THE GREATER TROPHY

It was that time of year again.

We clasped hands, so tight ligaments could have fallen off; held our breath as our hearts pulled on heaven for His promise of a win. The third place winner was announced. Not us! Then the second placer. Not us again! Then the screen glowed, “Champion,” followed by a flash of that oh so familiar insignia. That’s our school’s! Then the loudspeaker boomed, “and the champion, Southville Foreign Colleges!”

Shouting and jumping and clapping, we---faculty members, our president Dr. Rudy Ibañez and our students---momentarily lost our poise to revel in that victory. Who cares! This is our second straight win as champion. Southville Foreign University bested close to 30 educational institutions nationwide in the Strategic Marketing Competition sponsored by the Philippine Marketing Association (PMA). The announcement highlighted the recent PMA students’ “Stratmark 7 What’s Hot? What’s Cool?” conference at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

This was our fourth straight time to make it to the finals of this prestigious competition.

To Leizl Yambao and the rest of the team, great work! More than the trophy and the title, know that LEARNING is the greater trophy. Competitions do not only measure ability. They are the grinding stones through which character is tested and molded, and faith strengthened. And I’ve seen all of you grow a bit more in both. “You have the mind of Christ!” could not have been demonstrated more clearly.

Thanks, Dr. Ibañez, Dr. Alfred Milevoi, Misses Carol Mediodia and Ampy Baviera for your all-out support; Ms. Evelyn Aguilar and Mr. David Masindo, for your precious guidance; and Mr. Roland Quirong, for your spiritual wisdom and encouragement. And of course, the rest of the SFU faculty and staff who smiled and sighed through it all while the team occasionally fumbled with forgotten forms and notices, and missed classes.

To God be the glory!