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MIKAELA IRENE FUDOLIG
Summa cum Laude, UP Diliman
People were amazed at the sight of a young face addressing the intellectuals of the premier state university in the land last April 22. At age 16, Mikaela Irene Fudolig or Mikki has the petite figure and high school looks. She represented Batch 2007 graduates of UP Diliman. Graduating Summa Cum Laude with a degree in BS Physics @ GWA 1.099, Mikaela has certainly set an example for the youth to emulate.
And so we asked during our personal interview last May 04, 2007 at her mom’s business office in Bahay ng Alumni, “What were your main ingredients for academic success?” She quipped without batting an eyelash, “Not just the element of intelligence po but of passion, perseverance and hardwork. Sipag at tiyaga po importante. UP has a lot of intellectuals but some are just quite lazy in pursuing excellence.”
In her valedictory address, she emphasized the significance of striving for excellence and of creating new roads to traverse -
“Let us not seek to do well, but strive to EXCEL in everything that we do.
Take NOT the road less traveled. Rather, MAKE new roads, BLAZE new
trails, FIND new routes to your dreams.”
The Achiever
Mikki was recipient of the Dean’s Medallion for Excellence in Undergraduate Studies (given to the student with the highest GWA in the College of Science Graduating Class), a Regional Finalist for the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines – NCR 2007, and a recipient of the Gawad Chanselor para sa Natataning Mag-aaral, among many others.
In her extra-curricular activities, Mikki was a founding member of the UP Student campus ministry. She excelled in research, as the Philippines’ representative to the Future Creation Fair and International exhibition for Young Inventors where she presented new, alternative absorbents for gasoline fumes. She has delivered speeches to numerous events and seminars both on and off campus, local and international. Mikki was featured in various broadsheets and interviewed by TV stations.
The 16-year old ‘Ate’
It is interesting to see how Mikaela is really just a child in her mother’s eyes. She is cool, calm and has that ready smile all the time. She is eldest in a brood of 3 with 2 younger brothers who are in accelerated levels, too. The sibs share common family bonding.
What makes Mikaela different from the other geniuses? Doting mom Lyn would want to keep Mikki’s IQ score but openly shared that even though she attended High School just for a year and on to college at age 11, she underwent what other high school teens would experience. She attended the JS Prom, watched movies, had many friends, and has a normal family life with very close ties. She also loves buying her kind of clothing, as she is more conservative and corporate in her attire.
Mom Lyn has more of these to say during the interview. “I believe in the importance of sharing one’s experiences with their children. They draw lessons not only from their experiences but from other people’s, as well. The key is to anticipate their needs, guide and support them in their journey. Parents must patiently explain why things are so and why they are not.”
Young as she is, Mikaela Fudolig certainly shares the insights of wise leaders. When asked how the People Managers can create an impact in their areas of influence, Mikki stated, “Being innovative is the best thing. Do not just copy what other countries have and do. They have different cultures. What may work for Japan may not work for us Filipinos. Instead of copying, innovate! That is how Filipinos can achieve success. Thence, others will see us as a nation of brains of the highest quality and not just of brawn for cheap.”
As we in PMAP stand firm in pursuing our advocacies, may we be as aggressive in our pursuit. Like Mikki, let us dare to make a difference, responding to challenges that spring from our inner selves to vast network of influence. Let us heed Paul's exhortation in Philippians 4:8-9.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there
is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me
Practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Bobbie Co-Laguitao, FPM and Carla dela Trinidad
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