Response of Mr. Edmundo G. Garcia
As a student and a teacher, I spent many happy years in this campus. Some 60 years ago, we were the first high school students to move from the ruins of Padre Faura to the Loyola Heightscampus which I used to know like the palm of my hands. It is good to be back.
At that time, a dirt road connected the old Eagles’ Nest from Aurora Boulevard to the Blue Eagle to Bellarmine Hall and beyond. There was no C-5, and no traffic. Can you imagine Loyola Heights without the traffic?
Finding God in All Things
In the final week of the spiritual exercises, St Ignatius speaks of “finding God in all things,” in the events and people in our lives.
This gathering is one of those events, and I accept this award knowing full well that He has worked wonders through my family and friends who have accompanied me in life. It is fitting therefore to begin with a word of thanks.
· To Bong, my wife, first of all, for her constant love and support; once during my 60thbirthday gathering which she orchestrated behind my backshe said that being married to Ed Garcia is like being married to a Jesuit; I hope you willforgive me for being so hard-headed, stubborn, and driven– traits partly due perhaps to my Jesuit formation; (am sure that to those of us who work with Jesuits, these traits would sound familiar; sorry, Father Jett.)
· To Angel, John, Mark and Renzo, and our dear departed eldest boy Rogifort (a posthumous recipient of the school’s Magis award) as well as our four grand-daughters Leila, Luna, Lilia and Mika for being our source of joy and pride;
· To my late parents Paulino and Rosalinda, my brothers and sisters for their patience and understanding for all the time I spent on the streets rather than at home;
· To my Jesuit mentors and my teachers in school who taught and guided me. As we gather today at the Henry Lee Irwin theatre, I recall Fr Irwin who was my teacher in English literature and drama; five minutes walk from here is Eliazo Hall named after Fr Eliazo our well loved Spanish teacher, who would bring bananas to class and who had this capacity to catnap in front of the class.
· We had great teachersamong whom were Fathers de la Costa who taught us history, Fritz Araneta who designed the SPES course for Lakasdiwa, dear Fathers Revs and Ferriols, Mores and Abesamis and of course an institution called Pagsi who coined the phrase, “Basta Ikaw, Lord” during the “Days with the Lord”;
· To my companions in countless struggles past and present, I will never forget Bobby Tanada’s mantra,“you can’t lose them all”;so we did not flinch, and continued in the words of the poet Alfred Tennyson: “to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield”.
· To my former classmates and students and my colleagues at the Ateneo, the University of the Philippines,and FEU Diliman;
· To all of you, thank you.
Living the Ignatian Ideal of Magis
In the second week of the spiritual exercises, there is one word which to my mind embodies the Ignatian ideal of service: magis!
To do more,and to make a difference in the lives of others.
It is this spirit of “magis” whichhas been etched in my heart.
“Magis”, for me, means moral courage. The courageto take a principled stand whatever it takes;
“Magis” means the marathon mentality. The stamina to persevere across generations for as long it takes;
“Magis” means the willingness to seize the opportune moment, the kairos; to protect human rights, to pursue social justice, to respect the rhyme and rhythm of nature in the mindset of “Laudato Si” – Pope Francis’ urgent appeal to save our planet for future generations.
“Magis” – to do more;with moral courage, the marathon mentality and kairos, the moment of grace.
Praying for the Gift of Generosity
Finally, in the spirit of the soldier-saint Ignatius, I pray for the gift of generosity.In this campus, many moons ago, we were taught a prayer that I am certain we still recite today,
“Lord, teach me to be generous
Teach me to serve you as you deserve,
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to ask for reward,
save that of knowing that we are doing your will.”
I believe in the power of prayer, and I believe in the miracle of giving that keeps on giving.
In the work for peace, this spirit of generosity holds the key to unlock the heart of the other.
A sense of magnanimity can disarm the unbelieving, create a different dynamic, and free the imagination. It can keep hope alive.
Encouraging a Successor Generation
Let me end. Yesterday, we commemoratedthe International Day of Peace while thousands of refugees sought safety and shelter from situations of violent conflicts in Syria, Iraq or Afghanistan and Yemen; and knocked at different doors across the seas.
Meanwhile,Lumad communities and our brothers and sisters in Bangsamoro remind us that the task is unfinished, much remains to be done. Indeed, we need to come together and encourage a successor generation to step up and be counted to become staunch advocates of a more lasting peace in Bangsamoro and the rest of the country.We are with you and resolve to stand strong together. Heartstrong! Be Brave!
Together with my co-awardees tonight, we are grateful for the opportunity to serve. Salamat!
Ed Garcia
22 September 2015
