The Longest Seconds of Silence

I had to catch my breath while holding down my tears as you asked me “Rusty, kumusta STI?” Talking has been an agonizing challenge for you these past months and hearing you say my name again five months after our last conversation the night of December 8 was so dear. While the thing conspired on the blind side to slowly immobilize vital fragments of your body, you haven’t forgotten my name and went further by asking the state of the Institution we served and dedicated the best days of our lives. Our eyes meet as I answered your question and then we both knew that behind every fumbled word I say are precise statements of how we both feel, especially on this intricate moment. Then eternal silence begins.

Shernan and I were standing outside your room for quite some time trying to gain strength for the unknowns of this visit and figuring out the right words to say to begin our conversation. I rehearsed some lines in my mind and keep it playing over and over as we argue who should knock and who should slowly swing the white door open. The door number reads 316 and the patient card indicate occupied.

I was half awake the entire evening trip. I traveled 8 hours south eagerly anticipating the chance to see you again and now that I am standing in front of your door something in me is holding back to pursue my intention. I’m sorry, but I have to do this ma’am, no matter how cruel and painful the truth is for us I have to knock and open this door because this is the only way I can thank you for the wonderful life you have shared to us not a bit of reservation, for the standards you have lead by example that made us what we are today, for the affection given comparable to that of a mother and son, for the courage of letting me go at the expense of your comfort and for the reassuring smile each time we meet (though not so often) which tells me I am still one of your friend and son.

I spent almost the entire moment inside looking at the ceiling and the walls deliberately avoiding the center of the room where you are. I am not used seeing you this way, vulnerable and weak in the flesh, but immeasurable courage of spirit exudes with the relentless manner you fought your fight and the audacity approach you now take in your life. My knees were trembling in the parody of life at this very moment. I was there on the primal purpose of seeing you but then I could not look at you. I wish to stay a little longer and listen to deafening sound of silence but we both know that I should not and I know you wouldn’t want me to. But then how do I say goodbye and mean it’s not yet goodbye?

Then in a light voice you said “Sige na, mamasyal na kayo. OK na sa akin na dumating kayo.” Ma’am your unscarred wisdom eased our moment’s burden of saying we were leaving but hearing you say it for us in a sublime fashion was excruciating a hundred times over. I wanted to hug you tight and for as long as it could take the way you did when I dropped by your office on that Saturday of October 2007 to say my goodbye. I felt shaky and helpless as I stand to reach you. The hug was sheared to a gentle stroke of your arm and everything went blank as we slowly opened the door and couldn’t look back.

I didn’t have the change (and the courage) to tell you what I intend to say in this unconventional circumstance. Before you get in your car after our conversation back in December of last year I called you up said “Ma’am, pwede pa hug?” from which you smiled and gladly opened up your arms. Then I said “Ma’am, I love you ha..” What I would like to tell you ma’am today are the same old and overly-used words. Though the meaning will remain the same, the value of that distinctly selected letters that gave life to the words are priceless from Alpha to Omega now that it has been said, shared and given to an amazing leader, mentor, woman, mother and friend.

I love you DNR.

You are Citizen STI!

Good afternoon everyone.

First off, let me express my extreme happiness for our students who have finally and successfully finished the third preparatory stage of their soon to be told legacy.

Second, I share the happiness of each parent as they witness the fulfillment of their dreams unfolding before their very eyes. Being a parent myself, I know how it feels like to face each examination month having to decide and prioritize your children’s TF over your personal needs. Mahirap pero it’s all worth it!

Tonight indeed is a special night for us parents. Call it divine coincidence, but April 29 will go down in the pages of history as a “Royal Day”. One, because somewhere in England a wedding dubbed the Royal Wedding of the Century transpired on this very day. And tonight, even for just one night, we too are like Kings and Queens of the world thus making us part of the Royal Family as we celebrate the accomplishments of our children tonight.

Third, I would like to thank the men and women of STI Naga for the dedication and commitment they have showed over the years in the pursuit of our Mission and Vision to be the leader in innovative and relevant education that nurtures each student to become competent and responsible members of society.

I have to do a special mention to the support given to us by the City Government of Naga under the leadership of Mayor Bongat. His unique and remarkable program that encapsulates the beauty of NAGA CITY in the acronym that depict the natural charm of Bicolanos have convinced our Board of Directors, particularly our President, Atty. Nick Jacob, a Bicolano to invest (heavily) in Naga.

We are very thankful tonight that as we celebrate our 9th Commencement Exercise in this new facility, we are blessed with the presence of Mayor John Bongat himself to share a part of his SMILES program coming to life.

To our friends from the TESDA, CHED, the Academe and the business community thank you.

In the 1940’s, there’s a movie that came to be judged as one of the world’s most famous and highly-rated film not because of its stars (bida) but largely because of its story and excellence in production. The movie is Citizen Kane. The movie revolved around the life story of a newspaper tycoon named Charles Foster Kane and his last spoken word in his deathbed. The word was “Rosebud”. And as news reporters rush to uncover the meaning of “Rosebud” and give light to the mystery of the word, they came to unravel the life lived by the millionaire. Growing up from a poor family, Citizen Kane strived hard to succeed in life starting as a plain newspaperman and becoming the owner of a newspaper company and eventually became a millionaire. But as Charles Foster Kane gain more and more power he is losing at the same time more and more of his soul. His money and power did not bring him happiness for he has lost his YOUTHFUL IDEALISM.

Citizen STI not a movie nor was it taken from the Citizen Kane film. But I chose to correlate the two Citizens to emphasize my message to our graduates. First, as you come to face and share the responsibility of building the future of our country always bear in mind that your accountability to pursue the greater good is much more superior than the pursuit of your personal glory. Second, I am confident that you will be successful in the very near future. Because just like the film, behind each of these graduates are characters full of substance and each has been given excellence delivery of academic instructions.

We call on all of you to embody Citizen STI as you traverse new path in your professional pursuits.

Citizen STI is a character.
A Citizen STI embodies attributes that foster social empowerment and national progress. From simple deeds to elaborate initiatives, we strive to contribute positive actions that are beneficial to our country, essential for our community, worthwhile for our fellow citizens and valuable for ourselves.

Citizen STI is an advocacy.
As followers of this movement geared toward building a better nation for both present and future generations, we are encouraged to influence others with the same constructive ideals that we adhere to. In order to take this advocacy beyond our closest reach, every day we have to make a conscious effort to not merely lead, but lead with conviction and most importantly, lead by example.
Share your thoughts on how to be the best Citizen STI and inspire others to be the same.

After tonight, no one knows which road you may take and where it can lead you but please remember two things. One. You are Citizen STI. Two. Make your parents, your school and make us all proud!

Mabuhay kayong lahat!
Salamat.

The Long Wait

The long wait will soon be over for Bicolano youth who wanted to experience complete real life college education only STI can offer with the imminent completion of the new, bigger and better STI Academic Center in Naga. Located at the Central Business District II of the city, the new STI Academic Center boasts state-of-the-art facilities in Hotel and Restaurant Operations, Tourism Management, Engineering and Information and Communications Technology programs. After 10 months of intensive, scrupulous and round-the-clock construction operations, the new campus is set to formally open January of this year.


The new, bigger and better STI Academic Center project was propelled by the consistent enrollment increase of the Institution since new management took full control of its operations back in April of 2007. Aligned with the grand vision of its President Atty. Monico V. Jacob, to transform all STI campuses from the conventional rented buildings into having their own buildings and campuses, the new STI Academic Center in Naga is an intense manifestation of the Institutions commitment of delivering the highest degree of Academic instructions by providing a more conducive learning environment.


Cited by no less than the former City Mayor of Naga, and now DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo, for contributing greatly to education development in the City by raising the standards of Academic Excellence especially in the fields of Information and Communications Technology, STI College Naga has been commended by the then City Mayor in his Letter of Appreciation send to Atty. Monico V. Jacob last June of the same year.


Close to seven hundred students enrolled in various Businesses, Engineering and ICT programs of the Institution shared the same degree of eagerness, enthusiasm and anticipation as they await their official transfer to the new campus in a month time. The towering 4-storey building along the CBD II access highway will soon be the new home of STI students of current stature and the many that are yet to come in the very near future.


The long wait will soon be finally over. Bicolano youth need not go the distance to complete their Collegiate Degrees, STI Academic Center is already here at the hub of education in Bicol, the Heart of Bicolandia. Now that STI has raised the bar of academic standards, education for real life has found itself a new meaning. Education for real life is a choice. Academic excellence is must. STI College Naga provides both.