WORDS OF GRATITUDE

Ezekiel D. Rodriguez
March 16, 2008

Members of the Board of Trustees; Sr. Maria Luz F. Mijares, OSA, Superior

General of the Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolacion; Sr. Niceta M. Vargas,

OSA, University President; Dr. Belen B. de Jesus, Executive Vice-President; Dr.

Reynaldo C. Cruz, Vice-President for Academic Affairs; URC-Religious Community;

Deans; Faculty and Non-Teaching Personnel; fellow graduates; classmates; friends;

ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant afternoon.

It is my honor to stand before you and represent all the graduates of Batch 2008.

I feel so blessed for having been selected as the one to address everybody particularly

the graduates dressed in identical gowns and caps. I must say, every time I speak

before a huge crowd like this, I feel speechless and shy. I run out of words to say. I am

afraid for I may not have something new to say as well. But then I realize I need not be

afraid. I should speak with pride yet tempered with humility.

What is significant about today’s commencement exercises? What makes this

day worth waiting for? Why is graduation day a day to reminisce and a time to treasure?

The answer lies on the very purpose why we are here. This day leaves indelible imprints

in our consciousness because we are purpose-driven – to harvest, to give thanks and to

anticipate.

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 To harvest means to reap the fruits of our hard work, four or five years of

academic struggles is never easy to bear. Many sleepless nights, term papers, theses,

projects, examinations, etc. have become our past time and part of our daily school life.

Yes, we hated all these but of course, we’ve realized, these have made us better

persons equipped and armored with the necessary competencies we need to face that

demands of the constantly changing job market. This is the time for us to show

everyone that we have become proud victors but still, wise servants of God.

This is the most opportune time to gather all our achievements and keep them in

our treasure boxes. This moment is mine and yours / to see the tangible manifestations

of the sweat we all perspired and the blood we all bled. Further, you and I have

something in common today, we all dreamt of this and we eagerly awaited the coming of

this day to show them that we have become the best persons we can and better than

the best they know.

To give thanks means to air our sincerest gratitude to the many people who

served as our backbone as we stood before all the tests we’ve been through. A wise

man once said, “One can pay back the loan of gold, but one dies forever in debt to

those who are kind.” I must say I feel so lucky for I have the opportunity to air what is in

my heart at this moment, you may be seated down there, right now, but I know you’ll

find ways to show how you appreciate the people who have been with you, beside you

and behind you all these years.

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 To the members of the Board of Trustees and well regarded administrators,

deans and faculty members, words are not enough to describe how thankful we are for

your great effort in providing us quality education, relevant programs and activities, and

conducive learning environment. We thank you for your steadfast commitment to the

mission and vision of the university.

To all my cooperating teachers, Prof. Andrew Bernardo, Prof. Eric Rosales and

Prof. Ellen Calayag, to my English professors, Prof. Divine Eusebio, Prof. Marites

Castro, Prof. George Arellano, Prof. Edilberto Cruz, Prof. Eve Ponce, Prof. Norlito

Ignacio, and to all my college instructors since my first year in this university, your

elastic patience, understanding and prudence motivated me to pursue this profession.

Your sharing of experiences allowed me to have a full grasp of what teaching profession

really is. You broadened my own bank of knowledge and wisdom. Thank you very

much.

To my classmates, it is an honor to be in a very solid group. We’ve been together

for four years and we have learned to accept the imperfections and the strengths of

each other. We where 30 then, but after four years we ended up only 15, however, the

hardships and arduous work made us big not in numbers but in experience. Thank you

for the fun memories together.

To the other unsung heroes of this university; from the janitors to those who hold

higher administrative posts, many thanks for your relentless service.

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 To our Inang Reyna, the former dean of the College of Education, Prof. Carmelita

Almario, our bond gave me the strength to move forward and face the challenges I have

to surmount. I will never forget the values and the ideals you shared not only with me

but also with my fellow education students. Your positive views about life will always be

cherished. Thank you very much.

To our Mema, Prof. Maxima Asistio: it is literally, MAXIMA ASISTIO IAASIST

KAYO TO THE MAXIMUM LEVEL. You brought out the best in us. You made us realize

the importance of values such as respect and humility. You sincerely assisted us with all

your heart and efforts. Thank you very much.

To our beloved dean, Dr. Angela L. Pesayco, thank you for trusting that we can

do it, for sharing a part of your life with us and for encouraging us to pursue our future

career as educators. Your support and encouragement awakened the resting innate of

our students in the college.

To my Father, Mother, Lola, aunties and uncles, this graduation is not only for me

but also for you. Thank you for your undying support. Your great sacrifices will never be

forgotten and forever will be appreciated. For 20 years you have been there to guide

and to support me and I know that a simple “thank you” is not enough to repay you for

all those things that you have done for me. I offer this wonderful moment to you, my

family, as a sign of my utmost gratitude and appreciation.

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 Finally, to our Lord Almighty, I know that this would not be possible without you.

Without you I am nothing. I will always praise and thank you. This is your day and the

day of all your future disciples.

This day, as I have said is also a day to anticipate. This is the day to look forward

to the many wonderful things and more herculean tasks ahead of us. From this day on,

the world sees us, graduates, as catalysts of transformative leadership.

The events of recent months have served to weaken our country for which many

have labored and suffered. We take pause in our lives to reflect on what truly matters,

and as graduates of a Catholic and Augustinian university, the academic and outside

communities anticipate that we take the initiative to lay a framework that unites people

who are already assuming leadership roles in global and national awakening.

To end, this has been another great year for us in spite of the challenges and

misfortunes along the way; this has always been the URC story: victory despite the

odds. My fellow graduates, I invite you all to take this legacy of an indomitable spirit with

you and be great ambassadors for URC, and our great nation.

My sincerest thanks and warmest congratulations to all! Thank you very much.

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