Why the new Assumption president wants her students to be little princesses

(With apologies to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry)

When I was in high school, she was the immensely popular “Sister Jude,” the “singing nun” whose voice was as powerful as it was angelic whenever she sang at Mass. In both cases, she held our attention like she had a rope around it.

Today, Sister Jude, a.k.a. Dr. Carmen Lourdes “Pinky” Valdes, is no longer a nun, but is just as God-centered as she was over 30 years ago.

As president of Assumption College, she holds in thrall not just a high school class, but an entire  school — from prep to college. And she wants to use that gift to make Assumption girls soar, not just in their studies or careers, but in their homes, in their relationship with others. In their relationship with themselves.

“A woman is always the life-giver, the nucleus, the center of the family, the work-team. As such, wherever she is, she must take others with her to Oneness and victory over egoism.

“As a mystic, she knows how to find the SILENT center of her soul.

“As a mystic woman leader, the Assumptionist is, borrowing from the poem of Raine Maria Rilke, a bee of the invisible — she takes the nectar, the essence of each person or thing, and brings it to HIVE at the silent center of her soul. And from there will emanate the HONEY of her compassion for all those suffering, for those lost in their fear or addiction to wealth or looking good; forgiveness for all those that offend her or who live with anger; and finally the HONEY of love for each person because we are ONE in God.”

A “mystic” to Pinky, who was a former Ayala Corp. executive reporting directly to the late Enrique Zobel, isn’t a hermit. She is someone who sees the world through different eyes.

Pinky, who has a doctorate degree in Philosophy majoring in Spirituality from the Graduate Theological Union of the University of California, Berkeley, continues, “A mystical woman leader, and that is the mission of Assumption in the 21st century, canNOT just cross the finish line or reach the goal alone. She must take everyone with her. Which means, if she reaches her goal and leaves her family, her friends or colleagues at work behind, the victory is empty.”

* * *

Last week, Assumption received a bomb threat, a challenge to Pinky’s young presidency.

She mobilized all systems in the college calmly but swiftly. Students were evacuated while the nuns, according to reports, simply went to the chapel to pray.

“We had all the systems in place. The campus was evacuated and the Makati Bomb Squad arrived immediately.”

The following day, everyone was back in her respective desk — from Pinky to her secretary, from the teachers to the students.

Pinky vows that during her presidency, “people will be listened to, they can make mistakes, they can experiment and I will do whatever I can to help them develop their talents so they can answer when they are called. As (Assumption founder) St. Marie Eugenie said, ‘Don’t clip their wings’.”

Pinky aims to build within the Assumption campus in San Lorenzo, Makati a “Center for Woman Leaders.”

“This New Era is the era of women because I believe the earth is now ready for a different kind of leadership, one that highlights what is best in women — our closeness to the heart of life, our sense of openness to receive, our physical, psychological, and spiritual understanding that from pain comes transcendence.”

Every working day and beyond, Pinky takes to heart what Assumption College alumna Tessie Sy-Coson once told her: “The most important thing when you’re a leader is to remember you are responsible for all these people.”

So, addressing her “constituents,” Pinky said during her inaugural address at the Assumption chapel in San Lorenzo that the Assumption girl’s mission is to look out for the good that is “invisible to the naked eye.”

“So, girls, this is what we’re going to do. We’re going to go out, and we’re going to get the nectar. Meaning, what’s the essence of that person — so maybe she’s not the brightest, so maybe she’s not the prettiest? But you know what? She’s got wisdom. And we’re going to get the essence of what the person is, take it to your heart and to your soul — that’s the hive — and from there comes the honey. And what is the honey? Compassion, forgiveness, and, finally, love.”

Pinky Valdes may have left the convent, but the desire to make a difference anchored on spirituality has never left her soul.

And this former singing nun is going to fly.

“And for heaven’s sake…as long as God and the Sisters want me to do this job to lead the Assumption in San Lorenzo…let’s enjoy the ride. Life is good. As Mark Twain said, ‘Never regret anything that made you smile’.”

Before Pinky left the convent, she was known as the ‘singing nun’ — Sister Jude Mary of the Religious of the Assumption. Photo from www.assumption.edu.ph

‘Golfing For Gold’

The Assumption Alumnae Association (AAA) will hold the 18th Annual Golf Tournament at the renowned Sta. Elena Golf Club in Santa Rosa, Laguna on Monday, Sept. 5.

The fundraising event, with the theme “Golfing For Gold,” is in support of the AAA Golden Jubilee year. Proceeds will go to hallmark projects like professorial chairs, scholarships, medical missions and  green projects. The fundraising event will also showcase 50 years of women making a difference in the lives of others.

This event is in partnership with Eat Bulaga! as major sponsor. Supreme Hole sponsors are Midea, Meralco, Concepcion Carrier, National Cheerleading Championship Philippines, Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Andok’s Litson, Filinvest Alabang and Central Azucarera de Tarlac. Hole- in-One sponsors are Delta Air Lines, Srixon, Maruman and EcoReco.  Other hole sponsors are Diamond Motors Group of Companies, Pioneer Insurance, PetNet, Unilever, Smart, BDO, Azuthai, SM Supermalls, Carella Management Inc., PLDT SME and PLDT Alpha, Jose Amado Araneta Foundation, Zenorex-Sentry Safe, Toyota Balintawak, Madison Courtyard, Johnny Air,  High Class ‘76 and True Value.

The AAA is calling all golfers to join the tournament. To register as players, call the AAA office at 894-3561 or 894-3580 (c/o Arlene). Tournament fee is P4,000 for non-members and P2,500 for members.

(You may e-mail me at [email protected].)