A harvest on good soil

From left: Dr. Kristian Triccie Medina, Dr. Noahdel Hallel Francisco, and Brother Norman Locson are this year’s inspirational speakers for recognition and graduation rites. (composite photo)

April did not only become a season for reaping fruits of students’ hard work, but also turned out to be a homecoming for SALIS alumni Dr. Kristian Triccie Medina and Dr. Noahdel Hallel Francisco.

These two proud Liguorians, along with Brother Norman Locson, inspired the students that education is a necessary ingredient to have a sure slot to success, but more than knowledge, medals and certificates, what you become as a person, using everything you have learned is the most important thing.

Brother Locson, Dr. Medina, Dr. Francisco, were guest speakers during the Elementary recognition and commencement exercises, Senior High School graduation rites, and Junior high school recognition and completion ceremony, respectively on April 4-5. Dr. Medina and Dr. Francisco moved their former teachers to tears when they recounted their years as tiny seeds in SALIS, and how the lessons they learned as Liguorians helped them overcome their limitations.

“I hated my hand. I experienced being bullied and discriminated because of this hand. I never wanted to speak in public because I wanted to hide it. But Ms. Mendoza always pushed me out of my comfort zone. She gave me the solo speaking parts,” Dr. Francisco told the high school awardees and completers.

“I’m really thankful she did, because that’s how I gained my confidence,” she added.

She inspired the Liguorians by revealing that her physical disability is not something to be embarrassed about. People will not remember her for her disability but they will remember her for the challenges she conquered and how she became stronger as an individual.

“Nakakainspire (‘yung speech) niya (lalo) kasi nakakarelate ako. Kung si Dr. Francisco, ‘yung isang kamay niya, ako, isang tainga ko, bingi. Tulad ng nangyari sa kanya, imbis na hilahin ako pababa ng kapansanan ko, mas naging fuel ko pa ito para mas maging pursigido,” Karl Dizon, Grade 10, recepient of Best in Performing Arts in Music award, said. Dr. Medina, on the other hand cited specific lessons she never forgot from her Liguorian roots—such as map reading, sabayang pagbigkas, Biology—that turned out to be handy in her work as an army doctor. Both alumni speakers concluded their speeches by reminding the awardees and graduates that teachers take a big part in every student’s success and it is something that they should always remember throughout their journey.

“We all start from being tiny seeds, it all comes down to how you cultivate it,” Dr. Medina said.

“And SALIS is a very good soil,” she added.

Brother Locson, on the other hand, left an inspiring challenge to the elementary graduates and awardees with his “three C’s”.

“God gives us chances to choose to make a change,” he said.

“There are two most important days in a person’s life: the day you were born, and the day you find out why. Now you are on to find out the second,” he added.

Aside from the inspirational speech of their speakers, the completers and the graduates also celebrated their journey as a batch as they sang their songs to give gratitude to their parents and teachers.

This year’s Grade 6 batch was led by Jolene Ainsley S. Yap, Alexandra Leah Ann B. Mercado and Jira Anika Mae D. Inao, while Grade 10 completers were led by Roger Mae J. Agapito, Gleezzah C. Asuncion and Jan Pauline Emmanuelle B. Manlongat completed Junior High school.

The pioneer senior high school batch was led by Precious Laurena J. Caluya, Marieniel Irell L. Anceno and Kryssia Mae A. Bardelosa.