THE VIEW FROM RIZAL

By DR. JUN YNARES

“What’s the best advice you would give to young people graduating this month?”

That is a usual question asked me this time of the year. My friends and I who occupy key elective and appointive positions in government are often asked to perform the role of guest speaker at commencement exercises. The task usually sends us into a frantic search for topics that works with our very young audiences.

“Tell them something that’s simple and important,” was my suggestion to my colleagues.

“Tell them something they can understand, remember, and apply right away,” I added.

I learned that formula more than a decade ago. At that time, I was provincial governor of Rizal. I had to address dozens of graduation ceremonies and needed to develop themes that can be understood, remembered, and valued by elementary and high school graduating students.

I discovered one important thing: the simpler the message, the better.

And speaking of simplicity, I found timeless wisdom in this piece of advice I heard from one of our elders in the province of Rizal.

I had asked one of them what he would say to a young person by way of an advice the latter can make good use of as he goes to the next stage of his life.

He said there are three important things that matter in life.

He enumerated the three.

First, “aral.”

Second, “asal.”

Third, “dasal.”

Aral, asal, dasal.

Life-long learning. Attitude. Prayer.

I asked him why he believed those three things matter a lot. He explained that those three things are essential to one’s relationships – with himself, with others, and with God.

He explained:

“The continuing quest for learning, education, and improvement nourishes one’s self-esteem. The cultivation and practice of right attitude and behavior helps one build meaningful and lasting relationships. Prayer connects one to his most important relationship from which all understanding of life comes.”

I asked him what things one must continuously try to learn as one goes through life.

His answer: “Magsikap, mag-impok, at makisama.”

To strive hard. To save. To get along well with others.

“Those things, you learn outside of school,” our elder emphasized.

In my view, those three must-learns are essential aspects of character building.

For me, a person who never tires in his efforts to reach a goal, who consistently builds and uses his financial resources wisely, and who cultivates the ability to get along well with others is a person of admirable character.

Those are also the traits of a person who is sure to survive and triumph in the world where we live in today. Those traits make him stand out. They enable him to be a game-changer and a leader whom others can look up to for inspiration and direction.

It is interesting that the three must-learns proposed by our elder are attributes hardly given importance by the world today. Instead of striving hard, there appears to be a preference for quick rewards, for making it big in an instant, for fast money.

There seems to be less effort nowadays among many to build good relationships and friendships that last a lifetime. There seems to be less politeness, less civility. One wonders if good manners have become outmoded – a thing of the past.

Since these must-learns have become rare, they easily make a person who possesses them stand out. That person provides a contrast. He or she becomes a whiff of fresh air.

If I were to speak before young Filipinos during this coming graduation season, I would share this timeless wisdom from our elders.

To make it in life, one must remember “aral, asal, dasal.”

If there are three things one must learn and develop in himself, these would be “pagsisikap, pag-iimpok, pakikisama.”

True wisdom, indeed.  Simple, yet timeless.

*For feedback, please email it to [email protected] or send it to #4 Horse Shoe Drive, Beverly Hills Subdivision, Bgy. Beverly Hills, Antipolo City, Rizal.