A LIFE OF FAITH AND VICTORY

I am here to talk to my younger self.

Mr. B. V. Losan Falcunitin, School Board Chairman, Mrs. Ma. Eloisa Bragais – OIC Treasurer, Pastor Ralph
Palmones and to all our beloved and noble teachers, to our heroic parents and to all the students here in
front of me entering the world beyond the halls of elementary life.

Good morning, everyone.

To the one who gave the introduction: Thank you for that Wonderful Introduction.

Habang nakaupo ako kanina at pinagmamasdan kayo, hindi ko mapigilang ngumiti. Alam nyo ba kung
bakit? Because I know, my Alma Mater, once again, has produced, high calibre graduates. Do you agree
with me? Of course. You should!

FAITH IS THE VICTORY

What does it take to be a champion?

According to Patty Berg, an American professional golfer and a founding member and then leading player
on the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) Tour, “What does it take to be a champion? Desire,
dedication, determination, concentration and the will to win.”

Let’s make it simple. What does it take to be a champion? Faith. Because Faith is the Victory. If you know
you will win, then, you will win. You will not quit. Why would you quit? Winners never quit, and quitters
never win.

When do we need faith? And how do we define Victory?

When do we need faith? Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about
what we do not see.” When do we need faith? When we are hoping for something. When we are asked
to believe about something or someone. In the absence of proof, we need our faith.

And how do we define Victory? How do we define success? For everyone who has been born of God
overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. (1 John 5:4)

FAITH IS THE VICTORY

But the world defines success as

 getting – getting something you want or need

 doing – doing something you desire like travelling around the world
 loving – loving and being loved back
 controlling – controlling your destiny

All their answers sum up to two things: having or doing something you want or need. If you are rich, if you
have money, you are victorious. If you can travel, you are victorious. If you get high grades, you are
victorious. These are personal definitions of success, and nothing is wrong with these. We define success
in our own way. And your definition, as long as it is align with God’s definition, then, it is good. And your
personal definition of success is the reason why I am here.

I am here to talk to my younger self. I am here to dissect the meaning embodied in our theme A LIFE OF
FAITH AND VICTORY so we are sure we are on the same page. I am here to create an experience. I am
here to provide some pointers/guidelines on how to move forward from there to here, from being a
follower to becoming a leader, from faith to victory.

Now, let us dissect the meaning embodied in our theme.

Faith and Victory, not Faith then Victory.

By the wordings of our theme, we can conclude that Faith and Victory comes together. Our theme is read
as Faith and Victory, not Faith then Victory. The moment you believe, you already win. It is not a game
where you need to join first, then win later. It is not, believe first, and win later. It is have faith now, and
be victorious now.

Faith and Victory, not Faith or Victory.

Our theme does not give us an option to choose between Faith and Victory. Our theme is read as Faith
and Victory, not Faith or Victory. When you choose to be victorious, you choose to have faith. When you
choose to have faith, you choose to be victorious. We cannot choose the one over the other. For we
cannot win unless we believe.

FAITH AND VICTORY EXPERIENCE

Faith and Victory is better experienced, not discussed. Do you want to experience it now: Have faith and
be victorious?

There is no reason for us lose faith. According to Max Lucado, His thoughts of you outnumbered the grains
of sand. His dreams of you outstretch the days of this life. The Maker of the stars would rather dies for
you than live without you.

If you want to read more about the greatness of God as testified by Max Lucado through this devotional
book, I will give this book to you. Now I ask, who wants this book? Who wants this book?

Raising your hand is believing, but it is not faith. James says, “For as the body without the spirit is dead,
so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26).

I hope I got it right. I want to simulate what you would experience after this commencement exercise. As
I experienced, life is battle after battle after battle after battle; challenges after challenges after challenges
after challenges. And Life is full of fear and desperation. And that little challenge earlier is just a prototype
of what you may encounter. But don’t lose hope, have faith.

Earlier, when asked who wants the book, the first challenge is to decide. Do I like the book? Yes? No? Yes?
No? Those who decided No, you did nothing next, of course. End of decision making. I don’t want it. You
just sit there, relax, waiting for the next thing to happen. But for those who decided Yes, there comes the
next challenge. Should I raise my hand? What will happen if I raise my hand? I like it, but is it worth it. And
those who were fearless, raised their hands, not knowing what will happen, but believing, things will go
well. And yet, after raising your hands, nothing happened. Then you asked yourselves “Should I give up,
Or should I just keep chasing pavements? Even if it leads nowhere.” And finally, someone stood up, and
got the book. That is faith. And on that moment, on that moment you establish your faith, you are
victorious.

It was a simulation; still far from what is real. So please allow me to say some pointers.

HOW TO LIVE A LIFE OF FAITH AND VICTORY

LISTEN

First, Listen. Listening is becoming uncommon. Even in class, students are averse in listening. They want
to be left alone reading, scanning, scrolling, typing, and posting. We forget to listen that we contain
ourselves alone in darkness without guidance. Without guidance, we lose our faith. For faith comes from
hearing.

So I tell you now.

Listen to others. We have one mouth and two ears, which means we should listen twice as much as we
speak. Love your enemies for they tell you all your faults. Find a mentor and be guided. There are many
ways to increase your knowledge – by reading, doing, watching, being taught, failing, etc. – and listening
is one of the best and easiest.

Listen to yourself. Recognise your inner critic. We have one mouth and two ears, which means we should
listen twice as much as we speak. But it doesn’t mean we will not speak. When others are throwing
garbage, when what they speak are lies and discouragement, why would you listen to them? Be deaf to
negative thoughts.

A frog decided to reach a top of the tree. All frogs shouted, it’s impossible, it’s impossible. Still the frog
reaches the top. How? Because he was deaf. And he thought everyone was encouraging him to reach
the top. Be deaf to negative thoughts. And listen to yourself.

Listen to God. If we only speak to God and never take time to listen, we make the same mistake. Listen to
God’s voice in the Scriptures. Listen to God through the words of Jesus. Listen to God throughout your
life.

INNOVATE

When I was kid like you, I wanted to become an inventor. I wanted to create new things. I remember I
dissected some gadgets, radios, phones, appliances, and then reassembled them. But time flies so fast
that I have been so busy doing about things that the society has already laid for me, for us.

But still I tell you.

Innovate. For, we cannot solve a problem by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created
them, that is according to Albert Einstein.
But we are afraid to innovate, to depart from our traditional ways because we are afraid that we might
fail trying something new. As an inventor, Thomas Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing
the light bulb. When a reporter asked, "How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?" Edison replied, "I didn’t fail
1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps."

VALUE

Some value their value. And they measure their value by how successful is their career or the amount of
salary they receive.

But I tell you.

Value not your value, Value your values. It is not how much you receive, but how much you give. These
are some important values you need to nurture: Appreciation, always take a brief moment to say, “thank
you;” Care, as well as self-care; Commitment; Compassion; Courtesy; Forgiveness; Integrity; and Hope,
Hope is the fuel that keeps us moving forward when we are the most tired. Hope reassures us that
sometimes it’s not a matter of if but only when.

Value your friendship. Stay connected. In today’s technology, there is no reason not to be connected. Stay
connected not only because you need help, but also because you can help. Your friends are the best
treasures you can keep.

EVOLVE

When I said earlier “Innovate” I refer to the ways and means such as technology, innovation, and ways of
improving your efficiency. But even if you have the most advanced mobile phone, the latest, with the
highest megapixel camera, a phone that can bend,

I tell you

A servant is not greater than his master. And you are the master. If we can improve the things around
you, how can you not improve the things inside you? Transform. Evolve. And through this transformation,
evolution, you deliver the message within you – your life is your message of faith and victory. The journey
of faith is in its essence a journey of transformation. Life is a journey and every day you transform yourself
into a better you.

Again, what are the pointers? L – Listen, I – Innovate, V – Value, and E, Evolve. L I V E.

I just told you how to live a life of faith and victory. L – Listen, I – Innovate, V – Value, and E, Evolve.

These are the things I want to tell my younger self. So please be guided.

CONGRATULATION GRADUATES

Magpakatatag ka! There are more challenges that you’ll ever thought so. Have faith. The saying goes like
this, "Life is like a camera. Focus on what's important, capture the good times, and develop from the
negatives."
Magpasalamat ka! Sa kabila ng paghihirap at tagumpay na inyong naransan at nakamit, nagawa nio na
bang ipagtapat ang inyong mga palad tulad nito, tumingala sa langit, lumuhod at sabihing salamat?
nagawa nio na bang yakapin ang inyong mga magulang at sabihing salamat? nagawa nio na bang kausapin
isa isa ng ating mga guro at sabihin salamat? naging matagumpay ka, oo nagtiis ka. Oo nag tiis din sila.
Naging matagumpay ka sa tulong nila.

Magtagumpay ka! Ito ang hamon ko sa inyo, gamit ang iyong lakas ng loob na pinatibay at edukasyon na
ibinigay ng paaralng ito, Pilitin nyong malampasan at mapagtagumpayan ang lahat ng mga nakamit ng
mga nauna sa inyo. Alam kung kaya nio, makakaya nio.

We can do all things through Christ who strengthen us.

Congratulations! Graduates, Parents, and Teachers. Mabuhay. Live a life of Faith and Victory.