Author : Fr. Perfecto G. Ecat DCS, JCL
Chancellor

INSPIRATIONAL TALK
Search for Mr. MMCS 2007
MMC Seminary, Togbongon, Surigao City
July 26, 2007 – 8:00 PM

My salute to our seminary rector – Fr. Boy Mantilla, to our dean of seminarians – Fr. Larry Espuerta, our ever-smiling highly spirited man – Fr. Renren Mantilla, to our honored guests Dr. Ipat Soringa and Ma’am Victoria Abella, to the seminarians, seminary personnel, friends (and enemies), visitors, ladies and gentlemen, good evening.

When I was asked to give words of inspiration, I said “what can I have to this people” that will inspire them despite of who they are?” Kay di naman gyud malalis, yaot ra man gihapon sila?

Your theme attractiveness is the integrity of heart and mind” speaks for itself. This theme, as I see it already inspires those who seemed to be almost handsome and beautiful. I said “almost” because the truth is, they are not handsome and beautiful. Perhaps we can gauge ourselves according to what we really see and by this, maybe we can humbly accept or even proudly appreciate the gift of person that is given to us. Unsaon man ingon raman gyud ta ani! Bisan unsaon pa nimo ug pamutang ug mga lotion, pagwapo ug pagwapa- mamutang us eskenol, PH Care, ponds, Chinsanso, para naman maputi-puti, ma-flawless, wala gyud madala. Ang uban namutang nalang ug mga dinokdok nga dahon sa kapayas, ug kay wala namay ikapalit ug shampoo kay hurot sa text, kinagod nalang ang hiso. Ang uban nagmantener ug betet, pero wala gayuy nahitabo, misamot naman hinuon! Pagkadimalas! Busa dawata nalang ninyo nga mga yaot kamo…unsaon man di man mo sama nako nga dili kayo yaot. Puera buyag! Kaya, isipin n’yo nalang na talagang bigay ‘yan ng Diyos…His precious gift – our person and the whole of our being – maging sino ka man!

This is something exceptional that a seminary should search for somebody that we can consider fit physically, mentally, spiritually and heartily! Your theme is fair enough especially those who are not physically handsome and beautiful. However, you don’t have to worry. As long as you allow your heart and mind to play fairly, integrating them with all the sense of value, generosity, love, compassion and kindness; I believe that, that indeed, is already a beauty in itself. Although there is a saying that goes “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder”, for me I would insist that beauty is the interplay and integration of heart and mind projected in our body and in our life.

My dear seminarians, you might have a physical appearance enough for your own – “yaot” seguro, or “ngitngit seguro, or morag Zakeo ka, or mora ka sa salida nga si Shrek. But if you have the heart that knows how to love and the mind that knows how to understand; thus you know how to reach out, you know how to be kind, you know how to share, you know how to help, you know how to sacrifice, and many more good values and traits that you can ably do; then you are more than beautiful and handsome, because true beauty comes from within – from the mind and the heart.

We need not to search for MR. MMCS, for all of you are qualified and chosen. What we are for now, we look only for the best that perhaps inspires us to live life with meaning as seminarians, a model perhaps or a companion in our journey to life.

Attractiveness is the integrity of heart and mind. As you continue to respond the noble cal of the Lord, as you study and do your duties, as you relate with each other and those with your superiors and subordinates, aim and dream to allow yourselves to grow integrally. Allow your heart to grow more in love, in sacrifices, in joys, in compassion, in kindness, in sincerity and allow your mind too to grow, to widen and be brilliant with knowledge that will form you fit as God’s future servants. Bisan kon yaot ra kamo ug wayong, basta nindot ang kasingkasing ug salabutan, nindot gihapon ang inyong pagkatawo! We might not be the best person physically, but we can still be the best person if we have the heart and mind that lives as beautiful as it should be.

To all of you ayaw lang mo kabalaka, kay kadtong mga medyo dili kayo guapo ug guapa, sa pagdagan sa mga adlaw, duna ray kausaban…MAANAD RA KAMO! Apan warning sa mga guapohon ug guapahon kunuhay pero bati diay ug batasan, YAOT ra gihapon kamo!

So good luck to all – handsome, and beautiful, not only physically, but most especially, integrally and internally – a challenge is at stake, go on! For indeed attractiveness comes from the integration of heart and mind put into concrete life’s situation. May you aim for a beauty from within – the beauty that comes from the mind and the heart, for what is essential is invisible to the eyes!

Thank you…

Mr. MMCS 2007 Board of Judges

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