Aldersgate College

(Speech of Dr. Sonny Coloma at the commencement exercises of Aldersgate College, 29 March 2010)

I. OVERVIEW: What does the future hold for you?

I wish to thank you for giving me the privilege to be your commencement speaker. I cherish every opportunity such as this. When I completed my college degree almost four decades ago, I did not attend the commencement exercises. I graduated one semester later than scheduled. This is because during my fourth year, martial law was declared.

I was among those arrested in the morning of September 23, 1972. I was brought to Camp Crame at about two o’clock in the morning and when I got there, I saw Senators Ninoy Aquino and Jose Diokno, Manila Times Publisher Joaquin ‘Chino’ Roces and other prominent personalities who had also been arrested.

At the age of 19, I was probably one of the youngest and earliest detainees of martial law. I was detained for almost two months. My mother, then an employee at the Department of National Defense, pleaded with the then Chief of Constabulary, General Fidel Ramos, to release me, as my father --- then a PC colonel --- was attending the US Army Finance School in Indianapolis, Indiana.

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”

This was the source of inspiration as the Aldersgate College (AC) family and friends paid tribute to one of AC’s forerunners, a loving mother and a selfless well-wisher, Ms. Dana K. Tyson, during her visit to her “home sweet home” last March 12.

The tribute was opened by some words of wisdom and invocation by Rev Dr. Jaime R. Bolusan, whose message evolved from the theme “Recollecting the Blessed Days with grateful Hearts”. Tyson was then welcomed by the warm kisses, embraces, and sweet accounts recollected by the faculty members, administration and board of trustees of AC; and some words of gratitude and welcome from the College President, Dr. Junifen F. Gauuan.

The old days were re-enlivened by the speeches delivered by friends and some members of the first batch of tertiary graduates (1970) namely Mrs. VioletaSimbala (former AC employee), Mr.FroilanCalata (co-founder of AC), Atty. EpifanioGalima (son of AC co-founder Mrs. PilarGalima), and Mr. Camilo Gallardo, member of the Board of Trustees.

Written by Rev. Shelton Lodge,
United Methodist Church Pastor during Dana K. Tyson's time

My Aldersgate is not a street---
A street confines. Its prisoned clamor calls
From length and breadth that die at city walls;
And in its noisy lanes men rush and cry
As clumsy, driven wheels crash madly by.

My Aldersgate can never be
More treasured memory
Of long lost meeting house beside the way.
Where holy men were wont to pause and pray.
A house stands but a year---
Time speaks, and houses disappear,
And only Fancy clothes them in the mind
With tattered garments they have left behind.

But he who seeks his Master's face
In any quiet meeting place,
Because he yearns to know him in his heart---
Who builds, with shining faith, a shrine apart
Where he can be with God, and know
That He is there---his heart shall glow.
And he shall meet
With God, and Wesley, in that quiet street.

When I have learned to watch and pray---and wait,
I know that I shall find my Aldersgate.

SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya—Globe Telecoms, one of the leading telecommunications operators in the country, together with the Aldergate College has launched the Campus Connect Project designed to provide a reliable communication system within the college and around the community as well.

Maria Rizza L. Reyes, Globe Business Development Manager / Regional Community Acquisition & Development, said during the launching of the project held at the President’s office last November 2009 that the system is equipped with software especially designed to provide efficient exchanges of information.

"Through Campus Connect, students or their parents could be reached through their mobile phones by the school administration outside the school campus to relay urgent announcements such as suspension of classes during typhoons or flood situations," Reyes added.

She further explained that the system is also capable of connecting the schools with local, regional and national offices of the Department of Education for easy transmittal of information, guidelines and office directives, among others.

Under the project, Globe will provide a free laptop computer that would form part of the communication system linking the school, students, and the community.

The use of the Globe Internet and cell- phone network is not provided free for the project.

To register please follow the format

For students:
Text ALDERSGATE REG LASTNAME/FIRSTNAME/GENDER/BIRTHDAY/DEPARTMENT/COURSE

example ALDERSGATE REG PASION/ERWIL DAVID/M/04-21-1989/SMS/BSN

For employees:
Text ALDERSGATE REG LASTNAME/FIRSTNAME/GENDER/BIRTHDAY/DEPARTMENT/POSITION

example ALDERSGATE REG PASION/ERWIL DAVID/M/04-21-1989/ACI/WEB MASTER

THEN SEND TO: 2327 (TM / Globe Subscribers only)