(This is a message delivered to 105 graduates of Paracelis NHS on April 1, 2009. Though there are several changes on the way it was delivered, i.e. medium of communication, and subtractions and additions on the content, the gist is here.)
April is the second month of spring, one of the four temperate seasons. The other seasons include winter, summer and fall / autumn. Of all these Spring is the most promising. It is seen as a time of growth, renewal, of new life for plants and animals being born. Spring ends winter, the severe cold and the days of bleakness and whiteness because of the snow. Moreover, the birthstone for April is diamond, the symbol for innocence. I do not know what tree you have here that follows the four seasons but in Sagada, a municipality on the Western portion of Mountain Province, we have the persimmon tree, the national fruit of South Korea. It has its four seasons. Picking of its fruits would be from August to September. By October, it’s leaves begin to fall leaving the branches bare. By December to February, the tree seems dead, with no leaves at all. However, starting on March, especially in April, the tree comes alive with fresh new leaves. And, for one who had seen how it looked when it had no leaves, looking at it would bring joy. Yes, it is a symbol of freshness and hope. Having your graduation in April, then, is a double treat. Again, April is a promising month, a month of diamonds and fresh leaves.
The first day of April is known as April Fool’s Day – a day when you are excused to make white lies and get out of it. Though this is supposed to be the best day of the month since it is the beginning, it is also branded as a day to make lies, which if based on the Bible, is not supposed to be such. So, right at the beginning of your graduation, you’re already faced with a challenge – and the challenge is to prove to the world, that you are worthy to graduate from high school. And that, April 1 is not an excuse to make lies, for your graduation is never a lie. Challenge daytoy kadakayo – han nga gapo ta agtaltalon ti ama ken ina tayo ket han tayo kabaelan nga agturpos ti eskwela tayo. Panunoten yo nga ti panagturpos ada metlaeng idiay tao. Pito kami nga agkakabsat nga pinanawan ni tatang mi idi siyam paylang ti tawen ko. Maymaysan ni nanang ko nga mangmangged ti panagdait ngem nakaturpos kami met. Haan nga gapo ta nasuportaran na kami no diket nagtitinulongan mi. Ti panangtarimaan yo ti panageskwela yo launay ket dakkelen nga tulong ken pammigsa ti paryentes yo. Han gamin nga ununaen ti meryenda – unaen ti usaren ti panag eskwela. No anya man ti kasasaad mo itata dayta ti April 1 mo. Sanguem ken itakder mo ket tarimaaanem.
The 2 in 2009 would stand for the need of others and God. In life, we need others to survive. We cannot be an island. If at times we don’t have any human warm bodies beside us, it’s the time to acknowledge the presence of God. Having nobody to turn to is the very reason that suicide incident is rising in developed countries. We all have times of depression and craziness. Psychiatrists say that everybody has a degree of craziness, we are then branded as crazy only if we cannot distinguish what is real and what is imagined. That happens if no one will be with us to help us stand when we are weak. Yes, we are no island. We need others beside us in our success or our failure. That is the very reason that we have friends and by nature relatives, and that we were born from parents. That is also the very reason why we seek for girl / boyfriends and then marry. It really takes two to tango. We cannot dance tango alone. Companionship, team work and socialization, my friends is the very design of God whom we can always turn to if human fails us.
The first 0 was invented by the Indians. Most ancient invention on counting number systems did not include 0. Yet 0 is very very important. Without it, there will be no 10, 20, 30, 40, 200, 700, 1000, 10,000, 100,000, to millions and zillions. Sometimes, we seem to be so insignificant. We seem to be doing nothing. We seem to be useless. But, we have to remember that like the zero, we may seem insignificant and unimportant but in truth, we are very much significant. Our small contributions and accomplishments add to a bigger accomplishment. Yes, one zero after a number makes a difference. If you add one 0 after 10, it will become 100. Add another 0 after it, then it will become 1000 and so on and so forth. That is how important we are though we seem to be so insignificant. We may be ignored or our actions may be forgotten but such actions will add to something greater. And, that my dear graduates, is the very characteristic of a zero which is shown in the theme of today’s graduation which goes, “My education: my contribution to the future.” Even our simple acts of giving our best in educating ourselves, is already an additional zero, to the future – your world tomorrow.” Again, “isang tuldok lang tayo, pero ang tuldok my salaysay,” sabi nga sa isang kanta.
The next 0 is for us and our attitude towards life. Most if not all of the time we need to humble ourselves even to the extent that we seem to be in Level 0. This we have to do to learn. Some would learn a little and brag and think that they need not learn it again. However, we have to remember what Confucius, the ancient Chinese philosopher once said, “The more I learn, the more I discover that I know nothing at all.” In so many ways, life has taught me the truth in that. We learn from others, whether they are the lowest paid or the highest paid, whether they know how to read or not, whether they are younger or older. When we say that our cup is full and we have already mastered something, we might be surprised to discover that if you still listen, you will learn more for learning never ends. If you say that your cup is full, then you are ready to die. The last 0 then boils down to attitude. As they say, it is attitude, when put in a mathematical equation as a is 1 + t as 20 + another t as 20 + I as 9 + another t as 20 t u as 21 + d as 4 and e as 5 that sums up to 100% and with the love of God makes it 12 +15 +22+5+15+6+7+15+4 would be 101%.
Nine is the highest single digit number. I therefore challenge you graduates to aim high. Aim for the 9 but always remember that your feet are on the ground. Reach your stars, reap them, gather them and use them to brighten not only your own path but also the paths of others as well. Don’t limit yourselves. It is in this place that I heard from you during the Cluster leadership Training, the chant, “What the mind can conceive, the body can achieve.” Live that and be true to that. Aim high. Aim for the nine. Aim not only for yourselves but also for others.
In summary, April stands for Spring in your life; 1 is a challenge; 2 is finding the right friends and companions and acknowledging the presence of God in your life; 0 is for recognizing that everyone is significant though they seem to be insignificant; 0 is attitude towards life; and 9 is aiming high. That is April 1, 2009.
To the teachers, continue working for the betterment of everybody. Don’t take teaching as just a source of income for there is no money in teaching. Teaching is more of a mission. Teaching will only be your line if you stop counting your money at the end of the month and instead think of how you can improve the teaching-learning process. So, congratulations for staying in the teaching field – the noblest profession of all.
To the lower years, you have seen the weakness and strengths of the people who came before you. Take note, they say that the best teacher is experience but you need not experience everything for there is such thing as history and vicarious experiences. Learn from the history and experiences of others for your life is not enough for you to experience everything. Give your best in all endeavors.
To the parents, I know your kids have added gray hairs to you and many more before you will say your task is finished. I know there were so many times that you have asked yourself, “apay anak ko daytoy?” Apay ngata ngarod nga di nak denggen? Yet, I also know that despite all those questions, you still rocked your child in your arms and say, “I love you forever. I like you for always. As long as I live, my baby you’ll be.” Yes, there were times that you cannot understand them and they seem to be aliens to you not your own flesh and blood, makaited ti ado nga uban, yet, you still cradled them in your arms and said, “I love you forever. I like you for always. As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.”
Now, dear graduates, it’s time to stand and go to your mother and father and hug them as tight as you can and say, “Thank you for loving me. Thank you for liking me. Thank you for making me your baby forever. And, thank you for because of you I am now graduating from high school.” Then give your diploma.
To all, God bless. Thank you for joining all of us here today.
In summary, may I call on the graduates to say April 1, 2009.
Thank you very much.
