I have to admit, 20 years after my own graduation, and several speaking engagements later, I still feel nervous, but also very excited to share some of my values and learning journeys with you.
The Passion, Tenacity and Resilience that took me to where I am today is deeply rooted in my Lasallian and Benildean education and experience. And in the values of Faith, Service and Communion.
I have always been passionate in what I do, from being a sportsman and avid gamer in my younger years to flying a plane and, now, managing a company. I would say, it is never easy, but if you love what you do, you will be curious and find ways on how to do things better, and persistent to overcome challenges and excel in what you do.
So my first advice to the graduates is be passionate about whatever it is that you choose to do. Once you have that passion, you will end up doing the work or the task to the best of your ability. There might be challenges, but if you persevere, success will certainly follow.
My second advice to you is to remain humble and be respectful. Even when you feel you are already very successful.
The values of humility and respect is something that was inculcated in me as a child. But this was honed as a student in Benilde and in the PAL Flight School. These values have guided me throughout my career.
You are graduating today and we will all celebrate this milestone in your life. Let this not be the end of your learning. But the beginning of your lifelong learning journey. Learning is always a choice if we are humble enough to admit we still have so much more to learn.
My career has been been a journey of growth and learning.
In 2019, when I was promoted to a senior executive role, I was not totally confident that I would be able to do an excellent job with the knowledge I had at that time. So I studied and read a lot. I read a lot of management materials.
During the pandemic, I had the opportunity to enroll in the executive program of Harvard to supplement my management skills.
My passion for learning extends to listening to educational podcasts while exercising or reading a book in my free time. This passion for learning has greatly helped me in my career. And I’m sure it will help in your future career.
But it doesn’t end with just learning, because we also have the responsibility to share and teach what we’ve learned to others.
In 2017, I became the chief instructor pilot for PAL. In this role, I was able to create learning materials to share my knowledge with my fellow pilot. I have found that to be very fulfilling. Until today, I find that education has been one of my passions.
And that’s the third advice I can give. Share your blessings with those who need it.
Whether it be material resources or sharing what you know, it never hurts to lend a hand. Not because you expect something in return but it’s because it’s the right thing to do. And the kindness that you show to others will hopefully be an example to those you work with.
Before I end, allow me to share with you some other values and principles that have guided me well.
• Humility. Be a listener.
• Empathy. Have sincere caring for each other.
• Be open minded and think out of the box. Explore new approaches and challenge the status quo, no matter how successful they may be. Hubris is always an enemy. Never become complacent.
• Teamwork. Avoid the blame game. Mistakes are good discoveries and opportunities to learn. Instead, move forward and work as a team.
• Integrity. I always ask my team to look at these three lenses in this order before making a decision: Legal, Ethical and Economical.
Dear graduates, as you take up your mission of service, you are called to be ethical, moral and humble.
I urge all of you to always be faithful to our La Sallian heritage. Be inspired by our founder Saint John Baptist De La Salle and Saint Benilde Romançon.
Allow me to congratulate Brother Dodo and all the leaders of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde for their unflinching commitment to innovative education that is accessible to learners with different gifts and talents.
Congratulations to all the teachers and professors and school personnel who played a big part in molding these fine young men and women.
Congratulations to the parents, guardians and families who supported our graduates all these years.
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Remarks delivered by Captain Stanley Ng, president and COO of Philippine Airlines, during the commencement exercises of the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde on Oct. 29.