News & Events

My Name is Opportunity
(Welcome remarks and message delivered by Dr. Ferdinand J. Lamarca during the Cancer Awareness Forum sponsored by the Cancer Warriors Foundation and the University of Northern Philippines)

James Auste, the leader of the Cancer Warriors Foundation, who himself is a victim of cancer but whose indomitable courage and will to survive is an inspiration for all of us gathered here.

Jerry Bernas whom we have contacted from time to time.  Other members of the foundation whose youth and love of life are so equally evident and contagious.

Rhoda, the coordinator here in Ilocos Sur.  You did an impressive job of coordinating the affair here in the province.

Victims of this much dreaded disease who will share their own success stories to fight it.  Dr. Ludivina Esguerra...

Dr. Joel Beleno and Dr. Lazo who have taken the initiative of helping organize this forum.

My fellow bikers.

Students.  Faculty members.  Guests, friends, ladies and gentlemen.  In behalf of the University of Northern Philippines Family, headed by Dr. Lauro Tacbas, I welcome all of you in the Cancer Awareness Forum.

Let me tell you an anecdote from which to draw my message for you.

Once upon a time, in far away Greece, there was a beautiful statue sculpted by a famous sculptor.  But with the passage of time and the ravages of the elements, that statue no longer exists today.  What is left of it is only the pedestal.  On the pedestal attached is an inscription.  By reading the inscription one can reconstruct the image of the statue.

The first line goes this way - "What is your name Oh, Statue?"

Answer:  "My name is opportunity"
"Why are you standing on your toes?"
"To let people know that I am always in a hurry."
"Why is the hair at the back your head long?"
"So that when people meet me, they have something to hold onto."
"Why is the front of your head bald?"
"To let people know that when once I have gone, they can no longer catch me?"
"What is your name again, Oh Statue?"
"My name is Opportunity."

First, I wish to congratulate all of you for having attended this forum.  You might have realized that this opportunity come knocking at your door, who knows, only once in your lifetime.

I have not been joining our cycling group for about a year already.  My last participation was when we scaled Kakaldingan to Bengued and when we went to Candon.  But when Rhoda discussed to me the desire of the Cancer Warriors Foundation to be here in our place, I suggested to her to write our President. SPM Benjo Versoza and I encouraged our members to join the welcoming party.  I decided that I have to join the group.  So for the last four days I conditioned my bike.  I did not also allow this opportunity of a lifetime to slip away.  I wanted to join.  I wanted to be counted and be a part of this historic event.

Biking itself is a microcosm of life.  The struggle a biker has to make when the climbs are steep and difficult is a reflection of life.  When one is tempted to quit because the finish line is still far off but nonetheless perseveres to go on is the essence of life.

Along the way as we biked, I was talking with James.  I asked him whether he was tired already.  He said yes.  His back was aching.  But silently, I admired his perseverance.  I admired his unflinching spirit.  I admired his will power.  I saw in him the real meaning of life.

I do not wonder why James Auste and his group chose Bike for Life as their theme and activity because Biking - whether mountain bike or racing bike, captures the whole meaning of struggle, the whole meaning of life.

Second, I request you all to reflect on your life.  Life is short.  The youths, especially our students present here, may believe that there are so many years still ahead of you so you take life easily and have fun and good time.  But I want to remind you that we may be healthy today but sickly tomorrow.  we may be very much alive today, but gone tomorrow.  This is the paradox of life.  If one who is sick like James, who is only 25 but stricken by the big C six years, can do so much for humanity, like the promotion of cancer awareness, we are who are still strong and healthy should make our lives more meaningful by doing our own share for humankind.

Let us grab every opportunity to make our lives and other people's lives meaningful for they may come knocking at our door only once, whether it be in our classroom, in the University, and our community.

Thank you very much and Good Afternoon!