A FEW WEEKS AGO, I SAT DOWN WITH SOME OF YOU—SAN BEDA’S BEST AND BRIGHTEST—FOR AN INFORMAL EXCHANGE OF IDEAS. I WAS GREATLY IMPRESSED BY THE QUALITY OF THEIR QUESTIONS. I’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU MY RESPONSE TO, AND MY EXPERIENCE, WITH THEM.
I WAS ASKED: WHAT DID SAN BEDA DO FOR ME? WHAT DISTINGUISHES BEDAN EDUCATION FROM THAT OF OTHER SCHOOLS? WHAT ARE THE SECRETS TO SUCCESS?
MY OWN BEGINNINGS
AS SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW, I WAS NOT BORN INTO A LIFE OF PRIVILEGE OR PEDIGREE.
MY LOLO STARTED AS A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER IN PAMPANGA RISING THROUGH THE RANKS TO BECOME SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND, EVENTUALLY, SECRETARY OF EDUCATION. BUT HE DID NOT FINISH COLLEGE. MY FATHER BEGAN HIS CAREER AS A MESSENGER AT PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK, AND RETIRED AS PRESIDENT OF TRADERS ROYAL BANK, ONE OF THE LARGER BANKS IN THE 80’S.
