What is your advice to graduates?

Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.— Nelson Mandela

Graduations always bring me immense happiness and positive vibes. It’s mainly because it is a celebration of students together with their parents and teachers who all worked hard for this day. As millions of graduates march to get their diplomas, this signals a better future for more families all around the country. There is no doubt that education is a big step towards progress not only in one’s family but for our country as well.

Homer  “Homerun” Nievera, digital marketer

Whenever I give talks to students, I always advise them these five things to be successful: dream big, have a plan, work smart, keep focused, stay positive. You can’t go wrong with these.

Nap Marilag, founder, Dugong Alay Dugtong Buhay Inc.

Dream big, aim high, believe in your capacity as a person. Have the heart to help your family and always remember your beginnings. Lastly, inspire and be of help to the needy people unconditionally.

Donnie Tantoco, president,  Rustan Commercial Corporation

Be as crystal clear as possible in knowing your specific strengths, your beliefs and your passions. Consciously spend most of your time and energy in cultivating and applying the qualities and skills you have that make you special, and that you do exceptionally well. Eagerly (and selflessly) contribute to the betterment of your team from your strengths while adhering to your values. Never compromise your values. Don’t get trapped in getting too anxious about your weaknesses. Build and add value from your strengths.

Atty. Rodolfo “Inky” O. Reyes, managing partner

Work hard, as if you were working for the Lord. Be loyal to your employer. Tithe to the Lord. Save up money, then become an entrepreneur so that you can participate in nation building. Pay your employees right and treat them well. Pay the right taxes. Give to good causes. Do all these and you will be successful.

Senator Bongbong Marcos

Stand proud for what you have accomplished! Be true to yourself so you will not be lost in your journey. Find true meaning by always working for a higher and greater purpose. Be a nationalist in all you do, in ways large and small, as there is no cause more noble than your country and its people.

Carissa O. Coscolluela, governor, Philippine Red Cross

Graduation is not the end of your education.  Have an open mind and keep wanting to learn from the people whom you will encounter and from the experiences ahead of you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions — you will learn from the expertise and wisdom of those who have been long in your chosen fields. Maintain your integrity in everything that you do. Above all, every day, think how to make even the littlest things that you do translate to the upliftment of the life of every Filipino.

Ana Amigo Antonio, liver transplant survivor

As you graduates embark on a new journey, my advice would be to start as if you are already in the twilight of your life looking back at what you have accomplished through the years. And then ask yourself, what kind of life did I live? Did I commit myself to quality and values? Did I commit to constant improvement and did I strive for excellence? Did I commit to learning from mistakes, did I commit myself to keeping my reputation as my most valuable asset? Did I conduct myself with respect for myself and for others? Did I commit to kindness and love as much as I could and when I could? Did I commit to living with a grateful heart? These are some questions we all want to answer positively one day, answers you as graduates will want to answer with pride and joy! Remember that at the end of it all, judge your own success by the degree that you enjoyed a life filled with peace, health, joy, gratefulness and love.

Bo Sanchez, Catholic lay preacher

Graduates, your school taught you to avoid failure. But in the entrepreneurial world, it will be very different.  The worst thing that can ever happen to you is not to fail.  Because you’ll never become a real success if you don’t fail many, many, many times.  The most successful people I know have failed the most times. I urge you to embrace failure. Google’s founders have followed this mantra: “Fail fast, fail often.”  It’s great advice.  Personally, I’ve failed in 12 businesses.  But that’s the reason why my current businesses are doing well today.

Marites Danguilan Vitug, editor at large, Rappler

Don’t worry if, at this time, you’re still tentative about what you want to make of yourself. Take comfort that, at some time in the future, you will find your place under the glorious sun. You will find your voice. Here’s what matters: when looking for work, how much you will make is important, but more important is: will you make a difference? I hope that you will have the empathy to help address pressing problems in society. You need not go far: inequity, that appalling and vast divide between the rich and poor, is so visible. If you can contribute, in various ways, to reduce this, you will have done our country good.