Graduation exercises were held in the universities and colleges here in this University Town, giving a bonanza to our local hotels, restaurants, department stores, and related businesses. The “ripple effect” of the business generated by the influx of parents, guardians, guests, families, and friends of the graduates is palpable before and after the graduation rites.
Indeed, Dumaguete is blessed with the ambience and atmosphere of higher learning, making it a preferred destination for students.
It is a place for real people who are in touch with the waves of the future, while holding on to its quiet traditions of faith and simplicity.
In this day and age, this rare quality of life in the City is highlighted in the month of March. Amidst the sea of expectant parents and guests, the moment is seized for posterity, reality is held in abeyance.
Last Sunday, March 18, Silliman University led by President Ben S. Malayang III invited former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Reynato S. Puno as commencement speaker.
Chief Justice Puno was also conferred the honorary Doctor of Laws.
Chief Justice Puno is not only a Man of Laws, he is a devout Christian, former Grand Master of the Order of Free Masons, with an unsullied reputation of being morally upright and low profile in his ways.
His speech highlighted the challenge to the graduates to use their talents and abilities to alleviate the plight of the poor in our country.
On the same day, Foundation University led by its chairman of the Board Victor Vicente “Dean” Sinco and President Mira D. Sinco had Henry Lim Bon Liong of Sterling Global Call Center, Excel, SP Properties, among others, speak to the graduates, parents and guests about the thrusts of business in the contemporary world.
Being a gifted and accomplished businessman of many talents and resources, Mr. Lim Bon Liong was able to map out his winning strategy, educating, inspiring, and encouraging his audience.
With the commencement messages in mind, it is important to note that the economic predictions point to positive growth for the country– employment prospects are better, especially for engineers and scientists.
There are more investors coming, like those putting up call centers and manufacturing jobs at the export processing zones.
In the course of the celebrations that followed, both graduates and parents put away any disappointments in its place; they remember the good stuff; the bonding moments with classmates, the passing marks, the laboratory experiments, field trips, informal and formal study groups. All of them telling their own poignant stories of triumph over adversity — sometimes it’s love, sometimes its pride, sometimes it’s whimsy, funny or ridiculous, but in the years to come, the memories will linger on….
Milling among the crowd and trying to stretch and rise above the throng of onlookers, each and every parent or guardian savored the sight of a son, daughter, or loved one receiving a diploma, proof of years of hard work.
The possession of a diploma is a unique Filipino tradition, touted as one measure of success for a parent. This is the reason why diplomas are prominently displayed in most Filipino homes.
Now, the graduates becoming job seekers face a world of information overload with opportunities listed in the Internet. The real challenge of finding a job commences, and this why many people suspect this is the reason why a graduation is called commencement exercises.
But for some, they are bent on providing their own employment by starting their own businesses employing themselves and others.
Good luck to all the fresh graduates!
