Unsolicited advice/ Mayor Lim, other VIPs

(Excerpts of my commencement address to college graduates of St. Scholastica’s College at its 76th commencement exercises last Sunday.)

May I warmly congratulate you dear graduates and burden you with unsolicited advice.

Having reached a significant milestone in your lives, you should be absolutely certain about the career you wish to pursue because you will neither succeed nor excel in a field not of your own choosing, or for which you are not qualified.

However, be flexible; be willing to compromise, carefully weighing your strengths and weaknesses. Take risks and challenges, but be cautious. Learn from your mistakes because if you don’t, you are bound to repeat them.

Fear will inevitably confront you. Courage is not the absence of fear. Overcome fear by drawing from your moral and spiritual reserves.

Be open-minded. Don’t bear grudges because grudges blur the vision. Always keep your feet solidly on the ground. Conceit and arrogance hinder growth, learning and development. The following four D’s — discipline, diligence, dedication and  determination — are a tried-and-tested formula for success.

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Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, a public official of unsullied reputation and integrity, is an avid supporter of the arts. He recently presented “Sining at Kalinangan sa Baywalk” which featured the FEU Chorale the FEU Bamboo Band and the FEU Theater Guild. The performance, open to the public, proved FEU’s thriving cultural scene, and widened audiences for the arts.

Earlier, Mayor Lim attended a performance of the Museo Pambata, and recently, was guest of honor at the unveiling of the President Jose P. Laurel monument along Roxas Boulevard. One of the many nationalistic acts of Laurel during the Japanese Occupation was to prevent the conscription of Filipino youth who would have fought against the American soldiers.

The US Embassy and the UP jointly presented a film festival “Black Women on the Silver Screen” in celebration of the Black History Month and the Women’s History Month. US Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney hosted a reception after which the film “Zou Zou”, featuring celebrated black women, was shown.

The blacks have gone a long way since the great President Abraham Lincoln emancipated slavery. Now there is a candidate vying to become the first black president in America.

The Ateneo Library of Women’s Writings held the turn-over ceremony of the collected writings and memorabilia of Dr. Mary Racelis who shared her “reflections on practicing sociology, advocating rights, nurturing family — and being Mary” at Ateneo U.

Former V-P Emmanuel Pelaez, another high-ranking public official of unwavering nationalism and integrity, was remembered at yesterday’s launching at the Manila Polo Club of Nelson Navarro’s book on the life and times of Pelaez, “What’s Happening to Our Country?”

UP Professor of Spanish Luis Romanillos sent me an invitation to the Pestibal del Chabacano de UP Diliman. Welcome remarks were given by Cesar Virata, president of the Cavite Historical Society, Spanish Ambassador Luis Arias, Cavite Mayor Bernardo Paredes, UP Chancellor Dr. Sergio Cao, and UP Liberal Arts Dean Virgilio Almario. Lectures on various aspects of Chabacano were given by Prof. Romanillos among others.

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Region III will hold a seminar on March 26, 27 and 28 on the theme “Capability Building.” The title indicates what indigenous peoples can do after realizing their own capabilities towards community development, maintenance of schools, support and encouragement of  teachers so ethnic children can understand the importance of education.

Indigenous participants will dance and sing in their colorful costumes. Venue is Maimpis, San Fernando, Pampanga. Project coordinator is Catherine D. Ramos.