Exams of Life | Edward D. Espina

I was walking in the stairs going down for work. Suddenly, a familiar face stick in a happy corner of SM City Cagayan de Oro caught my attention. It reads, "In this season of lent, I would like to share to everyone here at SM especially to

those who strive hard,

those who believe in the beauty of their dreams,

those who aspire to achieve something especially for the purpose of education yet of low funds but has a heart to make things possible despite of certain challenges,

and to all those who never fail to thank God and ask him for guidance in everything he does,

Galatians 6:9 is for you. "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not just GIVE UP."

I am an SM scholar who work for summer job at SM. The featured photo and article is from a friend whom I met as I work at SM every summer. He is a friendly and a professional person, no wonder almost all of SM scholars who works during summer is also his friend. He was like me--a poor man, but never stop dreaming despite financial difficulties. He works at SM as a sales utility clerk, and I knew he is going to school every vacant of his time. He begged to the management to change his shift to study. Now, he not graduated his dreamed course but also graduated in his dreamed university. I was very proud of him, that's why I asked his article to share it with you today, and here is it, Edward Espinas' 

  

Exams of Life

Was there a time that you are about to take an important exam and that you are so bothered whether you will pass or you will fail? Or was there a time in your life that you feel so helpless, lonely, scared and worse that you wanted to die? Well that's what I call exams of life, and in every exam, we do a lot of preparations but nevertheless there are still times that no matter what measures we make we may still fail. But, never loss hope my friends, just look above and see the sky, sometimes it looks so dark but remember behind the darkness of the clouds the sun will shine. What we need is strong heart and clear determination that if we fall, we still have to rise and conquer every challenge.

That is what I've learned in life and I would like to inculcate it to every one of--not to easily give up.

Let me share to you my friends a little bit of my story. Xavier University has been so known ever since and even when i was just a kid, i have known this prestigious university already. I dreamed that one day I may have some time to get inside there and see what it is like. I thought of that but I prayed that I would not just meander but to study there.

After high school as the normal scenario, most of my classmates were very excited and eager to take exams to whichever university they like. Someone asked me, hey! Edward where will you study? I just said, SAVE YEAR which means I have to save the year and maybe not to study but to work, knowing our financial situation and my mother got sick as well.

Later on before June started, a friend came to our house and informed me that I passed the scholarship we took, so i able to study but not at Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan. I was feeling so blessed and lucky for that news as it was a great opportunity. I took an associate course, so then I graduated after two years. I then find a work, but my dream never stop from there and I continued my prayer.

God above gave me such a nice work at SM City Cagayan de Oro and a nice people who helped me. Then I was awakened from my long time dream last October 2008 when i first came in that institution to process my enrollment. Now, I just graduated with the degree in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Marketing Management and dreaming to take a professional education or to master my course.

These things would not happen if I quit and surrendered, and if I gone astray to the exams of life and again put it in your minds my dear friends--that behind the darkness of the clouds the sun will rise.

May you all have a wonderful day and give time to reflect the goodness of Jesus Christ.

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Graduation Speech | Carla Margarita Batoy

To our distinguished guests,

To my fellow graduating classmates,

To our competent teachers,

To our ever-loving and supportive parents,

Visitors, ladies, and gentlemen,

My warmest greetings!

Today marked the most exciting event of our life as students. It isn’t the end, yet the beginning of another journey in our lives.

I believe that I wouldn’t be standing here without the important people behind me. First and foremost, God who gave me wisdom and courage to go on, my mentors who patiently taught us every day and most of all to the people whom we want to give honor today—our parents.

I remember the time my Mom told me. She said, “Nak, mag-skwela jud ka ug tarung kay mao ran a ang butang nga among ikabilin sa imo nga bisan wala na me ni Daddy sa kalibutan. (Child, you must study well, because that is the only thing we can left for you even if Daddy and I will pass in this world).”

I couldn’t quite understand what she meant. Now I realize, I am their only daughter. What more could they be proud of and be happy about when I finish my studies.

My dear classmates, now is the time to say “thank you” to our Mama and Papa, who, ever since, have worked so hard to feed us, give us allowance and pay our tuition fees. Our parents who ironed our uniforms every morning, put our socks, cleaned our shoes, helped us in our assignments, and who were also there to answer our inquisitive minds.

At this point in time, may I request the parents of the graduating class to stand.  “Ato silang tagaan ug kusog nga pakpak (Let us give them a big applause)”. Our salute to our parents. “Ug gihangyo sab naku ang tanan nga graduating class sa pagtindog ug pagdool sa inyong mga mama ug papa (May I also request all graduating class to stand and approach your mothers and fathers)”. This is the time you tell them how grateful you are to have parents like them and to say “I Love You”.

As we leave the portals of our Alma Matter, let us not forget, that we owe who we are right now, where we are right now, what we have achieved right now to our parents and teachers, most of our Almighty God. All the fruits of our labors are dedicated to them. To you our loving parents and supportive teachers, we salute you… we dedicate all our achievements today to all of you in exchange of your endeavors and sacrifices in molding us into a better citizen and responsible human being useful for the society.

Thank you for not giving up on us, thank you for always reminding us the importance of education, for constantly teaching us the value of life.

Whatever plans we have in mind, Lord we surrender them to you. We will do the best we can but in the end, let your will be done.

Thank you very much!

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What Will I Miss When I Leave High School?

Do you want to share with us what you'll miss when you leave Dologon NHS? Share it now by filling-up this form http://goo.gl/QWgeGM

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