2014 Discurso de Apertura
University of Santo Tomas, AY 2014 - 2015 Opening Day
...I guess because I just want a little something to remember this day by. So, before I collapse from exhaustion - from lack of sleep for the past three days - let me post this here.
After delivering the Discurso de Apertura today, and after the adrenaline rush subsided, I felt like crawling under the table during lunch with the VIPs of the University, and doze off there for the next, uhm, 24 hours! Noticing my silence and the signs of exhaustion showing around my eyes, one person, who obviously wanted to cheer me up, said, "oh, wow! So now you are already in the history books of the University... so young, and already in the history books! How does it feel?" I stared at him, not fully comprehending, to be honest... and I said, "I'm really sleepy... seriously! Where can I get coffee?"
I had to stay awake for another five hours or so, and had to survive the General Faculty Meeting, which is traditionally held in the UST Faculty of Engineering after the Misa de Apertura, after which the Academic Year (AY) is officially opened, and followed by the Discurso de Apertura. Considering the huge endeavors that we need to pursue this AY, I didn't just have to stay awake during the Meeting... I needed to pay close attention to details... and preside the Meeting! Oh, dear. Anyway, I think I survived... but, I'm collapsing soon. So, let me stop here.
I'm not sure what the relevance of this event is in my life (and I'm not sure I'll ever have the luxury of time to ponder it)... 'cause I did it not for myself but for the Faculty of Engineering. But, I thank God sincerely just the same... 'cause my friends in the Faculty didn't gag at the Discurso. :) If only for that, I say this day is one of the very best days of my life! :) And yet, I claim none of the glory.
To God be the glory!
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Image credit: Thanks, Varsitarian, for the photo.
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