St. Anthony College of Roxas City (SACR), a respected Vincentian institution rooted in service and healthcare, held its 64th Commencement Exercises on June 6, 2025, with a powerful homecoming story that left the graduating class inspired and emotional.
Returning from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he currently practices as a nurse, 2007 SACR graduate Erwin Bolante stood before a crowd of fresh graduates to deliver a message shaped by experience, faith, and the spirit of service.
Now 38, Bolante was invited by the school to serve as this year’s commencement speaker—a decision rooted in the belief that his journey would resonate with the 151 graduates, composed of 138 Bachelor of Science in Nursing students and 13 Midwifery graduates. The ceremony was held at the CAP Auditorium in Roxas City.
As the program unfolded with the traditional processional, national anthem, and presentation of graduates, Bolante’s address stood as the highlight of the afternoon. Introduced by BSN Program Head Gino Paulo Buizon, the returning alumnus captivated the audience with a speech centered on the theme: “Vincentian-Anthonian: Pilgrims of Hope, Embracing a Legacy of Love and Service.”
“To be a pilgrim is to walk with purpose,” Bolante declared. “It means your journey is sacred—not just because of where you’re going, but because of how and why you walk.”
He spoke candidly about his early reluctance to enter the nursing field. “At first, I didn’t want to be a nurse. I was afraid of blood,” he admitted. But he felt called by something greater—a divine prompting that, over time, evolved into a purpose-driven life anchored in compassion and service.
He reminded graduates that while financial motivation may spark their journey, it is love in action that sustains it—especially when working with the sick, the poor, and the forgotten. “Vincentian-Anthonian pilgrims, you are called to carry two things in your hearts wherever you go: hope and love in action,” he said, evoking the enduring examples of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Anthony of Padua.
Bolante also took time to honor his former mentors and the institution itself. “To all the clinical instructors, school staff, and my mentors—thank you for providing the graduates with the knowledge, guidance, and skills that have shaped their journey and education.”
He closed his remarks with words meant to stick. “When you see someone struggling, don’t walk past. Walk beside them. When you feel small or uncertain, remember: you carry within you the legacy of saints. When you feel like giving up, stop, pray, and trust that God will carry you through.”
Citing the timeless words of Maya Angelou—“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”—he urged the graduates to live lives that leave a legacy rooted not just in accomplishment, but in impact.
Following his speech, school administrators and faculty members offered their congratulations, visibly moved by his story and his return. For the graduates, it was more than a speech—it was a challenge to live with meaning, walk with purpose, and serve with love.
The ceremony closed with a graduation song and a joyful photo-taking session, sealing a memorable day that celebrated not just academic milestones, but the enduring values of service, faith, and hope.
