Integrity, character and attitude will show the path to success, Atty. Santiago T. Gabionza Jr. told graduates of the Catanduanes State University during the 51st Commencement Exercises last June 16, 2022.
The member of the CatSU Board of Regents told that while stellar grades in school count, the greater virtues of integrity, character and attitude cannot be discounted.
“if a person is honest, has a reputation and has the correct attitude for work, he will come a long way,” Gabionza stressed in his message. “Skills can be taught but character is who they are. These I believe is the path to a successful career.”
He said that the ones who are dedicated to their work, faithful to their family, intimately connects with God, and tenaciously deals with all the downturns in life are the one who will emerge successfully.
The successful corporate lawyer based in Makati City also reminded them that the key to success is patience, persistence and hard work.
Gabionza was the commencement speaker during the first of the two-day graduation exercises, with Climate Change Commissioner Albert P. dela Cruz Sr. as the speaker on the second day but the latter was not able to come to the island due to the death of his mother and delivered his speech online.
He noted that while the challenges of the pandemic made some of the students question their future, the graduates adapted to the changes, became resilient and made it to the end of their era in school.
On the other hand, CatSU President Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza expressed hope, along with their parents, that the new graduates would not join the large army of the unemployed.
He challenged them to utilize the skills and knowledge they have learned at the university in the service of the nation and its people, not only in getting employed but also in starting their own businesses and even in starting a family.
A total of 2,070 graduates received their diplomas and certificates at the island’s premier institution of higher learning: 565 from the College of Industrial Technology, 358 from the College of Arts and Sciences, 340 from the College of Business and Accountancy, 291 from the College of Agriculture and Fisheries, 241 from the College of Education, 137 from the College of Information and Communications Technology, 97 from the College of Engineering, 32 from the College of Health Sciences, and 10 from the Graduate School.