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 From
a small private business. Hewlett Packard, now one of the largest
computer companies in the globe, lives by the slogan,
“Think BIG”.
And if you’re supposed to go somewhere, there’s no better path to
take, small and all, than what we are in now.
I have always been a dreamer, but I had humble beginnings.
Because I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth…
I even remember praying just to have a penny in my pocket… Walking
to school, everyday, in the heat of the sun, just to get to my small
provincial high school. At that time, I thought it would never end,
the hardships, sacrifices I had to endure… I attended classes not
eating for the day? I worked on evenings. And all that kept me going
at that time, was the assurance of deliverance from poverty’s
misery. I know with my education, I would have more opportunities, I
may even be able to get my family out of this financial strife. If I
could just endure another day… and another…
That’s how I learned to take one day at a time..
And incredibly, amidst being the last to get enrolled, I graduated
Salutatorian.
And that was the start of my realization, that poverty is never a
deterrent, nor an excuse.
From then onwards, I dreamt bigger goals, aimed for bigger
ambitions.
I started my first year in Emilio Aguinaldo College in Taft Avenue.
Manila was a too big place for me then. There were lots of things to
see, lots of things to do, yet, I could only look from the comfort
of my room. I didn’t have the means, inasmuch as I wanted, to
experience those stuff;To get me through my physical therapy
education, I had to work on the side. I lacked sleep, because even
on days which are my supposed rest days, I worked. I did tv
commercials and print ads, and as these weren’t enough to pull me
through, at the same time, I worked as a crew member of McDonalds
and Cindy’s. I worked hard every day of my college years. I
refrained from the usual gimmicks and nightouts, as I would rather
spend my time catching up on my studies, or my sleep. I valued every
single minute, and made sure I never finish the day unproductive,
making sure it would be worth it when I pray to God, thanking Him
for the day that has been.
Soon enough, came many things I could only thank the Lord for. I was
given two of the most prestigious awards any student could ever
receive, The Ten Outstanding Students of Metro Manila, and Ten
Outstanding Students of the Philippines. I was also a Cum Laude at
that time, and soon afterwards, after months of meticulous hardwork,
I ranked 9th in the August 1997 Philippine PT Licensure
Examinations. God was very good, as all that I prayed for, the
blessings just keep on coming. With the help of my former
classmates, I started IntelkinetiQ Training and Review, Inc.,
unbeknownst to me, would eventually be the No. 1 Review Center for
PT and OT Board Examinations. Now named Sultan Review Group, our
services has extended to review programs for NPTE, which is the PT
Licensure Exam for PT in the US, and most recently, Nursing.
With all these things, I have been asked many, many times, “What is
your secret to success?”
Not once have I answered, telling of stories of glamour and
conquest, nor mantras or routines. Everytime I am asked, my mind
wanders off to the experiences I had along the way, and those that
made them all possible. I am a fan of clichés, and I held on to them
strongly, and now I would like to share them with you…
It is once said…
By Ralph Waldo Emerson, that…
Discipline. It is doing what you don’t really want to do so that you
can do what you really want to do.
From another standpoint, It’s paying the price in the little things
so that you can buy the bigger thing.
Along the way, if I had given up, and succumbed to the temptation of
being irresponsible, I know I wouldn’t standing where I am now.
It is that hard to keep on going, yes, but acknowledge that it is in
the smallest, seemingly irrelevant, and tiresome stuff that we do
everyday that really counts. We always have to think beyond our
comfort zone, because it is in making ourselves adapt to any
situation are we given the chance to achieve more than our eyes
could reach.
Second,
Enthusiasm. Nothing great was ever achieved without it.
The road I took was probably the less traveled, and it wasn’t all
too easy for me, but focusing on my purpose have kept me going. My
loved ones, my parents most especially, who believed in me right
from the start (may add personal experiences), just thinking of them
and doing these for them, I know I will never run out of enthusiasm.
Third,
Pressure. It is a Privilege
It is not a hindrance, but a catalyst for success. I would not have
fought hard enough if there weren’t any need to. I would not have
aimed to be the person I am now, if not for my aspiration to win. I
didn’t go against the pressures, rather, I had them push me forward.
In times I wanted to give up, there were always reasons to keep on
moving.
And of course, not to be forgotten,
Prayer.
If you should work hard, pray the hardest. For when we are weak, it
can only be through prayer can we be made strong. It acknowledges
that once God’s hands are placed upon you, nothing will ever turn
out wrong.
These four, Discipline, Enthusiasm, Pressure and Prayer, are the
stuff I held onto in this journey. It had not been easy, being the
road less traveled, yet these are the values that made every step
lighter, and may I say, even worthwhile. And I am confident, that
whatever undertaking I am to take in the future, having these values
with me, I’d say I will be triumphant. Dear graduates, it is always
important, that whatever modernism brings about in your lives, new
technologies, trends, ideas, never forget to look back and keep your
values intact. Because these are things that you will always find
relevant, no matter the place, time, or situation you may be in.
All the best dear graduates, and keep on dreaming!
- Edmond Sultan
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