A Mother's Voice (Notre Dame University Graduation 1999)

This article is actually long overdue already, I know that the author of this (who happen to be my mother) has been waiting anxiously when I am going to finally post her article/speech ( Nanay took an effort to retype her speech and send it to me by email...I know she already thought that I had forgotten about it or had simply ignored it) .  To say that I have been veeeery busy may not be reason enough why posting this has been delayed.  I guess, it is just because I haven't had my mind set about writing or blogging again...can't get my mind into writing when Nanay asked me to update our - her kids, current status...it's been 11 years after all.

Well, here below is a heartily written speech Nanay wrote and delivered 11 years ago during my youngest sister's graduation.  Nanay was one of the awardees of the Most Outstanding Parents of the Year on that day, being an alumna of the school - Notre Dame University,where all 5 of us children also graduated. And it was an honor really that she was chosen to give a speech in behalf of all the parent awardees. ( I guess it was because the school took consideration about her and my Tatay having sent 5 kids to the school...a really long time of struggle, and of kaliwa't kanang utang to compensate the school expenses.)

I have read her speech a number of times already since she has sent it to me...and everytime I read it I can't help but feel thankful and proud of the great effort my mother and father had done for all of us...posting it here is my simple way of thanking Nanay and Tatay (wherever he may be) for being great parents.  That even with the hardest of times we all had experienced way back, we all still survived...we managed to become what we are today...and that's all because of you, Nay...Tay.

NANAY'S SPEECH:  Delivered at Notre Dame University Gymnasium on March 1999

Allow me to start with the first 3 lines of Freddie Aguilar's song "ANAK'.

           'Nang isilang kasa mundong ito,

           Laking tuwa ng magulang mo,

           At ang kamay nila ang iyong ilaw'

Reverend Father President, members of the faculty and staff, my co-awardees, parents of the graduates, graduates, ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

Notre Dame College, now Notre Dame University, witnessed the memorable events of my life. First, this is where I met my partner in life, both in joy and in pain; second, this is where I acquired my Bachelor of Science in Education degree, major in General Science in 1968; and third being a recipient of this award as Outstanding Parents of the Year, which symbolizes our sacrifices, the need to survive so as to attain our dreams for our children.

In behalf of my co-awardees and the parents of the graduates 1999 I would like to express our emotions being the proud parents. Mabuhay tayong mga magulang! To send our children to college is a great sacrifice. Sending three college students at the same time is not a joke. Both parents and children need teamwork for survival. What with a minimal income, how would we be able to let both ends meet? To the graduates, be proud of your parents, whatever or whoever they are. You must be thankful to have parents like them. Remember, it's not only you who sacrifice on a limited allowance. As parents we feel your longing to many things, that you wanted so much but then you cannot. It is like a dagger struck into our hearts.

Being a mother, I experienced talking with my children of our financial status, I had witnessed how they shed tears, giving up, losing hope because of insufficient allowance. Through our guidance, my husband's and mine, our children never gave up. They climbed the mountain of success. They have triumphed! My heart cries for my children, but I held on, clung to the Father almighty. He gave us more courage, strength and good health in order to overcome those trials. We know after all, that we will be gifted.

Fellow parents, when we sent our children to study in this institution, questions arose. Living a hundred kilometers away from Cotabato City, "why in Cotabato City? Why at Notre Dame University?" We have our college in our town, why in a far and critical place? Our response was condensed into one sentence; we would like to develop in our children the values of responsibility, trust and confidence. Responsible in the sense that, they would learn to spend their allowance wisely and live independently away from Nanay and Tatay. They would be earning and running their own life in the future, so this will serve as a training. Trust and confidence because these are values that we want them to bear in mind and heart, that we sent them to Notre dame University to do good, study and acquire a diploma and no other else. Luckily, after graduation, my children did not encounter difficulties in landing job, and we are proud of them. As one after the other finished college and landed a job, they helped us support the younger ones to the extent of giving up some of their personal welfare just to lessen Tatay and Nanay's burden to the younger ones.

In this occasion, fellow parents and the graduates, I am very, very proud to inform you that I have 5 children who were able to acquire their diplomas in this institution plus an alumnus added to the family. My children with their respective titles: Mary Jane,BSN,RN, employed at South Cotabato Provincial Hospital; Jonathan, BSCE, employed at Better Homes appliance Center, Koronadal Branch; Juvee, BSA, employed at Prudential Bank, Cotabato City and married to Emmanuel Panaguiton, BSME,an alumnus of Notre Dame University, Joanne, BSE, presently connected with this institution and Zenith, who will receive her title this afternoon in BSA. Seventeen years from now we will be sending our 6th child at NDU again.

Ladies and gentlemen, these are the fruits of our labor, Mr.Juanito Tan's and mine. We owe all these gifts to God Almighty, who is always at our side in times of near surrendering. Thank you dear Lord, thank you Notre dame University, our Alma mater. To our children and the graduates 1999, thank you, thank you and Mabuhay!

And that's the end of her speech...at present, my eldest sister Mary Jane (Neneng) is working as a nurse in Coventry, United Kingdom with her husband Kuya Jun and two British speaking kids.  My brother Jonathan (Toto) is working as a Civil Engineer in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.  Toto is married to Ate Norma and also has two bubbly and cheerful kids; the eldest, Nikki excels in ballroom dancing.  My Ate Juvee (Bibing) has moved to Marbel and works as a bank officer at Allied Bank.  She is married to Kuya Man and with two enormous kids.  My youngest sister Zenith (Tata) is in Dubai, UAE working as an accounts clerk at Corus Middle East. And with God's will, she and her BFF Eva will be off to Canada early next year.  And my youngest brother Jade is now in 4th year highschool...and has remained Nanay's companion at home.  And finally, there's me...I still teach at the moment, after taking a break from teaching for 2 years when I tried my luck in Dubai.  I'm married to  Jack, a Police Chief Inspector (hopefully he gets another promotion a year from now).  I also have two kids who are just so wonderful despite their kakulitan.

And what about Nanay?  Nanay has already reached her retirement age.  She turned 62 last month...and is back to teaching again...that which keeps her busy these days along with her uma (farm) that was generously bought to her by Tata. Other than rearing and looking after Jade, teaching at Mary Mount High School Inc. has somehow brought Nanay reason to wake up each day and look forward for the day ahead...that is after some dull, melodramatic years after Tatay's departure and on after her retirement from KNCHS two years back. 

Nanay, despite the distance, is always there to offer comforting words, pieces of advice, a bunch of prayer, and a loving heart to each of us her kids.  We can never be grateful enough for all that she has done for us.  

P.S.

What our family lacked most before was only financial needs, but I can honestly say, that the lack of money had not hindered us to enjoy life and become good-natured persons.  Life may not be entirely a bed of roses for us now, we can't simply sit and wait for graces to come to us.  We all still have to work to provide for our needs, but I can say that we have better lives now. =)