Excellence beyond challenges

“I AM greatly honored and privileged to stand before all of you this morning in behalf of the Paragon 2013 to say something before we leave,” said Rodel Gil D. Peradillo, the president of this year’s batch of graduates.

“But just so you know, bidding goodbyes are tough,” Peradillo said in a speech delivered during the 16th Graduation Exercises at the La Sage Auditorium of Southern Philippine Adventist College (SPAC) in Camanchiles, Matan-ao, Davao del Sur. “Moments like this are filled with multi-emotions. All of us today are very much happy, especially our parents, watching us on our lovely academic gowns.”

Tiresome days and sleepless nights are finally over, he said. “But we’re more concerned of tomorrow’s circumstances,” pointed out Peradillo, who was holding his breath. “(We know the future) demands more than just requirements, quizzes, research studies, case studies and exams.”

To parents, Peradillo said: “We’re happy because we can now lessen your burdens and sacrifices of working more than 24 hours a day just to support us in our pursuits in life. But we now worry on how we could ever pay you back.”

Peradillo also thanked the teachers: “For the past four years or so, during our stay in SPAC, we could never forget every moment – the triumphs and even in the midst of struggles – that we had with all of you.”

La Sage Auditorium of Southern Philippine Adventist College batch 2013. (Henrylito D. Tacio)

Peradillo was one of the five nursing students who joined the 58 other graduates – including two summer graduates – conferred of degrees and received their diplomas. For his part, he also a leadership recognition from the school and Congressman Mark Cagas and was cited as this college’s “best intern.”

Sixteen graduates were conferred degrees in Bachelor of Science in Office Administration while 15 were conferred to finish Bachelor of Secondary Education. The Bachelor of Arts in Theology had 11 graduates, Bachelor of Elementary Education 5, and Bachelor of Science in Computer Science 4. Only one graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

This year’s graduates had chosen Ambassador Gion V. Gounet as their commencement speaker. An Ambassador of Goodwill to the United Nations (for the visual arts), he is a medical doctor (cardiology research from John Hopkins University), a theologian (the third Asian to be granted the Doctor of Ecclesiastical Law Honoris Causa, by the Far East Adventist School of Theology), and author (“Wings of Hope,” about the moral recovery of children who were landmine victims of Bosnia-Herzegovina War). He is the man behind the installation of the Manobo Floating School in Agusan marshland.

In his speech, Ambassador Gounet talked about faith, honesty and integrity. He spiced up his discourse with some vignettes like that of a landmine child who was amputated but still managed to become an artist using her mouth. Another one was when former first lady Imelda R. Marcos visited a church in Pasay.

Another invited speaker was Engr. Luis De. Perez, PhD, the chairman of the management information system of the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office in Davao Region. He urged the graduates “to become a catalyst of change.”

Aside from Peradillo, other officers of this year’s batch of graduates were Saneto B. Dela Peña (Vice President of Religious Affairs), Laura Nadjesda A. Albaracin (VP for Social Affairs), Girlie Mae M. Hulom (Secretary), Jacel Mae I. Avelino (Associate Secretary), Maricel D. Mamalias (Treasurer), Johanna Jean A. Bombeo (Associate Treasurer), Levi G. Llaguno, Jr. (Auditor), Realjoy A. Revilla (Public Information Officer), and Harold June B. Punay (Parliamentarian). The artists were Joegen Joyce Q. Ompod, Jan Jude E. Bernal, and Kynne S. Baluran.

The graduates had chosen “Excellence beyond challenges” as their class philosophy. Indeed, from commencement speakers to choice of their songs, they had stood they believed.

In their “Last Hymn,” the graduates sang: “The door is opening, new day is waiting. So we’re moving on, we’re getting strong. This is not the end until we meet again. We’ve tried our best to prove we can. And trials now can’t take us down. Stand tall, we’re getting higher. Our struggles are now over.”

All the graduates had a choice to make. Its “model of excellence” song said in part: “Little sins can cause us to fall down. Little choice we make will chart the course of life we take. We either choose the path of light or wander off in darkest night.”

Parents were very proud that their children had chosen the right choice. “I am very much happy that my only son finished the course he had taken,” said Dion Diel Peradillo, the mother of Rodel. Together with her was her husband, Victor, and Rodel’s only sister, Gabby Eloise.

“For now, we say that goodbyes are not forever,” Rodel Peradillo said in his farewell speech. “We will be just meeting each other somewhere, sometime. Till we meet again!”

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