October 19, 2009

Nothing good comes easy. Ang tanan nga maayu, kampyon kag astig ginapangabudlayan...

It was just a dream before. It was seemingly impossible to happen at an early age and at an early stage of my life. Various reasons made me decide to start with it. It was because of an announcement that I went to school in CPU. It was also because some said I don’t have my own network or group here from an educational institution I graduated from. Furthermore, it was probably for political expediency and it was also for self fulfillment. In addition, back then, I just wanted a Doctor before my name at a very young age and to be one of the youngest doctoral degree holders. Initially, these were some of the reasons why I decided to take up my doctoral studies from the Central Philippine University.

Some said it would be easy for me since I had the best training from the best schools from Manila, namely, Montessori, LSGH, ADMU, AIM and UPD before CPU. Some said I should have chosen a different school or a better school. Well, after 2 years and 2 months of Doctoral studies, I could tell those people, it wasn’t easy and CPU has the best faculty that pushed me to my limits and challenged my mind and my perseverance. I would like to thank my dissertation adviser, Dr. Pabulayan, for patiently guiding me with my paper. Sir, pasensya sa kakulitan ko. To Drs. Lilia Delicana and April Tedosio, thank you for making me feel I have two motherly figures giving sound advice to me and for being such good friends of mine. To Dr. Rio and Dr. Dusaran, I appreciate the vote of confidence in me and for also understanding my personal and professional circumstances. To Dr. Zap, thank you for making me think and not just think but to think deeply and for also being able to truly challenging my mind. To Ng Vilma, salamat gid sa imu nga pagasikaso kag pagatendir sa akun pero ara gyapun ko mangulit asta matapus natun tanan nga papelis kilanglan tapuson. Most of all, my deepest gratitude goes to the Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Fely David, for making me stay on the right track when I wanted to give up and for giving me the tenacity in making a dream into a reality. Apparently, CPU has made me more responsible, accountable and selfless. It has made me more of the public servant one ought to be and one should be.

To my parents, siblings, friends and to my wifey, I thank them also for the moral and emotional support for me to be able to accomplish things that one my age wouldn’t have thought of. To my staff and colleagues, I would also like to thank them for assisting me and for just simply being happy for me.

Tonight, in the eve of our graduation, before we formally get our degrees, I have realized, this degree was not just my own accomplishment and for my own benefit but rather, it is a product of cooperation, a good vision, a great goal and for me to be a catalyst of change and good governance for the community. I will practice what I have learned and hopefully be a much better public servant to continue to reach for excellent public service with honesty and integrity guiding my every action. Moreover, I would like to tell everyone, my doctoral degree is something not only for me but for the benefit of others as I truly reach my peak as a man for others.

Salamat gid sa tanan kag gusto ko ipabalo ang isa pa gid kabutang, I am blessed, honored and proud not just because I already have my Doctoral Degree but because I am now a certified Centralian. Ini liwat si Dr. LEX Tupas, Centralian, gasiling, para sa kauswagan sang Syudad sang Iloilo, Ugyon Centralians, Ugyon Iloilo. Ugyon kita sa pagbag-o. Let us lead the change.