First, I would like to congratulate again all our honorees today. In a special way, I also share in wishing the best for Sir Ronnie Holmes as he moves back to De La Salle University to teach and do other huge tasks that the Brother Visitor and the President of De La Salle University would assign him to do. Your wisdom, creativity, boundless humor and commitment to the Lasallian educational mission are most appreciated by all those whom you had a chance to serve and lead. Once again, Ronnie thank you so much for preparing the school and myself for a smooth transition.

Secondly, I share in showing deep reverence to all our honorees who have spent many years serving in our institution. I hope that the recognition you received today will inspire all our younger teachers and support staff to commit themselves to this meaningful Lasallian mission.

In gatherings like this, in honor of retirees and service awardees, we usually offer brief tributes in praise of them. We want to say all the good things that these persons have been to us. But I am reminded of one prayer from a small book that said something very simple about all those who have spent many years in the teaching ministry. This I would like to share with you today.

It goes:
For Mr. Porter (or in our case, Mr. Moie Lozada): One of our best teachers is retiring Lord. I want to say something glowing, something worthy of him, and the statement that comes to mind is this: HE SHOWED UP.

That doesn’t sound much, I know. But I am reminded of a little girl I once knew who came home discouraged from her first day of class in Junior Prep. When her mother asked her what she had learned that day, she sighed and said, “Not much. I need to go back tomorrow.”

How often we say that children grow up so fast, but that is not true. Growing up is a long process, and kids need people who will show up for them, to teach and nurture them - tomorrow after tomorrow after tomorrow after tomorrow.

Not everyone is willing or able to do that - to put so much into a job that offers so little in the way of money or perks or prestige. So why did he do it? For over 36 years? Because he had this crazy, unshakable idea that kids are more important than anything else in the world. So he was a teacher and he showed up.

There will be many kids in Zobel who deep inside will feel this way everyday, the way the Junior prep girl felt. School is their safe haven, a place to be with friends, to be with adults (both teachers and support staff) who are genuine in their caring.

My challenge for each one of you then, for all those who have been here for many years and for those who have been here for days as many as three or four days: on June 4, the opening of our school year, when a Senior student, steps back into the grounds of this campus, giddy to share a whale of a summer experiences or on June 10 when that Junior Prep attempts for the first time to go to a big school - just one thing: Please show up. They need you here.

And then, after that day, show up again and again and again and again.

Just like those among us here who have showed up for the past many years, without fail.

Good morning.

Br. Dennis Magbanua, FSC