Humanities: Roadmap to Uncovering the Values and Mysteries of ART

Humanities: Roadmap to Uncovering the Values and Mysteries of ART

Life without a sense of art is as good as living, but a life with an understanding of art is as good as dying.

The world has witnessed on its history a vital ingredient in its progress; an ingredient that has served as the basis of global unity and appreciation; an ingredient that guided and directed the flame of nationalism and LOVE; an ingredient that has illuminated the dark sides of the earth; an ingredient that is synonymous to creating everything out of nothing; an ingredient called ART.

Many attempts had been done, but after all of the toils invested, the reward of their sweat isn’t worth it. Man has searched something that shall answer the complexities of art – that shall uncover the secret that it upholds and to understand the perplexities wrapped in every thing of art. To understand what art is up to, we must not only deal with understanding what symbolizes a certain work of art but going through why did they create such a work of art, and appreciating the abstract nature of every intricacy characterized in all pieces.

Traversing through global cultures offers me a wide array of different and divided notions and definitions of art aided by the study of Humanities – it is closely associated to the people’s culture, mood, way of life, attitude, and geographical setting. I have spent almost 5 months in understanding what Humanities really is. In its narrowest sense, Humanities is the expression of man’s feelings and thoughts through various types of medium – Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, Literature, Music, Dance, etc. Until now, I cannot create a cohesive and accurate definition of Humanities – it is a mystery.

Embedded in every man’s heart is a sublime desire to express what he feels, and to express this, he uses his optimum potential and maximizes all available resources to come up with a beautiful output out even from an ugly input. In every corner of the world, difference in its physical features determines difference in man’s way of expressing what he feels. Where wood and clay are abundant, artists engage in sculpture, where trees and leisure is frequent, dramatists compose plays, and where secrecy is rampant, journalists write. Basically, inspiration to express oneself is everywhere. Thus, art is everywhere too.

Greeks had regarded art as a triggering medium to create beautiful things. They have surrounded themselves with artistically carved and created vases, from their dresses to military weapons, from artillery to household displays. Evident in their works, mostly seen in their plays, was a spirit of genuine expression of LOVE and AFFECTION. Even when they had been conquered by the Romans, Greeks have not been disappointed to stop creating objects of marvelous artistic value that stunned the whole world. This is one aspect in the effective discovery of the concealed value of art – surfing through their culture. Yes, I am into the classics – basically Greek and Roman classics. They started it all.  They are the foundations of the emerging forms of arts. Without them, cultures will never be as aesthetically inclined as they are today.

 Since Greeks and Romans have been very much affectionate, Humanities has provided me the framework of their real build-up as individuals. With a little background of their culture, I have come across to a secret of art – ART as a medium to express their intense affection and burning passion.

As Art expands its horizon, people from other parts of the world have generated unique instruments of expressing themselves, for instance, Music and Dance. Music in its premiere has been a great expression of people’s suppressed emotions.  Now, contemporary music has still the same influence as it was before. I myself listen to music to sooth my mind and sing songs to implicitly voice out what I keep inside. With dance, as the active expression of what music wants to convey, body movements have been tagged to be one of the greatest art instruments for its instantaneous deliverance of emotion to audience. Whenever I see people dance, I witness feelings engulf bodies, creating a harmonic manifestation of an active art form.

Worth mentioning in my attempt of discovering the value and mystery of art are the high regarded forms of arts – Painting, Architecture, and Sculpture. When Painting has come to be known, it was mostly associated with vanity and royalty. But as emerging artists adopted this art form, it became an instrument of expressing the realities of life such as poverty, inequalities, and political movements to name a few. With Architecture coming into the artistic scene, it became more of a status symbol for people outshining its original purpose of establishing unique identities of various cultures. Moreover, Sculpture has become a commemorative form of art to rulers, heroes, saints, and other religious and cultural iconographies. Even though man has given these art forms their own purposes, but no one can ever really explain how these art forms came about and for what reasons they are made for.

How is it like to be a Santo Tomas Scholar?

How is it like to be a Santo Tomas Scholar?

(A Santo Tomas Scholar’s Perspective)

Tomasino_Scholar

To be a Thomasian is an opportunity; to be a scholar is a privilege; to be a Thomasian scholar is an identity; but to be a Santo Tomas Scholar, well, it is another story.

As it is stated in the 2009 Student Handbook:

            Santo Tomas de Aquino Scholarship

                        This scholarship is given to students with excellent academic performance.

            It seems too easy to be a Santo Tomas Scholar by the way it was illustrated through words but it does entail a lot of responsibilities. How is it like to be a Santo Tomas Scholar? – That I need to discover.

           

            A Valedictorian or a Salutatorian from high school gets this scholarship scheme the moment he enrols in the university. I graduated as the Class Salutatorian that’s why I was able to avail of this scholarship. At first, I never knew what to expect being a Santo Tomas Scholar. Would it open doors for me in the university or it would be otherwise?

            On the contents of the Student Handbook, particularly on the subject of UST Scholarship programs, one striking phrase made the distinction of a Santo Tomas Scholar from the other scholarship schemes: “Excellent Academic Performance.” Though “excellent” is quite vague and broad on what it wants to convey, it gives me the idea of almost targeting perfection: where I need to go beyond what is “Good” or in some cases “Very Good” to reach the numerical equivalent of “Excellent” which is 1.0.

            That simple statement puts great pressure on me. I am not really compelled to do so (always making 1.0 as my grade), but there are three things that push me to pursue it. One: we’re financially challenged and my scholarship is a great help. Two: my brothers are both cum laude in UST – that I need to equal or surpass through my scholarship. Three: I want to have an identity and my scholarship gives me that.

 At the very least, I just need to maintain an average grade of 1.75 but knowing 1.75 has only a “Good” equivalent remark, it is not enough. Despite the fact that I am having hard times getting best grades, it is worth it. There is no better illustration of joy than seeing my parents proud of me.  Yes, it’s my choice to be a scholar and it is also my choice now to make life less serious.

They say, “Weird is my taste; nerd is how I am; and introvert is my trait.” But being a scholar is not always a queer experience. I tend to get serious if it’s about studying but this doesn’t mean that social life is an almost disregarded aspect of my discovery years. It’s a rare chance though for me joining cliques and hanging out with friends but if it happens, every moment is worth keeping for. It is really about knowing what to prioritize and how to balance school life and social life.

Balancing for me is not even an issue – studying is studying and unwinding is unwinding. Seldom would you hear me talk and usually I become too formal. It’s not that I am apathetic with the laughter of the class, but it’s a matter of being composed and concentrated. Though composed and concentrated, I still do procrastinate at times– very not your normal Santo Tomas Scholar. I don’t know why but I produce better outputs when I cram.  I do realize how odd my lifestyle is, how introvert I get, and how geeky I become in school. But once I get a taste of freedom from school life, that realization becomes a history.

Considering the pressure my scholarship puts on me, there’s no way I wouldn’t explore the other side of the school world, the student organizations. School is always both a learning ground and a training ground. But there’s always this fear of eventual giving up when the academe calls knowing that it is still my priority. Sometimes, to take courage is to take risk. Not on books that I will learn everything, so I once in a while take the lead and experience how is it to be in the lime light.

It is really a choice to become a scholar but it is a great decision to be a Santo Tomas Scholar. It is never easy to prove that I am excellent. Time and effort must work with me. But being excellent is not always getting 1.0 as my grade or having memorized most of the content of my books. It’s more of doing the best out of every opportunity that comes my way and through it, I make an identity. An identity that is committed on becoming a competent professional that adheres to the ideals of a compassionate Christian.

I am a scholar. Yes, I am privileged. I am a Santo Tomas Scholar. Yes, it is my identity. But most importantly, I am a Thomasian. And I am proud of it.

Pagtalakay sa mga Katangiang Promdi

Pagtalakay sa mga Katangiang Promdi

Tomasino_Scholar

“Promdi” –  hango sa pariralang Ingles na “ from the province,” na naging pangkalahatang tawag sa mga nangahas makipagsapalarang mag-aral sa Metro Manila. Badoy kung sila’y manamit at may punto kung magsalita. Karaniwang sila’y tahimik at hindi hasa sa mga makabagong pasilidad kayat naglipana ang pananaw na salat sila sa kaalaman. Ganito mang tignan ang mga “Promdi,” ngunit higit pa riyan ang lahat. May mas mahahalagang bagay pang dapat malaman tungkol sa kanila.

            Totoong naiiba sila sa maraming bagay. Mula hitsura hanggang pananamit, iba. Karaniwang hindi kaputihan ang kanilang kutis. Higit pa sa ito’y dahil sa “genetics”, dala na rin ito sa tawag ng pampamilyang hanapbuhay kung saan kailangan mabilad sa araw kagaya sa pagsasaka. Tandaan na ang kulay ay representasiyon ng buhay kaya hindi dapat ito ikahiya. Sakatunayan, ito ang nagpapakita ng kasipagan sa lahat ng pagkakataon at buong determinasyon upang makaahon sa buhay.

 Kasama ng maitim na kutis ang badoy na pananamit. Wala silang kaalam-alam sa tinatawag ng marami na “fashion.” Hindi nila pinagtutuunan ng pansin ang kombinasiyon ng mga kulay at kung ano ang mga uso.  Para sa kanila, basta may maisuot, tama na. Nangahas nga silang pasukin ang mundo kung saan hitsura ang isa sa mga batayan ng katayuan sa lipunan. Ngunit hindi ito ang kanilang priyoridad. Mas marami pang bagay ang dapat unahin kaysa sa mga luho para sa kanila.   

Likas rin sa mga “Promdi” ang pagkakaroon punto kung magsalita dala na rin ng dialekto kung saan sila namulat. Iba ang pagbigkas nila sa mga salita, madlas napapatigas, sa Ingles man o Filipino. Ginagaya man at ginagawang katatawanan ng mga taga-siyudad ang kaibahang ito ng mga “Promdi,” hindi ito hadlang sa pagpapahiwatig nila sa kanilang kaisipan, kaisipang tumatalakay sa realidad ng buhay.

Ilang katangian ng mga “Promdi” ang pagiging tahimik at madalas mag-isa. Hindi sa wala silang masabi o hindi sila palakaibigan, kundi nangangapa pa sila sa kung anong ugali mayroon ang mga bagong mukhang sumasalamin sa makabagong mundo. Nangangalap pa sila ng lakas ng loob upang buong pagmamalaki nilang mailantad ang tunay na pagkataong magbubukas ng mga opurtunidad para sa kanila.

Dahil sa mga liblib at luntiang kapaligiran sila lumaki, patunay  ito na hindi sila hasa sa mga makabagong pasilidad. Maswerte na sila kung naabot na sila ng “cable,” “cellular sites,” at “internet connections” na naging malaking katuwang nila sa pagtawid tungo sa mas malawak na mundo. ngunit hindi nakukuha ang lahat ng karunungan sa mga teknolohiyang ito. Malaking tulong ang nagawa ng mga gurong nag-aral sa siyudad at piniling maglingkod sa mga bayan upang makasabay kahit papaano sa mabilis na agos ng karunungan.

Ngunit ang dapat na maituwid ay ang pananaw na ang mga “Promdi” ay salat sa kaalaman. Naging basehan ng pananaw na ito ang halatang kakulangan sa mga kagamitang katulong ng mga guro. Isama na rin ang lantarang higit na pagtutok sa mga paaralang nasa mga siyudad kaysa sa mga naghihingalong bayan. Dahil sa sitwasyong ito, naging mas malawak ang agwat ng karunungan ng mga mag-aaral sa siyudad at mga “Promdi.”

May bahid ng katotohanan ang mga puntong ito ngunit hindi ito sapat para magbigay ng pangkalahatang konklusyon sa estado ng mga “Promdi.” Kapansin-pansin naman na karamihan sa mga “Promdi” ay scholar ng mga tanyag na paaralan. Ito ay dahil mas maraming “Promdi” ang nakikitaan ng potensiyal na magtagumpay kaya sa mga tag-siyudad. May mas maliwag na direksyon silang tinatahak at mas may pagpapahalaga sila sa karunungan.

Mahirap talagang intindihin ang mga “Promdi” dahil na rin sa ibang kultura, tradisyon, at kapaligiran sila nagkaisip at lumaki. Ngunit ang kaibahang ito ay hindi dapat maging dahilan upang lumawak pa ang agwat na naghihiwalay sa mga pananaw ng magkabilang mundo. Huwag maliitin ang kanilang kakayahan. Kahit papaano, kaya nilang pumantay at makipagsabayan sa kahit kanino man, sa kahit anuman. Upang maipakita na mayroon din silang ibubuga, pagkakataon lang ang kailangan nila. Sabihin mang napag-iiwanan na sila, sa sipag, tiyaga, dterminasiyon, talento, at talino ng mga “Promdi,” hindi malayong sa mga susunod na araw, sila na ang titingalain at gagalangin sa mga larangang minsa’y hanggang pangarap lang.  

Someday Love is Going to Make Sense

Someday Love is Going to Make Sense

I’ve known her since grade school. She is from the wealthy family, a famous family of business tycoons. But even so, she never chose friends by the same orientation as hers. A humble and conservative girl then defied my misconception on rich kids.

            We eventually became close friends when we reached the intermediate grades. We’ve been partners in some school events where we became much closer. Ordinary moments like free time in class and P.E. demonstrations allowed me to know more about her. I couldn’t believe at first that she was that approachable and so down-to-earth. She was very hands-on in experiencing new things that would make her an ordinary personality in school. With those deeds she had shown, I admired her even more.

            After graduation in grade school, she left Claveria, our hometown, to pursue high school in Manila. She entered an all-girl school, St. Mary’s College. During that time, we seldom had the chance to communicate with one another and even more depressing on my part, I rarely saw her. I missed her so much.

            Because of that, I then started knowing more about her family. I did even interview my mom about her parents. I knew that her father was my mom’s student from grade school to high school. That’s why there was a quite familiarity between our families. I even got close to her younger brother and that maintained my connection with their family. In all fairness, they were very hospitable and welcoming whenever I got the chance to be with them. Seemingly, I did every bit of effort just to suffice the longing I felt for her. Well that was when the spark of admiration flamed up to becoming a romantic one.

            Came college years – I wanted to enrol at CCA but because I knew that she was going to study at UST, I then took my slot at EDUC just to get closer to her that time. First day of classes – that actually broke my heart when I saw her with someone whom she introduced as her boyfriend. Well, that implied something: I could only be a friend to her and never would be a partner.

I tried to forget her, yes, by courting other women but I just couldn’t fool myself. Though it was always a painful unrequited love on my part, I couldn’t forget her. Actually, I am to blame still for I never expressed what I felt for her. I didn’t tell her that I love her and I didn’t even ask her consent to court her – so hopeless romantic.

As the cliché goes: “Love comes when you least expect it.” I still believe in love though, trusting that God will work in simple yet mystical way. I just need to be patient and faithful. I may not be in a relationship right now, but I am certain that unconditional love will come when God thinks I am now ready for it.

INTELLECTUALIZING JEJEMON 3.0

INTELLECTUALIZING JEJEMON 3.0

Alvin Ray Martinez Ramos

tomasino_scholar

Humans have been so innovative that they explore on things that satisfy their craving for novelties. Similarly, language has been so dynamic that it continues to expand and develop its varieties. True enough that innovation is the product of man’s dissatisfaction. But I am not certain if the emergence of the “Jeje language” is an innovation rooted from dissatisfaction.

            Many, especially youths, have been accustomed to e-communication since technology has influenced the lifestyle of the world. With the great use of emails and text messages, exchange of ideas and information is now as easy as one, two, click! Because of this, “Jejemon” has gained an instant popularity.

            Etymologically, “Jejemon” originated from the mergence of two words: “Jeje” and Mon. “Jeje” is a variety of laughter from Latin America that is peculiarly used in text messaging while Mon is shortened word for monster, popularized in the Japanese anime, Pokemon. Weird as it may sound, but that is how people regard “Jejemons,” monsters of the e-world.

            Considering its popularity, “Jejemon” is now an acknowledged sophisticated form of speech, particularly in text language. It has become a sociolect of people that patronized so much e-communication. Linguistically, sociolect is a specialized language used by a group of people manifesting a distinct characteristic or advocating a certain idea or principle.

            “Jejemon” is distinct from the other Filipino sociolects for its orthography. Usually, words are spelled the way they are oddly pronounced or intentionally misspelled to create an impact to the reader. Its alphabet has been baptized as “Jejebet.” In each level of “Jejenism,” orthographic difficulty levels up – mild, moderate, severe, and terminal.

            “Eow pu, muzta na u? Jejeje!” is a “Jejemon” text message in its mild level. In this level, readers can still understand the message being communicated because of minimal change in spelling and no excessive manipulation of letters is made. Moderately, “Jejemon” communicates a little bit harder for in this level, the use of comma in place of period and the irrelevant inclusion of “H,” “X” and “Z” to words are evident. For instance: “Eow phow,, misz na phow qtah!, Mwahxz,! Jejeje!” For severe “Jejenism,” alphanumeric expressions are used to communicate a message: “3ow pFu!, An3u pFowsZ gw4 n3o?, tx tx nua sza m9a gzing jHan,. Jejeje.” Numbers such as 3, 4, and 9 are used as substitutes to letters E, A, and G respectively. Lastly, in the terminal level of “Jejenism,” hardly you could ever understand the message being communicated because of the excessive misspellings done and alphanumeric expressions used in a statement. “3ow pFou!, m3n4 p!poL!, Mixz khow na keo zobr4h!, znoh p4ng gzin9 jhan?, txt n4mn pows keo!, mwuahzs! Jejeje!” One needs to be an expert of this language to decipher this seemingly code. Noticeably, varieties of “Hello po” are staple introduction and the infectious “Jejeje” laugh complements “Jejemon” messages.

            Creating an identity is hard with “Jeje language” alone, that is why “Jeje fashion” came in for support. “Jeje fashion” is a blend of emo and ganster fashion statement. More often than not, “Jejemons” are identified in their jersey tops paired with fit or low-waist jeans with boxers peeping and “Jeje caps” (big with umbrellaic design), bling-blings, and dunk shoes as accents. They can also be identified through their profile pictures in their social networking site accounts. Typically, they capture photographs of themselves using webcams while projecting a chin-up sideways angle with bizarre finger gestures.

            Much attention is given to this mania for its influence on the thinking and behaviour of people. Different sectors in the society have already expressed their views regarding the booming popularity of “Jejemon.” Sociologists agree on the idea that “Jejemons” are the new celebrities of the e-world whose existence is effective enough to catch people’s attention. Though “Jejemons” are from a sub-cultural group earning lower or at least the minimum wage, they are not of inferior intellect.

According to Pete Lacaba on his interview for Kapuso mo, Jessica Soho aired on May 1, 2010, this mania is actually a manifestation that Philippine language is alive and still developing. It may not be used for transactional purposes but for conversational it is acceptable. Further, in his article on bulatlat.com published on May 3, 2010, Dean Rolando Tolentino of Mass Communications Department of U.P. stated that “Jejemons” are part of the sub-cultural group that has been disregarded and would want to free themselves, not to surpass the higher and more acceptable classes of society but only to be heard and identified.

Though “Jejemons” have earned support and respect from authorities, youths, particularly the socialites, have showed their rejection to this mania. They call themselves as the “Jejebusters” who consider “Jejemons” as irritants of the typing media. Since this phenomenon has started in social networking sites such as facebook, friendster, multiply, and others, “Jejebusters” attack them through fan pages and groups by soliciting support from people who have been victims of bewilderment and outrage created by the language and fashion.

Certainly, everyone is going gaga over the existence of this sub-cultural group in Philippine society. It has created a blast that catapulted it to its instant popularity. It has influenced some on how they express and carry themselves but it has aggravated the disgust of others to the alleged affront it gave to the language. Whatever view people have to this phenomenon, what is important is to show acceptance and respect to any decision that other people make in their lives.  An open mind should allow everyone to understand the diversity of people in terms of principle, choice, and interest.

Address of Thanks

ADDRESS OF THANKS

Alvin Ray Martinez Ramos

To be a Thomasian is an opportunity; to be a Scholar is a privilege; to be a Santo Tomas Scholar is a distinction; but to be a Rector’s Awardee for Academic Excellence is an identity.

            Rev. Fr. Pablo T. Tiong, O.P., Vice Rector of the Pontifical and Royal Catholic University of the Philippines, The University of Santo Tomas, Rev. Fr. Romulo V. Rodriguez, O.P., J.C.D., Regent of the College of Education, Prof. Clotilde N. Arcangel, Ph.D., Dean, Assoc Prof. Evelyn O. Ladines, Asst. Prof. Ma. Susanna R. Gualvez, and Assoc. Prof. Marishirl P. Tropicales, Members of the Dean’s Council, Asst. Prof. Shiela C. Vindollo, College Secretary, Asst. Prof. Joel L. Adamos, Chairperson, Teacher Education Programs, Assoc. Prof. Nenita D. Caralipio, Principal, Grade School Department, Mrs. Emma Ruivivar-Yeung, President, College of Education Alumni Association, College of Education’s Faculty Members, parents, Graduating Class of 2010, guests, a blissful morning.

            When I was young, I had this audacious tendency of donning to myself all my brothers’ medals then march through our porch and say: “Alvin Ray Martinez Ramos, Class Valedictorian” or “Cum Laude.” 1999, my brother Gladwin Karl graduated from high school as the Class Salutatorian. 2003, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, Cum Laude. Similarly, in 2002, my brother Mark Angelo graduated from high school as the Class First Honorable Mention and in 2006, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Cum Laude. With those achievements of my brothers, I was not challenged; rather I was pressured to be at par with them. At that time, I realized, being the youngest in the family is not always advantageous.

            Both of them are Thomasians, that’s why I opted to earn also my degree in UST. I was privileged to be a Santo Tomas Scholar since I graduated as Salutatorian. At first, I never knew what to expect being a Santo Tomas Scholar. Would it open doors for me in the university or would it be otherwise?

            One striking description made the distinction of a Santo Tomas Scholar from the other scholarship schemes: “Excellent Academic Performance.” Though “excellent” is quite vague and broad on what it wants to convey, it gives me the idea of almost targeting perfection: where I need to go beyond what is “Good” or in some cases “Very Good” to reach the numerical equivalent of “Excellent” which is 1.0. That simple statement aggravated the pressure on me. Well I guess that’s the price I need to pay for being so audacious.

            I was not really compelled to do so (always making 1.0 as my grade) though, but there were two things that pushed me to pursue it. One: my brothers are both Cum Laude – that I need to equal or surpass. Two: I want to be distinct among the other students. Fortunately, I was able to equal my brothers’ achievements and make an identity for myself.

            That was just the highlight of my collegiate years actually. My experiences in this university, particularly in the College of Education, are worth noting and can be collectively labelled as the A-C-E Experiences, presenting the Activating, Concretizing, and Enthusing experiences in my academic journey.

The Activating Experiences

            In my 4-year stay in the university, people have been introduced; acquaintances were found; authorities were identified. It is still clear in my memory when Dr. Baysa said: “College is survival of the fittest; treat everyone as your competitor, even yourself.” And even the remark of Ma’am Gualvez: “College na kayo eh! Paano kayo matututo kung di kayo magseseryoso?” Even Dr. Santiago once challenged us: “Do well in college for that would beef up your resume. That would bring you to places.” These words of my professors made me realize that, Hey! Happy-go-lucky days of high school are over. I have already reached my penultimate goal and there’s no where to go but to face final level of my academic journey, college. There is really no turning back.

            Those experiences I had describe collectively the Activating Experiences in my academic journey. Such experiences were the driving forces that enabled me, and I guess every graduating student, to seriously take college – make it or break it level. Of course, no one would want to extend his stay in the college unless he is taken in immediately as an instructor.

The Concretizing Experiences

            I still remember Dr. Arcangel’s idea of the teaching profession: “The secret to the fountain of youth is the teaching profession,” that’s why I decided to stay and take English as my major. It’s not that I hate the other subjects like Math (just as how Ma’am Vizconde hated Statistics – oops! Cited from de Guzman, 2010) – see, the influence of Language Research in me? but I consider English as my passport to the world.

            Who would forget Sir Dakila’s expression: “Kupal! Sorry for the term” one time he discussed Confort Women: Slave of Destiny by Maria Rosa Henson in our Philippine Literature class or Sir Santiago’s reprimand: “It’s not your head that’s on the guillotine, it’s mine” whenever we commit mistakes regarding our practicum. How about Ma’am Vizconde’s constant reminder in our writing class: “Content is more important than mechanics, but mechanics is important too. It is meaning before mechanics, but not in the place of mechanics” or Ma’am Orillos’ lesson in Linguistics: “The English language has two purposes: for Transactional and Conversational.” Even Ma’am Dayao’s defence: “A teacher doesn’t know everything, but she is open to learn new things” every time we ask her of techie matters and Ma’am Jimenez’ introductory statement: “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here” when we tackled the Inferno of Dante Alighieri. And of course Doc A’s parting words: “Time is the number one enemy of freedom” as we accomplish our language research and Ma’am Antonio’s challenge: “You’re English major and yet you don’t know that?” Now, we’re English majors and we now know a lot, for we learned from you, our Language and Literature professors. Though we learned the hard way, what is important is that we learned . . . a lot.

Unquestionably, those encounters have concretized my being an English major. I was prompted to perform well not only because of the many challenging activities and my co-majors worth learning with but more so of my day to day interaction with our professors who have molded and instilled us good future and who have shared wisdom worth keeping for. With that shared wisdom, I have constructed and produced my own knowledge; with that knowledge, I have made authentic outputs; with those authentic outputs, I have made meaning in my academic endeavours.

The Enthusing Experiences

I was welcomed to the teaching coliseum that is the Education High School. Classrooms had at most 55 students gauging how well I perform in my stint as their teacher. Overwhelming clamours echoed on the jam-packed rooms – free to speak or even shout just to be recognized and understood. I was welcomed to the collegiate phase I call practicum, a two-semester test of teaching prowess and where Enthusing experiences are made.

For almost ten months as a pre-service teacher, I believe I have somehow restructured the classroom thinking and practices through the use of various and authentic performances of understanding that created a sense of morningness on how I pursued the teaching and learning processes. I believe I have deeply and meaningfully engaged my students from 4 Simplicity, 4 Honesty and 3 Piety in learning the essentials of language and literature. I believe I have fostered a positive outlook among my students that scaffolded them to their penultimate academic goals. Thus, I have turned from being a spoon-feeder to a collaborator of learning experience.

I have been welcomed in the journey in search of the passion for teaching. Certainly, I enjoyed it and was satisfied of my decision in pursuing the teaching profession. My knowledge was my compass; my lessons were my maps, my class was my ship; and the Education High School was the vast ocean I have sailed through to reach the destination where the reward of my academic vicissitudes awaited.

So little time, so many experiences gained. Everything was planned, but everything went on its own, unexpected yet astounding way. Every day was a big surprise; a surprise that no one can ever anticipate its advent. In every surprise was a revelation: a revelation of the new and the changed me, imbued with unending grace.  

Today is the real moment of jubilation; today is the realization of our parents’ dream for us; today we are now graduates, degree holders at that. At this juncture, I would like to congratulate the graduating class of 2010 of the College of Education, University of Santo Tomas, particularly the BSE, AB-BSE, and BEEd majors in PSED and SPED graduates for after going through the roller coaster ride of college, we have survived its twists and turns.

I am sure, all of us are so much elated and at the same time sad; elated that after 4 years or more of academic struggle, we take pride in telling the world that we are now graduates and sad that it’s time to bid farewell to our classmates and professors who have touched our lives. But more important than farewell is gratitude. At this point allow me to thank people who, in their own simple ways, have been part of our successes.

Foremost, thank you to our Almighty Father, for unselflessly bestowing to us the wisdom to make use of in spreading the Christian ideals, the faith to pursue our commitment as  competent and compassionate individuals, and the determination to achieve our ultimate goals in life. (A moment of silence to God, our silent partner.)

Secondly, thank you to our parents, for moving heaven and earth just to give us the best education, for proudly giving us your unwavering support in all our academic endeavours, and for unconditionally loving us. At this moment, allow me to fulfil my promise to my parents that they will not only come up on stage to don my medal like what they did when both of my brothers graduated as Cum Laude, but also they will even hear their names being recognized and given gratitude. (Kindly stand Papa Rollie and Mama Yollie,) no words can ever express how grateful I am to be your son. Thank you so much for the love that you’ve given me. I promise, forever shall I be proud as a Martinez and a Ramos. One proof is I always write my complete name with both surnames in all my papers thus confusing my teachers if my surname is Martinez or Ramos. To the Martinezes and the Ramoses, thank you. (To all the parents here, may I request all of you to stand up as a sign of the graduating class’ appreciation to you.)

Thirdly, thank you to the University of Santo Tomas, particularly to the College of Education and Education High School, for nurturing us and making us ready to face the world with enough competence in carving our niche in the field where we can create our own identity. Thank you UST for allowing me to study while enjoying a scholarship. Thank you Fr. Regent Rodriguez for your prayers, Dean Arcangel for your motherly care, and Ma’am Tropicales for your guidance. (Please, stand up too to be recognized.)

Fourthly, thank you to our professors, for willingly sharing their knowledge and wisdom for us to fulfil our dreams and for untiringly guiding us as we go through the complex processes of learning. Personally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude particularly to the Language and Literature professors. I and the other English majors would not be where we are today if not for you. Thank you so much Doc A, Ma’am Raqui, Ma’am Navera, Ma’am Antonio, Ma’am Orillos, Ma’am Nori, Ma’am V, Sir Daks, and most especially, Sir Santi, (may I request Sir Santi to please stand) the ever loving, understanding, and forgiving 2^nd father of the English majors. Forever, we shall remember you and your wisdom. (Please stand too our dear teachers.)

I would also like to express my sincerest gratitude to the English majors especially Ida, Treish, Osang, Rowie, On, Eeno, and Anna, for being true colleagues but most importantly true friends. I shall forever cherish the memories that we shared together – our escapades, misunderstandings, celebrations and others. As Sir Santi always says, we are the Elite group, and I am happy to be part of this group.

My STAUST family (Carl, Mitchie and the other officers), thank you so much. I may not be the best leader but I just hope that we had a fruitful academic year together. I did not just lead you but we have led each other to success.

Lastly, 4 Simplicity Class of 2010, though they are not here, still, thank you so much. You’re one of the reasons why I would want to pursue the teaching profession. I have learned to enjoy teaching because of you. I have realized the extent of my abilities because you believed in me. I have grown so maturely because you treated me more than just a teacher. Certainly, it takes a good teacher to shape the world, but it takes a good student to rule the world. Thank you, a part of my mentorship I owe it to your class.

Now, as I am about to end this address, the audacious boy at the beginning of my speech is now a fulfilled achiever, no longer pressured to be at par with his brothers but more prepared to face the world and its harsh realities. Indeed, in this solemn investiture I was task to deliver an Address of Thanks. I hope I have given justice to my speech with so many thank you’s on it. So as I come to close, I would like to make it clear that this is not just my moment, though I was given this privilege, but this is our moment, our greatest moment. Celebrate for we have already received our hard-earned degrees. But after this celebration of intelligence and diligence, go out now and let the young generation of hope experience how it is like to be nurtured by a Thomasian educator. Prove that we are the best in content integration and values formation. After 10 years or so, see you all in the place where great people reign. But promise to return next year as we celebrate with pride and dignity the 400 years of our dear university.

To God be the Glory!

Thank you and once again, a blissful morning!