Valenzuela to VSU Main grads: Never stop learning, do something meaningful

[This is the full transcript of the keynote message delivered by Dr. Ethel Agnes P. Valenzuela, Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education and Chair of the VSU Board of Regents for the 1st Cluster of the 71st Commencement Exercises of the Visayas State University Main Campus.]

It is an immense privilege to be invited here today as your Guest Speaker. I am honored to share my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes with you all.

TO VSU Centennial Class of 2024 AND YOUR PROUD PARENTS; MAAYONG HAPON SA TANAN, PROUD VISCANS!

Today, we celebrate a collective milestone. We are all gathered here today not only to recognize the momentous academic achievement of everyone but also to celebrate the transformation of this distinguished institution. Please accept my heartfelt and sincere congratulations to each and every one of you. You came, and you conquered.

Just imagine this, you all survived the COVID-19 Pandemic. You survived a global crisis. This is a clear manifestation that challenges may be tough, but you have proven yourselves to be fighters.

As the Centennial batch of VSU, you now hold a significant place in the rich history of this institution. Started as a humble institution in 1924, a Provincial Board Resolution established the Baybay Agricultural School (BAS). It was renamed Baybay Agricultural High School (BAHS) in 1934 and later converted to Baybay National Agricultural School (BNAS) with the approval of Commonwealth Act No. 313 in 1938.

Then in 1960, it was converted to Visayas Agricultural College (VAC), Then Visayas State College of Agriculture (ViSCA) in 1974. ViSCA became Leyte State University (LSU) through RA No. 9158 issued on August 11, 2001. And through Republic Act LSU became Visayas State University (VSU).

The journey of VSU is long, but seeing all of you here today makes me think that it was very fruitful. Look at yourselves, you are a graduate of an institution with strategic instructions, strong koml culture, and impactful extension services.

DEAR GRADUATES,

To the graduates of agriculture programs, as a product of VSU's globally competitive curriculum, I expect you to lead our country in food security and agribusiness.

Use your knowledge and skills to develop sustainable and innovative policies and programs in the fields of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Engineering, Horticulture, and Animal Science. Embrace innovation and technology without forgetting our nation's core traditional practices and knowledge.

Our National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document (NIASD) states that there must be innovations on interconnected value chains, including agricultural extension and support services, in food, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and other related industries. These innovations aim to ensure food security and proper nutrition that is affordable, accessible to communities, and sustainable while empowering local producers. These include smart agricultural inputs, improving production efficiency and mechanization, cost-effective post-harvest handling, processing, logistics, marketing, and consumption of agribusiness products and services.

The Philippine Development Plan 2023 - 2028 features opportunities for us to contribute to the MODERNIZATION OF AGRICULTURE AND AGRIBUSINESS. This plan provides the improvement of production efficiency through farm clustering or consolidation, adoption of improved technology, and access to inputs.

More innovation hubs and farm demonstration sites will be established and the Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System will be strengthened. Opportunities for greater value-adding will be created by expanding business partnerships between primary producers and other entrepreneurs, and by strengthening the capacity of primary producers to process raw materials, understand markets, and ensure that food safety and quality standards are met. We have to make sure that we are all aligned in one path towards an innovative and sustainable agriculture industry in our country.

To the graduates of education and development communication, you are the voices and minds that will lead the Philippines to a nation governed by facts and not by misinformation. As educators, you will influence and encourage the future generation of critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and innovators.

As education and communication professionals, you will mold public thinking, bridge the deafening divide, and tell the stories that need to be heard. Let your work be guided by truth, integrity, and a passion for making a positive impact.

The ability to teach is crucial in today’s rapidly changing world. As technology advances and societal needs change, the capacity to pass on knowledge becomes even more significant. Everyone should be willing to innovate. But let me remind you, innovation is not just about creating something new, IT IS ABOUT CREATING SOMETHING MEANINGFUL.

YOUR CHARACTER MATTERS.

In a world filled with opportunities and challenges, always look back to VSU’s Core Values. This will guide your decision-making and lead you to the path where you belong, to the path where you are needed. While we take huge importance to our capable skills, we must also be firm with our ethical identity.

Dear Proud Viscans, strive to be individuals who not only excel in your professions but also stand as beacons of integrity and compassion. Education is not just a means to an end, but a lifelong journey of growth, discovery, and service.

Your knowledge and empathy will be the pillars upon which many lives will lean, and your dedication will be the light that guides your communities to better well-being.

May your work be marked by moral uprightness ensuring socio-economic development thrives and innovates to the rapid change of the global landscape. Lean on to your responsibilities with a spirit of service, creativity, and a commitment to making every experience memorable for those you serve, here and abroad.

Welcome to the REAL WORLD! You have the voices and minds that will shape our country. EDUCATE! INFLUENCE! AND ENCOURAGE everyone to be critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and innovators.

Let us mold public thinking, bridge the deafening divide, and tell the stories that needed to be heard. Let your work be guided by truth, integrity, and a passion for making a positive impact.

THE FUTURE IS WAITING FOR YOU. BE READY.

President Ferdinand ‘’Bongbong’’ Marcos, during his last State of the Nation Address expressed that ‘’Our system of education must be strategically calibrated to make sure that our youth are not only taught to become literate. But, it must also consciously develop them into PROBLEM-SOLVERS, and into CRITICAL THINKERS — hungry for success and READY FOR THE FUTURE!

Here you are, dear graduates, at the edge of a world with wide-ranging potential. The ability to be future-proof is very crucial in today’s world. That is why everyone should be willing to evolve. Everyone should be willing to innovate.

In today’s world, technological advancements have broken down many barriers. We can now see ourselves standing in the middle of an interconnected world. Now, more than ever, we can say, anything is possible.

My message for every graduate is clear and consistent - Never stop learning. Be open to possibilities, be open to a new set of learning opportunities. Never stop educating yourself.

Remember, innovation is not just about creating something new, IT IS ABOUT CREATING SOMETHING MEANINGFUL. Be a student of the world. Learn from your mentors, and seek advice from experts! The important thing here is - STAY CURIOUS.

BELIEVE YOUR ASPIRATIONS.

As you reach out into the future and for the next steps in your journey, remember this is not an ending of education but a beginning – it continues beyond; as building blocks already laid that will grow still.

The road that we must journey remains long and arduous, yet I implore you to face it with tenacity and determination. Hold on to perseverance. Setbacks are learning moments, you must persist.

After my bachelor’s degree graduation, I can still vividly remember - it was a day of immense pride, of overflowing joy. Graduation day marks the culmination of hard work, sacrifices, and dedication.

My graduation day was joyful but it was also a day of unexplainable fear. Fear of saying goodbye to my friends. Fear of going out of my college playground. Fear of being lost. I was thinking, am I ready to enter the real world?

Today you are luckier as you already hold your academic documents - diploma and transcript of records. What an accomplishment from VSU. This is a pioneering initiative. Congratulations!

Don’t get me wrong - I had my fair share of challenges, redirections, and rejections. During those moments, I stood up for myself, for my family, for my community, for my dreams. Alam ko sa sarili ko - HINDI AKO NAG-IISA. HINDI KO ITO LABAN MAG-ISA.

Kaya huwag kayong matakot. In fact, pursue ambitions that will scare you.

A CALL TO ACTION.

Today, I have three (3) challenges for you to reflect on.

1. Never compromise your values.

Make sure to make your collective voice be heard - especially to the causes that matter. Just because the world is not fair does not mean we should not be. Stay connected to the values that VSU has given you.

Strive to have the right character - be a team player - do not work in silos.

2. Work hard.

I am often asked - WHAT IS THE SECRET TO SUCCESS - My answer - PUT IN THE WORK!

As you enter new chapters of your lives, take all that you have learned from this great university. Remember, the professional world is tough. It will push you to your limits—in fact, a study shows that companies prefer those who can work gracefully even under pressure, under rapidly changing circumstances.

It will challenge your core values, and try to dim your light. Our weapons? Courage and Tenacity.

3. Learn to Collaborate.

Collaboration is more than just working with each other; it's about combining our diverse talents, skills, and strengths to achieve a common goal.

Your ability to work together, to communicate, to understand differences, and to trust one another will lead you to greater success.

Centennial Batch, with courage, fortitude, and kindness - make sure to create an impact. Let's carry this spirit with us into the future, knowing that together, we are stronger, wiser, and more capable of creating a better world. Maraming salamat po at sabay sabay nating pagsilbihan ang BAGONG PILIPINAS.

[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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