By Judge Ramon Antonio Ruperto
It is an honor to stand before you on this very special day. First, my warmest congratulations to our brilliant honorees! Today, we celebrate not just your academic achievements, but also the values and support system that helped make them possible.
I would also like to thank Vice President Margie Alvarez for the kind introduction. I will never get used to being called “Honorable.” As many of you know, in the courtroom, judges are addressed as “Your Honor”. While I know this is a matter of formality, it makes me often wonder whether I deserve such a title.
Over time, I’ve come to realize that the title carries more than just formality; it carries responsibility — a reminder of the duty to uphold justice with integrity and fairness. And a reminder to live with honor.
Thus, I believe this is what we are truly celebrating today: not just the honor of receiving awards, but the deeper meaning of living with honor.
Just as Honor is the foundation of the judiciary, it is also the foundation of your academic success. In the courtroom, honor upholds justice and public trust. In the classroom, it fosters academic integrity, and forms strong moral character.
To our students: As you move forward, allow me to remind you of five of the core values that I believe embody the essence of true H-O-N-O-R.
The first is humility. Be humble. Humility begins by recognizing that your success is also built on the support of people around you.
On this note, let us take this opportunity to recognize some of them. To all our parents — whether by blood or by role, we honor your tireless support and sacrifices. This afternoon’s setup – children inside the gym, while some parents remain outside – perfectly captures the kind of sacrifice parents make in pursuit of their children’s comfort and success. I am certain they do not mind enduring the heat of the sun outside, so long as their children are safe, and comfortable inside.
Since becoming a parent myself, I’ve gained a deeper love and appreciation for what my own parents went through to raise me. I’ve learned that behind every act of discipline is a desire to prepare your child for life.
To our honorees: you may not always understand your parents’ actions now, but believe me, it’s always done with your best interest at heart.
Let us also not forget our dedicated teachers. Having once worked as a full-time faculty member, I know firsthand the effort that goes into preparing for each class. I believe they are the lifeblood of any academic institution.
Dear teachers, thank you for nurturing minds and inspiring excellence. The success we celebrate today is also a reflection of your unwavering commitment to education.
Humility is the strength to admit your weaknesses. Back in elementary school, I used to prefer individual assignments over group work because I felt I would end up doing everything myself anyway. But there was one instance when we were assigned a group project that had to be presented before the entire class. As group leader, everyone expected me to do the presentation. The problem was, I did not have the ability and confidence to speak in front of others. So I designated a groupmate who was a gifted speaker to do the presentation. She was brilliant, and her performance helped earn us a near-perfect score.
I know that was just a small moment, but it left a lasting impression on me. It taught me early on that there will always be people better than you. And that’s not something to feel bad about, but something to embrace and learn from.
In time, I gradually improved. I still struggle and get nervous when speaking before a large crowd – as you may have noticed. I feel like a witness testifying on the witness stand, but with more than 2,000 judges observing me. But compared to my grade school self, I’d like to believe I’ve come a long way.
This leads us to the second value that exemplifies the essence of ‘honor’: open-mindedness. When you’re humble enough to admit you don’t know everything, you become open to learning.
Open-mindedness means respecting people and perspectives that may differ from your own. You should be brave enough to change your opinion or decision when presented with better evidence.
I wasn’t afraid then to acknowledge that one of my groupmates was a better public speaker. Instead of insisting on doing it myself, being open-minded allowed me to recognize her skill. In the end, that decision helped the entire group, including myself, succeed.
I also believe open-mindedness goes beyond intellectual flexibility – it also entails being considerate of others. It’s not just about respecting different opinions, but also being mindful of other people’s emotions.
For instance: Who among you here are licensed drivers? Just a piece of advice: if you do not want to end up in one of those road rage videos that have gone viral, be more considerate of other people’s emotions while on the road. Open your mind to the possibility that the reckless car driver who suddenly cut you off has an emergency, or maybe he just really, really needs to find the nearest restroom. Seriously, remember that others might be dealing with struggles you know nothing about. In that instance, as long as there is no physical harm, just let it pass, and move on.
Moving on, the third value that typifies ‘honor’ is nurture. Creating space for others to grow.
Giving the floor to my groupmate wasn’t just an act of humility or open-mindedness; it was also an act of nurturing for both of us. By recognizing her strength, and giving her the opportunity to shine, we uplifted one another, and achieved success as a group. That simple experience at an early age taught me the value of working together.
Nurturing means lifting others up, sharing opportunities, and being generous with what you know. It also means showing compassion and patience to those who may be struggling in school. As honor students, you’re in a great position to help others: through study groups, mentoring, or simply offering encouraging words.
When students nurture one another, you help create a learning environment that is inclusive, collaborative, and empowering. It becomes less about competition, and more about shared success.
Those of you here in their “running era” can surely relate with the proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Its meaning goes beyond running as a sport. It reminds us that while individual effort may lead to quick results since decisions are made without having to consult others, lasting success is more often achieved when we exchange ideas, learn from one another, and strive together towards a common goal.
The fourth value that manifests ‘honor’ is optimism. Always stay positive.
We all know that success does not come easy. Along the way, you may have struggled with low scores, difficult exams, or even rejected research proposals. But here you are today because you did not give up. Optimism allows you to view setbacks as temporary and surmountable. It builds resilience, fuels motivation, and gives you the courage to hope, and the strength to try again.
Optimism is also a mindset that influences how you approach life’s challenges. When you expect good things to happen, you are more likely to take action, persevere through setbacks, and remain focused on your goals.
The fifth value that epitomizes ‘honor’ is responsibility. As Uncle Ben once told Peter Parker, “With great power comes great responsibility.”
You may not have Spiderman’s superpowers, but you’ve been blessed with a different kind of gift: the ability to learn, to think, and to excel. Use this gift not only for personal advancement, but also for the upliftment of others, and for the progress of our country. And to use this gift responsibly.
You have the responsibility to act with integrity. True honor is also measured by the choices you make when no one is watching.
You also have the responsibility to know when to exercise restraint. Intelligence does not require that you always have to react to everything. Just like in that road rage example, sometimes it’s wiser to simply let things go.
In this age of social media, arguing with anonymous keyboard warriors is rarely productive. Be a responsible netizen: think before you comment, verify before you share, and stop spreading fake news. Let your online presence reflect the same honor and integrity that you uphold in the real world.
And lastly, you have a responsibility to help build a better nation.
As a former election officer of the Commission on Elections, I find it both timely and relevant to address some the Filipinos here who are registered to vote in the upcoming elections. One simple yet powerful way to fulfill this duty is to vote wisely.
As honor students, you know how much excellent accomplishment it takes to meet academic requirements. Shouldn’t we expect the same rigor from those who want to govern us?
It’s ironic that regular jobs require stringent academic qualifications, while elective public office only requires one to be able to read and write.
To be fair, education alone does not guarantee good leadership; history has shown us that some great leaders lacked formal schooling but led with wisdom and integrity.
Still, we must demand more from those who seek to lead. Capacity, character, and competence should be non-negotiable.
The reality is that nearly anyone can run for public office. It is, therefore, up to us, the voters, to ensure that only those who are fit to lead are entrusted with the power to do so.
To be clear, I’m not saying we should vote only for academic achievers. What I am saying is this: before you cast your vote, it is your responsibility to know the candidates, examine their track record, study their platform, and assess their capacity to lead.
Vote for those who embody the true qualities of leadership: confident yet compassionate; brilliant yet humble; courageous yet God-fearing. Remember that your vote will shape the future of our country.
Keep in mind our five key values that symbolize H-O-N-O-R: Humility, Open-mindedness, Nurture, Optimism, and Responsibility.
Let Honor not be just some recognition you receive today, but something you live with every day. Let Honor guide you in the choices you make, the causes you fight for, and the person you strive to become. Congratulations!
