Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo stressed to the graduates of schoolyear 2024 the virtues of “competence, discipline, and service as keys to overcoming any challenge in life.”
These virtues, the Chief Justice said, “should be supplemented by hard work, perseverance, respect, kindness, honesty, and trustworthiness for a straight path and greater success in one’s career.”
Gesmundo was the speaker during the 49th Commencement Exercises of the New Era University last June 28 at the Philippine Arena in Ciudad de Victoria in Sta. Maria, Bulacan.
The Supreme Court’s Public Information Office (PIO) said that in his speech, the Chief Justice “articulated the importance of humility in achieving competence as it drives greater self-awareness.”
“He likewise underscored the value of perseverance, encouraging the graduates to view challenges as a chance to prove one’s self,” the PIO said.
Reflecting on the theme of the 49th graduation rites “Empowering Graduates with Excellence, Discipline and Selfless Service to Humanity,” Gesmundo said that “despite the many challenges currently facing new graduates such as employability and educational mismatch, he is confident that the New Era University was able to successfully mold its students and equip them with competence, discipline, and value for service.”
The Chief Magistrate also highlighted the importance of “21st century skills” such as critical thinking, comfort with ambiguity, problem solving, communication, collaboration, leadership, initiative, adaptability, and grit, the PIO said.
Addressing the university’s 25 law graduates, Chief Justice Gesmundo stressed that “lawyering is service—service for those seeking justice and service for the quest for truth.”
“Before you leave New Era University to prepare for the Bar Exams and for life in the legal profession, I would like to remind you of the very first lesson that is taught in law school: lawyering is service.”
“Ang pagiging abogado ay paglilingkod. Paglilingkod ito sa mga nangangailangan ng katarungan. Paglilingkod ito sa mga naghahanap ng katotohanan. (Being a lawyer is to render service. Service to those who seek justice. Service to those who seek the truth),” Gesmundo said.
He then urged the graduates “to be kind to others and to be kind to oneself.”
“Sa mga magsisipagtapos, maging mabuti kayo sa inyong kapwa; maging mabuti kayo sa inyong sarili; at pagpalain nawa kayong lahat ng Maykapal. Muli, ang aking pagpupugay at pagbati sa bawat isa sa inyo. (To all graduates, be good to others; be good to yourselves; and May God bless you all. Again, my salute and best wishes to all),” he concluded.
Also present at the commencement exercises was Clerk of Court En Banc Atty. Marife M. Lomibao-Cuevas, who introduced the Chief Justice to the attendees prior to his commencement address.
Dr. Alberto R. Domingo, president of the New Era University, presented to the Chief Justice a plaque of appreciation after the commencement address. Domingo was joined by other university officials.