Graduation speech touches readers
Graduation speech touches readers
TORONTO – A commencement address delivered by a Filipino-Canadian newspaperman before graduates of a Toronto high school is generating positive feedback from students, parents and educators alike, in Toronto, and other parts of the world.
The speech, titled “Education for Change,” was delivered by Hermie Garcia, publisher and editor of The Philippine Reporter, and president of the Community Alliance for Social Justice, before 140 graduates of the Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary School last June 24, 2008.
The piece was published in the print and online editions of this paper (See The Philippine Reporter, July 1-15, 2008, page 10), and later by ABS-CBN International News Online, and has been going the rounds of online social networks. (It is also at www.hermiegarcia.net)
Garcia’s message to the graduates, apparently resonated in the minds and hearts of those who had read it, as many of them wrote to say they have shared it with their children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and to their networks.
Ana Bella Libarios De Veyra, a Filipina instructor in a Thai University wrote in an e-mail:
“I was greatly moved by his eloquence, the dignified and vigorous way he conveyed his message to the young graduates. … But most of all, the message itself. I don’t think I have ever read or listened to a speech more finely worded and more inspirational than this!”
Jody Huang, Community Relations, Toronto Catholic District School Board, writes:
“Very well said, Hermie. Congratulations!”
From Espie Ranin Cruz, a University of the Philippines alumna residing in Las Vegas:
“I am sending a copy to my nieces/nephews, grandkids in Manila. Hopefully it would speak to them too.”
From Manila-based women’s rights activist Nelia Sancho:
“Congrats for your awesome speech. I will share this to my children ( they are now grown up- 27 and 30) and other people, too.”
From Toronto-based radio show host Jason Bagni:
“I read the whole thing from your blog. It is an inspiring and challenging piece. May I have your permission to quote some parts of it on our radio show this coming Wednesday?”
Toronto-based journalist, and member of the Philippine Press Council-Ontario, Faye Arellano, in an e-mail congratulating Garcia for his speech, said:
“I especially like the part: ‘Some of the individuals and institutions you will encounter will not be fair to you and will treat you unjustly. Some of them you will see blatantly victimize others. You should have the courage to fight them for the benefit of those whose rights are trampled upon. You should always be on the side of those who are victimized and oppressed.’
“Sooo true and it takes a leader to take on the enormous challenge. I’m glad that we have people like yourself and Mila to champion the cause on behalf of the marginalized in our community. Cheers! Faye”
The quote from Garcia’s speech cited by Arellano, made reference to the tragic death of 17-year old student Jeffrey Reodica in May 2004, who at that time was only a year away from graduating from the same school when he was shot by a Toronto Police officer.
“Like the boy from your school who should have graduated years before you – Jeffrey Reodica, had his life not been taken by an officer of the law,” Garcia said.
“After all, what’s the value of our education if we allow the wrongs to prevail in our midst? What’s the value of our education if we look the other way when others are being robbed of their dignity, and worse, their life?”
After exhorting students to do the best in whatever they chose to pursue after high school graduation (“Whether you become a university student or a college student or needed to get a job right after high school, you should always be guided by one thing and only one thing: Do what you love, pursue your passion and excel in what you do.”), Garcia said.
He explained the outcome of the community actions on the Jeffre case thus:
“As a result of community protests and cries for justice, with the active participation of students in this school, a public inquiry was called by the Ontario government where the police officers involved and dozens of witnesses were questioned to determine what really happened that led to his death. In that Inquest that lasted for months, Jeffrey’s family’s lawyers and the lawyers of the Community Alliance for Social Justice (CASJ) engaged the lawyers of the police in tough arguments and debates. The Inquest jury adopted seven recommendations, five of which urged the Toronto Police to implement certain changes in their policing practices. And they cost more than $400,000 in the police budget. The community advocates and Jeffrey’s family won certain changes that were supposed to prevent a similar incident from happening again. Although the perpetrator of the killing was not brought to justice, a qualified victory for the community and the family was apparently achieved.
“The incident and the resulting policing changes provide us life lessons even the police authorities now recognize and one of them is that community concern and action can lead to positive changes no matter who were responsible for the wrongdoing.”
Garcia concluded:
“I believe education’s primary purpose is not only to deepen our understanding of the world but also to strengthen our humanity so we may become more just and humane to have the courage to change the world for the better.”
After the reception that followed the graduation ceremonies, a group of parents and graduates and faculty members approached Garcia, commending him on the relevance of his commencement address which they said resonated with their lives.
Ellen Eusebio, mother of the class valedictorian, Nathan Eusebio, thanked Garcia for mentioning the economic realities of the times, especially for new immigrants like them, who would have to work hard to be able to afford to send their three boys to university.
Eusebio referred to a practical advice Garcia had offered to the graduates, as he had exhorted them to be aware of the presenteconomic realities:
Another parent of a graduate, an active member of the school’s parents’ association, approached Garcia to thank him for mentioning the case of Jeffrey Reodica, as she had confided that her graduating son, who knew Jeffrey, was deeply affected by the latter’s death. The son himself told Garcia that he listened to every word in the speech, and thanked him for the life lessons shared.
Even non-Filipino students and parents expressed appreciation to Garcia, and had requested to have their photos taken with him.
Others who emailed their comments after the speech:
Nestor Arellano: “This is wonderful. I have often wondered when can graduating youths get to hear a commencement speech that has some relevance to the things that are actually happening around them and events that have a direct impact on their lives.
“Kudos to you for having the guts to speak out.”
Dan de la Cruz:
“Thanks for sharing, Hermie. Congratulations, it’s really a great speech, I hope they listened to your message, the youth today needed all the help they can get. I’ll share this to some friends in the US.”
Jojo Taduran:
“Congratulations…Masyadong maganda ang laman at masustansiya. (Beautiful content and meaningful.)”
Julie Nanquil:
“It is worth reading it, I shared it with my friends and family so theycan read it too. Very well said. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Jess Perucho:
“Great piece, Tito Herms!
To Garcia himself, the experience was by itself inspiring, for not only was he able to address a graduating class of a prestigious high school where 45 per cent of the graduates were of Filipino ethnic background, but also because the top graduate was a recent Filipino immigrant.
Also, it is rare occasion for a Filipino Canadian to be chosen to deliver the commencement address in a secondary school in Toronto.
As Mrs. Eusebio had candidly remarked to this writer, after graciously accepting the congratulatory greetings for his son’s valedictory achievements as a reason for pride for every Filipino, she said: “I was also proud that the commencement speaker was himself a Filipino-Canadian.”
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