Year-End Message

Good morning teachers, staff, my dear Povedans,

I wanted to spend a few minutes with you in your last assembly for the school year 2007-2008. For our seniors, it will be their last school assembly with all of us.

I am sure that for the class 2008, these last days at Poveda are filled with mixed emotions, of excitement for what the future will bring, of accomplishment for making it through basic education, of anxiety perhaps, for leaving known grounds of our school. Seniors, we will miss you but we are confident that as you move on, you carry with you values, the skills, the knowledge, that Poveda has given you to prepare you for what lies ahead.

Right now, however, your main task is to study hard and to do well in your exams. But, I also ask you to open your eyes wide to see what is going on in our country. These are times that call for information, for critical appraisal  of events that are aired before us and of voices that we hear around us. These are the times to ask questions in search of truth. To ask questions and to act in conscience from informed opinions on issues are marks of a true Povedan. You probably have noticed a banner by the EDSA gate of our position as a school. Saint Pedro Poveda stands for the truth, for justice and for reform. Poveda said, " I believe, therefore, I spoke."My dear Povedans, in many, many ways, you are a very privileged group. But privilege brings with it responsibilities. In very simple words, it is the responsibility to use that privilege for the betterment of all.

If you are asked what is Poveda's stance in the situation of our country now, you can confidently say, " We stand for the truth, for justice, and for reform."

My dear Povedans, I want to leave you on this our last assembly for 2007-2008 with the words of Josefa Segovia:

"To live in truth, to work in truth, to love in truth, to serve in truth, this is what I ask and hope for." Like Josefa Segovia, this too is my hope and prayer for all of you.

On another point of interest, I hope you have noticed how our gym-auditorium is slowly taking shape. I invite you to notice it today and to take a look at the model in the Office of the President. It is being built for you. Take ownership of it as early as its construction. Our goal is for the building to be finished sometime in the first semester of 2008. Together we will make that goal through our concerted effort of alumnae, parents and all of you, students of Poveda. Your SCOP officers have worked hard to organize your fair, the proceeds from which was given for the construction of the building. You will notice a box where you can drop a coin or two to help with its completion. Small or big, your contribution really would help towards attaining our goal. Seniors, when you come back, we hope you can be proud of our gym-auditorium.

Seniors in the name of the College Board and all of us from your alma mater, our heartfelt congratulations for a job well done.