Proud to be from MIHCA!

Last September 27, 2012 MIHCA held its second Graduation ceremony for 2012. The top of the class, Jerwyn D. Baustista gave the crowd a very heartwarming speech. Read below to be inspired...

Proud to be from MIHCA

Mr. Reynaldo Garcia, Institute Director

Mr. Philippe Bartholomi, General Manager, Century Park Hotel

Chef Paolo Guevarra, Culinary Program Director

To our respected administrators, distinguished guests, esteemed faculty, beloved parents, dear friends, my fellow graduates, ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant afternoon to all.

Pride, the positive kind, is defined by Merriam-Webster as the quality or state of being proud as a reasonable or justifiable self-respect.  In MIHCA however, we define PRIDE through professionalism, respect, industriousness, discipline, and excellence.

This holds true with the formation and training we have received for these past months.  The long lectures, the exhausting discussions, the demanding written exams, and the nerve racking practicals were all worth it…  They were all truly worth it…

We were molded to become the best practitioners in the field of hospitality and culinary arts.  We were trained to think on our toes… to hit the ground running… and most of all to be calm under pressure…  Simply put, it was training for a harder and more demanding environment that lies before us.

The hospitality and culinary landscape, not only in the Philippines but in the entire globe, is changing; literally, shifting.  We haven’t seen this much development in decades despite the global economic challenges.  From Asia to the Americas, from Europe to Africa, each and every single nation is trying their best to take a bite in the pie that is the current hospitality and culinary industry.  And NOW is the best time to be part of it…  We are one lucky generation!

As the world continues to be more discerning, the standards by which our performance is being measured will also continue to keep getting higher.  But there is no need to worry.  With the education and the values we have acquired from this institution, coupled by pure hard work and determination, we have nowhere to go but up… nowhere to go but forward…

Today marks an affirmation on our dreams, our progress, and our success!  A new challenge is therefore given to each and everyone of us, fellow graduates.  We are challenged to lead our future… our destiny!

As Henry David Thoreau puts it, “We were born to succeed, not to fail.”  The world is now waiting for our next move.  In this game we call life, we are only asked to do one thing and one thing only.  And that is to fulfill our purpose; confident yet humble… proud yet sincere…

It is good to note that today would not have been a reality if not for the key people in our journey.  On behalf of this graduating class, I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincerest appreciation to all our instructors from culinary arts, baking & pastry arts, food & beverage services, and housekeeping services.  Your patience and genuine desire to educate is unparalleled.  Thank you also to all the support staff who, day-in and day-out, ensured our experience in MIHCA is as smooth as possible.  And of course to our parents and loved ones; today’s success is a reflection of your support and encouragement.  We won’t be standing where we are right now if not for all of you.  We are forever grateful.  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!

As we celebrate this momentous occasion, let us remember that this is not the end but rather a new beginning.  Tomorrow, we will wake up completely different from the persons we are today… Tomorrow, we will wake up as graduates of the Magsaysay Institute for Hospitality and Culinary Arts.

My name is Jerwyn D. Bautista and I am PROUD to be from MIHCA!