(The following is the response speech of the writer graduating as a Master in Public Administration at STI West Negros University on July 5, 2025 as an academic excellence awardee)
Our theme this year is: “Sustaining Excellence. Inspiring Generations.” Fully loaded yet, very inspiring. We recall that when our university was recognized and awarded with autonomous status everyone was ecstatic but who will not – this is a big-time achievement. However, this comes with higher expectations because an autonomous status and holding an ISO accreditation signals a powerful combination of academic excellence and institutional quality assurance and continuous innovation and enhancement must take place. A major challenge that is not only left to the hands of the university management and leadership but more so with us.
GLOBAL AND NATIONAL CONTEXT
In hindsight, the Constitution says, “that the State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels. It must take appropriate steps to make education accessible to all.” The caveat however is: The right to quality education is not absolute. It comes with certain social, moral and legal parameters. It is not automatic. From a larger perspective, the Philippines educational system I believe is now at a crossroads. The Philippines is ranked 77th out of 81 countries conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
As a signatory to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals particularly SDG number 4: which is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education – it is faced with persistent challenges that hinder its realization. Poverty, conflict, and the lack of infrastructure are just a few of the major hindrances. Furthermore, the K to 12 program is also in quandary. In the advent of the 20th congress, a senator prepares a bill to abolish the K12 program because of its low-learning results.
Reality check, the younger generation is either deprived or those with skills and knowledge are somehow developed a mindset of pursuing personal success but seemingly unmindful of the socio-economic and political besetting them. Do not get me wrong – there is nothing wrong with dreaming and achieving personal success because our very own experiences – our struggles – willingly or unwillingly pushed us towards these circumstances. This is survival – yes, survival. We struggle in order to acquire quality education to free ourselves from the bondage of poverty and elevate our socio-economic status including that of our families. And there lies the defect.
The fundamentals of Philippine education must be put in place – plain and simple. It must start from the primary and elementary levels because quality education does not start at tertiary much less in post graduate level, it starts from down the line. And the state is mainly responsible and accountable to it because it has the means and resources. On top of all, it is its constitutional mandate. On the flipside, this does not mean that we do our share. We, too, have corresponding responsibilities as citizens, make no mistake.
On behalf of all my fellow graduates, with heartfelt gratitude, I would like to thank our mentors – our teachers, professors and our advisers. This momentous event somehow sets a new tone for us as we acquire the kind of education most of us hoped for. Thank you STI West Negros University.
To our families, in our journey – you were there, you are there, and for sure, you will be there. In the words of our honorable guest speaker – regardless of how other people see us, it is only the family that passes no judgement. Our parents, siblings, husbands, wives and children are the only ones who support us unconditionally. They share our struggles. Thank you.
Finally, to my fellow graduates, congratulations! Let’s continue the journey. One chapter of our book closes, but more challenging ones unfold as we struggle to survive. Dream big! There is nothing wrong with that but live life with a purpose –that one real purpose that is not only for us but for others.
Help others. Serve others. In our lifetime, especially in our failures, we needed help. It came. Remember this – life is worthless if it is not spent for others. The accolades, medals and other recognition are mere objects, there are many more who deserve them. They deserve better. I’m sure we can do that and that is the fervor of excellence of true STIer.
To our God almighty – thank you very much for without him we are nothing. We give back all glory and honor to him.
Thank you very much!*
