Graduation
Today is the recognition rites for the graduating students of the College of Engineering in UP Diliman. I attended the ceremonies for the first time as a teacher (last year I was one of the graduates). It’s nice to see the event from a different perspective.
I love how this is treated as a family event. The genuine feeling of happiness and pride is in the air. You can see the all-the-years-of-hardwork-finally-paid-off-I’m-so-proud-of-you expressions on the parents’ faces. Hats off to you Sirs and Madames, you have produced one of the country’s finest future engineers.
The message from the speakers always have the same theme: nationalism. After all, they, or we I should say, are indebted to the Filipino people. Someone needs to remind us that we graduated from the premiere university in the country to become engineers and as Dean Matias said, “to not only become technology users but become technology developers.” No one is obliged to give back and serve the country. What UP hopes is that students themselves realize it. Service is not limited to working for the government, teaching in the university, or doing research works. Service to the country, in its broadest sense, means you are actively doing your part to make this country better. Whether it’s singing your heart out, punching the lights out, or teaching kids how to read in the farthest corners of the country, you are doing your part.
I urge the graduates to follow their hearts whether it’s love for someone special, family, the country, or God. I definitely did an I am having the best time of my life.
(Source: alvintang.wordpress.com)
