CDC chief to Pisay honorees: Character is backbone of success

SUCCESS is not defined by grades alone, but by the trust and character a person builds over time, according to Clark Development Corp. (CDC) President and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera during the Toast to Excellence program of the Philippine Sci-ence High School System–Central Luzon Campus (PSHS-CLC) on May 20. Speaking before academic honorees and competition winners from Grades 7, 8, and 9, Devanadera emphasized that while academic excellence opens opportunities, character remains the foundation of long-term success. “You may have graduated from exclusive schools. You may have topped your class. You might have been awarded academic excellence. But paglabas ninyo ng eskuwe-lahan, what will remain is your character,” Devanadera said. Anchoring her message on PSHS’ research-oriented and STEM-focused curriculum, Devanadera underscored the importance of scientific and technological innovation grounded in strong morals. “In this age of AI, nothing can replace the brain of a person. Nothing can replace hu-man character,” she added. Drawing from Clark’s experience as a growing economic center with more than 1,200 locators and over 150,000 workers, Devanadera noted that success in modern work-places depends not only on competence, but also on teamwork, communication, and trustworthiness. “You are all equal in terms of knowledge, in terms of degree of excellence. You will only compete in terms of character and the values that you have with you,” she said. The CDC chief also underscored the holistic development needed for children’s charac-ter formation. Addressing parents of awardees, Devanadera underscored the role of formation-building at school and at home. “Not everything can be taught in school. Values like discipline, responsibility, and con-sistency can be built in our homes,” Devanadera said. The Toast to Excellence program recognized 148 outstanding students from Grades 7, 8, and 9 for their academic performance and extracurricular activities during the school year.