FNS Law Name Partner Dicky Salazar is Commencement Speaker at San Beda College Alabang (SBCA) Graduation Ceremonies
On July 4, 2025, at the Aliw Theater, Pasay City, FNS Law Name Partner Dicky Salazar, as member of the Board of Trustees of SBCA, exhorted some 400 graduates of the Graduate School and Tertiary Schools of SBCA to rise and make their lives matter. The Tertiary Schools are composed of the School of Business, Accountancy, and Management; the School of Arts, Sciences, and Education; and the School of Engineering and Technology. The Graduate School, meanwhile, offers master’s degrees in business, psychology, and information technology.
He challenged the graduates to adhere to the Benedictine ideals and core values and to:
- Be courageous when it’s easier to conform;
- Be compassionate when the world tells them to compete;
- Be grounded when the world wants them to perform.
Rev. Fr. Gerardo Ma. De Villa, OSB, SBCA Rector-President presented Dicky a Plaque of Appreciation in acknowledgement of his exceptional support and contribution as the speaker during the Commencement Exercises.
This was the second time that Dicky graced graduation ceremonies in SBCA after also providing his inspirational message to some 200 graduates of SBCA School of Law on June 23, 2024, a majority of whom are now full-fledged lawyers.
His full 2025 commencement speech follows hereafter.
Thank you for that very kind introduction, Dr. JR Chong.
To our dear
- Abbot-Chancellor – Rt. Rev. Abbot Austin P. Cadiz, OSB
- San Beda College Alabang Rector-President, Very Rev. Fr. Gerardo Ma. De Villa, OSB;
- Ms. Vilma Clerigo – Registrar;
- Dr. Andres Ignacio San Mateo Jr. – Dean, Graduate School
- Dr. Rosario Mielmia Aquino – Dean, School of Arts, Sciences and Education
- Atty. Juan Ruffo Chong – Director, Tertiary and Graduate Education;
- Engr. Jerry Turingan – Dean, School of Engineering and Technology
- Prof. Carl Michael Dela Cruz – Dean, Office of Student Affairs
esteemed faculty, administrators and staff members; our proud families and friends — and most of all, the brilliant, resilient, and ready-to-rise Graduating Class of 2025 — Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat.
It’s a true honor and privilege to be speaking to you today — not just as the newest member of the Board of Trustees, but as someone who has deep faith in what Bedans are capable of becoming. Throughout my ten (10) years of teaching in our School of Law, I have learned how the Bedan education is driven by a mission to offer exceptional curricula and courses that develop a community of learning, caring, and praying Christians. We know that our College is guided by the wisdom of St. Benedict and the example of St. Bede, and thus, we are devoted to creating a home for education where students, the faculty, administrators and staff members can develop, shine, and carry on and observe their Christian faith.
You, dear Graduates, are the shining examples of how this Bedan education can nurture your growth and development to this very day of your graduation after years of hard work, diligence, grit and determination. What an incredible journey. Sa wakas, nandito na kayo. After the exams, the sleepless nights, the deadlines, the thesis presentations, the occasional existential crisis – and maybe even a few tears, you are finally here. You did it.
I see in you the future of this country – diverse, driven, and deeply shaped by the Benedictine tradition.
The Reality We’re Facing
Let’s not sugarcoat it, however, let’s get real because despite what the College had given you, you are graduating in uncertain times.
Inflation is still rising, job opportunities feel tight and the job market quite competitive, AI is taking over and disrupting some industries, and our political scene? Well, Still full of plot twists, divisiveness, promises and drama.
May nag reremand, meron guided by the Holy Spirit and merong sumasagot ng ad cautelam o humihingi ng interim release. There is Global uncertainty and wars. Local noise. And yes, maraming gustong umalis ng bansa para makahanap ng mas magandang kinabukasan. Minsan, parang ang hirap umasa.
But here’s the thing: our country has seen darker times before. And every single time, it was young Filipinos like you who sparked hope and rebuilt what was broken.
In your specific cases, YOU made it through storms — literal and metaphorical. You’ve endured lockdowns, hybrid learning, emotional fatigue, and financial strain. And yet here you are.
You didn’t just survive — nagtagumpay kayo, “Makikita mo sa imagine mo sakses ka eh, bigla kang sumakses eh. pero step by the step pala bago ka sumakses, pero yong na imagine mo bigla kang sumakses.”
Ora et Labora: Still Relevant Today
At San Beda, you were trained not only to excel, but to live by the Benedictine way: Ora et Labora — Pray and Work. Reflect and Act. Rooted and Relevant. Work without prayer is empty, and prayer without action is idle.
And we have all been taught the Benedict Rule to seek God so “that in all things God may be glorified – Ut In Omnibus, Glorificetur Deus.”
In a world obsessed with hustle and instant success, you’ve learned the power of quiet discipline. Of prayerful reflection. Of meaningful labor. You have been trained to reflect deeply and act decisively. That’s a rare and powerful combination.
It’s not about being the loudest. It’s about being the most grounded. And that matters now more than ever.
A Voice from This Generation
Every one of you has been cracked open by losses, failures, challenges, experienced rejections, uncertainties, doubts — but you still chose to show up, to seize the day, you’re still here. Stronger. Braver. Wiser. And today, you are graduating. That heart of yours? Yung PUSO! It is your greatest asset!
As our most recent young Filipino paragon of a strong heart and resolve – Alex Eala – said in her Lexus Eastbourne Tennis Open Finals on Saturday night – “This has to be one of the toughest losses of my early career, but I firmly believe that it’s these moments that make you stronger and shape your character.”
Grabe, no? And yet, ang lakas Talaga ng loob ng tao. So, in your future careers and endeavors, if you are again faced with losses, challenges, rejections, as I am sure you will, be an Alex Eala or close to one. Rely on your PUSO!
Music as Your Compass
Graduation isn’t just about what you achieved – it is about who helped you get here. And because this generation speaks through music, let me take you to SB19, one of your own.
In their song “MAPA”, a tribute to parents and mentors, they sing:
“Latara tara Latara tara tara – Kaya ‘wag mag alala, ipikit ang ‘yong mata… tana, Pahinga muna, ako na’ng bahala.”
This is your time to thank your parents and family, the people who stayed up late praying for you, sacrificing for you. And of course, God Almighty, Mother Mary and the Saints to whom you offered your prayers for intercession. Now it’s your turn to continue to work hard, not just for yourselves – but for those who believed in you.
And in the same song, they remind us –
“At kahit na kailan pa ma’y ‘di mawawala, pagkat dala ko ang MAPA… Sa’n man mapunta, alam kung sa’n nagmula.”
As you pursue your careers and perhaps, travel near or far — maybe abroad, maybe into new industries— dala n’yo ang mapa – your Mama at Papa or even a life’s map: your Bedan identity, your family’s dreams, your country’s hope – something that helps you navigate life.
A Little BINI Wisdom
But at the same time, I am also certain that not all of you here has your future figured and mapped out. And that is perfectly alright.
Now, I am even more certain that You are familiar with the popular female group BINI and their song Karera – when they sang
Sino bang nagsabi na kailangan kong mauna
Hindi naman ito karera puwedeng magdahan-dahan
Sa bawat panibagong umaga
Ang pagsimula muli ay isang tagumpay na
Oh Huwag magalala buhay ay ‘di karera
Yes, LIFE is not a RACE. So, plan your own lives but do take guidance from the Holy Bible, from what you have learned from San Beda and hopefully, at least one take away from what you have heard from me today.
What the World Needs from You
As you step into your careers – don’t just chase titles or money. Makinig ka rin sa sarili mong buhay. What kind of work makes you feel most alive? Most useful? Most YOU?
Because that is where you will make the greatest impact.
To our Business, Accountancy, and Management graduates — in an economy and culture that often reward shortcuts, be the leader who plays the long game. Be model and grateful employees or better yet, may you be entrepreneurs building companies and businesses that value people as much as profit. The Philippines doesn’t need more tycoons — we need ethical, forward-thinking leaders. Don’t sell out – level up. Grow businesses that empower, not exploit. The Philippines needs more builders, not just bosses.
To our Arts and Sciences graduates — our democracy is fragile. Truth is contested. Keep fighting for truth in a world confused by misinformation. Truth and creativity are tools of change. Whether you’re working in media, science, or culture; as writers, communicators or scientists — kayo ang tagapagtanggol ng agham, kultura, katotohanan at katarungan. In the age of deepfakes and disinformation, be the light that cuts through confusion. Let your voice shape culture, not just echo it. Keep curiosity alive, and truth visible.
To our Education majors — you are shaping the next generation and every other field of knowledge. You’re not “just” teachers — you are nation-builders. Minsan or madalas pa nga, underrated, pero YOU are the soul of a nation in progress. The next generation will need your strength, your patience, your passion.
To our Engineers and IT professionals — AI and tech are rewriting the future. The digital revolution continues. But human values must still drive innovation – remember: innovation without compassion is dangerous. Build things that serve people, not just systems. Code with conscience. Design with empathy. Whether you are coding AI, designing bridges, or securing data, always ask: “Is this helping people thrive?”
And to our Graduate School masters — you’ve gone deeper in your disciplines in business, psychology and IT. You have taken it to the next level. Now go further in your purpose. You’ve studied hard—now serve harder. May your expertise never lose touch with your humanity. Use your knowledge not to dominate, but to uplift. Maging gabay, hindi lang eksperto.
Final Challenge
So here’s my challenge to you:
- Be courageous when it’s easier to conform.
- Be compassionate when the world tells you to compete.
- Be grounded when the world wants you to perform.
Hindi kayo ordinaryong graduates. Bedans kayo. Formed by prayer – ORA. Forged by work – LABORA. Focused on purpose. That is what will move mountains.
Your diploma, your achievement, your family that raised and supported you – these things will always be part of your foundation.
San Beda College Alabang is proud of you. So rise, Bedans of 2025 – Oras n’yo na! Make your lives matter.
Congratulations, and That in All Things, God may be Glorified.