Showing posts with label graduation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label graduation. Show all posts

26 March 2012

Graduation Message [from a non-Politician]

Greetings!

I considered myself destined to be part of your learning - whether you like it or not BUT I want it to put into record that I'm happy about it. I may not be included in your list of best teachers whom you won't be able to forget in your entire life but you already occupied one portion in my heart. I may not be able to recall you names in the future, but please give me the honor to claim you as my students.

You may not be able to recall all the formulas we've discussed but don't forget to apply these concepts in your lives.
  • When you already own a motorcycle don't forget to wear your helmet & use the motorcycle lane when driving.
  • When you already have a car don't forget to wear/fasten your seat belt while on the road.
  • If you happen to become a jeepney driver/operator don't collect more than what is due.
  • When you happen to join rallies against nuclear energy be sure that you know what you're fighting for (and not because of a bag of groceries).
  • When election comes, vote wisely & don't be mislead by their tarpaulin saying they've done a lot even if none was felt.
  • Even if there's no law or principle in physics that states that you have to give your seat to the elderly when you take a bus or train - you still do it.
  • The arrow of time always points to one direction that things done cannot be undone, but our realization & learning makes them meaningful.
  • Even if we already have the most sophisticated measuring device, bear in mind that the things that really make us happy are mostly not measurable. (We do not have a gram of contentment or liters of patience.)
  • You can practice open-mindedness but don't be too open and forget things that makes us Filipinos. You can always add "po" & "opo" to your statements whether it's against the rule of grammar - saying 'Good Morning Po' or 'Thank You Po' don't mean that you're not good in English.
  • Sound waves travel in air so when you're taking a bus or train with your friends don't converse too loudly.
  • Even if you know that sound waves diffract or bend around openings don't be too reckless to eavesdrop on other people's conversation.
  • There is no such thing as frictionless surface - so with our journey here on Earth... there's always hindrances/obstacles that sometimes changes our state of motion. Always maintain your focus just like the concept of a parabolic dish, wherever the signal hits the dish, it will always be reflected to focus.
Our school is somewhat comparable to Big Brother's House. Your teachers are those Big Brother's giving tasks to you. In times of success you will be rewarded, in times of failure you will be given the chance of learning. I'm not saying that Big Brother knows everything, but in general, the safest way to learning is to follow Big Brother's plan. I'm saying this not to suppress your own freedom - but because I know that you also know that Big Brother is more experienced than you are.

Going outside the box (or going outside Big Brother's House) is always an option and I'm not saying that this is not the road to success. Albert Einstein is a high-school dropout, so with Zack Zuckerberg, (the developer of the well-known social networking site -Facebook) was also a college dropout but they were successful in their chosen lives. They have taken the road less traveled. But the fact still remains, not all of us is Einstein or Zuckerberg. And since you've reached this point I believe that somehow you've submitted yourselves under the guidance of your Big Brothers - we, your teachers.

This graduation day marks the day of your departure to Big Brother's House, your school - your alma mater. As you leave don't forget those things that we've tried to impart to you - those are the basics for higher learning. As you leave this ground to quest for your own success always remember this anecdote I've learned from my Kuya.

Always consider yourself green, because green grows. If you consider yourself yellow or already ripe the next thing would be to rot.

We are not in the capacity to determine your success in life, neither what we've taught will determine your success. But one thing is for sure, with God's help, the first who would determine your own success whether it be the safest way of the road less traveled will be - YOU.

...and let me say this in a positive way.......

'You are now evicted from Big Brother's House!'

Congratulations!

30 March 2011

to the new superheroes...

[Sir Jeff's Message to all his Graduating Students]

          The first time I've heard the 'graduation march' played during the first graduation rehearsal I feel saddened. Again, another batch of students are leaving.

          I am in the prime years of my career as a teacher compared to my fellows and I've been always observant with the usual trend. Napapanahon ngayon ang mga istorya tungkol sa mga supernaturals. Sa katunayan, ito na halos ang laman ng primetime TV Programs. Dati may Darna, Dyesebel, May Bukas Pa (Si Bro), Machete; ngayon naman may Captain Barbell, Immortal, Dwarfina... meron pang Babaeng Hampas Lupa (kasama ba un? hehehe). Sa madalas na pagkakataon, hindi makatotohanan kasi nga supernatural o higit sa normal pero patok sa panlasa ng nakararami (ayon na rin sa mga ratings ng primetime shows).

          Ako sa sarili ko, ayoko ng mga ganito, pero dahil yan ang pinapanood ng mga kasama ko sa bahay, minsan mapapansin ko nalang na ako pala ay sumusubaybay narin, lalo na sa Temptation of Wife (supernatural ba un?).

          Naging student din ako at  sa paniniwala ko, hanggang ngaun student pa rin ako. Sa halos 10 months sa isang School Year na puro pagod dahil sa mga assignments, tests, practices, projects, school requirements, dagdag mo pa ang Research - nakakapagod to the 23rd power! Mahirap, minsan pakiramdam mo pati parents naten hindi tayo naiintindihan. Sa bahay nagagalit sila kasi halos wala na tayong maitulong dahil maghapon nating tinatapos ang drowing na isasubmit sa Drafting Class. Tapos minsan pag ginagabi ng uwi, nagagalit din eh sinasabi mo naman na galing ka sa practice, na hinaluan ng konting gala at date (xempre hindi mo na sasabihin un hehehehe). Pag maaga ka naman umuwi nagagalit din, baka daw nag cutting classes ka. Pero kahit minsan hindi tayo nila maintindihan, luv natin sila, dahil hindi sila nagsasawang bigyan tayo ng baon. Well, seriously, we love them kasi ramdam naten na they love and care for us. Sa mga PARENTS naten, THANK YOU PO sa inyo!

          Sa mga titsers naten, may mga pagkakataong sumasama ang loob naten sa kanila dahil nahuli tayong nangopya, maingay, mahaba ang buhok (sa lalaki), natutulog sa klase, etc. etc. pero alam nating may dahilan tayo bakit ganun. Hindi naten masabe dahil minsan nauna ng nagalit... pero alam naten na limited din ang capacity nila, marahil expert sila sa lessons naten, pero the fact still remains na hindi nila alam ang buong detalye ng buhay naten. Pero dahil diyan, luv din naten sila kasi naging part sila ng buhay natin at naging inspirasyon naten. Naging part sila ng development naten at alam nateng nagmamalasakit sila para sa atein. THANK YOU PO MA'AM AT SIR!

          Sa loob ng sampung buwan, hindi mo alam kung makakasurvive ka. Andaming mga hadlang. Gaya rin ng common na istorya ng superhero, hindi nya rin alam kung makaksurvive siya - may mga kalaban at nakahanay pa sila mula sa guards, officials then sa master. Ang mahalaga ay hindi tayo sumuko o umatras sa laban. Minsan bumabagsak tayo, pero sinisikap naten na makabawi at makabangon para matapos ang laban. Ngaun? Alam na naten na nakasurvive tayo! After all those tests and hindrances, at last you are now graduating! Gaya ng isang superhero o bida sa isang pelikula na sabi nga ng ilan ay nagpapabugbog muna pero sa huli siya parin ang bida. Gaya ng superhero na hindi nawawalan ng source ng lakas at determination. Alam naten na may source din tayo ng lakas at determination. We acknowledge the source of everything in us... Alam naten na WE DIDN'T DO IT IN OUR OWN WAY! Sa lahat ng bagay, THANKS BE TO GOD!

          I won't forget what my Ingkong (grandfather in Kapampangan) have taught me & I want to share it with you.

          Today, we all celebrate our success... But keep this in mind... this is not yet the end. Gaya ng isang manga (mango), kung itoy hinog na, ang kasunod nito ay ang pagkabulok. Gaya rin ng isang mountaineer na umaakyat ng bundok, kung narating nya na ang tuktok ng bundok, wala ng ibang direksyon kundi pababa.

          Guys, you've already felt success but don't claim that you've already reached it. Always aim for it and you will continue to grow. Wag nyo isipin na hinog na kayo dahil ang kasunod nun ay pagkabulok. Wag nyo isipin na narating nyo na ang tuktok ng tagumpay dahil ang kasunod nun ay ang direksyon pababa, pabulusok.

          Spiderman says that 'with great power, comes great responsibility.' You, yourself will understand these words as time goes by...

          To all my students, I thank God for giving me an opportunity to be a part of your life. I will surely miss you guys!

          Lagi nyong tatandaan na kahit mga
  superhero, marunong ding umapak sa lupa!

          Congratulations!



Image Source:
illustrationsource.com (thru Google Images)