Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Lim Friday exhorted Bohol Wisdom School (BWS) elementary and high school graduates and their families to “make a difference”. A recurrent challenge in most of his speeches, Lim reminded his audience at the BWS that “to whom much is given, much is expected”. “Those who are born to comfort should think more of others than their own. Those who can give should share this with those who have none,” Lim added. BWS is considered the school of the scions of the more affluent families of Tagbilaran and Bohol considering that the school founders read like a who's who of the Boholano-Chinese community. Lim said the challenge that stares every graduate of BWS in the face is the challenge not only to survive and make good but also to make a difference.

“The difficult times that you live in, the problems that your generation faces are not enough reasons to turn your back on those who cannot take care of themselves,” the mayor stressed. Lim however noted that obviously, only those who can run their own lives are able to branch out to the concerns of others outside their own families, adding that “it does not a wise man to know that”. He noted that many people are unable to solve their problems not only because they don't know the answers but because they refuse to face their problems since they have not been taught how to deal with them.

“Unfortunately, people will encounter problems all throughout life. No matter how well meaning parents may be when they try to insulate their children from problems, this is not helping them,” the mayor noted. Lim pointed out that among all living things, it is the human being who is dependent longest on the parent. He said fishes swim as soon as they are born while goats and cows run a little while later. “Babies however are entirely helpless during their first year. Some learn to walk in a year while others take a longer time to talk. They are sent to their first learning atmosphere at three years old,” he said.

The mayor noted that comfort and convenience have a way of retarding growth. Many children of affluent parents cannot do things on their own longer than those growing up in poor families. “In fact, some continue to depend on their parents long after they are married and have children on their own. Instead of helping them on their way, comfort and convenience have made them less prepared to face life,” he said. And yet, there is no doubt that the question that should be on everyone's mind then is how they intend to spend the future. The mayor quoting W. H. Auden who said, “We are on earth to do good for others. What the others are here for, I don't know.” Lim said this is the philosophy that any wise man and woman should embrace from here on. “Indeed, we are on earth to do good for others as God sent us to do. What the others are here for, we don't know. They can do their worse, but let us do our best,” Lim concluded.