Exude that Quality which Made us Whole

After Dualtech, after the happiness of this day would have subsided. When we will be working out there, earning our living. Starting a family. Being with friends or with our loved ones. We ought to exude that quality which made us whole-the quality of being virtuous men (men with virtue). Good examples to other, whether in life and in work.  — CRESENTE BUCCAHAN, Class Valedictorian | Gold Merit, Outstainding In-School and In-Plant Performance, and Learning Excellence Awardee | Trained and Employed at Philippine Manufacturing Company of Murata, Inc.

I am Crescente Buccahan from Diadi, Nueva Vizcaya. Our main source of livelihood is farming. Most often, before we even get any profit from it; our earning was gone, to pay for our loans and others, If we had the misfortune of experiencing a Typhoon or drought; there would not be anything left for us to buy our food. This was the kind of life and hardship, I had from the very start. The five children in our family had been lucky to be able to attend elementary and highschool due to scholarships given by our parish. I still remember, our allowance was only P 50 every week. It was divided so that, P 20 was reserved for our fares. While P30 was reserved for our personal needs. And if you are thrifty you would be able to save some amount for your personal uses. It is no longer true today.

Now, upon finishing highschool; college was another matter. We did not have the funds for it either. A break came when a private school offered so that I could study there as a working student. I did not know everybody there. My job as a working student consisted of mopping the front of the school every morning, cleaning the CR’s of the whole school in my free time. After school hours, I had to sweep the floor from fifth floor up to the first floor. Afterwards; before I go home, I had to make another round at the fifth floor to check the classroom C.R, turn off  lights, fans, aircons or faucets if any were left open or running. During weekends  I had to go to the farm owned by the school owner to plant corn. This was how my life evolved. But when I reached second year college, I could not sustain it anymore, I had to stop my studies altogether and I just went back to help my parents at our farm.

I tried all sorts of jobs available like in a poultry farm, in construction, as a machine operator. Where I would only last for 6 months. I really wanted to finish my studies. And so I enrolled  but misfortune followed me again and I had to stop, I got sick and had to go back to help at our farm afterwards.

One day, in our parish, the priest announced during the Mass that someone was giving scholarships. I was 23 years old and they said only 16-22 years old were qualified to enroll, I felt disappointed.

My Aunt told me that she would ask the parish priest if there was something he could do? My Aunt gave me the number of the parish priest so I could talk to him personally. I really prayed hard for this. Soon the priest gave me the telephone number of Dualtech’s Comrel Officer and the rest is history. I was able to study at Dualtech.

I did not waste time in Dualtech, because I knew that this was the last opportunity I would ever get. It was a big adjustment being away from your family. I could not take it easy. The classes were very demanding and hard. I knew hard work and I practiced it. If our BSTP was hard, ASTP was much harder! In in-plant training work demand was tougher and there was also great temptation to resist. Your spiritual life will be put to the test as well. But you could overcome them if you pray, pray really hard and trust God above all. I may not be perfect but like any one else, I struggled a lot. And this is the important thing that we graduates have to remember: After Dualtech, after the happiness of this day would have subsided. When we will be working out there, earning our living. Starting a family. Being with friends or with our loved ones. We ought to exude that quality which made us whole-the quality of being virtuous men (men with virtue). Good examples to other, whether in life and in work.

Dear fellow graduates, the challenge has always been clear! If we don’t measure up, if we don’t become better people, what a waste it would be! Sad! Never forget who you are and that we are bound to do great things in life and in work. Because God has thought of us so we are here. Thank you very much to all of you!

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Maraming Salamat sa Dualtech Center at sa lahat ng bumubuo nito.
Salamat sa Maykapal sa biyayang ito. Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat.