Ms. Perla Londres Guillergan Waters together with CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles and Ms. Carmelle Frances Romero.

Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees Atty. Von Bedona, University President Dr. Teodoro Robles, Past Presidents Dr. Juanito Acanto and Dr. Agustin Pulido, Deans of Colleges, CPU Registrar Ruth G. Fernandez, CPUAAI President Engineer Isagani Jalbuena, Members of the Board of Trustees and the CPU Corporation, Faculty and Staff, Parents, Families, CPU community, Fellow Alumni, Honored Guests and especially, the 2018 Graduating Class of the Colleges, good afternoon.

I am honored to be given this opportunity to be with you today. When I received this kind invitation in February, I couldn’t help but wax nostalgic recalling my growing up years in this community that I love. I grew up in a humble home on North Road, with just a fence separating our house from the mainstream of CPU’s activity. That house is gone—in its place is a big boarding house, but the gate that allowed us private access to the campus remains.

And what an access that was—a gateway to friendships and shared playtime, study time and growing up times; a portal to learning and extra-curricular activities to round up our schooling; a path to Christian teaching and example, leading to our baptism and membership in God’s family; and an opening to a community who, along with our parents, exhibited an interest in our upbringing by extending nurturing support with discipline and love, so we can become the people we are today.

I never thought I would have an opportunity to stand on this stage, one where one of my most favorite people in the world—Dr. Evangelica Padernilla—stood, just a few months ago, a stage that is symbolic of other stages in the past where people I look up to and esteem, have stood. I am humbled that my dear friend, our President, Dr. Teodoro Robles, and the Board of Trustees have found me worthy for this singular honor.

Hence, I am here today, my second trip to CPU this year, equipped with prayers and encouragement from many, here and abroad, who join me in asking God’s blessings on this special, illustrious occasion—YOUR GRADUATION.

Ms. Perla Guillergan Londres Waters inspires the graduates to pursue excellence for the glory of God.

Today, I hope to leave you with a few ideas that may prove helpful as you start this new phase of your life, hoping that perhaps ten years from now, in addition to your mother, you may look back to this day and realize, some of these did make sense.

Your tool kit—your education and experience—has prepared you for some things in life but your heart and spirit will carry you farther than you ever imagine. Commit to the journey, not the outcome. Perfection is almost always impossible to attain. Know you will make mistakes but don’t get bogged down in analyzing failures—acknowledge your shortcomings, learn from your mistakes, and with diligence, with determination and passion for excellence, with integrity, move on. During my senior year in high school, I was given the opportunity to represent CPU, then the Western Visayas region, during the final screening for the American Field Service Scholarship to the US for a year’s stay with an American family, and study at a US high school. The initial phases of the screening went very well; the final test was an essay for which we were given 45 minutes to complete. Lo and behold, I found myself literally unable to write—my head was swarming with ideas and thoughts but somehow the transmitters dictating my hand to write were disconnected. Two thirds into the period, I finally acknowledged that I would most likely fail at this task and so I asked to call my dad who had very high expectations of my success. I told him that I am very sorry, but I will fail, and I am sad that he will be very disappointed in me. He took a few seconds before he replied. He told me he would always be proud of me no matter what and asked me to pray and ask God to be with me at this time of need. And so, I prayed as earnestly as my young heart could do at that time, not for the success of this effort but that although I may fail, I may find a way to honor Him still. Guess what, the nerves stilled, and I completed the work, and a few months after that, I joined 39 other young Filipinos for an exhilarating experience being an ambassador of my country, my school, my community and my family—all because in the moment of need, no, panic, God sent me His strength and His power to teach me a lesson—not by my will or might but because of His Grace, all will be well.

Know yourself and love yourself. One of my favorite devotional writers, Holly Gerth, dedicated a passage from her book, You’re Made for a God-sized Dream, to her own daughter who was graduating at that time. I would like to read parts of it to you and I hope that you will be inspired. She wrote, “Dear dreamers and graduates, before you ever came into being, God called your name. He formed you with love and intricately designed part of who you would become. You truly are made ‘in an amazing and wonderful way’ (Psalm 139:14). Your journey on this path is not by coincidence. You are here because God looked out over all of history and chose you for a time and purpose. You could have entered the world a hundred years ago or a thousand years from now. But you are in this generation, this time, and there will never be another you or another opportunity to do what only you are chosen to complete. So, go out there in boldness that you don’t have to be like anyone else. You don’t have to do what any other person has done. You are chosen for one life—yours.”

Life carries with it an abundance of risks, distractions, heartaches and challenges—do not fall into the trap of making excuses because of your perceived inadequacies—whether these are cultural, racial, circumstantial, economic, external or any other issue that may arise. There were times in my own experience where I may have thought I deserved better recognition or reward for the work I did, or that I would not be subjected to discrimination although oftentimes I was the only minority manager and a woman, but it happened. I had a choice, as you may be faced with choices—I could have chosen to be either a passive victim of circumstance or be the active hero of my own life. So, I persevered, and learned to be content, remembering St. Paul’s encouragement in Philippians 4:12-13, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” In Holly’s dedication, she wrote: “The wonderful news? Whatever God chooses for you to do, He will equip you.” Know yourself, love yourself, because God first loved you.

Remember the difference between worldly and godly success, choose wisely on how your legacy will be remembered. Recall how Jesus responded to His disciples as they argued about who would be greatest in the kingdom of God (Mark 9:33-37; 10:35-40). Jesus shattered their understanding of greatness by saying, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Mark 10:43). Know that there may be times when you will be called to do jobs no one else wants to do, as a servant does, and often doing them when no one else is looking. Are you a failure then? What if God evaluates our success or failure differently than the world does? What if God measures our faithfulness by our daily commitment to walk with Him? What if God determined our worth not based on global effects of our endeavors but on our relentless pursuit of godliness? What if God evaluated our faithfulness and greatness, not simply by our material and professional successes but by how well we cared for our family and others entrusted into our care? David McCullough Jr., a high school teacher, in his speech given at Wellesley High School’s graduation, considered as likely the best high school commencement speech ever, told the graduates, “The great and curious truth of the human experience is that selflessness is the best thing you can do for yourself.” And Elizabeth Dole, a woman I admire very much, summed it well when she said, “Life is not just a few years to spend on self-indulgence and career advancement. It is a privilege, a responsibility, a stewardship to be lived according to a much higher calling, God’s calling. This alone gives true meaning to life.”

Live a life of kindness and love. Let me share with you a story I read about two horses.

There is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing. If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to the horse’s halter is a small bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow. As you stand and watch these two horses, you’ll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray. When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, it stops occasionally and looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn’t too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those God places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse helping others find their way. Make friends along life’s way—good friends are like that, you may not always see them, but you know they are always there, listening for your bell just as you are listening for theirs.

How many times throughout the years, the ringing bells of friends and loved ones have guided me—my husband whose quiet, reassuring presence has been my rock; my parents for their everlasting goodness; my siblings and extended family—you continue to instill the solidarity of our family as the anchor we always lean on; dear friends from childhood, through adulthood, and even now in almost the sunset of our lives—our lifelong adventures are lessons of joy; my teachers and mentors—through the years of my schooling and beyond, you have continued to ensure I learn my lessons well through your enlightenment, affirmations and example; pastors and congregations who have given me my spiritual homes; and many others, even strangers—whose open hands and caring hearts have opened doors, given advice, extended solace after heartbreak and disappointments, provided cups of cold water to quench my thirst or soothe my anxious brow—to all these special folk, some of whom are here, and many more beyond the sound of my voice, through your lives, you display eloquently how the Golden Rule comes to life—words are inadequate to express my gratitude and love for these many kindnesses. How can I repay these God-given blessings? Perhaps by working hard so that we have established for CPU a more solid union of alumni worldwide; by opening our home to those who need a meal, a bed, or a caring visit; by being dedicated to the ministries of our home congregation especially in a lay care giving outreach to those experiencing life’s crisis; by being available for my children and grandchildren as they navigate their lives’ pathways; or just by keeping my little bell handy so in some small way, my life can be a conduit of the Lord’s mercy and grace, just as His children have been to me.

A final reminder—be kinder than necessary—everyone you meet is fighting a battle, so love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, keep your bell close—and leave the rest to God.

In closing, let me leave you with these three assurances:

1. Clarity will come with experience and understanding of your purpose. Steve Jobs reminds us of this in his quote, “Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

2. God will equip you—you are “chosen.” As Holly Gerth reminds us,” Being chosen means you will be given all you need. Being chosen means that success is simply obedience and trusting God will do the rest. Being chosen means that you have a great big God as your partner every step of the way.” One of my most favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

3. Be not afraid. I will conclude with this true story. On December 25, 1939, Great Britain was at war with Nazi Germany. King George VI would continue the holiday tradition of addressing the British Empire in a live radio message. As you may know, King George VI was not comfortable with public speaking due to a speech impediment, yet on this occasion, his speech became the inspiration to a nation in crisis. Speaking in measured tones and from his heart, he said, “A new year is at hand. We cannot tell what it will bring. If it brings peace, how thankful we shall all be. If it brings us continued struggle we shall remain undaunted.” Then as an encouragement, he read from a poem given to him by his 13-year-old daughter, Princess Elizabeth: “I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the year, ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.’ And he replied, ‘Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be better than light, and safer than a known way.’”

If there is anything that you take away from our time together, remember this—regarding the future, God is already there. You are given the Present to be the difference you can be. Whatever happens, be still and know that He is God. Hence, all will be well.

Those of us assembled here, especially those who love you, and extending it to include the greater CPU community worldwide, as well as all God’s people assembled—will be cheering you on, every step of the way. The best is yet to be for you—the Hope of coming generations—and we can’t wait to see it unfold!

You have been very kind, I appreciate you and I am proud of you. May God bless you always.