"The challenge of today’s generation is to overcome those that can spoil the spirit and rot the heart." (ASHS Class of 2025 Commencement Speech for GA and HumSS strands)

This was the speech delivered by Engr Richard Allan O Cabanela (GS '92, HS '96), President of RM Cabanela Construction Management Corporation, during the commencement exercises for the Senior High School Class of 2025 on 25 May 2025. 

Good morning. 

Today is a celebration of all your hard work and perseverance with a little help of Chat GPT. Let me kick this off by inviting our teachers, families and friends to honor you with a big round of applause. You all deserve it. We are very proud of you all.

Let us also remember that it took a village to get you to this moment. We therefore recognize the collective efforts of those gathered here: your families, your friends, your teachers, your mentors, and God. So I invite you dear graduates to stand up and express your love and gratitude to the people who have helped you by honoring them with a warm round of applause. 

I would like to thank the school for the honor and the privilege to send you off before you set sail for the seas of college life. With that I would like to share with you four short narratives as your “pabaon” this graduation day.

My First Pabaon: Twenty nine years ago, I was once in your shoes and sat on the same chair where you are now seated. I eventually took up Civil Engineering in UP Diliman. Student life was not simple. I was taking each class with the best students from all over the country. I was trying to balance my time between academics, my social life and my family life. It was a juggling act waiting to fail. Doubt was my shadow.

Remember, you have to believe in yourself. Some of you will go into the Ateneo. Some of you will go to different universities or colleges. Keep to heart that your Jesuit education gave you the fundamentals to be resilient wherever you go and whatever you face. Work hard on the important things and show that you care. Be passionate with your school and your love for family. When in doubt, stay committed. St Ignatius' prayer says, "To fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest." 

My Second Pabaon: During college, I spent five summers in the Ateneo High School to teach advance classes for Tulong-Dunong students. For a moment, I was part of the lives of scholars who were the hope of their families. I would then briefly teach in the Ateneo High School as well. I was blessed to be a part of the school and the lives of those young men. That is why the Tulong-Dunong, the High School, and teaching will always be very close to my heart. Take time to help others in any way that you can. There are communities near your home that might need volunteers. There are student organizations in college that extend assistance to the least in our society. Volunteer and be counted. St Ignatius' prayer says, "To labor and ask not for reward."

My Third Pabaon: During my professional career, one of my trying moments was the COVID pandemic. It was the curve ball nobody saw coming. Everybody was hit hard financially, emotionally and spiritually. As businesses suffered, the challenge was how I would react. With almost 200 employees, I made the executive decision to continue their full compensation. I knew in my heart that aside from my responsibility for my family’s welfare, I was responsible for the welfare of my employees’ families. It heavily drained our hard-earned resources but deep in my heart I felt everything would be alright. I trusted God would help us get back on our feet. With God’s grace, we were able to recover.

There will be moments in your life that you need to forget yourself and make a difficult decision for the good of others. When the opportunity comes, remember to be a person for others. St Ignatius' prayer says, "To give and not to count the cost."

My Last Pabaon: I believe that behind every successful family is a support system rooted in faith, hope and love. I believe in prioritizing family with Christ at the center. I am proud to say that my whole family serves in the liturgical ministry of Santa Maria Della Strada. One of my children is part of the Ateneo Liturgical Ministry. I am not saying we are all angels and holy. My family is just doing what we can to be able to serve. I believe our service gives us strength in our hearts and in our spirits specially for times of weakness and trials. This is a call for you to help serve the Church. If that is not possible, at least go to mass regularly. The challenge of today’s generation is to overcome those that can spoil the spirit and rot the heart. There is hope when you find the true meaning of God in your life.

As a parting message, a lot has changed after my own graduation. Still, I can feel the same spark of Magis in the hearts of our young graduates. You may not appreciate it now but the future of our nation lies in your hands. There is no magic button to affect this future. There are no instant results. You have to develop your own body of work. You have to put in the effort and earn it. You know what to do to make a difference. You can give this country a fighting chance for a better future.

One of you might be the next great educator. The next generation of children will need your dedication, passion and love.

One of you might be the next hotshot lawyer. Protect the rights of the disadvantaged from those who are abusive of the law.

One of you might be the next sought-after psychologist. The growing issue of mental health needs your close attention and care.

One of you might even join the Jesuit order. The Jesuits need dedicated individuals to continue their work.

One of you might be the next public servant this country deserves. We need a champion to fight those who abuse power and serve only for personal gain.

One of you might be the next big entrepreneur. We need employers who will give people proper opportunities so they won’t need to leave our country.

You are our future. You are our hope. You can make a difference. Your spark will ignite the fire in your hearts and be the light of others, the light of this country, the light in the Lord. 

There will be struggles. There will be failures. There will be people who will try to bring you down. They will try to put out your light. There will be times when you want to find the easy way out and compromise principles and commitments.

Success is never given on a silver platter. Success is earned every day. Do not be complacent. You have to be RELENTLESS. Don’t give up and let distractions stop you from your goals.

In line with the recently concluded mid-term elections, we have seen the results. There is hope but there is a lot more work to be done. Three years from now, we will be voting in the national elections. We need you to discern the rightful people to hold office. When that time comes, we expect you to stand-up and cast that vote. Your vote will be our hope. You are the hope of our country.

All of you are Ateneo’s finest. You are one the country’s best. Be proud, represent, and be the hope for others.

My biggest congratulations to each and everyone of you, Class of 2025. God bless us all.

Mabuhay ang Ateneo, Mabuhay ang Pilipinas.