Rise above mediocrity, Gordon tells new grads

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon today told this year's new graduates that they have to rise above mediocrity, make something of themselves and lift the country to greater heights.

Gordon, addressing the graduates of the Sacred Heart Academy of La Loma, reminded them that they are now armed with the education that would help them make the right decisions as they journey through life.

"I want to tell you how important this day is. Kung yung mga ga-graduate ngayon ang iniisip niyo ay tapos na kayo sa high school at puwede na kayong magbakasyon, well think again. This is a time to contemplate about your future," he said.

"(You should be) a graduate who knows where he is going, totally committed to the future and one who will lift this country to greater heights, not being mediocre, not ganyan lang talaga ang buhay, but somebody who will make something of himself as well as his country," he added.

The Sacred Heart Academy of La Loma, in Quezon City held its 62nd graduation ceremonies at the Phil Am Life Auditorium along United Nations Avenue in Manila .

The senator was invited as the guest speaker for the occasion.

Gordon told the graduates that they should aim high and that education is a way to shake the country out of mediocrity to make it at par with, if not ahead, once again of its neighbors in Asia.

"Dati and bayan natin Asia's No. 1, ngayon Asia's used to be, we used to have the highest literacy in Asia . Ngayon gipit na gipit ang ating bansa. Parang escalator na pababa, hindi umaakyat ang ating bansa," he said.

"Aim high. Hindi masamang mag-ambisyon. Pararaanin kayo ng mundo kung alam niyo kung saan kayo pupunta. Mas matulin ang takbo niyo kung kayo ay hindi takot sa kinanabukasan. Make the future your friend," he added.