Message for DOST-ICTO retirees

Message for Retirees Undersecretary Louis Napoleon C. Casambre Executive Director, DOST-ICT Office 13 June 2014 Indeed, this is a good afternoon, because we are gathered in this once in a lifetime event because this is the only time that you will be able to retire- at least from government service. In my three years with ICTO, I am glad that at this rare moment, we are able to see each other.

Let me just share a story. My father spent 40 years of his life to serve the Government. Right after he graduated from college he entered government service and retired in 1987. I remembered a conversation with him when he got his retirement check, he was too happy and said, “Kita mo, ang dami-dami kong pera.” I replied “pahingi,” and he said, “ayoko.”

Kidding aside, the truth of the matter is, in his 40 years as a public servant, I noticed that it was really hard to let go. In our lifetime, in every endeavor that we do, I think letting go is the hardest part. I am saying this because I have experienced this, myself.

The first time I need to let go is when I left government service back in 1994. It may not be known but I served ASTI for five years. The second time, was when I was requested by Sec. Montejo to go back and serve the government. I have to leave the private sector, which molded my career for 20 years, 13 years of which I spent with the company I thought, I would retire from.

Serving the government again gave me a feeling that you have something to look forward to, but at the same time it is sad that there will come a time that you will have to leave.

On a more positive note, change is inevitable. According to Heraclitus, “the only constant in this world is change”. In this lifetime, there is no permanency. So no matter how tight we hold on to something, at one point we have to let go and move forward. Maybe, what we can impart to ourselves, is that we really need not look or dwell in the past and regret of the things that we could have done because, who we are today is the result of what we have done in the past. Learn from the past and celebrate, because we became better versions of ourselves.

As the ICT Office moves forward everything that this Government and this agency accomplishes and will accomplish are results of your contributions. As the Office turns into new leaf, all your hard work will be forever cherished and celebrated. So give yourselves a tap in the back, and say, “mission accomplished”.

We move in circles. No goodbye, just hello.

Congratulations! Maraming Salamat!