Congratulations, Bernie!

My Dearest BJ,

Not counting the earlier eight years of kiddie school and another four years of teen school, it's been four years of hard academic work for you, Sweetheart. I do not even want to think about the physical and other hardships you had to endure during all these years. But at long last today, all this is coming to a successful, satisfying, and fulfilling culmination.

Today, you will be receiving your university degree along with your Diploma to prove it. There could never be a better school day than today. And for such an accomplishment, you deserve all kinds of admiration from everyone, not the least from me, your proud Daddy.

CONGRATULATIONS!, to you for all the hard work, all the patience and perseverance that you put into it and for the result that you are about to see and feel. I am very proud of you.

I know that your Mom feels and thinks the same way as I do, but much as I want to speak for her on this, I'll let her do the talking for herself. The same is true of your sisters Manang Janice, Cristina, and brother, Albert.

Please keep in mind though, that this is just the beginning of everything else that is important during the rest of your life. Your newly acquired skill, knowledge, guile and knowhow are just tools, albeit important tools, that will help you tackle the challenges of the future. It is up to you to use these tools, how to use them, when to use them to your best advantage. They are also tools that do not depreciate with use unless you allow them to. So make the right choices and stick to them.

Lastly, keep in mind too that at times, these tools may seem inadequate. However, I believe that this is a normal occurrence and it should never be a cause for despair. At any rate, on a remote chance that such thing happens, remember that your Mom and I will always be there for you for as long as either or both of us are still around.

I love you, Baby and again, CONGRATULATIONS!

Your loving Daddy.