A
Sense of Achievement
The triumphant voices of graduates,
students and parents filled the covered court of Maharlika International School
on the 26th of March 2016 as another memorable graduation took
place. A total of 30 learners proudly marched with their parents in the midst
of flashing cameras and of congratulatory echoes. The school administrators,
faculty and staff together with distinguished guests: H.E. Aderitu Hugo da
Costa, Vice President of Timor-Leste and a graduates’ parent, H.E. Maurice
Tiempo, Consul of the Philippine Embassy in Timor-Leste, H.E. Luis Manuel da
Costa Fernandes, M.Ed, General Director of Secondary Education and the Guest
Speaker, H.E. Augustus De Jesus of the Ministry of Education in the
Municipality of Dili and H.E. George Da Conceiçảo Teme, a Member of the Parliament
and a graduate’s parent are one with the festivity. Everyone shares
the vision that these graduates will be their nation’s future leaders towards
economic growth and development given their competitive and holistic K-12
education.
Tapping one’s Back, Recognizing one’s Merit
For we are beings driven by the
taste of accomplishing something, the school also recognized the endeavors of
its students through the awarding of medals, ribbons, and certificates to
deserving learners. Nevertheless, these things are but the material
manifestations of a person’s scholarly accomplishment. What matters most is
that we exemplify a truly educated person in the conduct of our lives and our
daily affairs. There is a big difference between an academic and an educated
man that which is marked by character and uprightness.
The
Power of Words
H.E. Luis Manuel Da Costa Fernandes,
M.Ed., the General Director of Secondary Education of the Ministry of
Education, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste in his speech congratulated
Maharlika International School for contributing to the national development of
Timor-Leste through its quality education and commitment in molding students
who will be this nation’s future leaders. He also emphasized the nation’s
current need of competitive human resource and that it can be answered by a
holistic education. Along the way, he asked the school administrators to work
hand in hand with the nation’s Ministry of Education in their thrust for
accreditation so that the school will be recognized not only by the Department
of Education of the Philippines but also by the Ministry of Education of
Timor-Leste. In response to this challenge, the Director for Academic Programs,
Mr. Charles Michael B. Papay said that the Preparatory Level of Maharlika
International School has been recently duly recognized by the government in
compliance to the said accreditation process of the Ministry of Education of
Timor-Leste starting with the Preparatory Level to Higher Levels.
H.E. George Da Conceiçảo Teme, a
Member of the Parliament and a graduate’s parent expressed his gratitude to the
school for nurturing the abilities of children and fully utilizing their skills
in the hope of realizing their potentials. He also encouraged his co-parents to
help and support the school in its programs and visions so that it could be one
of the best international schools in Timor-Leste. He further congratulated the
graduates for hurdling all the tasks and responsibilities for them to achieve
what they are celebrating now: their graduation; their mark of success.
The elementary graduates’
valedictorian Clairine Ivana Franetty Yong thanked her teachers for their
patience and understanding in opening their minds and hearts towards the
fulfillment of their unexplored potentials. She said that her parents are proud
of what they have seen as her positive transformation which the school greatly
contributed. In addition, she also challenged her co-graduates and schoolmates
to be the exemplars of the Maharlikan identity wherever they will go.
Of Toga and Diploma
The world is a competitive place. It
doesn’t wait. It doesn’t compromise. It is stage filled with different kinds of
actors and actresses. Spectators abound who either cheer or jeer, who either
push or pull, who either is a friend or a foe. There are no rehearsals. There is
neither preview nor encore. Everything else is played just once.
We all have a role to play in this
world. We are all given chances to prove our worth. The opportunities to make a
difference come in twist and turn and if you are called to be a part of the
noblest profession; give it your best shot. Remember, the stage is yours. No
cuts. No delays. No pretentions.
And when it is time for you to leave
a mark, dear graduates; remember this and I say it once more be the best that
you can be and you got a role to play.
Hurrah!
