“Your North Star should be a profession that will put a smile on people’s faces.” (SHS HUMSS and STEM Strands commencement 2023 speech)

Read the full text of the inspirational address of Amable Miguel Cruz Aguiluz IX (BS Business Management '91, MBA ‘98), Founder and Chief Executive Officer of OED and Chief Executive Officer of ACA Group, during the Ateneo de Manila Senior High School Class of 2023 Commencement Exercises for the HUMSS and STEM strands on 28 May 2023.

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Father Roberto Yap, Society of Jesus – President Ateneo de Manila University,

Father Joaquin Jose Mari Sumpaico III, Society of Jesus – Vice President for Basic Education,

Mr Noel Miranda – Principal, Ateneo Senior High School

Mrs Jennifer Concepcion – Assistant Principal for Formation,

Mrs Cecilia Lacson – Assistant Principal for Administration,

Mr Javy Fabello – Assistant Principal for Academics,

Father Alberto Ampil, Society of Jesus,

Members of the academe, school administrators, my fellow co-parents,

Of course, the most important stars of today- the graduating students from the STEM and HUMSS strands, 

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

Dear students,

Like you, I also finished my high school here at the Ateneo. I walked the same corridors, played in the same field, ate in the same cafeteria and had the same pressure from the rigorous academic requirements of the school.

Maybe a stark difference was, we never had terms such as “situationship” or “Rizz.” Don’t worry graduates, if you don’t want to share the meaning of those terms with your parents, your secret is safe with me.

I remember vividly, during my senior year, one of my teachers in English, Mr Mabalot approached me. He politely asked, “Son, what will you be taking up in college and why?”

Since I wanted to impress him, I answered hurriedly and said, “Sir I want to take up business management because I want to make money.”

He had an incredulous look and asked me again, “Why do you want to take up business?”

I was nervous and fidgety, so I answered without thinking and said, “Sir not just make money, but make lots of money?”

His smile turned into a stern face and then he said, “Son, if that’s what you are chasing, then you will never be happy.”

That thought resonated with me, though at that time, I could not really understand what he meant.

After college, I became what you call a serial entrepreneur. I went into a series of businesses- the video rental in the early 90s, food--- various international franchises and even locally created brands. I also ventured into ink refilling, services, retail, and real estate.  Some businesses took off, while some closed.

Sadly, I still didn’t really grasp what Mr Mabalot was trying to teach me about having a business and being happy. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, baka hindi ko na maramdaman ang true happiness.

Eight years ago, finally, “na gets ko na” what my English teacher was trying to say.

This business came as an epiphany. My family was in the education business. In one of our sorties in the provinces, particularly Davao, where I was born, I came across a student. Her name was Anne. You could readily notice something odd. She was wearing a formal dress, yet she was wearing a pair of run-down rubber slippers. She mustered enough strength to talk to me. She said “Mr Aguiluz, when can you put up a school in our town?” I replied, “What is wrong with the school here? You seem to have all the facilities you need.”

I got surprised when she replied. “Sir, don’t you know that I have to traverse the river every single day just to go to school?” Then things came to light, I realized, that’s why she was wearing rubber slippers.

How many students face the same predicament as Anne? How many could not study because of the limitations of time and space? If I could solve this problem, I would be doing my own share of nation building.

Then this idea of a full online university flashed before my eyes. I told myself, why don’t I set up a platform that will use the internet?

People who are limited by work, time, and space will have a chance to finish their degree without the necessity of going to the physical school. What if they can start anytime, at their own pace, without the need to adhere to a school calendar? What if some people feel too old to resume schooling and face regret for the rest of their lives? So many questions which somehow led to one single answer.

Hence, the birth of my most treasured and meaningful work, OED, the acronym for Online Education. The first full online university in the Philippines which we launched eight years ago, five years before the pandemic.

A student who lives far doesn’t have to traverse the river and walk in mud.

The OFW, na kinalimutan na niya ang kanyang diploma dahil kailangan magtrabaho, now has a chance to study while working abroad.

A high school student who accidentally got pregnant would have an option to continue studying at home, while taking care of her baby.

A person with disability, who cannot physically go to school would now be able to finish his or her degree without the need of shuttling back and forth to the campus.

This inspired me- I believe that education is not a privilege, but a right, a right of everyone.

Let me share with you about one of OED’s students, Tuesday Sicadsicad. When she was in grade 3, she had meningitis. She lapsed into a coma for days. When she woke up, she could not talk, she could not walk. Can you imagine the frustration of wanting to learn yet you are limited physically?

Tuesday had all these challenges, but she had one very strong trait: resilience. She had difficulty using her hands so she managed to find another means--- her feet! She used her feet to move the mouse and type in the keyboard.

We took her under our wing. She joined us in 2015 and 7 years after, she graduated with a degree in Information Technology.  How about that?

Talagang “na-gets” ko na.  I realized that out of all the businesses I ventured into, the one that gave me true happiness was not really the business that made money or lots of money. It was the business that brought the biggest smiles to people’s faces.

Just like all of you, we have always aimed to be men and women for others. The Ateneo, being yours as well as my second home, has always emphasized, Lux in Domino, the light in the Lord. Being there to serve, the last and the least of our society. This will always be our distinct trait as ATENEANS.

I would like to thank the Ateneo administration, the academe, and the entire staff of the high school for taking care of our children, for making their second home not just safe, but the best for them.

To all the parents, just like me, I’m sure you’ll have the biggest smiles tonight. All the hard work and painstaking preparation of our children has paid off, so good job to you as well!

I would like to thank God for leading our children to the best school, the Ateneo, which is the source of their value formation and character foundation.

And finally, to the graduating class of STEM and HUMSS, a well-deserved congratulations to all of you.

Today is not just your graduation, it is a reminder of the difference you can make in this world.

As students of the best school in the country, remember, your North star should be a profession that will put a smile on people’s faces.

The bigger the smile, the bigger the satisfaction.

Make sure to leave this earth better than when you found it.

Maraming salamat po!