Success comes to those who try, it comes to those who are not afraid to fail.
To our dynamic Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Isabelito Macanas, CESO V, Dr. Margarita dela Cruz, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Wilma Agoncillo, Curriculum Implementation Division Chief, Mr. Norbert Tangcora, School Governance and Operations Division Chief, to all the energetic AOs and unit heads, a pleasant afternoon to all!
These are the words that kept me going all these years as I imagined achieving this award. To passed the CESWE exam is never an easy task especially to a youngster like me. Exactly 3 years when l filed for this exam and unexpectedly even in my wildest dreams that l've made it! It was not an easy ride. There were ample difficulties and obstacles on the way. Some broke me to the point that I was ready to give up especially when l broke up with my girl... But there were some things that would not let me. Something inside me that wanted to try more, something inside me that gave me hope and the willpower to continue. Sometimes, failures damage us so much that we fail to realize the valuable lessons they bring along with them.
I thank my younger self for focusing on the goal and not the hurdles. I thank my younger self for believing in himself when no one else did. I thank my younger self for being there no matter how tough the going got. I thank my younger self to always have the sense to distinguish an obsession from a dream.
I am what I made of myself and for that, I thank myself the most.
But no matter how self-sufficient I was, I could not achieve anything without the loving and unconditional support of my late Aunt Adelaida, who never left my side even when things did not make sense to her the way she knows them. I thank my dearest friends and tropas for understanding my lifestyle and never forcing me to be someone I was not. I thank my mentors especially to our dearest Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Macanas for making these hands strong enough to be able to lift this ward today. I thank also my DepEd family for guiding me on the right path especially to our big mom, Dr. Wilma for her motherly love and care to all of us in her department. With this, I take your leave, with the award that made me live my ordinary life in an extraordinary way!
I have the urge to pinch myself for this moment seems unbelievable. I have pictured myself holding this new title, to be a CESWE passer, crying with joy and speaking continually, almost ranting my heart to the audience, to all of you who are watching me today. But as of this moment, I am at a loss of words. This moment seems so elusive that I now fail to fathom how it makes me feel...
A 3 year old small-town boy who left by ungrateful heart in the garbage of a certain public market with a rug sack over his shoulders sleeping in the garbage bin. His face weather-beaten but his lucid eyes gleaming in broad daylight. His tender feet hardened by the long walk but his energy that would defy every obstacle. From the garbage bin to the orphanage and by there, a grateful heart Aunt Adelaida came and fetch me up. From being that boy with high goals and unachievable dreams of being a man who achieved them, the journey has been a mixed bag of feelings. A mixed bag of hopes and disappointments, victories and failures, doubts and confidence, criticism, and validation. I would not say the path was an easy one to tread on and I would not say I am extraordinary. I firmly believe that anyone who sets out to achieve something still does better than those who do not even strive. Never underestimate yourself even though you realize yourself that "ampon" ka lang! because life is indeed a beautiful journey...
I was not quite gifted with a high IQ or a very sharp and quick mind. I know at this point you'd seem to doubt whether I am worthy of this achievement or not but I have ample reason for why I stand here today even without the brightest of minds. I stand here because I worked hard, I gave in my all to my goal. I made many sacrifices on the way, some that made me question my goal entirely. Some thought I was crazy, chasing behind something only for the sheer joy of attaining it.
In the end, I would like to thank God almighty himself. He gave me difficult tests but he also gave me the courage to overcome them, he gave me doubts and red flags but also gave me the willpower to emerge from them. I thank god for his guidance and his love.
To everyone who has been a part of my life and a part of this journey, I wholeheartedly thank you and express my gratitude. Every drop in the ocean counts and I would never forget those who helped me sail through troubled waters for they deserve a part of this new achievement, Once again, Lander Anthony Gomez Aldana, Doctor of Philosophy, is now wearing his new name title, Career Executive Service Written Exam (CESWE) passer.
Thank you!
Halos hindi matapos at magkandahuyaw ang masigabong palakpakan at pagbati sa kanyang mga kaopisina sa pagtatapos ng kanyang mensahe. Marami sa mga ito ang mangiyak ngiyak at napahanga sa angking talino at galing ni Lander lalong lalo na ang kanilang Superintendent na sobrang proud sa kanya at dahil sa sobrang pagkagalak nito ay niregaluhan pa niya si Lander ng ten thousand pesos bilang premyo at dinagdagan pa nito ng 5,000 ng kanilang Assistant Schools Division Superintendent at dagdag na 5,000 na rin para sa kanyang CID family para magsilbing challenge na rin sa mga ibang visors at heads na gustong mag take sa susunod na CESWE exam. Sana, marami na rin sa inyo ang susunod sa yapak ni Dr. Lander ang huling mensahe nito ng kanilang Superintendent.
Hmmm...tutal may pang inum na rin, oras na rin para kumustahin at imbitahin niya ang kanyang mga tropa na may kani-kaniya na ring mga propesyon. Shot face is up next, congrats self! habang pinapamper ni Lander ang kanyang sarili...ang galing mo talaga! asawa na lang ang kulang pero oops huwag na pala muna..ang nangingiting sabi ni Lander sa kanyang sarili.