Message of Gratitude

            Few years back, I was just like some of you here, quietly sitting with my friendly classmates, and at the same time observing the holy ring and pin ceremony of my seniors. Admittedly, I was fascinated with the scenario and I thought it was one of the happiest events in their lives. Just like the past years, there is always a message of gratitude to hear from your senior who was lucky enough to win the pot money.  Few years back, I was just like some of you here, quietly listening to the speech being delivered by one of the best interns, a little distracted with all the thoughts storming inside my head but greatly inspired with the idea of becoming one someday. This message of gratitude is dedicated to God Almighty, the Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres headed by Sr. Carolina Agravante, the people in the academe headed by Dr. Manuel Gayoles Jr., to my fellow PT students, to those whom I consider my family and most especially to my loving parents.

           

            I represent one group of the student population, whose college life routine mainly includes packing up a considerable number of soiled clothes every weekend, taking up a local bus ride home bound to far flung districts of the island with the sole purpose of procuring a handsome amount of money from parents leaving them a little robbed, and heading back to the city to obtain an education time and again. Such a routine has finally come to an end. A brand new way of living is waiting for us outside and surely completely different from where we used to feel comfortable with.

            Five years ago, I stepped in the vicinity of this institution for the first time and from then on, the course of my life changed and with many stories to tell. I was among the twenty plus students who considered Physical Therapy. I was scheduled for an interview, equipped with my own definition of a Physical Therapist as a professional who deals with the human skeletal system (only), completely different from its theoretical definition – a highly-educated, licensed health care professional who can help patients reduce pain and improve or restore mobility.  I would commit a crime if I state that the curriculum was easy because it never was and I guess will never be. Like most of us here, I also struggled to complete a maximum of thirty units every semester.  As your senior and someone who is older than you, I encourage you not be to be discouraged by the failures you have committed but rather learn from them. The succeeding five years of a student physical therapist is just like a classic video game which features obstacles to overcome, mainly in academics. Our batch finished the game well with a high score, while the rest of you continue in playing your own games fairly.

            Dear educators, if you were only movies, you deserve an Academy award. If you were only songs, you deserve a Grammy award. My heartfelt gratitude towards you is immeasurable. You are more than just a man or a woman who tackles discussions in a sea of learners, you are no ordinary people, you are God’s agents who deliver in us wisdom and teach us life lessons that we will always remember.  In behalf of our batch the Fidelis Dei Curatores 2012, I thank you Dr. Manuel Gayoles Jr., Ms. Stephanie Jo Depositar, Mr. Rene John Belarso and Mr. Jose Roilo Mula. I also thank our teachers who unfortunately are not here with us today, Mr. Jude Warner Laserna, Mr. Raymund Guanco, Ms. AJ Ang, Ms. Ronalyn Paguntalan Barbecho and Ms. Sheila Cuansing Gajardo.

            The rest of these people in their white internship uniforms are my future colleagues, my friends, and my classmates. Together with my loved ones most especially my loving parents, they complete the puzzle of a figure that is heart-shaped when formed. Thank you my dear classmates, I look forward to the time when our batch will soar the highest. Long live the Fidelis Dei Curatores 2012.

                And last but not the least is a message dedicated to all the parents who are present with us here today and to some who are a million miles away. Dear parents, your motherly or fatherly instinct of caring for your children is enough to make us all feel the most loved. We have come across the Genie in the story of Aladdin who grants three of his master’s wishes. You are the Genie of the Malay race and with a different kind of twist because you considered more than three wishes from your children and grant them one by one. Soon, you may feel a little tired and will retire but rest assured that your children will never leave you – (promise, cross my heart). Today marks the day of our transformations into a Genie, and you are all the witnesses. We now take turns to work for our parents and make their wishes come true, because the truth is, they are our masters.

                Thank you and may God bless us all.