My graduation memoirs

Earning a diploma is always a milestone for me. In this lifetime I have wished for 5 diplomas: 1 for elementary; 1 for high school; 1 for college; 1 for masteral; and 1 for doctoral. I am struggling to complete my Ph.D. in applied linguistics due to my legal dispute with the top management of USEP. But hopefully, before the year ends I would have my final oral defense (This I claim in the name of Jesus).

Looking back to those 4 graduation ceremonies that I have had I could say that I have made my parents proud of my academic achievements. Plus the fact that I completed my elementary level for 5 years only because I was able to qualify in the acceleration program of Davao City Special School also known as SPED (shortened name for Special Education). Msgr. Paul Cuison is a classmate of mine in the acceleration program of SPED. I graduated with honors in 1978.

The high school graduation in the Davao City High School (now known as Davao City National High School in Torres Street) was a sad one because we were so poor then that my mother had to borrow the white dress of her friend’s daughter which was equivalent of the academic gown. My mother had to borrow money too to buy me a black sandal to be worn during the graduation which cost only P20 at that time. We were so poor that I remember we ate bulad or dried fish after the graduation ceremony. But I was still happy because I was looking forward to college.

My college graduation in the University of Mindanao was a happy and exciting one. I could not sleep the night before the graduation. I remember that my mother bought me a beautiful dress though it cost for P50 only which was considered very expensive during that time. From the top of my head down to my feet, I was wearing new accessories, very cheap accessories at that. But I did not mind. I was so excited that I did not mind either that my parents did not prepare any party for me. Anyway, I gatecrashed the graduation party of my college friend Ma. Teresa Tico (now Mrs. Binghay). What made me so proud of my college graduation was that I graduated Cum Laude for the degree AB English.

In 2004, I completed my Master of Education in Language Teaching from the University of Southeastern Philippines. It was different from the last 3 graduations I had. First, there was a graduation party at home. Second, I invited all my friends and the priests assigned in Sta. Ana Shrine Parish. I invited Fr. Diony Tabiliran (the parish priest of Sta. Ana Shrine Parish at that time), Fr. Nestor Dalumpines, and Fr. Pete Maniwang. They all came to my graduation dinner party. Fr. Pepe Retorca missed the party due to his hectic schedule. I invited too my friends through the years outside Sta. Ana parish.

This year, I am resolved to attend my last and final graduation in this lifetime because this doctoral graduation will be the pinnacle of my career. I pray to God that this will be lavished and with fanfare because I will celebrate it with my favorite charity institutions like the Home for the Aged, Archdiocesan Nourishment Center and with the female inmates in the Ray of Hope Village.

Graduation indeed is a milestone for students and parents alike.