"The diploma you hold will not be the end of your educational journey [so] do not stop learning."
This was highlighted by Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary for Planning and PPP Dr. Maria Catalina Cabral in her speech during the 51st Commencement Exercises at the FEU Auditorium.
She reminded graduates to keep on learning and striving hard because graduation is not an assurance of success.
"Your sure way to success is not the accomplishment you bagged today. For tomorrow, it will just be history. You have to be constantly and consistently working hard," she said.
Cabral also shared her mantra of 4 Ps: passion, patience, perseverance, and perspective—which she said became her guiding principles when facing challenges in her professional career.
It is important to discover what one is passionate about, to find the driving force that makes one wake up each day and feel excited about work.
"Passion is the desire to do your work with inherent dynamism, often resulting to performing more than what is expected from you. When you work with passion, you do not wake up every day and drag yourself out of bed just to work," Cabral said.
Patience, on the other hand, is important because even if you graduated with Latin honors, the ladder to success will not be made easy for you.
But she warned them against 'dormant waiting.'
"Do not entrust your fate to divine providence. Continuously enrich your knowledge and level up your skills," Cabral said.
The value of getting up every time you fall or perseverance is also important for Cabral.
"Remember that victory is sweeter when you successfully hurdled life's obstacles."
Lastly, one should have a good sense of perspective by being open to other people's point of view.
"Remember that we are not indispensable so try to understand other people's point of view so that you will have a good relationship not only with your family but with your colleagues in the profession," she said.
She ended by appealing to the graduates to stay in the country, where they are most needed.
"Your field of expertise—engineering and information technology—are actually booming nowadays. Our country is progressing towards building smart cities and your services are greatly needed at this point. When you are given an opportunity, please stay here in our country."