LET Top Three Speech
Novy C. Cuevas
To our guest of honor and chairman of the Board for Professional Teachers, Hon. Faith M. Bachiller, our very own Regional Director of Professional Regulations Commission Region VI, Dr. Lily Ann Baldago, Hon. Jesus L. Nieves, Member, Board for Professional Teachers, guardians, benefactors, guests, my fellow professional teachers, ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant morning to all of us.
Today is, indeed, a great day to all of us for I can see that everyone is wearing a happy face. I know that there are a thousand reasons to be happy, and I do believe that as we gather here today, we do share a common feeling of joy, joy because we are here to celebrate the fulfillment of our dreams – to be a part of the team of future builders. For four years or even more, we prepared ourselves for this time, the time that we could claim our dream – a professional teacher.
Everywhere we go, I see the power of education to improve people’s lives. We have ample evidences to demonstrate that it is associated with wide range of indicators of well-being, including a nation’s increased productivity and competitiveness as well as social and political progress. Most important, education is a basic human right that frees the spirit from the chains of ignorance and poverty.
That, I do believe, I came from a poor family where life is a constant struggle of making both ends meet. But then again, in life, we continually face challenges – and how we view them defines us – we choose to see the challenges as stepping stones or as obstacles. Though we lack material possessions, I consider myself fortunate to have God and a loving family who dared to dream big dreams for our bright future and take the risk brought by a higher education. I could still remember the time when my father, Mr. Erfe F. Cuevas, went house to house to borrow an amount for my tuition fees, just find the door shut on his face, and much worse he was bitten by a dog. It still lingers here in my ears the many nights mother just stifled her cries because we don’t have enough rice left in the “bakag” or “tabungos” to last a day, and still worries where she could lend my another week’s allowance. But still they persisted. That’s the story why even the small parcel of land my father inherited was sold.
I could never forget how the tears fell on father’s face as he counted the amount of his beloved farm turned into small piece of paper called receipt. Those I could never ever forget. The times when my thoughts beckoned me astray, those moments inflamed my motivation not to give up and face the battle strongly. As the cliché says “ For every man’s success, there’s a woman behind it”, and for me, that wonderful superwoman of my life is my mother, Mrs. Nida C. Cuevas. Nay, Tay, you are my heroes. I love you very much. Words are not enough to describe how grateful I am to you, and to my only sibling, my big brother, Mr. Nerfe June C. Cuevas, who never stops supporting me, Bro, I owe you a lot.
I know that each one of us has its own story and experience to tell making this moment a sweet victory and I know that you can relate with me, too.
We know very well that passing the Licensure Examination for Teachers is very tough. It requires dedication, hard work, and lot of faith. For me, passing the Licensure Exam, much more, be among the topnotchers, required a great ordeal. Since we are not financially able, I was not able to attend any review classes in any review centers. What I did was, I borrowed elementary books and high school books, doubled my efforts in studying and really burnt my midnight candle – figuratively and literally.
Now, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people who helped me to be what I am today. To my two uncles, who still made me believe that family and kinship is of great importance, Mr. Apolinario F. Cuevas and Mr. Francisco F. Cuevas. They are the ones who always supported especially during our financial dilemmas. Pang Uling, Pang Iko, thank you so much. To Dr. Victor E. Navarra, University President, University of Antique, Dr. Laura G. Perales, former dean, College of Teacher Education, University of Antique, Dr. Leonisa B. Miras, Dean, College of Teacher Education, University of Antique, Dr. Elena M. Calumbiran, Vice-President, Academic Affairs, University of Antique, my gratitude for providing me and the UAnian a wholesome learning environment during our stay in the portals of the unfolding wings of our dear Alma Mater, to my friends who believe in me, to my relatives for the moral support, and even to my critics who doubted me, thank you, still for pushing me and keeping me highly motivated.
And now, what is usually the secret to people’s success? Many would claim to have someone been very influential to him during his formative years. This time, alow me to pay tribute to my three Alma Maters:
To Sinundolan Elementary School, San Remigio, Antique, and the teaching staff, thank you for nurturing and providing me a solid basic educational foundations. I salute you.
To Gideon M. Cabigunda Memorial School, San Remigio, Antique, together with my mentors in this institution, my great appreciation for your selfless provision of quality secondary education in my life. You helped me see my life through. I congratulate you.
To the University of Antique, Sibalom, Antique, together with my professors and instructors, its vision and mission, that is, to provide quality graduates for national progress and global competitiveness, you are indeed, worthy of your title: The University of Antique: The Antique’s Pride.
To my institutions and all my mentors, you have left and will continue to leave an indelible legacy of excellence, achievement, and a fine ethos and traditions for generations to come. Your roles have been largely instrumental in molding the learners – the hope of our future.
Most of all, to God Almighty, for His unfailing love and faithfulness in my life. I bring Him back all the glory and honor.
Now, I try to achieve my dreams and I would help others to do the same, for I believe that a strong nation and a free nation can only be based itself upon education. These are the crucial times when nations rise against nations, tensions increase and disaster is possible any moment. Distances are shrinking. Peace and life itself is threatened by misunderstanding and conflict. Now is the time when man’s relationship to God must be the foundations for all his efforts towards enlightenment, and learning the basis for understanding, cooperation, and peace. It is now our task as teachers to make a change, a difference in the lives of the learners and the society as well, for according to Martin Luther King Jr., “Intelligence plus character – is the goal of true education”.
Lastly, I would like you to ponder what Henry Brooks Adams said, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell when is his influence stops”. So I would say, we need to create a vision whereby our name and our profession as a teacher become synonymous with excellence, innovation, honor, integrity, and outstanding quality service.
Thank you very much and congratulations to all of us.
To God be the Glory!
