Squeezing time from his tight schedule, Rep. Rodante D. Marcoleta “wowed” the students and parents of Pampanga Agricultural College (PAC) when the solon sneaked through and spoke extemporaneously during the school’s 32nd Annual Recognition Rites on April 11, 2007.

“Recognition”, he said, “is the celebration of excellence. There is no reward for mediocrity, but there is always gain in excellence, mastery and proficiency.”

Marcoleta formally presented the 34 scholars of ALAGAD Party-List selected under the CHED-Emergency Financial Assistance for Students (E-FAST) Program who are pursuing their degrees at the PAC.

In his speech, the solon said he was for the teaching of English as a medium of instruction in schools but only after teachers have obtained proficiency in this language, and only after the students have been able to master their native dialects. “Creative and rational thinking”, he observed, “was found to have connection in the children’s ability to find expression first in their mother tongues and not the other way around”. The ALAGAD representative also talked briefly on the issue of responsible parenthood which, according to him, is not based on the number of children produced but the ability to rear and afford them a fighting chance in the future.

Rep. Marcoleta was awarded a plaque of appreciation by the officers and faculty of PAC, symbolic of ALAGAD’s commitment in supporting indigent but deserving students in pursuit of their individual careers.