I would not have become what I am now if not for the solid foundation provided by the impressive line of faculty who trained my critical years. I return to my alma mater all the glory for the humble achievements I have made; to our beloved teachers for the patience, dedication and commitment to your calling; to the administration for the judicious implementation of policies and prudent operation of school affairs.
I will end my speech by giving thanks to our dear parents for what they have been through to give their children the best education. Congratulations to the graduates, my hats off to you, I know what it takes to get through here. Continue to create and hold the highest graduate vision for your life. I leave each and every one of you with a hope that as you make your own journey you bring with you the EAC spirit that drives you to achievement with an equal commitment to friends, family and community. Congratulations!
The conferment of graduates, done by Mr. Keith P. Jones, AIS-Superintendent, was followed by the Valedictory Address of Ms. Frances Anne A. Castillo, class valedictorian, and the Pledge of Loyalty by Mr. Jason M. Dy Perez, Honorable Mention.
(aeparas/ EAC Publications)