Met with dear friends/classmates from GLIK (Global Leaders for Innovation and Knowledge) last night, and as always, had a great time hanging out with this bunch of people. They are a treasure in this land of Japan, where such warmth is a rarity (and makes it all the more special!). They give me much hope for the future of this nation—current and future nation builders, as they make impact in their workplace and their respective careers, and more importantly, as they take care of their families with love and joy. Family is where one’s future is first shaped, after all. The smallest yet most crucial unit of society.
It’s been 7 years since we graduated, but when we meet it’s as if no time has passed since then. It’s great to see that our bond and friendship remains the same through the years whenever we have our reunion.
During one of our walk down memory lane conversations, we talked about the graduation speech I did back in Hawaii then, which I wrote and thankfully kept safely in my Evernote. With this, I hope to share this once again to my dear classmates, and to the world, whoever this may reach 🙂
To our Beloved Fujitsu-JAIMS Foundation staff and host families, dear professors, coaches, and mentors, esteemed guests from our Hawaii Project partners and judges, fellow classmates… aloha! (or should I say aloha ahiahi)
alo meaning “presence,” “front,” “face,” or “share;” and ha, meaning “breath of life” or “essence of life.
First and foremost, on behalf of our class, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for all you have given us. To our beloved FJF family, thank you so much for this opportunity, and for taking care of us throughout our stay… for arranging our trip, to the curriculum, to assisting us throughout these 6 weeks in Hawaii. We can’t thank you enough. Thank you for your selflessness, for the love you have given.
The same goes to our beloved host families, who have accepted us with open arms like we were their children… thank you for the love and care. We are already grateful that you allowed us to save on the living expense here, but you gave much more than that, more than we could ask for.
To our professors, coaches, and mentors: thank you for imparting your wisdom with all of us. It must have been hard for you as it was for us (or perhaps even more), having to lecture for a whole day each day [… listen to our presentations, check our papers, and so on…] thank you so much for your patience, for your generosity! how I wish we could have spent more time together, as time was just too short… I hope you will remember us more than our sleepy selves in the class. haha. We learned a whole lot even in our brief time together.
To the organizations we have worked with and the judges for our Hawaii Project, thank you so much for the time you shared with us amidst your busy schedule. Thank you so much for your support!
Much mahalo to you all. And I say this with much love, as mahal also happens to be ‘love’ (or loved ones) in Filipino.
LOOK BACK
It has been quite a ride, these past 6 weeks. Time flies so fast indeed. I can only hope we don’t take this for granted. May we look back, and cherish the memories we’ve shared together.
Our days are filled with moments… we live moment by moment, you could say. I hope we pause amidst our busy lives every once in a while, and reflect.. and reminisce. And allow these experiences to push us forward. There are things in the past we can no longer go back to, be it of glory or regret. The only way is to move forward.
LOOK FORWARD
As we leave Hawaii, our journey continues…
even after this program. We will face the real world after this, a scary yet exciting thought.
Whether this program changes us for good depends on us. This is just a catalyst to our growth, the hard work continues after. How we are going to move forward with all the knowledge and wisdom we gained.
As we look back, and look forward… we see ever more clearly where we are at present and what we have to do after. As what Heidegger said… he will not be forgotten that’s for sure.
The time we spent in Hawaii, and also Japan, and the rest of our time together, will definitely change us for good… if we let them. Let us look back every so often, look forward to what’s to come. And be truly present in each day… moment by moment.
As I end this (already long winding message), I would like to share these lines from a song from Wicked musical:
I’ve heard it said,
That people come into our lives
For a reason
Bringing something we must learn.
And we are led to those
Who help us most to grow if we let them.
And we help them in return.
Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true
But I know I’m who I am today
Because I knew you
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good
Aloha, a hui hou. Till we meet again, Hawaii.
