Suralta to VSU Villaba grads: Take the road less traveled and excel from there

[This is the full transcript of the keynote message by Dr. Roel R. Suralta, a #ProudViscan who is the first and only Academician from the Visayas State University as conferred by the National Academy of Science and Technology or NAST.]

Good morning, friends, ladies and gentlemen, the outstanding graduating class of 2024 also called the centennial graduating class, honored guests, parents and relatives of the graduating students, Chancellor Jehan Libre of VSU-Villaba Campus, other distinguished faculty and university officials led by their president, Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes.

Being with you today at your commencement at one of the Philippines' most renowned universities in terms of academics, research, and campus life gives me great pleasure, honor, and pride. Actually, when this magnificent school was still known as the Visayas State College of Agriculture (ViSCA), I also got my diploma here. My graduation from college is slowly coming back to my mind. Therefore, I could properly applaud your accomplishments, including completing all of your courses, managing all of your extracurricular activities, and conquering personal challenges. Greetings on your well-deserved achievements!

Please allow me to take you back in time and share my thoughts on my own journey to success as you embark on the next chapter of your respective adventures.

My journey to success is far from being extraordinary. It may be just as common as the other examples of achievement you hear about all the time, save for a few twists.

I grew up in a low-income family with limited educational opportunities, but I persevered and earned honors in college, a Masters and PhD, a research position in a premier rice research institute, and, eventually, one of the youngest individuals (at the age of 49) to be admitted as an academician (a member of the esteemed National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines)—a prestigious organization for career Filipino scientists. 

Modesty aside, this is an accomplishment that many would praise, be envious about with some saying sana all, may nanalo na, ikaw na, how to be you po, and pahawa naman, among all other popular expressions that the Gen Z use today.

Everyone would be inspired, optimistic, jealous, and proud whenever they saw and heard one achieving success. Instead of focusing solely on the narrative, let us examine the details that contribute to my success story.

And I must say that my journey to success was difficult but beautiful. It was bumpy but a beautiful ride. My journey corresponds to the expression "the road less traveled," popularized by Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken." 

This expression has a profound insight on my journey; perhaps it will speak to you as well. Once you leave this university and begin to navigate on your own, you will face decisions that will determine your success or failure. 

The decisions are often difficult and do not always take an obvious or straightforward path. It requires courage to leave comfort zones, face challenges, and venture into the unknown. Choosing this route takes strength, determination, and an unwavering vision. Although it frequently offers challenges and uncertainty, it also has the ability to produce unparalleled benefits and unique accomplishments.

Each of us may have our own definition of success. Achieving a certain level of financial security or professional performance may be considered success by some. Others may define success as making a beneficial impact on the world or living a fulfilling personal life.

Many of you may have heard of a place that lies between the provinces of Leyte, Cebu, and Bohol. Camotes Island is the name of the location. I did spend my early childhood and complete my high school and primary schooling there. That was my home until I graduated from high school and enrolled in college. I won't go into detail about my high school experience because they were my formative years, and the majority of decisions were made completely by our parents or guardians.

My collegiate achievement was a combination of determination, passion, and luck. My first preference was engineering when I was younger. My dream at that time was to enroll in one of the Universities in Cebu. However, given my terrible high school behavioral record and our limited financial means, my father suggested that I take an exam and enroll in ViSCA. Despite having little preparation, I passed the admission exam and enrolled in the Agricultural Engineering program.

During our first year, there may be up to thirty students, but less than ten successfully completed the course, and fewer than five graduated on time. In our community, I was even made fun of. Some have claimed that even if I pass the admission exam, I will be unable to complete my degree. Some wonder why I would ever want to study agriculture. Knowing that our family's lack of riches was caused by our modest existence as farmers so how can I help my family transcend poverty? But I proved them otherwise. Agriculture pala is the way! Amen!

My college experience was hard. Throughout college, I lived in Zea Mays dormitory, they call it the home of handsome guys. I visited there lately, I noticed now that it is not only the home of handsome guys but beautiful gays. Anyway, my family's farm income was limited, therefore I received a monthly allowance of 300 pesos from my parents on an inconsistent basis. So I made a diskarte to supplement them. During that time, student assistantships in VSU were only available to upperclassmen, so freshmen were not eligible. 

We spoke and negotiated with the Office of Student Affairs to obtain permission. I was with my fellow freshman, kasamayan si Dr. Ludito V. Ramirez, who is now a professor at Southern Leyte State University, when we talked with the OSA Director then. Fortunately, we were permitted to become SAs provided that we passed all of our subjects during the first quarter. Otherwise, we will be automatically removed off the payroll. We were then allowed to work 100 hours each month at a rate of 3 pesos and 50 centavos. So, after a month, we made 350 pesos. I was assigned to the library's indexing section, and part of our duty is to retrieve books requested by library users and return them to their proper shelves after use.

Time, experience, and opportunity have all helped me improve my networking abilities. Even still, our monthly stipend, in addition to the school-paid pay, was insufficient. We do contract lawn cleaning on weekends, notably Saturday afternoons after ROTC, at various university and Utod staffhouses. We each received approximately fifty pesos in exchange for a free lunch, which we ate as much as possible to avoid having to take dinner and to cover the risk of having a satisfying breakfast the next day. 

We also took advantage of whatever additional food and giveaways that our hosts offered by performing a Sharon. Even though I was only a freshman, I was able to connect with and learn from many of the ViSCA faculty and staff. My ability to coordinate and negotiate has greatly improved. I was able to negotiate with the PhilRootcrops project leaders to get a contract to gather the inside samples and weed their experimental plots during weekends. I formed a team, executed the work and got the payment which we divided equally. I tapped and worked together with my other dorm mates.

My first semester was unforgettable. I passed all my subjects.I got two "3.0," two "2.25", and two "2.0" scores. After a year of scholastic difficulty, notably in agricultural engineering's main subject, mathematics, I reached a crossroads. The desire of becoming an engineer was dashed, and the plan failed. I became conscious of my weakness. I became conscious of my limits. I becanse conscious of letting myself down. I learned from it, moved on, and showed my resilience. That was when I decided to shift and pursue a career in agriculture. 

My grades have improved slightly in the following semesters, but they are still satisfactory for an average student. I even accepted my fate of not finishing my degree in four years. I even chose plant breeding, one of the most challenging majors in agriculture, to rationalize why I can't graduate on time. The majority of the students who pursued this degree were among the best in our class. They rarely graduate on time, and if they do, they are usually awarded latin honors. 

Besides, I began to idolize the professors in Agriculture. You may have heard earlier that I graduated with a major in agricultural botany. This was due to the fact that ten of us chose to major in plant breeding. I believe this was the first time in the department's history that a large number of agriculture students chose plant breeding. Pero, walang nag Agricultural Botany. Kaya nag toss coins kami kung sino sa lima ang mapupunta sa Ag. Botany. Isa na ako roon.

My struggle with financial support has remained. As innovative as I was, I reasoned, why not concentrate harder on my education to qualify for a scholarship and free tuition? Poging pogi na, may dagdag income na. Yong pang tuition ay pwede nang ibulsa. Back then, college scholars received free tuition and a monthly allowance of 250 pesos plus a book allowance, while university scholars enjoyed the same, but with a bigger monthly stipend of 350 pesos.

So I got serious about my schooling, baka sakali. So I developed a plan. I wisely utilized my time, made friends with magagaling in order to be inspired by them, and manligaw din ng magaling provided an additional source of motivation. 

To summarize, the latter half of my academic career was exciting. I got a full scholarship. I got a GPA of 1.30 for my third and fourth years. I didn't plan to graduate with Latin honors as I was more concerned with the financial benefits. I finished on schedule with the grace of our Lord and even received a latin honor. Nahila ang mababa kung grades noong first and second year kaya nakahabol. If I recall correctly, there were only seven honor students in our graduating class across all courses, which all were Cum Laude and no Magna Cum Laude.

After graduation, the majority of you will want to find a job, make a livelihood, and start a family. No more, no less. I worked as a junior researcher at FARMI, ViSCA, for two years, assisting highland communities in Matalom, Leyte.

My journey exemplifies consistently taking the road less traveled. My trip began in humble surroundings, but I had an intense curiosity and a desire to study. I left Leyte equipped with education in agriculture and science, a work experience, and a desire to travel anywhere I can possibly go. I relocated to Luzon, applied and accepted a contract position with PhilRice. I enjoyed my work. I felt inspired and challenged at the same time. This provided another aspect to my own journey: career advancement. 

It took me several years actually to secure a permanent position. Even though my supervisors recommended me for a permanent position at PhilRice, the management was hesitant to hire me. Why do they hire a short, sickly-looking guy and above those who graduated from UP Los Banos? I was turned down twice for a permanent position. I was hired later because I accepted an offer to get the lowest-paid permanent research position offered to a college degree holder. Thisposition was generally offered for staff who are not qualified to conduct research. It was quite disappointing, but it was quite challenging. It encouraged me to look for an opportunity to pursue graduate studies. 

Besides, having advanced graduate studies is a common prerequisite for promotion at PhilRice, as it is at many other government S&T institutes and even SUCs. So I asked my supervisor if I may pursue graduate courses, and he was quite supportive of my aspirations. One year after getting a permanent position, I applied and got a scholarship to pursue my MS at UP Los Banos. Typically, it takes years of service before one may pursue graduate courses because you must wait for the more senior staff to finish theirs before you can. However, since I was working in an office where the majority of the staff had no desire to pursue advanced studies, I was able to pursue my graduate studies in a more timely manner.

Pursuing graduate degrees is a serious undertaking. I completed my Masters in Agronomy with a major in crop physiology. It was also done not for the purpose of becoming promoted, but to contribute to the advancement of information that will benefit the public. Again, I was at a crossroads about what to work on. And so I accepted the task of working on hybrid rice. 

Hybrid rice is proven to boost rice yield per unit area. However, several issues must be solved before this technology becomes a viable option for our small-holder farmers. I spotted an opportunity and accepted the task of enhancing panicle development in parental lines in order to increase seed yield and minimize the cost of hybrid seeds.

When I took my PhD, I chose to tackle the issue of climate change in crop production. So I took the challenge of boosting rice's climate change resilience through root system improvements. I have swiveled 360 degrees from working on the above ground and then shift my emphasis to the below ground. 

From the green revolution to the underground revolution, root research was not popular during that time. And many research techniques needed to be perfected before moving on with actual root study. Throughout my studies, root research has been key to my interest and advocacy. It became my specialization. It became my passion. Whether it's agronomy, environmental stress physiology, instrumentation, or biotechnology, it is all about roots, kaya hashtags purorots, or puro roots! I conducted creative research that had a significant impact on agricultural practices not only in the Philippines, but around the world. 

My research on strengthening agricultural resistance to environmental stressors was pioneering, providing solutions to some of the most serious concerns farmers face today. For example, we developed rice types to tolerate drought, which is similar to teaching fish to swim in the desert! Advances in this field have enabled farmers to achieve yields even in the most marginal places where crops are grown. 

I acknowledge that my work is the result of a significant and strong collaboration with several networks. Networks of scientists, extensionists, policymakers, and farmers. For every individual is a part of a larger community, interconnected and dependent on each other for growth and development.

Do not strive for success because you are envious of others accomplishments. Strive for achievement because you want to spend your life wisely, because you want to make a difference in the lives of others. As a result, you will improve your work ethic and passion. You will work hard and persevere. When you realize the benefits of your hard work, the stars will simply align in your favor. 

This will help you advance professionally. It will get your work recognized. It will benefit your job advancement. Most importantly, knowing that you have made a difference in the community, it is extremely rewarding.

Dear graduates, I encourage you to be daring and take risks in your chosen fields. Be daring in teaching, extension, agriculture, animal science, or whatever field you pursue. Be daring and remember that the most rewarding roads are frequently the ones less traveled. Be daring to accept challenges, seek out new opportunities, and don't be scared to diverge from the common path.

And, regardless of what you choose, keep learning and adapting. Keep learning and adapting because the world keeps evolving. Keep learning and adapting to the new knowledge and skills. Keep learning and adapting to stay relevant and capable of facing future difficulties.

While the road less traveled may appear challenging, it is full of unique possibilities and experiences that will develop you into a resilient, innovative, and successful person. The trip may be challenging, but the opportunities are vast.

As you begin your own path, cultivate a growth mindset. Accept change, learn from failures, and stay open to new opportunities. Build a solid support network, which includes mentors, peers, and colleagues. It will give you strong and capable guidance and encouragement as you grow.

Most importantly, stick to your ideals and ambitions. In a society filled with outside pressures and diversions, it is critical to stay grounded and focused on what is actually valuable to you. Your ethics and determination will serve as your guiding stars.

Be patient! For patience is a virtue. Do not become a patient! Otherwise, you will end up anywhere but success.

So, when you're at a crossroads, make that DAMN DIFFICULT choice! There is no free lunch for success. There is no easy walk in the park. Taking the less-traveled path may be difficult but satisfying. I challenge you to step into the unknown. I challenge you to embrace the challenges. I challenge you to pursue your passions with strong determination. The route may be difficult, the route may have full of challenges. But the route is also full with opportunities for extraordinary success and fulfillment. 

Finally, let me share these two quotes:

In Robert Frost's poem, it says “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by” while in the bible verse through Matthew 7:14, it says “Narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it”. 

So, pursue your dreams but always be humble and truthful. Work not for the glory of man, but for the greater glory of God.

VSU Centennial Graduates of VSU Villaba, my best wishes for your future pursuits. And I, thank you!

[This article aligns with Sustainable Development Goals: 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 4 (Quality Education), and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).]

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