Last May 17, 2016 was the 23rd Commencement Exercises of Punlaan School held at the Celestino Dizon Auditorium of the University of Asia and the Pacific. This year’s graduation was very special because the first batch of the Senior High School Dual Training Program in hospitality and culinary Arts, twenty-one of them, marched with the thirty-four graduates of the 2-year Dual Training Program of the same track.
The graduates of the two programs were represented by Faith Nicolas and Angelica Jabonera as they gave their speeches in the graduation rites. Faith graduated First Honor of the 2-Year Dual Training Program in hospitality and culinary arts. Faith, the second of 4 siblings shared her life story before Punlaan came into her life. Her father is unemployed and her mother sells Mary Kay products. She narrated that she lives in Payatas which is a garbage dumping area. Their house, which does not have any ceiling, has roof leaks causing flood inside their house during the rainy or storm seasons. Sometimes they do not have electricity. One day she had to study for her exams under a candle light. The effort and sacrifice paid off as she topped her exams. She also recalled how she was bullied by her classmates because she wore her brother’s shoes. They did not have money for her own pair of shoes.
Angelica Jabonera, the First Honor student of the Senior High School Program is the eldest of three siblings. Her father is a driver and her mother is a Punlaan employee. In her speech, she thanked all the teachers, mentors, management and staff of the school for their dedication in the school’s mission. Angelica also did not forget to thank her parents for their support and sacrifice in making her dream to finish her studies a reality.
The inspirational speaker from the industry, Ms. Vanessa Ledesma-Suatengco, General Manager of Manila Diamond Hotel Philippines lauded some Punlaan graduates who are currently employed in her hotel. She emphasized the good values formation that the school provides its students, an aspect which the company gives premium to. Hence, Diamond Hotel prefers Punlaan students to be part of their workforce.
The keynote speaker was Mr. Tristan Loveres, Vice President of the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Mr. Loveres shared that he also had to pass through the challenges of financial constraints as a student and he managed because of his faith and hard work. He told the students that, “There are no accidents in life, only providence; And your graduating from Punlaan is God’s providence”. Closing his message he reminded the students to “work hard but pray the hardest”.
The Dizon Auditorium was filled with guests that afternoon. The parents were all very happy and many them moved by the speeches of the students and guest speakers. Several industry partners of Punlaan also graced the event. Mr. Eugene Yap, the President of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines was one of our special guests.
Congratulations to all the parents and graduates of class 2016!