Opening Remarks on the Unveiling of Plaque of Recognition
怡朗市长阁下Hon. Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog，教育部第六区副主任Ma’am Corazon Brown，教育部怡朗市分区主任Ma’am Melody Lacuesta，怡朗市菲华社团理事长和代表，各位来宾，家长们，老师们，同学们，女士先生们，下午好。
今天我很荣幸地能在这里代表新华董事会欢迎诸位出席中国国务院侨务办公室授予怡朗新华学院‘华文教育示范学校’荣誉的揭幕仪式。
之所以邀请诸位参加今天下午此项意义非凡的活动，是因为这个荣誉不仅仅属于新华学院，它也不仅仅属于怡朗菲华社会，它更是我们怡朗市的荣誉，是我们全体怡朗市民宝贵的精神财富。
请容许我在此再次代表怡朗新华学院董事会向诸位的光临表示欢迎和感谢。
Honorable Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, Department of Education Region 6 Assistant Regional Director Ma’am Corazon Brown, Department of Education Iloilo City Division Supervisor Ma’am Melody Lacuesta, President and representatives of the civic and family associations of the Chinese-Filipino community, Guests, ISA Parents, Facilitators, ISA learners, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good afternoon.
It is my great honour and privilege to welcome you, on behalf of the Iloilo Scholastic Academy Board of Directors, to the unveiling ceremony of the Plaque of Recognition awarded by the Office of the Overseas Chinese Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.
The reason why we are here today is because we are all part of this honour. Because we believe whatever little achievement ISA has attained thus far has been made possible only with the direct or indirect involvement and support of the people in our community.
As what the editorial of the September issue of the school monthly publication, The Scholars, states (and I quote), recognition of ISA as ‘Model School’ is another distinguishing milestone in the course of its commitment to temper the will of the children under its care, for them to be competent and strong enough, to face every challenge that may come their way. The citation is taken as both an affirmation of ISA’s dedication to its mission, and a statement to spur greater effort on our part to realize ISA’s vision. It is a symbol of our solemn pledge to closely participate in the nation-building through excellent education.
Indeed, more than an honour, we take the recognition as a stern reminder that we should continue to work hard.
Again, on the behalf of the ISA Board of Directors, welcome and thank you.