Feature: RGT Speech Before Grande Computer Center

HOW TO SUCCEED IN LIFE

(NDB Editor-in-Chief Pert Toga’s Commencement Address before Graduates of the

My sincere congratulations to all the successful graduates of the Grande Computer Outreach & Training Center, Inc., 3rd Batch, which is actually the 16th, considering that the entire training program started in Victorias City, Negros Occidental about eight years ago today. Cheers to the hardworking graduates who, I understand have undergone a thorough and rigid study and training on what it takes to be a well-rounded computer specialist, whose expertise now qualifies them to handle practically everything that ails a computer and how these units can be made more functional and attuned to the needs of modern studies and communications involving science and technology - to answer the demands of our fast emerging world into the realm of cyberspace and the internet.

I understand that the graduates numbering more than a thousand as of the latest count, have been trained in basic computer operation and hardware servicing. For a period of three months, students are trained to dismantle and assemble the computer hardware, among others, for which they are supposed to master the technique during a tedious process as a basis for qualifying them to pass the training. With such skill, they can now find a source of livelihood by getting themselves employed, or by opening their own repair shop to service the needs of clients, while others may serve customers through home service.

We congratulate the competent staff of the foundation headed by its founder and president, Engr. Eddie Granada, a man of vision destined to become a legend in the field of computer hardware and technology. Engr. Granada, a philanthropist and visionary beyond compare, deserves our people’s appreciation. We also salute the other dedicated and equally hardworking officers, for their own vision and exemplary work ethics, for whom I would request you, graduates, to give them what they truly deserve: a standing ovation no less, for a work well-done.

They are, Mrs. Elizabeth Jocson, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer who runs the day-to-day operation of the center; Eduardo Diploma, Vice President, External Affairs; Emma Resumadero, Vice President for External Affairs-USA; Felimon Jocson, Vice Chairman, External Affairs-USA; Raylan Mondragon, Vice Chairman for External Affairs-Italy; Guiffin Acuña, Secretary; Belen Locsin, Treasurer; and the following Board Members: Atty. Hope Depasucat, Mary Ann Diño, Juvy Pepello, Llowen Miraflor, Clarita Tumpag, Dr. Zenda Ibrado, Thea Mae Diño, Jonas Caballero, Dr. Ernesto Palanca and Serafin Granada, Jr.; with Atty. Reynaldo Depasucat as Legal Counsel; and Ms. Edith B. Colmo, Executive Counsel.

Friends, graduates, guests, ladies and gentlemen. Greetings!

Let me formally open my commencement address this afternoon with this thought-provoking question to the lucky graduates of Grande Computer and Training Center, Inc. now at Brgy. Handumanan in this capital city of Bacolod.

On this memorable event of your graduation rites: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE WE HERE FOR? WHAT DO WE EXPECT TO ACHIEVE, especially now that you are about to receive your diploma, the symbol of your sacrifice, the culmination of an indepth study, a thorough learning that you have imbibed in the hot spring of personal and technological knowledge, scientific advancement in our world of modern gadgets, the computers, the internet and the cyber space?

Indeed, what do we expect to attain or achieve after all the sacrifices and hard work that you have undergone? These are the questions to ponder, dear graduates, ladies and gentlemen!

Whatever it is that we aim for, one undeniable fact of life is our common resolve to succeed in our chosen field of work and specialization in this world.

Yes, my friends, you are here to fulfill a mission, a noble one, and you are called upon to do everything within your means and with your newly-acquired skills, to pursue your goals, to succeed and fulfill such laudable objective.

HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL! A tall order, indeed, but this is not at all an impossible dream. You stand ready, confident of your newly-acquired skills, to contribute your share in the overall task of nationbuilding as you receive your diploma of completion today.

What is the real formula for success, my friends? If you ask me, there is only one and a few other relevant formula to attain success. The first and foremost is, we must have great faith in the Almighty, and a firm belief in our own talent and strength of character. Let’s rely heavily in your power of positive thinking, and in your personal drive to achieve your chosen goal. This must be followed by sacrifice and determination. No doubt about that. But sacrifice and to work hard you must, if you want to succeed. There is no short cut to success, my dear graduates, as you must have found out after three months in this training center.

For we may have all the means in material or financial considerations, but without a strong desire and willingness to work, plus the corresponding political will in your hearts, the

unbridled wish to defy all the odds to attain your common goals in life, the sweet smell of success may prove to be an elusive dream and beyond reach.

My advice, therefore, is for you to believe in yourselves, and for you to believe deep in your heart that you will achieve your most cherished goals, and best of all, that you will succeed in it, in the task of attaining such goal for yourselves and for the sake of your family.

My next advice, my dear graduates, is for you to always think positive, don’t under-estimate. Engage in lots of positive thinking about how likely you are to achieve your goals. Believing in your ability to succeed is helpful in creating and sustaining your motivation. Whatever you do, do not ever under-estimate or belittle how difficult it will be to reach your goals.

Most goals that are worth achieving require time, planning, effort and persistence.

Use mental contrasting to set your goals. Make sure you think about both the wonderful things that will happen if you succeed and of the obstacles that will stand in your way. This will engage your systems and maximize your commitment to the goals that you decide to achieve.

Get better to achieve more, is my third advice. The bottom line is, whenever possible, try to turn your goals from being good to getting better. Rather than lament all the ways in which your relationships aren’t perfect, focus on all the ways in which they can be improved.

At work, focus on expanding your skills and take on the new challenges rather than what there is to prove, for that way, you will be a lot happier and will achieve a lot more.

Next, let us always be optimists, in more ways than one. Do you know that the world always loves an optimist? Of course, you know

that. We all know. The good news is, we are told that optimism comes naturally to most of you, even without knowing it. In studies involving optimistic beliefs, psychologists find that most of us believe we are much more likely than our peers to have good things happening to us - to have successful careers, to own a home, to make a lot of money and to live past 90.

If you want to get a high-paying job after college, start by imagining yourself accepting an offer at the leading firm, and

then think about what stands between you and that offer.

Briefly, we focus once more ON GOAL-SETTING. First, Be Specific when setting your goals in life. Try to be as specific as possible. Second, make it hard. When you set a goal, make this difficult, but also be realistic, because you only want to challenge yourself to strive harder. Set the bar high, because challenges can really get the motivational forces flowing

in your arteries. But, remember to avoid goals that are more or less impossible to attain.

CONSIDER VALUE AND FEASIBILITY. The best goals in life will usually be the ones you have adopted after weighing both desirability and feasibility on an unbiased way.

Lastly, GET BETTER TO ACHIEVE MORE. The bottom line is, whenever possible, try to turn your goals from being good to getting better. Rather than lament all the ways in which your own relationships aren’t perfect, focus on all the ways in which they can be improved.

When at work, focus on expanding your skills and taking on new challenges, rather than what there is to prove, so you will be a lot happier and will achieve a lot more.

Let me conclude this happy occasion this afternoon by paying tribute to the exemplary dedication and vision of a man whose life deserves emulation, and whose love for fellowmen will always inspire and strengthen the spirit of the poor, meaning those who have nothing, especially those who have less in life.

Let me cite this man I was telling you about, as the best model, the best example of hard work, sacrifice and determination to attain his cherished goal in life, something truly laudable as exemplified by this man you must have known intimately, who never expected himself to be able to fulfill his goals early in life, but in the final analysis, guided by the unseen hand of God, managed to defy the seemingly insurmountable odds to accomplish his dream, not only for himself or for his personal glory, but to uplift his less fortunate fellowmen from abject poverty to a life full of hope, of great promise towards a better deal in life.

Is there a more inspiring life than this man who, with the guidance of our Lord and Saviour, devoted his life working hard in a foreign land, accumulated so much blessings and resources through dent of honest labor, and which he used solely to help uplift the living condition of his poor fellowmen in this country, the Philippines.

This man had a novel way of empowering his less-fortunate fellow Filipinos to improve their living condition in this province, not by way of providing them capital funds or materials for a living, but helping uplift their status in life through EDUCATION, something that they will always treasure in their hearts and minds.

This man’s rare qualities are seldom duplicated, I was told, he even had to give up small vices like smoking and drinking, among others, to save more money for the operation of a computer school back home in his country. Who could have matched such personal sacrifice to fulfill a humanitarian deed! Can you afford to ignore such an outstanding example of an honorable man who is even willing to deny himself of some basic necessities and personal conveniences for the sake of his fellowmen? If we still are not inspired and empowered by this extra-ordinary concern of a man for his poor countrymen at a time when he was already enjoying the comforts and ease of life in a highly-developed society like the good old USA, then something must be wrong with us. Don’t you think?

Indeed, ladies and gentlemen, dear graduates, the Lord Almighty has a special place in His Heart for us as a people, because

He gave us a man like this "one-in-a-million philanthropist’ whose love and concern defies the vast oceans, the distance that spans continents, and still emerges practically from nowhere to extend a helping hand to ease the sad plight of his fellow Filipinos, especially his fellow Negrenses, Victoriahanons and Bacolodnons in particular, who need help, who deserve help and who are still enjoying his generosity and kind heart to this day and age.

Ladies and gentlemen, deserving graduates, I refer to no other

than the legendary philanthropist of our time - ENGR. EDDIE GRANADA - beloved Founder and President of GRANDE COMPUTER OUTREACH AND LEARNING CENTER, INC. (Let’s give him a standing ovation, on the occasion of his birthday today, May 1, LABOR DAY!!) THANK YOU!

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