Midland Courier, April 4 Week's Mail

Embarrassment in City High Graduation
GEORGE M. FLORENDO, Baguio City
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May we respectfully request the publication of this letter so that the following incident at the Baguio City National High School graduation rites may be avoided in the future. “I remember the story of a boy named Manuel. Mischievous Manuel was on his way to school when he saw a bird. He caught it and as he continued to walk, an idea came to his mind. Ahh, he thought, I can show my teacher how smart I am. When I reach school I will ask him to make a guess about the bird being alive or not. If he says it’s dead, then I’ll show him the bird alive. I have a bird in my hands. Can you guess if it is alive or not?“ His teacher answered “Manuel the life of that bird is in your hands. If I tell you its alive you’ll squeeze it then show me it’s dead. However if I say that it is dead you can just open your hand and show me that it is alive.” “In much the same way I am leaving this message to you dear graduates. The future of Baguio can still change. It is partly in your hands. Save it from decay and degradation. You can lead the way to restore the city to its former grandeur.” The above is the ending of the speech supposed to have been delivered by my sister, Filipinas Natividad on March 30, 2 p.m. during the graduation ceremonies of the Baguio City National High School but it was not delivered for reasons only known to the school.

Dr. Natividad, class valedictorian of BCHS class‘62, current VP of Research and Biotechnology Division of St. Lukes Medical Center, Quezon City and who has delivered many speeches and lectures in the Philippines and around the world was invited by Bernardita Quela and Dr. Elma Dona-al to be the guest of honor and speaker at the aforementioned graduation rites in a letter dated March 15.

Mrs. Natividad arrived in Baguio at 4 a.m. from Quezon City and took a rest at their family residence in Aurora Hill. She went to the graduation rites at 2 p.m. only to find out in bold letters that she was replaced by an equally qualified speaker. She was embarrassed but as a true Baguioite and alumna of the school, she took it in stride. I am sure it made her stronger. Be that as it may, the humbling experience of my sister is being made known to the graduates, alumnae, parents, and other people concerned so that it may serve as a lesson and respect for the institution and its administrators may remain.