For Just A Moment

1. For Just A Moment

2. St. John Francis Regis

26. ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY MARCH 22, 2002 MY DEAR 7-REGIS BOYS, It is starting to dawn on me that you are leaving Ateneo Grade School where you have spent most of your childhood. I experienced difficulty in writing this missive because the moment I begun writing, I become sentimental. Why? because it pains to say goodbye to all of you. I love your class so much. You have been so cooperative, appreciative, responsive, caring, loving, sensitive, humorous, exciting, intelligent, active and unique. To tell you honestly, I was not that excited to handle your batch because of the countless stories I have heard about you. Maybe you still remember what I told you during the Schola Brevis, that you were considered to be a nuisance to any teacher. Days passed, months passed, many things have happened but your class stood out from the rest.

27. You have proven that you can actually learn from all the things around you and apply it to your everyday life. I am so thankful and grateful that you were (probably) my last class in Grade 7. You really made my last year a very memorable one, well not actually not just a memorable one but a great one. Sabi nga ni Migo, you were a unique combination of happy-go-lucky students, athletes, actors, class clowns, computer experts, bookworms, artists and music lovers. Medyo marami ang makulit at nagpapa-cute pero you see to it that you still manage to take good care of each other. You were so active that sometimes it drained me to death. Minsan hapon na kung kailan lahat yata ng tao pagod na pagod na pero bilib talaga ako sa inyo, sige pa rin ang katatanong. Kadalasan tuloy, halos lahat yata ng informative magazines sa National Book Store nabili at nabasa ko na para lang masagot lahat ng tanong ninyo. Napakagaling ng klase ninyo at napaka-responsive not only to your classmates' needs but to mine as well.

28. It was a short year since there were no heartaches to remember. I am really glad, I had the opportunity to handle your class. You really made me proud not just with your achievements but with your unity and bonding as a class. You have indeed inspired me to come to school every time. Up to our last day, you have proven to be the most creative, talented and the funniest class in the batch. You will always be remembered. I would like to thank you for the pleasant surprise you have given me during my birthday. Kayo lang ang klase na nag-feed ng kapritso ko na mag-collect ng baboy. Biro ninyo, pati si Carlo Lagaya, baboy ang ibinigay sa akin noong Pasko. At hindi lang iyon, pati porma ninyo ay gusto ninyong gayahin ko kaya naman ang grupo nina Elixson, Vincent, Jolo Tapel at Jon-Jon ay nagbigay ng elephant pants. Parang gusto pa yata nila na ako ay ma-suspend ni Mr. Pablo.

29. Thanks for all the sweet things you have done to me. Thanks for giving your best during contests and intrams. Thank you for the unforgettable class night. Thanks for being so creative during the balitaan. Thank you for everything especially for being you. I will never forget you. I'll miss the times when you have to hang around and talk to me. I'll miss the times when I have to watch you play basketball and chess. I'll miss the times you greet me wherever I see you. I'll miss the times when you have to make kulit to make libre to you. I'll miss all your efforts and determination to make the class united, to make the class win, to give honor to the class and to make it a better place to everyone where peace and love is felt. I'll miss those days. I'll miss you.

30. Now that you will hand the fruits of all your efforts, I wish you all the best. I firmly believe that whatever difficulty you will encounter, you have the capacity to face them. Just always believe na makakayanan ninyo ang lahat basta naniniwala kayo sa inyong sarili. Take care of your life, it is the best gift you have received from God. It is like a coin that you can spend in any way you wish but just like a coin, you can spend it only once. Live fully in each moment because life is what you make it. Awards, money, fame and success will not constitute the totality of your character and personality but it is how you live your life to the fullest is what matters a lot. God does not expect you to live what you don't understand yet. You can only gain understanding by applying what you know day by day. It is only when you turn your back on what you already knew that you start to stumble. The price of success is hard work, perseverance and determination to any job at your hand.

31. You should have the determination that whether you win or lose, you have applied the best of yourself. And please remember that no matter how high you rise, never forget that you have started at ground level. Even if you were born to a great privilege, you were born as a helpless babe, nonetheless. Real success comes not in thinking you have arrived at a position where others should serve you but in recognizing that in whatever place you are at, you have arrived at a position where you can serve others. Fifteen years from now, it will not matter if you have the latest model of cars o maybe you got a big break. It will matter fifteen years from now, that you made a commitment to serve God through serving your fellowmen, BY BEING A TRUE MAN FOR OTHERS. Lastly, I want you to reflect on the last line of the famous DESIDERATA. True happiness is within yourselves and its degree depends on how you look and appreciate things that make you happy. Don't compare yourself with other people because you will find people greater and lesser than you.

32. If you find people greater than you, you will feel depressed and envious of the blessings they possess like money, beauty, talent, fame and power. Always bear in mind that you are one of a kind. Try to see the brighter side of life. If you fail, make failure as an inspiration to do better next time. Because failure only reminds that you lack something. Try to discover this lack so that you can fulfill it. Expecting too much will make you feel miserable because you are waiting for something in return for what you have done. Even how humble where you are at, make the most of it, Try to achieve something each day. Every night before you sleep, reflect on it. And you will feel great for what you have done. People need people. Everyone needs someone to share his life, his dreams, his aspirations and his inner thoughts. People make us grow mentally and emotionally because we learn a lot from them.

33. Again, THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES YOU WILL LEAVE BEHIND. THANK YOU FOR INSPIRING ME TO CONTINUE MY MISSION AND VOCATION AS AN EDUCATOR. Take good care of each other wherever you will go. Take good care of yourself. Always pray. I love you. With all my love and prayers, MS. MARIA ELISA P. AFABLE CT, 7 ST. JOHN FRANCIS REGIS