“There is no coincidence in life for everything is dependent upon the grace of God.” I am Renante P. Lazarte, a Certified Public Accountant in profession with eight (8) years meaningful professional experience in the field of Accounting, Auditing, Management Advisory Services and Taxation. I am 31 years old and happily married to my best half, Jogie Diaz-Lazarte and with two dependents namely Nathaniel, my eldest and Beatrice.

How was your life before you entered SMS? Why did you choose SMS?
Life for me in those days was really difficult even though we are only two children. My father worked as a stevedore in one of the private companies here in the international port of Cagayan de Oro City and my mother was just tending a small “sari-sari store” before or we call it “sira-sira store.” Sometimes, I walked to school without any “baon” and I used to carry a sack-bag which my mother made for me. Actually, It was nicely sewed but because it was made of sack my classmates used to tease me. Then one day, I was very happy to inform my parents that I happened to pass the scholarship of The Sisters of Mary in Cebu together with my female cousin. I remembered when the Sister interviewed me, she asked “kung pang-ilan ako sa magkakapatid,” “ang sagot ko naman” “magulang” and she smiled at me. “Magulang” in Visayan term means eldest. At first, my parents were hesitant to send me but I persuaded them. I told them that this is one way of helping them.

What was your most memorable experience inside the SMS?
As member of St. Paul family, for four years being together, our friendship bond was the most memorable experience for me. In sickness and in health, in tears and in joy they were always there for me willing to give support and that’s one thing very important when you are away from home and also the unwavering support of our energetic and beloved Sisters.

I was a member of the elite bible quizzer of our family and I remember when we won the championship in Boystown, our prize was a beach trip somewhere in the southern part of Cebu. However when we compete the girls for unification, sad to say that all teams from boystown lost to them with a high margin of score and we were wondering how they were able to answer some of the difficult questions which were not found in the coverage but any way we forgave them “heheheheh joke lang!” I was also a member of Rondalla and I used to play Banduria.

For four years in the campus, because of financial constraint, my mother was able to visit me only ONCE during those visiting days and it happened when I was in third year. I was very happy then but in the evening, I was not able to help myself, tears burst from my eyes. You know, it’s my first time to cry during my stayed in the campus. Okay, okay so much for drama.

And because of “kapilyuhan,” when I got bored in going to my class, I used to pretend that I was not feeling well and I just slept in my bed for the whole day. That is why right after graduation I was not able to land a job because when I asked Sister GEMMA ANDREA TORRES, our Sister In-charge, she just replied “sakitin ka man, dong.” I was very frustrated to hear her because most of my dormmates were already hired.

What did you do right after graduation? Did you work or study? How was it?
Right after graduation, during the summer, I went to different colleges and universities in our city that will accept working students. Luckily I was admitted as a student guard in Cagayan Capitol College, now Capitol University for just a couple of months, I took up Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and because my father saw how difficult it was of being a student and student guard, he decided to finance my schooling. So I stopped from being a student guard and focus on my studies.

During my college life, it was not easy. I used to have a promissory note to secure my permit during examination days. Often times, I don’t have enough money for snacks and “gimik” with my friends so I usually went to the library to study. It was in the “loverary” that I met my beautiful wife. Because of her and my predicament, I was bent on to study hard and for four years of epic struggle patience paid off indeed.

During my third year, because of my good performance, I was chosen to represent our school in Regional Accounting Quiz Bowl and I won it. Being the champion, I was the representative for region 10 in the National Accounting Quiz Bowl held in Naga City and luckily I was able to grab the third place with a bronze medal and trophy. It was a great pride for our school and I was commended by our school president. I was given recognition as Junior of the Year Awardee at that year.

Right after graduation, my school granted me a full scholarship for review and with constant prayer and help of God, I passed the CPA Licensure Examination last October 2001.

How is your life now? Tell us about your work? studies?
As of now, I am working as a staff auditor and researcher in one of the leading accounting office here in Cagayan de Oro City. I am also a part-time instructor in one of the colleges in the city. I am currently teaching Financial Accounting, Basic Business Finance and Accounting for Hotels and Restaurants.

What can you say about SMS? About Fr. Al?
The Sisters of Mary School is like a taste of Heaven on Earth. Actually, words are not enough to describe my deepest gratitude to my Alma Mater. It was in SMS that I’ve learned how to pray especially the rosary and until now I practiced it. The SMS has a great role in transforming me into a total person, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. SMS taught me to become faithful to my Catholic faith and serve the Lord with joy. And of course, where would I be without the herculean endeavor of our founder, Fr. Al and the beloved Sisters. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, we loved you FR. AL and I hope to see you in the loving arms of our Blessed Mother, the Virgin of the poor, OPPSS! Not yet for now, but someday.

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