Outstanding Alumni - statement

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI for INTERNATIONAL SERVICE. Award on 7th May 2011

I am very pleased to be with you tonight, especially on our golden anniversary of Class 1961.

There is no question that the world has changed from the time we graduated. In certain respects things are much better, and some ways, not. It is so discouraging to check out our declining global and regional report card for the last grading period, where we are indicated that the Philippines is nearly in the last position in the line of development. But we still can gain a lot from global experiences elsewhere. And we face unique challenges and dynamics, both man-made and nature-made.

At this stage when most of Class 61 have retired and enjoy the fruit of their blood and sweat, enjoying the company of their kids and grandkids, time out for Facebook and Googling events and places, we also have grown more determined to espouse good causes, restore relationships with kin, engaging in frequent conversations with the Supreme Being, being sensitized to health issues.

We need to validate our belief in City High. We can do this individually and collectively, with our own inner selves telling us what we can do from here on. In the United Nations, our work is guided with thinking globally, and acting locally. This can also be true as City High alumni, we only need to recognize the opportunities.

Cith High teachers were results-oriented, change-drivers and aware of a service environment, a long while before I embraced these in my UN work place.

There was never a disconnect of high school throughout over forty years of a global reach career: helping shape ideals of infrastructure in World Bank developing members, or being in the middle of land mines in war torn African UN assignments, or working toward the Millennium Development Goals in Asia and the Pacific.

After retiring, I now teach quilting to poor Cambodian village women who earn the equivalent of $1.50 a day for making quits sold to finance shelf help community projects in places where electricity is absent, no basic medical care nor tarmac roads.

And teaching too to refugees living in poor tent camps in Kathmandu where each quilt sold is possible for one refugee child to attend school for one year covering tuition, books uniforms, meals. I thank Mrs. Subido who gave me a 95 in Geometry and Mr. Calica who gave me an 85 in Math. They made me appreciate isosceles triangles, 45 degree rotation, ratios and proportions. This understanding is very essential in producing precision-made quality quilts.

Have you heard the saying that the best years are between the ages of ten and seventy. I dedicate this recognition as Outstanding Alumni, to my dear classmates whom I have known these past fifty years or so. For their encouragement, for their camaraderie, and for being friends as well as classmates.

I acknowledge their firm belief in my abilities and have followed the progression of my career with the World Bank and United Nations. I salute my fellow awardees, and sincerely grateful to our Silver Jubilee hosts, Class 1986, for partnering with our golden celebrations.

Thank you.

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92nd Alumni Homecoming awardees include:

Mercedes Lopez-Persiew, (Class 1951) retired professor from the University of Brazil in Rio de Janiero, Luz Calvo-Sianghio (Class 1955) head of an NGO providing housing for the poor, retired Philippine Navy commodore Justo Prado Manlongat (class 1963) for military service, Evelyn Domingo–Barker (class 1961) for international service and Col. Jacquiliano Lagiwid (class 1979) for military service.