Tribute to batch 2005

Tribute to my schoolmates

By GREGORIO F. PORNILLOS JR

13^TH COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES

“The most valuable things in life are not measured in monetary terms.

The really important things are not houses and lands, stocks and bonds,

Cars and luxuries--- but FRIENDSHIPS, trust, confidence, empathy, mercy, love and faith.

To our treasured families and parents, my co-graduates, schoolmates, friends, ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant afternoon to each and everyone of us.

My hand salutes to the excellence and prestige we garnered in the portals of our pride, our Alma Mater, the Holy Child Educational Center. My heart jumps with overflowing gratefulness because of some memorable events and unforgettable people whom I owe my life to – my classmates and schoolmates. Without them, I will never proudly speak before you all. Most of all, my whole being subsists knowing for a fact that I have lived and survived because of some great people around.

J How could I ever forget Reymark, the chessmaster/ John Carlo, the motocross prince/ Greg & Jehan, the sportsmen for all season/ Gwyllen and Jeric, the performing arts authority/ Lyle, Seth, CJ and EJ, the basketball court kings/ ShanaLou, the crush ng bayan/ Jemyr, the Dart specialist/ Eos, the model HCECian/ Lean, the science whiz/ Gideon and Karl Chester , the dancing kings/ Regin, the most behaved boy in class/ Linus, the great artist/ Jan-jan, the icebreaker. Sure, it will be hard to forget that at times, we turn our classroom into a mini-zoo, playfully teasing even our own selves.

Together, we shall savor the real virtues of humility and prudence as we become bona fide achievers of fruitful endeavors truly passed on to us by our beloved mentors of this famous institution of learning. This gesture of tribute for all of us will always be cherished as priceless legacies that we shall carry on towards investment of qualitative pursuit for our dreams and ambition in our chosen world of fortune and fame.

J Indeed, it is not hard to picture , that two decades from this moment we will be successful in our chosen careers… savoring the hard-earned titles like Dr. Joshua San Juan, Dr. Jhav Valencia, Dr. Dominic Solares, Dr. Zaleen Besinio,Dr. Mary Bernadette B. Niosco, Dr. Monica Noble,Dr. Renalyn A. Catimbang or Dr. Eloisa Felipe. Wouldn’t it be just great to receive postcards coming from nurse Michelline in Canada, nurse Maryemma in London, nurse Jessamine in Saudi Arabia, Nurse Inna in New York, nurse Stephanie in Singapore, nurse krizella in Texas or nurse Karizza in California?

J I wonder also how it would feel to be in the class of the Physics professor Mael Pili, or in the sala of Judge Zazza Simbulan with Atty. Kia Astive and Atty Issa Pontanal looking on, or to be in the world class restaurant of chef Andrique Regino, or to shop in the chains of stores owned by Micah, Janel, Gene Rose , Danica and Khim, or to chat with stewardesses Ria, Kathleen, Linda and Melanie while I’m in one of my trips abroad or simply to listen to another KC Pornillos’ and Ace Mereria’s chartbusters.

J The future seems brighter with the thought that I can consult Accountants Florife, Jayson and Marianne financially, Exercise masters Ariane, Sherina, jan Nelson and Kevin physically, and Fr John Paul, Fr. Paul nichol, Fr. Jerome and Fr. John Roel spiritually, or maybe consult Dr. Aron Caringal mentally?

As we leave the treshold of our Alma Mater towards a new adventure, for I will be at the Philippine Science HighSchool at Goa, where yours truly and three others will hurdle University of the Philippines’ branch at Dilliman , Quezon City, let us not forget to thank people whose exerted efforts and values shared can never be compensated. Dear schoolmates and classmates, we shall then convey our pledge of industry and undying perseverance to a commitment of continuous success and worthy achievements. With our outstanding labor of love and sacrifices—the partnerships for nation building and history making—together we make things happen with a lot of difference.

J And speaking of making a difference, there are people whom I would like to thank for their impact in my life, Marck Cabrera Jan Bernad and Mervin, for your patience/ Melvin, Erwin and Mark Anthony, for refusing to give up and give in/ and to my best friend, Francis Angelo H. Nadal, for being there even during the toughest times of my life.

This memorable commencement of the concerted efforts of our loved ones and our distinguished mentors—God’s genuine instruments of what we are in the past, present and in the future---shall be our inspiring spirits ascertaining our progressive status in life.

The sure fire formula of success is to surround yourselves with people smarter than we are. Congratulations! Good luck, More power and God Bless us all… Long live, BATCH 2005!

Directly written by AUNTIE JUDY T. OÑATE for Jr Pornillos

co-written by mgrj3/30/2005