Batch 2008 Holds Thanksgiving Party

The 13 graduates took turns in expressing heartfelt gratitude for the support and assistance the Foundation has provided them for the duration of their scholarship and to their parents for giving them the moral and spiritual guidance, to achieve their goal of acquiring a college degree. As one, the message was no amount of words can exactly capture the deep gratitude for the support and assistance they received from MAFI. flowed from the parents who, just like their children, cannot put into words the elation they felt for their children’s graduation from college which was one of their fervent dreams, and how to precisely express their gratitude to MAFI.

They also expressed sadness because they are leaving behind friends and people they have learned to care about during the four-five years they have been studying. Collectively, they look ahead to a better future for themselves and being of help to their parents.

As well, tears of joy literally The guest speakers during the party were Datu Samuel Asicam, CTCC chairman, and Engr. Ricky Delposo, Head of the Community Partnership Department of the Mindanao Geothermal Production Field, who represented PNOC. Both speakers stressed the need for the graduates to use what they have acquired to improve themselves and to never forget the communities they came from, and to help bolster the image of the Indigenous Peoples by being good examples.

MAFI Executive Director Atty.Ermelo N. Libre, in his closing remarks, advised the graduates to be prepared to face the future by: [a] being elastic, meaning adapting to situations, as symbolized by a rubber band; [b] sticking to core values that promote character like honesty, as symbolized by a chewing gum; [c] being willing to start over by not dwelling over past mistakes, as symbolized by an eraser; and [d] getting over disappointments, as symbolized by a band-aid. He also advised the graduates to be thankful for all the blessings they receive, big and small.

In addition, Atty. Libre, thru a video presentation of “Living a Life that Matters”, stressed that the graduates need not concentrate on amassing or accumulating material wealth, fame and beauty because all these things will become irrelevant in the end. Rather, they should strive to make their lives matter (meaning make a difference) to their families, neighbors, communities and society, in general.