Last month three members of the Goducate Orchestra—Jessica Evangelista (flautist), Mariel Camposo (violinist), and Kimberly Cabalfin (violinist)—graduated from high school in Laguna. Through an informal arrangement Goducate was invited to present them with Certificates of Recognition at the school’s graduation ceremony. This presentation was a complete surprise to the students and their parents.
Jessica graduated as class valedictorian. She received 11 medals and numerous certificates for her various extracurricular activities. Her parents were surprised that she topped the class because she spent so much time on orchestra practice. Asked how she managed, she said, “Thank you for the Goducate Orchestra, for the discipline that it taught me. One thing I Iearn that being an orchestra member is just like you are studying in school. Being an orchestra member, you need to persevere, you need to listen carefully to the conductor, you need to practice the skills and knowledge that the teacher teaches you. And the same principles you need in studying in school. That’s why, the principles I acquired being an orchestra member, I applied it when I was studying high school”.
Jessica’s mother told me that when Mrs Calora, the lady who donated the land for the school, heard that Jessica received a Certificate of Recognition from Goducate for her services as a volunteer going to villages to teach other children music, Mrs Calora was impressed and said that she would look for sponsors to help young people like Jessica.
It made me realize that there are people willing to help the needy but they don’t know who to support. Goducate helps the needy to help themselves and others, and to draw these people to the attention of sponsors.
