Aquino to MIIS elementary graduates: focus on helping others than oneself
President Benigno S. Aquino III challenged the elementary graduating class of the Multiple Intelligence International School (MIIS) in Quezon City to join government efforts to effect moral and social change in society by exerting more effort at helping others than by putting oneself first.
In his speech keynoting MIIS’s commencement ceremony on Sunday held at the University of the Philippines Film Center, the President said that by doing this simple act of being selfless, we as a person and as a nation, would be able to “reach where we would want to go.”
“If we look at the world today, a lot of our problems really are centered on the fact that there are too many people thinking of themselves,” the President told the graduates, who included his nephew Joshua, son of his youngest sister Kris.
He cited the teachers of MIIS who, together with the student’s parents, “have dedicated so much in making sure they (students) achieve their highest potential.”
“In effect, that is the only message I would like to impart today: the key to us reaching where we would want to go is having a focus on the other rather than the self,” the President stressed.
“With that focus, nothing is impossible. It is only a matter of time to achieve all of our dreams,” he added.
The President vowed his government’s active participation in helping the MIIS students, as well as all Filipino students, to achieve their dreams, aspirations and ambitions.
“So when our graduates march today and henceforth into higher levels of learning, be assured your government is behind you, ready to support you, ready to help you achieve your fullest potential possible,” the President said.
“And with your parent’s help, let me emphasize: nothing is impossible,” he concluded. (PCOO)
Aquino receives 'Pledge of Commitment' from MIIS graduating elementary class
President Benigno S. Aquino III was presented a “Pledge of Commitment” plaque from the graduating elementary class of the Multiple Intelligence International School on Sunday.
The President was the Guest of Honor and “inspirational speaker” during the batch’s commencement ceremonies at the University of the Philippines Film Center in Quezon City.
The plaque represented the school and its student’s advocacy to protect and nurture the environment.
MIIS pledged to plant, in the President’s honor, 100 seedlings for the reforestation and rehabilitation of the Mt. Makiling river system, an essential part of the Laguna Lake Watershed.
Aside from the plaque, the President was also presented a book entitled, “8 Simple Secrets to Raising Entrepreneurs” written by MIIS’s founding directress Mary Joy Abaquin.
The Multiple Intelligence International School and Child's Place Preschool was set up in 1996 with the vision of providing learning environments that are truly child-centered.
It aimed to open schools that welcome all learners, recognize and understand the individual differences among children, and work with the learner in bringing out their potentials.
It is a pioneering school in the Philippines that : 1) advocates the use of the multiple intelligence theory in educating students, and 2) has included entrepreneurship as part of the grade school and high school curriculum.
Multiple intelligence theory suggests that the traditional notion of intelligence, based on I.Q. (intelligence quotient) testing, is far too limited and instead proposes eight different intelligences to account for a broader range of human potential in children and adults. (PCOO)
Josh's graduation makes Tito Noy, Mommy Kris proud
President Benigno S. Aquino III was the picture of a proud uncle during the graduation ceremony of his nephew Joshua, son of his youngest sister Kris, from the elementary level of the Multiple Intelligence International School held on Sunday at the University of the Philippines Film Center.
The President smiled widely and gamely posed for the batch’s graduation photo with Josh standing by his side during one of the event’s numerous photo opportunities.
Later, in his speech, the President said the whole family felt very proud of Josh’s graduation as he thanked the school’s teachers and faculty for their sacrifice which made a difference in his life.
“We are all very proud that Josh is graduating today. I am sure my mother is looking so fondly on my nephew’s graduation today and I would like to thank all of the faculty and all of the teachers for really having done so much to improve him,” the President said.
Joshua’s mom, actress and television host, Kris, said she was equally proud of her first born’s achievement as she noted the big difference the school has made on her boy’s life.
She said that MIIS had provided her son the tools he will need to make it in the world.
“Proud ako siyempre kasi when he started sa multiple intelligence, parang hirap na hirap siyang magsalita, hirap na hirap sa sentence construction, kahit sa eye contact and in the past, 10 years na nandito kami talaga, ang laki-laki ng kaniyang in-improve,” Kris said.
“I’m so grateful to them (MIIS) kasi alam ko na ngayon he is equipped with enough skills para mabuhay siya ng maayos,” she added. (PCOO)
