Sison: Toga

July 15, 2011

A YOUNG man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months, he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.
As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man’s name embossed in gold. Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, “With all your money you give me a Bible?” and stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things. When he arrived at his father’s house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father’s important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matt 7:11: “And if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father which is in heaven, give to those who ask Him?” As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer’s name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words… PAID IN FULL.
How many times do we miss God’s blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?
*****
A graduation ceremony is a very important event that any dedicated student looks forward to. It is the culmination of the minimum 17 years spent in studying and training to prepare oneself for the challenges of the world beyond the walls of an educational institution. It is one of the rites of passage that students are eager to cross, officially leaving their status as minors and setting out into the real world as adults. The traditional graduation attire is composed of a toga or gown, a hood and a cap.
Each educational institution usually has its own design and variation of the graduation toga, although all of them are basically similar. High school and college togas are long and reach just below the knee; high school togas are often white, while college togas are black, they have long sleeves; and they are treated with extreme care and reverence by their owners. Togas for bachelor’s degrees have wide bell-sleeves; post-graduates have closed sleeves with long slits for the arms to go through; and doctorate graduates have three lines of colored velvet on the sleeves and in front of the gown. A graduation toga also has a far deeper meaning. It symbolizes the democratic nature of education and learning. It emphasizes the equality of all men for the right to have a good education, regardless of gender, race or social status.
A grade school, high school or college diploma is the most concrete representation of one’s educational achievements. After all, a graduate won’t be wearing his/her toga for the rest of the days after the graduation, all the more during a job interview. The diploma is the official document that affirms your educational background without the ceremonial pomp. This single, economical piece of paper contains the official signatures, course name and academic honor received by the graduate.
*****
I thought that graduation was the saddest time of my life because I had to say goodbye to so many friendships and to my routine life. We had fun while we could and shed some tears held on to memories as we confessed our fears. Few were excited, some were scared, most of us were sad and not at all prepared. We had to say goodbye to so many faces as we packed our bags for brand new places. At first it was hard because everything was new, then things got easier as more friendships grew. Time’s gone by so fast and we have come so far but we still remember who our real friends are. Once-a-month phone calls keep us in touch, emails and text messages are forced to be enough, things are not the way they used to be. Our lives have changed and so have we. Distance has only made us realize we are strong, though deep down we have known it all along so wherever you go, whatever you do know you will always have a friend who stands beside you.
College is something you complete. Life is something you experience. So don’t worry about your grades, or the results or success. Success is defined in myriad ways, and you will find it, and people will no longer be grading you, but it will come from your own internal sense of decency. Love what you do. Get good at it.
Competence is a rare commodity in this day and age. The first thing I want to say is don’t be scared. If you feel a little off balance, it’s understandable.
Adulthood has come upon you suddenly and you’re not all that sure you’re ready for it. The day before yesterday you were a baby I was afraid to hold because you seemed so fragile. Only this morning you were a teenager. As I get older, the only thing that speeds up is time. Always love your work. If you always put your heart into everything you do, you really can’t lose. But the reason you can’t lose is that whether you wind up making a lot of money or not, you will have had a wonderful time, and no one will ever be able to take that away from you.
*****
According to “Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance, 14th Edition,” a career may be thought of as a path. In this case, a series of jobs can make up the path leading to a position that you love. When you try to choose a career after graduation, however, self-assessment helps you decide which paths hold the strongest appeal.
Here are some instructions: (1) list your favorite activities. Place an asterisk by activities that you would perform for little or no compensation. In this fashion, you identify areas for which you feel the most passion. If you have trouble deciding, which activities should be placed on your list, then start your list with subjects that interest you; (2) identify the skills you use when you perform your favorite activities; (3) List jobs that require skills that match your favorite skills; (4) list jobs that are associated with the subjects if you have listed your favorite subjects; (5) research the jobs that you listed, and identify the pros and cons of various jobs. Using your favorite skill of reporting may be a plus in the role of a journalist. You may consider working against deadlines as a minus, however. You may view chemical research as rewarding. You may see the constant traveling to professional conventions as challenging; (6) write the names of organizations associated with your chosen profession. An organization member may share his story of how she or he “broke into” his career. The Internet gives you access to online communities and bloggers who discuss the trends and recent developments in careers; and (7) determine your salary requirements. For some careers, entry-level jobs may offer salaries that do not meet the demands of your actual or projected living expenses.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/opinion/2011/03/25/sison-toga-146854

Although the Philippines is not known for being the wine capital of Asia, Clark Pampanga is the most frequently visited destination for wine lovers in Cebu, Angeles City and Manila to shop for some good vintage wine. The famous wine shop outside Manila called Clark Wine Center is the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.

This wine shop in Clark is highly recommended as one of the best places to buy wine in Pampanga. Clark Freeport is just outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center. Visitors buy wine in Manila and Pampanga should not miss stopping at this wine shop for a few bottles of fine vintage wines to bring home.

Established in 2002, YATS WINE CELLARS is a wholly-owned business unit of Hong Kong-based Yats International which owns and operates resort, wine shops, wine bars and fine-dining restaurant properties in Clark Freeport in The Philippines. YATS WINE CELLARS caters to a clientele of discerning wine lovers from all over the world. Besides a good selection of wine for everyday enjoyment, YATS offers a unique selection of aged vintage wines made available to wine enthusiasts at remarkably affordable prices. Vintages span over a century and the selection of old- and new-world wines covers all major wine regions.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com