Various speakers encouraged the graduating students of Far Eastern University (FEU) during their commencement exercises this month. Sharon Dayoan addressed the accountancy and internal auditing graduates of Institute of Accounts, Business, and Finance (IABF); Cosette Canilao, the IABF business administration, IABF Makati, FEU Roosevelt-Master in Business Administration, and Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts graduates; Gil Chua, the Institute of Arts and Sciences and Institute of Education graduates; Joemer Maravilla, the Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing (IHSN) graduates; and Mary Grace Dimacali, the Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management graduates.
Accounting concepts as ‘life-lessons’
Sharon Dayoan receives the plaque of appreciation for her participation in the FEU Institute of Accounts, Business, and Finance (IABF) commencement exercises. FEU Media Center Services
“In the balance sheet called life, your reputation is your most valuable asset,” said Dayoan. “There is no room for mediocrity in your journey ahead. As early as now, build a reputation that is marked by excellence.”
She defined excellence as surpassing ordinary standards and achieving a high level of performance–big tasks and small tasks alike.
“[Most important] for your reputation, integrity is non-negotiable,” said Dayoan, adding that reputation is their most valuable asset. “Hold onto your values and let them guide your decisions.”
Their value should always be appreciating, she said.
“Excellence requires you to proactively enhance and upskill yourself continuously. Just because you have graduated and completed a course doesn’t mean you know everything there is to know about the careers you want to take,” said Dayoan. “The world we operate in is ever evolving, and staying relevant demands a commitment to lifelong learning. This means that learning is for a lifetime. Learning is a lifelong journey.”
Failing to upskill and adapt to the times will render people obsolete, she said. Instead, she added, they should continue increasing their value—to the company, to the industry, and to society.
“Your network is your net worth,” said Dayoan, quoting from New York Times bestselling author Tim Sanders. “The connections you have and the relationships you build with others can have a direct impact on your success. Your network is not just a collection of contacts but a rich resource of support, knowledge, and opportunities so you must
make an effort to grow and nurture it.”
Dayoan added that an important part of the graduates’ network are their mentors, and
mentors are their highest performing investments.
“A mentor is someone who inspires you, who has achieved what you aspire to achieve.
Someone who you can learn from. Find a mentor who can provide guidance, support, and advice to you in an interactive capacity,” she said.
Meanwhile, Dayoan said just as money is a medium of exchange in the economy, communication is the medium of exchange in their personal and professional interactions.
‘Journey in the real world’
Cosette Canilao receives the plaque of appreciation for her participation in the FEU IABF Manila, IABF Makati, FEU Roosevelt-Master's in business administration, and Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts commencement exercises. FEU Media Center Services
Canilao spoke to them about mentoring and networking, retaining core values—yet being flexible, too—service to country, and resilience versus detractors.
“Once you leave the familiar grounds of your alma mater and step into the real world, you will encounter a landscape filled with opportunities and challenges. The transition from academia to the professional realm is both exciting and daunting,” said Canilao.
But their education has equipped them with knowledge and skills, she assured them, as they have also become resilient, adaptable, and continuously willing to learn.
“As you navigate your professional journey, the importance of mentoring and networking cannot be overstated. Surround yourself with mentors who can provide guidance, support, and wisdom,” said Canilao. “These relationships will be invaluable as you face the complexities of your career. A mentor can offer perspectives that you might not have considered and can help you avoid potential pitfalls.”
She reminded them that their network is not just a collection of contacts but a community of support and collaboration.
“Engage actively with your peers, seek out opportunities to learn from them, and offer your own insights in return,” said Canilao. “The connections you make now will serve as a foundation for your future endeavors.”
Canilao also enjoined them to remain grounded in their core values while also being flexible, emphasizing the importance of adaptability.
“Be flexible in your approach, but steadfast in your principles. Your integrity, accountability, and commitment to excellence will define your character and shape your legacy. Embrace change, learn from it, and let it guide you toward growth and innovation,” she said.
Their work can have a profound impact on society, said Canilao, as their education has prepared them to be leaders, innovators, and change-makers. Therefore, they should use their talents and skills to contribute to the betterment of their community and the country, she said.
“Believe in yourself and your ability to overcome any obstacles that may come your way. Embrace criticism as an opportunity for growth rather than a deterrent. Instead of allowing negative feedback to discourage you, use it as motivation to improve and refine your work,” said Canilao.
‘Be Angels of Hope’
Gil Chua receives the plaque of appreciation for his participation in the FEU Institute of Arts and Sciences (IAS) and Institute of Education (IE) commencement exercises. FEU Media Center Services
An FEU alumnus, Chua encouraged his fellow Tamaraws to use their manifold talents to do good. During enhanced community quarantine at the height of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) when everyone was working from home, his agency created a music video called “Anghel sa Lupa” as a tribute to medical frontliners.
“We wanted to do our share in celebrating their heroism and cheering them on as they do their selfless service,” said Chua, challenging the graduates to become “angels on earth and angels of hope.”
Another example of how they harness their talent and expertise to do good was when they came to the rescue of small business owners—the micro-, small-, and medium- sized enterprises (MSME)—who suffered losses during the lockdowns.
“Without customers, their shops had to close down during the height of the pandemic,” said Chua, so they worked with the Association of Filipino Franchisers, Inc. and came up with the BUYanihan campaign pro bono—for free—to give MSMEs hope by helping them set up and market their shops online, while creating awareness about their situation.
This personal mission of Chua was born from his own life. He had to pause his college studies on his third year at FEU to focus on providing for his young family. He began to work at the Advertising and Marketing Associates, more popularly known as AMA, the largest
Filipino-owned advertising agency at the time.
“I did not have a college diploma, and that made me work harder. I worked hard—giving more time than what is required of me. I gave clients more than their expected service, went over and beyond my job responsibilities, and earned their trust,” said Chua.
Yet he felt something amiss, despite being successful in his profession.
“I could not forget my promise to my mother that I would finish college. I asked myself: ‘if I could have integrity with my clients, why couldn't I give that to my mother?’”
At 36 and already a senior vice president at AMA-DDB, the company created by AMA's partnership with New York-based DDB Worldwide, Chua returned to FEU to complete his degree—graduating 27 years after his initial enrollment.
“Believe in yourself. Trust yourself. And then give it your excellent effort,” said Chua.
‘Pay it forward’
Joemer Maravilla receives the plaque of appreciation for his participation in the FEU Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing (IHSN) commencement exercises. FEU Media Center Services
Health care professionals must mentor others, said Maravilla.
“Extend your arms to our dear university. Serve our community,” he advised graduates of the IHSN, of which he is an alumnus. For such, he said, is the purpose of nurses, medical technologists, and health leaders.
Maravilla said their academic background in college and their experience during the global outbreak of COVID-19 have prepared them for this calling. He added that now they have the power to make decisions about their future, about what they want to do next.
“You are one of the most resilient batches of graduates that we have had at FEU. The pandemic kicked in. [Eventually] you fully adapted to online or hybrid learning,” he said, also highlighting that they lived with the threats of climate change, disasters, impending conflicts here and abroad. “You are the drivers of your own destiny—not your teachers, not your friends, not your mentors, not your parents.”
But he cautioned them about imposter syndrome, of feeling like a fraud or utter failure.
“You finished your degree. You were trained [properly]. You have acquired the right skills and attitude. Your work is rooted in FEU’s core values of fortitude, excellence, uprightness,” said Maravilla.
Yet finding the right people, he said, is necessary for them. There is more to Tamaraws than just their careers, he added, so they need to spend time with others who are important to them.
“You need mentors who will not only nurture you but also constructively tell you when you are doing something wrong,” said Maravilla.
He persuaded them to work and collaborate with others outside their own discipline or field of study, as these would enhance their creativity and expand their perspectives. He acknowledged that passion and perseverance would give people a good head-start, but prodded them to find the right individuals and environment that fuel their motivations, ambitions, and dreams.
“Learn how to pause,” pleaded Maravilla. “Find the time to step back and learn new things. Think of things that you need to learn more. You need to find time to rest, enjoy life, celebrate your accomplishments—big or small.”
From ‘seed’ to ‘tree’
Mary Grace Dimacali receives the plaque of appreciation for her participation in the FEU Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (ITHM) commencement exercises. FEU Media Center Services
What was once a “seed” of 10 kasambahay is now a “tree” of 200 bakers and over a hundred commissary-hands in separate buildings, with quality assurance officers protecting quality. Such is the life-story of the people behind Mary Grace.
“’Seed’—a 3-ft by 4-ft table in a bazaar, standing hours on end, sampling and selling, meeting kind-hearted and supportive ‘Titas of Manila’ in air-conditioned venues as well as outdoors under a tree in bad and good weather. ‘Tree’— kiosks and cafes in strategic locations and baked-goods counters manned by smiling and caring attendants with competent baristas for that cup of hot chocolate and coffee paired with ensaymada,” said Dimacali.
She revealed another “seed”—a tiny office, a room in her house where she answered calls, jotted down orders, made her simple costing and accounting growing into a “tree”— several hundred employees in different departments doing what she did in a more extensive way.
“’Seed—a tiny oven and mixer in a 16 sq.-meter kitchen. ‘Tree’—industrial ovens and mixers in a 5-story building. ‘Seed’—loading orders into my car and delivering with my husband and children to villages in Metro Manila. ‘Tree’—a fleet of trucks going as far as Baguio and Lucena,” said Dimacali.
She credited God for all the “seeds” in her life blossoming into full-grown “trees.”
“It will be the same way with you. You’re starting out small—the smallest of ‘seeds.’ Celebrate this for there is much power God placed within you. What are these? The powers that come from your God-given talents, intelligence, fortitude and stamina. He has placed you in rich soil. What are these?—the love and sacrifice of your parents, the commitment of your teachers and alma mater FEU to equip you with knowledge and see you through a better tomorrow,” said Dimacali.
If there is the power of small, she said, there is the attitude that comes with it.
“Humility… Learn from others. Open yourself to correction as I do too with every comment, and complaint that comes my way. It will hurt to hear criticism but take it and use it to make you better. Stay the course. Don’t give up. Roll with the punches. Roll up your sleeves. Put your hands to the plow,” she said.
Dimacali also urged the graduates to grow through time. She motivated them “embrace the process” of who they can be in time—making sure every step of the way is a Tamaraw plodding through the mud day in and day out.
“Whenever you feel down and out, depressed and despondent over this and that, over some setback and failure, think ‘tree’—the ‘tree’ you are meant to be,” she said, adding that a tree exists for the sake of others.
Bio-sketch
Dayoan is the chairperson and chief executive officer (CEO) of R.G. Manabat & Co., KPMG in the Philippines. She also heads its People, Performance, and Culture Department. Canilao is the president and CEO of Aboitiz InfraCapital, the infrastructure arm of the Philippines-based Aboitiz Group. Chua is the group chairman and CEO of the DDB Group Philippines. Maravilla is a research fellow of the School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine at The University of Queensland. Dimacali is the founder and CEO of Mary Grace Foods, Inc.
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