Inspiring Graduates from the Heart

(As a guest Speaker on the occasion of Ipil, National High School's Graduation Day, batch 2015)

         Thank you for that heartwarming introduction. I am thankful to all of you, especially to my mentors who invited me to speak today. Before anything else, I would like to greet a wonderful morning to Dr. Amelia P. Torralba, Schools Division Superintendent, Mr. Jerry C. Bokingkito, Surrogate Supervisor, Mrs. Beverly L. Alcoriza, school principal, faculty and staff, parents, visitors, graduates and to everyone who are here.

First of all, congratulations to all of you for a "Job Well Done". At last, the four tough years will now come to an end, and I'm sure you are very proud of yourselves for this accomplishment. Why did I say it was tough? Well, whoever could forget these experiences; yong di mo alam kong saan ka hihingi o hahanap ng pambayad sa paaralan dahil wala pang pera si nanay at tatay; yong galit sayo ang mga kagrupo mo sa isang project kasi di ka pa nakapagbayad, at wala ka talagang pambayad; yong bumaba ang score mo sa exam dahil hindi ka nakapag-aral kakapanood mo ng teleerye sa ABS-CBN o GMA; yong di ka makaka get over dahil naperfect mo ang exam o kayay ZERO ang score mo sa exam; yong sigaw ka ng sigaw sa klase “Sinong may papel, pahingi!”; yong inspired na inspired kang pumasok sa paaralan dahil makikita mo na naman ang crush mo na kailanma’y di ka naman pinapansin; yong pinapapunta sa paaralan ang parents mo dahil meron ka na namang ginawang kababalaghan; yong mga panahong habang paparating ang iyong kinakatakotang guro, agad-agad na papasok sa klase, nakaupo, at behave na behave, kasi takot ka lang palang mapagalitan na naman”; yong paparating si maam adviser, agad-agad kumuha ng walis at naglinis, sabay greet kay ma’am, “Good morning ma’am!”(para lang pala mapansin na siyay naglilinis); yong mga panahong prepared na prepared kana sa quiz at biglang umabsent si ma’am, e di ang saya ng buong klase, nagpaparty ang mga daga at wala ang pusa; yong halos mamatay ka na sa kaba dahil magpeperform ka sa stage; yon gang sarap isigaw sa buong mundo na honor student ka… at marami pang iba. Who could not relate to these experiences? They might give you wonderful feelings or the opposite, but I’m sure you will keep them for a lifetime. One day, when you’ll get to remember those things, you’ll just smile and realize how they helped you become a better version of yourselves and for sure you learned so much from them.

Well then, may I have the attention of the proud parents and families of the graduates! Congratulations ma’am and sir. I salute you for your splendid support and perseverance to let these young children close another portion of their lives - their high school life - and prepare for their next steps into a new journey - the college journey.

(Graduating students, cge nga, lingon muna sa parents ang families ninyo. Give them a smile and say thank you..very good!....)              

I’m definitely sure that nothing could surpass the happiness and pride you, dear parents, feel today, having seen your sons and daughters with a big smile on their faces and full of excitement as they are about to receive their diploma, a visual representation of the great effort and undertakings they had to survive. I know it’s not yet the end of your support and perseverance, because these young men and women are just starting to get into their greatest dream as they will take new steps together with your help to have a better future. But this event, their commencement day, marks one of your utmost accomplishments as parents. 

To the teachers and staff of this school, my beloved alma mater, who have been our parents in the classrooms, I salute you for the time, knowledge, values and expertise that you shared with these young children. You are the blessing which transformed them into what they are today. Hindi parin natitinag ang galing ng mga gurong ito na naging guro ko din while I was here. God knows that today I’m bringing that gift, being one of your blessed graduates, and I’m sure these graduates will be telling the same thing in the future. Dear teachers, congratulations!

So what’s next? You all exactly know that it’s not yet the ending, but it’s just the start of a new chapter in the book of your life. Maybe after this very day, some of you are already planning to work to support your family, some of you are already thinking as to what course to take in college, and worst, some of you here are already planning to get married? (Crack jokes here…)

Your graduation theme, “Hindi natitinag ang pusong Pilipino” is an undeniable fact that we, Filipinos are tough when it comes to facing trials and challenges.

(Just like the siege in Zamboanga city, the earthquake in Bohol, the bagyong Yolanda that caused so much destruction), yet, we survived!!!

Let me share to you my life experiences which I may say, hindi natitinag ang aking puso bilang isang Pilipinong mag-aaral… I came from a poor family, and so I have to work harder to survive especially for my education. With that, I was able to look for ways and means to overcome the challenges. I was a working student since third year high school until I graduated college. It was never an easy task for me. I’ve been through many difficult times. Sometimes I got to the point of surrendering and my hope to graduate was lost. But then, God is so good. He gave me people who helped me stay determined and courageous enough. These people helped me become who and what I am today. Yan ang aking karanasan na nais kong ibahagi sa inyo bilang gabay sa inyong paglalakbay, na kahit gaano kahirap ang mga pagsubok na aking napagdaanan, lagi kong isinasaisip na makakaya ko ang lahat, sapagkat nangingibabaw sa akin ang pagiging pursigido na makapagtapos ng pag-aaral, at kahit ano mang mangyari, walang sinuman o anumang bagay ang magsisilbing hadlang sa akin upang abutin ito. I stood firmly with my principle of not giving up no matter how hard it was. I did not surrender, instead I strived harder up to the zenith of my capability, and God even blessed me with more than what I’ve prayed for.  

Life doesn’t follow the plans you layout for yourself. You will all experience the highs and lows of life, the difficult and easy tasks. I tell you, I’ve been through many struggles in life. I could even say that I had more difficult times than the smooth ones. But these experiences were my driving force in achieving what I have and what God has blessed me today. And I say the same thing for you, graduates.

Before I’ll end this opportunity standing before you today, let me leave you important things to carry home after this ceremony. 

Dream! Dream big things and work for them. The obstacle you may encounter and overcome will be of great help for you to build a positive future. Don’t give up when trials seem to block you in reaching your goal. GOD DREAMS WITH and FOR YOU.

Serve! Serve others with all your heart. God will be happy to see you, doing even little kindness to your neighbor. Your reward will be a gift which will be more than what you have asked and prayed for.

Have faith! Believe that everything will get better and God won’t ever leave you behind. He’s just there, the overall manager of your life. Leave and entrust everything to Him, and your upcoming life will be a life full of surprises. Indeed, God blesses those who work with profound trust in Him.

And lastly, allow God to love you! He knows you by heart.

Congratulations and may God bless you in your next endeavors! Thank you and good morning once again!