Delilah Bartolo, Las Piñas City: Fabulous! He is qualified to become the next President of the country.
Jun Montebon, Parañaque City: John is a rare diamond find, but is yet uncut. His contribution to society, eventually, is all up to him.
In the service of others
Elpidio Que, Vigan: Congrats for achieving a general weighted average of 1.016 as UP’s summa cum laude. God gave you a beautiful mind. Do use it in the service of humanity. The intelligence given you by God is power. Keep in mind that “With great power comes great responsibility”. I wish you the best, John.
Jim Veneracion, Naga City: Congratulations, John. Learn to nurture this God-given talent of yours, not only to better yourself, but that of your fellowmen as well. Since you achieved a first in our academic history, let me congratulate you and call you a genius. It will take a long time before your weighted average can be equaled or even surpassed. Better make use of your extraordinary intellectual prowess in helping to uplift our country and the lives of our fellow Filipinos.
Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Congratulations, John! You make all Filipinos proud of your achievement. You should take up your Masters and PhD degrees, then make use of your God-given talent in the service of mankind.
Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Congratulations! May you use that gift for the advancement of mankind, for the betterment of our people, and for the pride of our race.
Jesus Mendoza, Pangasinan: To Pelias: Please use your gift of exceptional intelligence to serve your fellowmen for the greater glory of God.
Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: Congratulations! May your tribe increase. I further hope that you put to good use your intelligence and skills. God bless!
Felix Ramento, USA: John, sans the usual privileges, you were able to nurture your God-given gift to get to where you are now. Go spread your wings and make the most of the gift you have and fulfill its purpose for your country and people.
Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: John, you are one of the chosen few gifted by God with such cerebral power. Use it positively and in the service of our Lord. Good luck and best wishes. May the force be with you.
Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Not everyone is given a gift like you have received, which is unlike wealth that can easily be taken away from you. Use and nurture it with prudence.
Engr. Lorenzo Fernandez Jr., Cabanatuan City: William Sidis, a mathematical, multi-talented genius, admitted later in his life that the mere sight of a mathematical formula made him sick. Unabomber, a child prodigy and a former math professor, quit teaching math because he felt he was teaching engineering students who would soon contribute to polluting this planet. I hope the mathematical talent of this summa cum laude graduate will not just be consigned to civil service, as most laude graduates are.
Role model
Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: I’ve seen his story in an evening news program and he’s truly admirable, an ideal role model for the youth. It’s so endearing to hear what he said in an interview, that he will teach in his alma mater, UP, to share what he learned to upcoming students in the next school year. Bravo, John Gabriel Pelias. May your tribe increase.
Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: The highest accolade goes to wiz kid John Pelias for garnering the highest academic feat in the University of the Philippines. He is a role model for the youth.
Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: By his admission, he is just a regular guy who was challenged by his poor station in life and, in the process, exerted his best to succeed. He earned his general weighted average of 1.016 not by luck, but by his determination to succeed, and not necessarily to excel. John Gabriel Pelias is a role model for many poor Filipinos, who should not be discouraged by unfavorable odds in life, but strive to improve their lot and not just depend on social welfare and curse if nobody helps them.
Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Thanks for being a role model. You have proven that poverty is not a hindrance.
Rare breed
Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: He belongs to a rare breed in the history of mankind - a stature he earned for burning the midnight candle for the sake of education. It is the vehicle to achieve success and John attained his education with undeniable zealous endeavor.
Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: John Gabriel Pelias is a rare species that must be propagated to replace those that insist to govern the Filipino people even if they are bankrupt of good ideas.
Carmela Ramento, Cagayan de Oro City: In a Third World country like ours, a rare find of a guy like John Gabriel comes along. Will the country just let him go to find himself a place under the sun?
Iskolar ng bayan
Nescel Panes, Passi City, Iloilo: Congrats, John! You are indeed one of a kind. You exemplify the character of a real “iskolar ng bayan”. May you serve as inspiration to others in reaching their own dreams. In your hands lie the future and hope of our nation in promoting and establishing progress for the welfare of all.
Germi Sison Cabanatuan City: Nakakainggit naman si John Gabriel Pelias. Napakataas na ng grado ay nalibre pa sa mga bayarin at biniyayaan pa ng UP dahil iskolar ng bayan. Nakakainggit lalo na at sa kabila ng kahirapan nila sa kabuhayan ay nakamit niya ang pinakamataas na grado. Hindi naman daw siya henyo, kundi katulad rin namin na kung di magpuyat sa pag-aaral ay di makakapasa. Lamang nakamit niya ang karangalang summa cum laude sa sidhing tiyaga at sikap. Mabuhay ka, John Gabriel.
Louella Brown, Baguio City: To UP summa cum laude and record holder for the highest general weighted average, John Gabriel Pelias: Keep the flames of UP burning.
Work for the betterment of our country
Louie Vallo, Pangasinan: Congratulations! As a graduate of math, I hope you will use your newfound fame for the good and betterment of our country. How I wish you were an engineering grad so that you may contribute to our technological advancement.
Dr. Francis Regalado, Manila: As he is such a gifted person, I hope he can help the country. The Philippines has many intellectuals coming from the country’s Ivy League schools. One bar topnotcher eventually became the President. Many other lawyers, doctors, etc. are now serving the country, and yet the Philippine system is corrupted and is Third World. Clearly, intelligence isn’t everything. I really don’t know what it will take to make the country better than it is today.
Elmo Cruz, Manila: Mathematics is the root of all sciences, and John Gabriel Pelias, by sheer effort, succeeded in attaining the highest general weighted average in this course. By dedicating his services, first as a math teacher in UP, where he will share his exemplary knowledge to many students, I wish him and his peers to come up with environment-friendly gadgets or equipment that can supply our need for power without fossil oil or having to resort to dangerous nuclear power.
Rey Onate, Palayan City: It is only now that I learned who Pelias is. Congrats! May he use his brilliance for the good of our country. Huwag sanang mag-immigrate.
Jose Nobela, Ligao City: You are a pride of the Filipino people. May you use this gift to serve the people and lead the way to crafting solutions to the pressing problems of the country. Let his mind be an avenue to see the world and serve the people in the attainment of progress. Congratulations.
Going places
Rose Leobrera, Manila: Your God-given intelligence will make you go places. You make your parents proud, congratulations!
Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: John Gabriel Pelias is a genius math wizard. It is not hard for him to search for a job since he is highly recommended as a math teacher in any school.
Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: Congratulations! I hope your feat will lead you to greater heights of success. Now, everything will be a bed of roses for you.
Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: Exceptional intelligence is a natural gift which, if harnessed properly, reaches unlimited heights others could only dream of.
Manny Cordeta, Marikina City: First things first, my heartfelt congratulations to you, Mr. Pelias, for the outstanding feat. You deserve all the possible accolades, no question about it. I suggest to the state university gem to savor and harness to the hilt the genius and his God-given talent, share them uncompromisingly well without reservation with his fellowmen. With no intent to pre-empt his parents, to whatever plans or endeavor he’ll pursue: Try your best to maintain a low profile, keep your feet on the ground. It’s just a matter of time, for sure, you’ll go places. Grabe, galing-galing mo. The best of luck.
Persevere
Ishmael Calata, Parañaque City: Congratulations for a job well done in school, John Gabriel. I want you to know and please pardon me for being frank, that by statistics, only very few cerebral graduates, especially among those in the level of summa cum laude, make it big in the actual world, and most of them end up as academicians and theoreticians. Get into the world of the average professionals, who cope with the difficulties in our world today by doing their thing with utmost patience, industry, and practicality. Even those who graduated below-average have made it to the top of the totem pole in business, in entrepreneurship, and even in employment. They compensate what they don’t have upstairs by sheer grit in doing the work they do, uncanny courage in trying new things, unwavering and steadfast in the face of difficulties! Get into an attitude that is focused on your goal.
Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Use your common sense! Be humble and don’t be flattered by all these comments. The ball is now in your hands to make the difference. God bless and more power.
Conquer the world
Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: Congrats for your very amazing and inspiring achievement. You have achieved something that is hardly reached by anyone, so you have one very promising future ahead of you. Go out and conquer the world.
J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque City: You now hold the record for the highest general weighted average. Good for you and it is something to be proud of, and one day you will be able to tell your kids and the next generation after that what you have accomplished. But remember, records are meant to be broken. Still, many Filipinos are very proud of you. Now here is the reality: Will it be all worth it to work here or abroad? Most of the students from UP are trying to be nationalistic, rallying against US, etc., but where are they now? Most are working abroad, even migrating to the US. What I’m trying to say is, even if you are the record holder of something, the reality is survival. If your life will be better working abroad, just do it. The name of the game is survival, and where will you and your family will be better off. Hindi na uso ang maging hero or being nationalistic.
Alfredo Guevarra Jr., Pasay City: My advice to John Gabriel Pelias is to look for a good and stable job to compensate his talent and help bring his family to a better future.
Good job!
Lucas Banzon Madamba, Laguna: Job well done. His expertise in math makes him a vital contributor to the financial industry and sector of our country.
C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Congratulations and good luck.
Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: May that great mind be as beautiful. Congratulations!
Share your knowledge
June Deoferio, Cavite: Congratulations and God bless you always. Continue your advocacy to teach and share your knowledge with others. Mabuhay ka.
Cris Rivera, Rizal: Just a drop in his bucket: Don’t be a slave of your wisdom. It’s a God-given gift that you must share with your compatriots.
Push yourself to your limits
Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: John, once in a while, try something really difficult, that which will make you scratch your head involuntarily. You’ll discover things and challenges that will surprise you.
Miriam seeks establishment of bike-friendly communities
Jeffrey Luciano, Parañaque: We can use not just bike lanes but also bike parks, which are secure. Dami kasi kawatan sa labas eh. It is really long overdue. We should encourage people to use bikes when going on short trips.
Alvin Legarse, Metro Manila: Matagal na’ng di nagagamit ang bike ko. Nakakatakot kasi mag-bike sa gilid ng highway. Gusto ko pa mabuhay ng matagal.
Noel Ugabang, Quezon City: It will help to lessen the pollution. Sana naman matuloy.
Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.
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