Holds 1st F2F Completion Since Pandemic

By R.A. Norbe

After being held virtually due to the pandemic, the LCCB National Service Training Program (NSTP) Completion Ceremony officially made its face-to-face comeback with 473 LCCian completers taking their final march at the LCCB Centennial Quadrangle last June 17, 2023.

Composed of 11 Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) sections, Batch 2023 was able to implement a total of 78 community-based programs across the province. Among these projects, 10 groups were recognized for having the Best Project Portfolio, and Best Project Audio-Visual Presentation (AVP). Individual awards, such as Leadership and Academic Excellence, were also given to students with outstanding performances.

NSTP Coordinator Adryan Valiao, LPT opened the ceremony with a warm welcoming remark. Emphasizing the essence of NSTP, Valiao reminded the completers that the program is not just a “box to check” but a “lifelong commitment to service and shared responsibility as citizens”. His speech was then followed by the awarding of individual and group awards and the singing of the Alma Mater song.

Rev. Fr. Chris Gonzales, Director of the Diocese of

Bacolod, served as this year’s completion speaker. After roaming around and asking thought-provoking questions, Fr. Gonzales ended his speech with a challenge to the students: to take what they have learned in NSTP and not leave it behind. Fr. Gonzales also emphasized that the future is in good hands with the completers. “We need better people, and I see that in you,” he quoted.

After Fr. Gonzales' speech, students finally received their Certificate of Completion which was followed by the singing of the Loyalty Song. Kaye Santillan, Voice of the Completers, then took the stage and gave her speech recalling the highs and lows of the 10-month NSTP journey with her group mates. Santillan also shared an inspiring encounter with an old man during their project implementation, which capped her journey as an LCCian nation-builder.

The event concluded in high spirits as completers sang their community song “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” while waving Philippine flaglets. Since COVID struck in 2020, the completers became the first batch in over three years to have a face-to-face completion ceremony making the event all the more significant and historic.

The spotlight hits the stage, bathing the students who had their time to shine as they march proudly to receive their diplomas. Capturing every angle of this highly celebrated occasion, we passed by backstage wherein a sight stopped us in our tracks. Rooted, tall figures whose backs emanated a sense of accomplishment from having a front-row seat to an event one can compare to a spellbinding fireworks display.

Intricate and time-consuming to set up but a spectacular sight, nonetheless, to finally face your students for the last time as they reach for the skies. This dimmed view behind it all enlightened us of the effort educators put into guiding us to the version of ourselves worthy of stepping onto that stage and the next chapter of our lives.

Gratitude is frequently overlooked. Even though it can seem like a straightforward idea, we tend to miss it. We forget that every moment in this life is fleeting. Saying “thank you” is one of many ways we can show our gratitude. By remembering the moments that we are grateful for, we are reminded of the tremendous influence our educators wield when we stop to consider the beneficial and impactful effects they have had on our lives.

In the Shadows: Appreciating Our Educators

By A.K. Espinosa & C.M. Meneses