Full Transcript of Ms. Rissa Mananquil Trillo's Speech at Benefactors and Scholars Get Together 2021

Ateneo alumna and entrepreneur, Ms. Rissa Mananquil Trillo, addressed the Class 2021 graduating scholars last September 25, 2021, during the Get-Together of Benefactors and Class 2021 Scholars held via Zoom.

Organized by the Loyola Schools Office of Admission and Aid, the Get-Together was a celebration of the achievements of 191 graduating scholars and the spirit of generosity of some 44 individuals, alumni groups, families, foundations, and corporations who supported them.

In her speech, Ms. Rissa highlighted the importance of passion, perseverance, and courage as they face a rapidly changing world as a result of the pandemic. Moreover, she stressed that all of these traits should culminate in a desire for an altruistic legacy that the graduating scholars should focus on as they leave the Ateneo.

The complete text of her Address follows. 

GET-TOGETHER OF BENEFACTORS AND CLASS 2021 SCHOLARS

RISSA MANANQUIL TRILLO, Guest Speaker 

To University President Fr. Bobby C. Yap, SJ, Vice President for the Loyola Schools Dr. Marlu C. Vilches, Office of the Admission & Aid Director Dr. Jo-Ed K. Tirol, Loyola Schools Deans and University Administrators, Fellow Benefactors, Class of 2021 Scholars, good morning, everyone!

I’m really happy to be here today at the Get-Together of Benefactors and Class 2021 Scholars. It’s an honor to deliver this message to our graduating scholars on behalf of my fellow benefactors. 

First things first—CONGRATULATIONS! You all made it through this difficult yet unprecedented time. Even with the shift to online classes, you rose to the challenge and fulfilled your dream of graduating.

If there’s one thing all the benefactors have in common, it’s the desire to share the gift of education. To my scholar, Cristina Batalla, I’m so proud of all your accomplishments and it means so much that you made the most out of this. As a graduate myself of Ateneo, I understand the value. Education will always be one of the best investments. And the beautiful thing about learning is no one can ever take it away from you.

I know this isn’t how you imagined to graduate but remember you are a very special batch. You are graduating during a time everyone will remember in history. It’s easy to feel helpless in the face of a global emergency but one thing I realized is when you can’t control what’s happening, challenge yourself instead to control how you respond to what’s happening. Even if you missed out on a lot, there are things you had to learn and take on, and this is equipping you differently in ways you can’t imagine. Even if you can’t see it right now, everything you are currently going through is working in your favor and preparing you.

I know times are different now and today’s generation is under unbelievable pressure to get it all together and be extraordinary, especially because of social media. I can imagine the great uncertainty it gives you about your adult future. But today, I want you to remember this:

First, being uncertain about your future doesn’t mean you’re a failure. It means you’re human. I was in your shoes too, even during day one of my skin caring makeup brand, Happy Skin. I had uncertainties about how the business would unfold, but one thing I did not have hesitations about was my passion for it.

No matter what happens, you’ll never look back with regret if you decide with your heart what you’re passionate about. So, whatever you choose to do after today, pursue it with passion. That’s where your power is. 

Second, even if the world is on a pause, your opportunities are not. 

I know the last two years are the years we would all love to hate. But what makes a bad year a bad year? Maybe 2021 won’t be so terrible if you can also look back at it as your most pivotal year. One day, headlines will read that 2021 was the year you found your purpose and started something life-changing!

When my daughters make mistakes, get into accidents or trip, I always remind them of this: Falling down is an accident, but staying down is a choice. Don’t be afraid to start over again if you have to! A white page doesn’t mean it’s just empty—a blank page represents potential. And one of the biggest lessons I learned in my life is that you can always start again.

Third, if I look back at all the challenges I went through, the most important decisions in my life tested my courage more than my intelligence. 

Courage was by my side during the biggest and lowest moments of my life and until today amidst the pandemic. People always talk about optimism—and that’s good. But during uncertain times, it’s courage that will carry you through.

What makes a successful person is not just by being optimistic but pushing through the things that scare you the most. Being scared is okay. It’s what you do next that really matters. Courage is speaking up and taking action, but it’s also being strong and knowing when to walk away from something.

I know times are trying now—economically, physically, emotionally, and mentally. You are strong enough to face it all, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now. What seems overwhelming now will be your testimony later. 

Lastly—today, there are 191 scholars who will be graduating. That’s 191 Filipinos with the potential to change the country or even the world. I just want you to remember that it’s not the degree or title that matters, but how you use it that determines its true value. What kind of legacy are you going to start once you get out there in the world? 

As benefactors, our success is not determined by whether you get prestigious awards or professions. The real measure is not what you achieve, but who you become and how you treat others. Are you able to answer “Yes” to the question of, “Am I helping solve the big problems of the world?” 

At a time like this with the pandemic, empathy is the medicine the world today needs.

On behalf of all the benefactors, congratulations to all the 2021 graduating scholars and thank you for having me today.

NOTE: 

Ms. Rissa Mananquil Trillo is a multi-awarded Filipina Entrepreneur who is the co-founder and Chief Brand Officer of Happy Skin Cosmetics, a world-class, homegrown makeup label. Happy Skin is the first local cosmetics label to collaborate with the international juggernaut, Disney. She is a top model, beauty columnist, journalist, and author of the book, READ MY LIPS, where she shared her business and beauty insights. She is an Ateneo BS Management 2001 alumna and in 2018 earned her Executive MBA degree from the Asian Institute of Management. An advocate of women empowerment, entrepreneurship, and education, Ms. Rissa is Mom to Enzo, Celestia and Audra, and wife to Paolo Trillo.