Tinnex Jaraula calls for excellence and diversity

“WE must guide, orient, and discipline our young children towards developing the habits of excellence and diversity,” former city mayor Constantino Jaraula urged the parents and teachers in his address as Guest Speaker during the 100th (Centennial) Graduation of the City Central School held at the Atrium of the Limketkai Commercial Center on Thursday, last week.

Addressing more than 1,200 graduates, their parents, teachers, guests and friends, Jaraula articulated the challenge as he explained briefly the radical changes in the world today with the ISIS terrorism in the Middle East and Europe, the threat of a clash with China in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea to the Chinese), and the unabated ill effects of climate change.

Jaraula was introduced by Grade Six Teacher Magdalina B. de Guzman as one of the most illustrious graduates of the City Central School who finished his elementary grades in five instead of six years, took up the two-year Pre-Law course instead of the four-year Bachelor of Arts at the Ateneo de Cagayan, and took up two degrees at the University of the Philippines simultaneously: Bachelor of Science in Jurisprudence (BSJ) 1956-1959 and Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) 1956-1960, finishing both in four years.

While he congratulated the Awardees and their parents, he assured those whose children did not receive any award that the human mind takes its own time to develop and this needs the intervention of parents and teachers, and the children’s initiative, as he revealed his own grades: 75 in Grade 1, 80 in Grade II, 85 in Grade III – the highest with two others, 5 months at Grade IV, then promoted to Grade V, and graduated cum laude at Ateneo de Cagayan now XU in 1956. He urged parents to limit the time their children devote to laptops, cellphones, and ipads, as they negatively impact on the eyesight as well as promote “laziness”, and they must devote some time to basic learning in “vocational training’ as he cited his own in gardening, horticulture, husbandry/poultry, carpentry, ceramics, and automotive/electricity, which explains his gmelina and mahogany trees, coconut and mango trees, cacao, fruits and flowers, and horses on the side, in his residence at Indahag.

The distribution of Diplomas and awarding of Honors and Medals was presided over by Public School District Supervisor Dr. Anita M. Gochuco, Head Principal Dr. Arnold P. Tejero, Principals Basilisa G. Gayramara, Alma Sheila A. Alorro, Rudy P. Villalobos, and Paul Y. Badon, assisted by several teachers and alumni. (pr)