A graduate’s goal
By Fr. Cayo Estrada
University Chaplain
This article was originally a homily delivered by Fr. Estrada at the Baccalaureate Mass for the graduating students of Batch 2026, August 14, 2026.
Members of the Management Committee and the Board of Trustees, professors, staff, graduates, parents, and friends present here today, good morning.
We are celebrating this Mass of Thanksgiving to express to God our deep gratitude for having helped all of you throughout your college years to reach this moment. We also thank God for the graces He has showered upon all of us.
The World Cup concluded last July. You may have noticed that each time a goal is scored, the supporters of the scoring team and the sports commentators shout, “GOAL!”
I would like to use that word, GOAL, as an acronym to convey lessons that you graduates can reflect on as you embark on this new stage in your lives.
G, for GOD. The formation you received at UA&P should have made you realize how important it is to turn to God for everything and to offer to Him all that we do.
When you do your work, ask God for help so that you can do it well. We cannot offer to God something that is not worthy of Him. Within the limitations of time and resources, let us do our very best to offer to God work that is worthy of Him.
We should also turn to God for help in all that we do. May we not depend solely on our own efforts. Let us realize that we need God’s grace to work well.
O, for OTHERS. God has given us our lives, talents, and opportunities for the service of others. We do not live for ourselves alone; we live for others. In whatever endeavor in life you find yourselves, be aware that you are there to serve, not only your company, but also the people who benefit from it.
In my college days, I would go on outreach visits to the cancer ward of Philippine General Hospital (PGH). The cancer patients were financially challenged, and many of them came from the provinces. I would invite another student to come along with me. I had friends who were doctors and nurses at PGH, and I would ask them which patients could be visited.
One of those visits is one I never forgot. It was to a young girl. The doctor recommended that we visit her and explained her situation. She had terminal cancer and had been given only three months to live. She did not know this yet because the doctor was waiting for her parents to come from the province to break the news to them.
The student accompanying me and I went to see the girl. I thought this would be another ordinary visit to sick people. The girl we met was about to graduate from high school. She was quite bubbly and talkative. She told us about her plans after graduating from high school, the course she would take in college, and how she wanted to help her parents financially.
I forced my best smile when I heard that. Have you ever been in a situation like this? I knew very well that this girl’s dreams would never be fulfilled, and it broke my heart. But I could not show it on my face, so I had to put on a cheerful demeanor.
After that visit, I felt that God was telling me, “Look, you’re studying in a good school, your family is okay, you have no financial difficulties... You had better make use of the opportunities and talents you have for others. There are people like this girl who would have wanted a future, but won’t have it.”
Whatever talents and opportunities you have, use them for other people. Don’t harbor selfish ambitions in life.
A, for ADJUST. Things will not always work out the way you want them to. Reality is not like that. You may start working somewhere, then have to change and adapt to another type of work later on. Challenges and difficulties will surely crop up, and you have to be resilient.
Pope Francis would talk about God’s surprises. These changes in your lives are God leading you along new paths. But keep in mind that God’s surprises are always good. Adjust, adapt, and retool yourselves.
I, for one, took up Mechanical Engineering in college. I ended up working as an Industrial Engineer. Then, I was called to the priesthood and had to study Philosophy and Theology. I finally ended up with a Doctorate in Philosophy. Here I am in UA&P teaching Theology. Talk about radical changes in life.
L is for LOVE. Let us do everything for the love of God. Love others for the sake of God. Love God by adjusting to His plans and surprises. Love the tasks of each day. When there is love, you will be able to face whatever God asks of you in your lives.
Finally, keep alive the bonds of friendship you have formed in school. Support each other. Never leave anyone behind. If you know of some batchmates who are finding life difficult, reach out to them. Don’t leave them alone.
If you are lost and need to find your way, come back to UA&P. Look for that mentor, that professor whom you think can help you, that chaplain who taught you Theology or whom you used to go to for confession or spiritual guidance. All of us in the University are very willing to help you get back on your feet.
Pray for all of us, and pray for each other. Pray also for your mentors and professors, even those you do not like.
May God bless all of you as you embark on this new stage of your lives.