To our Dear Students, Parents, Teachers, Staff, Administrators and Partners in Education,
Greetings of Peace!
Another school year is coming to a close, signaling a start of a new chapter for most you. You’ll move on to high school, college or vocational school, while some of you may immediately join the workforce. Whichever path that stretches out before you, you can be sure that it is a fresh one, a renewed one.
We are entering a period in the world’s history in which many in the old systems are being dismantled, gradually being replaced by newer, and hopefully, better ones. Technology, governments, businesses are fast evolving, recognizing that you, the individual, are a significant part of a bigger whole. You matter, and what you do matters.
The Philippines is no stranger to this transforming reality. More than ever, your country recognizes your role in society, government and the economy. And so we are investing heavily on you; putting our hopes in each one of you.
In education alone, we have introduced changes which aim to equip you with more relevant knowledge and skills for the new economy. The K to 12 Basic Education program is a massive upgrade of lessons, subjects and methods to ensure we are honing your gifts to maximize your potential. You are at the heart of this upgrade. In helping you grow to be the persons you are meant to be, we are helping build the nation’s future.
The fruits of these efforts will take years before they yield fruit, but they will definitely affect, with positive force, all sectors of society. You have the capacity to effect these changes. I pray that you relentlessly seek and build better lives for yourselves and for the larger community around you.
To our parents, teachers, staff and administrators, I thank you for your patience and support as we undergo these radical changes. An investment is not an investment without capital. Your support and sacrifices make up the capital which would bring us to see our children lead and live in a country much transformed by your investment. Thank you!
And to all our partners in education, to our proponents in Congress, local government units, the private sectors and various non-profit organizations, you are well-aware that your generosity in sharing your resources and support will go a long way and return to you hundredfold, in one form or another. Thank you for believing in Filipino youth!
On behalf of the Republic of the Philippines, we congratulate you, our graduates of 2013!
Mabuhay ang Kabataang Pilipino!
Sgd. Bro. Armin Luistro FSC, Secretary