In a trailblazing effort to achieve a convergence of future office managers in Dumaguete City, junior students taking Bachelor of Science in Office Management at Silliman University successfully pulled off what could have been regarded as a lofty, almost impossible undertaking that could have remained an elusive dream. Not until all the role players have arrived and all the attendant details finally threshed out did everyone gasp that, finally, the long-planned event would unfold, at last.
A day before the 99th Commencement of Silliman University, almost a hundred students coming from the Negros Oriental State University and Silliman met for a half-day fellowship and first organizational meeting at the SU Uytengsu Foundation Computer Studies Hall. Dubbed One Dream, Three Schools, One Goal, the event was organized and spearheaded by OM 38E (Advanced Personality Development) students revolving on the theme, “Unity Amid Diversity.” The only other school that also offers a similar degree program, Foundation University, was unable to join the pioneering venture because of earlier commitments of its students. They will, however, be constantly involved in future activities of the organization in the coming school year.
Keynoting the event was NORSU President Dr. Henry A. Sojor, whose engaging discourse and charismatic appeal as a public speaker served as an actual demonstration of sorts to the awe-struck students. Prodded to reveal some secrets of success, Dr. Sojor said matter-of-factly: “There are no secrets, otherwise we will miss out on the lessons learned if we keep them as a secret. But, seriously, the ingredients or requirements for one to succeed are simple, yet difficult to do if you do not have a goal or focus. These are hard work and perseverance.”
An epitome of the compleat teacher, Dr. Sojor likewise challenged the faculty members who were present to “walk the talk,” just as he himself had been doing in the decades that he had been teaching. “The teacher is the library,” emphasized Dr. Sojor, reminding the mentors that although teachers cannot claim to know everything, great effort should be expended to improve themselves to be worthy of their students’ emulation. He said that the four key elements to success are: personality, communicative ability, human relations, and character. “You can learn how to learn,” Dr. Sojor said, short of saying that one should never stop learning because education and the acquisition of knowledge have no age limit.
On the other hand, Roberto Estoconing, faculty member of the SU College of Business Administration Office Management Department (formerly Associate in Commercial Science), referred to himself as a living example that “poverty is not a hindrance to success.” Graduating valedictorian both in the elementary and secondary levels in a public school, Estoconing shared that he never entertained the idea to act in an inferior manner while he was growing up just because he comes from a poor family. “On the contrary, I became actively involved in many school activities. I made it a point to join contests to expose myself and to build my self-confidence,” he said, with a stern reminder that these should be done not in a brash, brusque manner but with humility, consciously thinking of how your actions and speech may affect others, whether positively or negatively.
To break the ice and to facilitate the orientation process, group dynamics was led by Hera Tocmo-De Guia, guidance counsellor of SU CBA. Present to give their support were Dr. Silveria Ochotorena, dean of the NORSU College of Business and Accountancy; Prof. Jane Annette Belarmino, dean of SU CBA; and, Annabelle Pascual-Azuelo, faculty member. It was also an opportune time to acknowledge the presence of the pioneering BSOM graduates of Silliman, with two graduating magna cum laude — Jean Jesel Davis and Marie Claire Rodriguez with Manilyn Pancho, Reynaldo Guardario, and Amy Jane Quibedo. President of the NORSU Junior Office Systems Managers Association, Divina Pinili, who also graduated, led her schoolmates in expressing their appreciation and commitment to sustain the objectives of the endeavour.
Elected officers, who will serve starting the coming school year, are: Lou Shien Ban Pisan (SU), president; Jorgielyn Ferrer, (NORSU), vice-president; Lineth Avanzado (SU), vice-president; and, Rizzel Martizano (SU), secretary. The rest of the officers will be elected in time for the opening of classes, even as the officers would already plan for their forthcoming activities.
The other members of OM 38E, who are incoming seniors, are: Jo Vanne Alojado, Lera Mae Berlan, Rosel Erames, Jasper Jordan Fabe, Nelly Jane Gajetos, Nikki Jean Garcia, Emily Jade Larena, Lani Ann Macabinguil, Albritz Matta, John Rey Pagador, Cherry Quibedo, Maria Christina Quijom, and Jay Elora Villahermosa
