Speech, 7th Moving Up Exercise at Sonbeam Learning Center, Taguig City

7^th MOVING UP AND RECOGNITION DAY 2011

Sonbeam Learning Center, South Daang Hari, Taguig City

31 March 2011, 2:00PM

Sa mga aktibong tagapamahala ng Sonbeam Learning Center sa pangunguna nina Rev. Nora, mga mahuhusay na guro, mga mapagmahal na mga magulang na walang sawang nag-aalaga sa kani-kanilang mga anak, mga kaibigan at bisita, at higit sa lahat, sa mga mag-aaral na magsisipagtapos sa Nursery, Kindergarten, at Preparatory Levels, isang mainit na pagbati sa inyong matagumpay na Moving Up and Recognition Day 2011!

Unang-una, nais ko pong ipaabot ang aking pasasalamat kay Rev. Boddie Famadico at Rev. Rose Famadico dahil sila ang kinasangkapan ng Panginoon para maimbitahan ako dito ni Pastora Nora bilang inyong tagapagsalita sa hapong ito. Ito po ang pang-apat na pagkakataon kung saan naimbitahan akong magsalita sa mga graduation exercises simula noong ako’y magtapos sa kolehiyo noong 2006. Malaking karangalan po para sa akin ang tumayo sa harapan ninyo at layunin ko po na magbigay ng inspirasyon sa ating mga kabataan na nandito ngayon at magbigay pugay sa ating mga magulang na tunay nga pong kahanga-hanga sa kanilang pagpupunyagi  para mabigyan ng edukasyon ang kanilang mga anak.

Ang tema sa taong ito na “Sa pagsisikap… matutupad ang pangarap” ay napapanahon at kailangang isapuso at isagawa hindi lamang ng isang mag-aaral kundi nang bawat isa sa atin. Madalas po naririnig natin sa ibang tao ang kasabihang “Ang kahirapan ay hindi hadlang sa pagtatagumpay.” Na kung magsisikap lamang ang isang tao ay walang imposible. Ngunit sinasabi ko po ito sa inyo ngayon: Ang kahirapan ay isang hadlang sa tagumpay. Ito ang mas malapit sa katotohanan.  Bakit? Sapagkat hindi kayang iproseso ng utak natin ang lahat ng mga bagay sa paaralan kung ang sikmura natin ay kumakalam. Sa loob ng 15 taon kong pag-aaral simula noong ako’y Grade I pa lamang hanggang sa nakatapos ako ng kolehiyo, naranasan ko po ang maghirap sa buhay. Lumaki ako sa isang pamilyang salat sa yaman. Parehong magsasaka ang aking mga magulang. Sabi nila, pag magsasaka ang iyong mga magulang, magsasaka na rin ang mga anak. Ito ay makatotohanan lalong-lalo na sa mga probinsya. Naranasan kong magtanim at maggapas ng palay, humawak ng makina o landmaster, at mag-araro sa bukid gamit ang kalabaw. Siguro kung aktibo ang DSWD sa probinsya namin, malamang ay nasampahan na ng child labor ang mga magulang ko. Kaya’t mga magulang, kung may resources kayo, ibigay ninyo ang  lahat ng inyong makakaya sa inyong mga anak. Wag ninyo silang gugutumin. Pero ano nga ba ang magagawa ng isang pamilyang walang-wala kundi mga paalala ng aking tatay sa akin na kung hindi man ako makakapagpatuloy sa pag-aaral ay maging mabuti akong tao. Magkagayun pa man, hindi ko sinisi ang aking mga magulang. Napakabait nilang mga magulang sa aming lahat na magkakapatid.

Naaalala ko pa noon na ang baon ko palagi sa eskwelahan ay kamoteng-kahoy o di kaya naman ay saging lang. Minsan, pag hindi ako nahihiya sa mga kaklase ko, nakikipagpalitan ako ng baon sa kanila. Akin ang kanin nila, sa kanila ang baon kong kamoteng-kahoy. Parang barter. Sa tindi ng kahirapan, maraming beses na akong nawalan ng pag-asang makapag-aral lalong-lalo na nung sinabi ng tatay ko na hanggang high school lang daw ako kasi lahat ng kapatid ko ay mga elementary at high school graduates lang. Hindi ko matanggap sa sarili ko ang naging pahayag ng aking ama. Ayokong panghabambuhay na magapos sa kahirapan kaya’t nagpursige ako. Pinilit kong magbasa ng maraming aklat at gumawa ng mga assignments kahit wala kaming de kuryenteng ilaw. Lampara lang ang gamit namin noon. Lahat ng pagsisikap ko ay nagkaroon ng magandang resulta sapagkat lagi akong first honor student simula noong Grade I hanggang fourth year high school. Ako palagi ang pambato ng eskwelahan sa iba’t ibang lugar pagdating sa mga quiz bee at iba pang competitions. Grumadweyt ako sa elementary at high school na valedictorian.  Mas lalo akong naging agresibong makatapos ng pag-aaral ng makapasok ako sa UP noong 2002. Sa halos 90,000 na kumuha ng eksaminasyon sa buong Pilipinas, humigit-kumulang 10,000 lang ang nakapasa at isa ako dun. Sa school namin, ako lamang ang pumasa sa lahat ng nagtake ng exam. Sa apat na taon kong pananatili sa UP Tacloban at hanggang ngayon na tinatapos ko ang masterado ko sa UP Diliman ay marami po akong natutunan. Mas lalo kong natutunan kong paano humarap ng may tapang sa mga pagsubok sa buhay. Na kailangan nating gamitin pareho ang isip at puso sa paggawa ng mga desisyon sa buhay. Sa UP ko natutunan na hindi sapat ang katalinuhang taglay ng isang mag-aaral kundi mahalaga din po ang diskarte, pagiging matiyaga, at pagkontrol sa sarili sa anumang emosyon na makakasagabal sa pag-abot ng mga pangarap.  

Sa mga batang magsisipagtapos ngayong araw na ito sa iba’t ibang antas, pagbutihin ninyo ang inyong pag-aaral. Gawin ninyo ang lahat ng mga homeworks na pinapagawa sa inyo ng mga teachers ninyo. Kahit walang baon na binibigay sina Papa at Mama niyo, pumasok pa rin kayo sa school, okay? Magpahatid na lang kayo sa kanila. Huwag maging tamad. Maging masunurin din sa mga magulang. Bawal na bawal ang sutil. Huwag kayong sasagot ng masama sa kanila. Hindi matutuwa si Jesus sa inyo pag inaway niyo ang mga magulang niyo.

Sa mga magulang, saludo po ako sa inyo. Hindi madali ang magpaaral ng mga anak lalo na sa panahon ngayon kung saan kaliwa’t kanan ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin. Batid po ‘yan ng ating mga mahal na magulang.  Alam ko po ito sapagkat dalawa ang pinapag-aral kong kapatid  ngayon sa kolehiyo. Maraming sakripisyo ang kailangang pagdaanan. Ipagpatuloy po ninyo ang inyong nasimulan. Huwag ninyong pabayaan ang inyong mga anak na maimpluwensiyan ng mga masasamang bisyo tulad ng droga. Gabayan po ninyo sila sa kanilang paglaki. Kailangan nila kayo.

Sa mga tagapamahala at guro ng paaralang ito, isang malaking tungkulin ang nakaatang sa inyo. Ang edukasyon ng isang tao ay napakahalaga. Ito ay buhay na magbibigay sa kanya ng tiwala at dignidad sa sarili habang siya ay naglalakbay sa mundong ito. Ikinararangal ko na ang institusyong ito ay isang institusyon kung saan binibigyang-diin ang maka-Diyos na mga layunin. Lubos po akong naniniwala na pag wala ang Diyos sa buhay ng isang tao, siya ay parang isang saranggola sa himpapawid na nakawala. Walang direksiyon. Walang patutunguhan.

Sa pagtatapos ng mensaheng ito, nais ko pong mag-iwan sa inyo ng ilang sipi mula sa Banal na Kasulatan (Efeso 6:1-4; Kawikaan 1:8; Colosas 3:20).

Mga anak, sundin ninyo ang inyong magulang, alang-alang sa Panginoon, sapagkat ito ang nararapat. Igalang mo ang iyong ama at ina. Ito ang unang utos na may kalakip na pangako; ganito ang pangako: “ikaw ay giginhawa at lalawig ang iyong buhay rito sa lupa.” Dinggin mo ang aral ng iyong ama at huwag ipagwalang bahala ang turo ng iyong ina.

Mga magulang, huwag ninyong ibuyo sa paghihimagsik laban sa inyo ang inyong anak dahil sa malabis minyong kahigpitan; sa halip, palakihin sila sa tuntunin at aral ng Panginoon. Huwag ninyong kagagalitan ng labis ang inyong mga anak, at baka manghina ang kanilang loob.

Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat at nawa’y pagpalain tayong lahat ng ating Panginoong Diyos.

Binabati ko kayong muli sa inyong tagumpay!

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Date and Time: March 31, 2011/ 2:00PM

Venue: South Daang Hari, Taguig City

7th Moving Up Ceremony of Sonbeam Learning Center Photos

Speech, 8th Moving Up Exercise of Hope in Jesus Christian School, Taguig City

MENSAHE SA MOVING UP AND RECOGNITION DAY

NG HOPE IN JESUS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, LOWER BICUTAN, TAGUIG CITY

Ni Marlon B. Raquel, Guest Speaker

Isang mainit na pagbati sa lahat ng ating maipagmamalaking magsisipagtapos na mga mag-aaral sa iba’t ibang antas ng Hope in Jesus Christian School, mga tagapamahala ng paaralan sa pangunguna nina Rev. Boddie at Rev. Rose Famadico, mga guro at magulang na patuloy at walang sawang umaagapay sa mga batang ito upang marating nila ang isa sa pinakamahalagang yugto ng kanilang buhay, ang Moving Up and Recognition Day 2011.

Ang mensahe ko sa hapong ito ay nahahati sa dalawa. Una ay nais ko pong ipabatid sa lahat ang ilang mahahalagang impormasyon tungkol sa bagong programa ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon ayon kay Dr. Catherine Castañeda, Direktor ng CHED-NCR nang siya po ay naimbitahang magsalita sa ika-14 na Commencement Exercises ng Wesleyan College of Manila na ginanap noong Sabado lamang sa Manila Hotel. Ako po ay dumalo sa nasabing okasyon bilang isa sa mga propesor ng nasabing kolehiyo. Ang pangalawang bahagi naman po ay nakasentro sa pagbibigay-pugay sa ating mga masisipag na mga mag-aaral na tunay nga pong nagbibigay ng karangalan sa ating mga magulang.

Simula ngayong darating na pasukan sa Hunyo, ipapatupad na ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon ang programang K+12. Ang K+12 program na ito isang pangunahing reporma sa edukasyon na magpapalawig sa basic education curriculum mula 10 taon hanggang sa 12 taon na pag-aaral sa elementarya at sekundarya. Ayon kay Dr. Castañeda, ang Pilipinas ang nag-iisang bansa sa mundo na may pinakamaikling duration o haba ng pag-aaral mula kindergarten hanggang high school. Lahat ng 5-taon-gulang na bata ay mag-aaral sa kindergarten, anim na taon sa elementarya, apat na taon sa junior high school, at karagdagang dalawang taon sa senior high school. Ayon sa datos ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon, may 2.4 milyong bata ang magpapapenrol sa kindergarten sa darating na pasukan. Sa ngayon, may 1.5 milyon ang nasa pampublikong day care centers at 435,574 naman ang mga nasa pribadong eskwelahan. Layunin ng K+12 program na ito mas mahusay na maihanda ng mga Pilipinong mag-aaral ang kanilang mga sarili sa lokal at pandaigdigang trabaho at sa mas mataas na antas ng edukasyon. Ito ay kasagutan na rin ng pamahalaang Aquino sa mithiin ng United Nations sa tinatawag na “universal education.”

Hindi madali ang magpaaral ng mga anak lalo na sa panahon ngayon kung saan kabila’t kanan ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin. Batid po ‘yan ng ating mga mahal na magulang.  Alam ko po ito sapagkat dalawa ang pinapag-aral kong kapatid sa kolehiyo. Maraming sakripisyo po ang kailangang pagdaanan. Kaya’t ang tema sa taong ito na “Ang batang masikap sa pag-aaral dulot sa magulang ay karangalan” ay tunay nga pong napapanahon. Masarap sa pakiramdam ng isang magulang habang pinagmamasadan niya ang kanyang anak na umaakyat sa entablado upang tanggapin ang kanyang sertipiko at parangal. Batid ko rin po ito sapagkat lubus-lubos ang kasiyahang aking nakita sa aking mga magulang sa tuwing aakyat sila ng entablado at magsasabit sa akin ng medalya mula Grade I hanggang 4^th year high school ako. Sampung (10) taon po akong first honor student. Salamat sa Diyos sa Kanyang patnubay. Kaya’t mga bata, magsikap kayo sa inyong pag-aaral. Bawal ang tamad. Makinig ng mabuti sa sinasabi ng inyong guro. Huwag pasaway kay Teacher Cherry at Teacher Rose at sa iba pang magiging guro ninyo. Sigurado akong matutuwa ang mga magulang ninyo. Bilang mga anak, tumulong kayo sa inyong mga magulang at kapatid. Sa papaanong paraan? Sa pamamagitan ng pag-aaral ng mabuti. Bilang mga Pilipino, tumulong kayo sa kapwa Pilipino kahit na sa munting paraan. Lahat ng inyong mga natutunan ay magagamit ninyo sa hinaharap.

Sa mga magulang at guro na patuloy na umaagapay sa mga batang ito, saludo po ako sa inyo. Kayo ang tunay na bida sa buhay nila. Ipagpatuloy po ninyo ang inyong nasimulan. Kailangan nila kayo. 

Sa pagtatapos ng mensaheng ito, nais ko pong mag-iwan sa inyo ng ilang sipi mula sa Banal na Kasulatan (Efeso 6:1-4; Kawikaan 1:8; Colosas 3:20).

Mga anak, sundin ninyo ang inyong magulang, alang-alang sa Panginoon, sapagkat ito ang nararapat. Igalang mo ang iyong ama at ina. Ito ang unang utos na may kalakip na pangako; ganito ang pangako: “ikaw ay giginhawa at lalawig ang iyong buhay rito sa lupa.” Dinggin mo ang aral ng iyong ama at huwag ipagwalang bahala ang turo ng iyong ina.

Mga magulang, huwag ninyong ibuyo sa paghihimagsik laban sa inyo ang inyong anak dahil sa malabis minyong kahigpitan; sa halip, palakihin sila sa tuntunin at aral ng Panginoon. Huwag ninyong kagagalitan ng labis ang inyong mga anak, at baka manghina ang kanilang loob.

Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat at nawa’y pagpalain tayong lahat ng ating Panginoong Diyos.

Binabati ko kayong muli sa inyong tagumpay!

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Date and Time: March 29, 2011/ 2:00PM

Venue: Grandstand, Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City

30th Graduation Speech (Elementary)

*Delivered by Marlon B. Raquel during the annual graduation exercises of Jabong Elementary School, Tabontabon, Leyte on the 28th day of March 2007.

*The guest speaker is a Fellow of the University of the Philippines Population Institute in UP Diliman, Quezon City taking up Master of Arts in Demography with the funding support from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation. He graduated valedictorian in Jabong Elementary School in the year 1998.

Thank you, Jonas for your kind introduction. Our honorable mayor, Priscilla R. Justimbaste, our energetic supervisor, Bienvenido P. Canete, our barangay captain, Hon. Alfredo Garcela, Sr., principal of Jabong Elementary School, Mr. Santiago Remandaban, principal of Guingauan Elementary School and Sphere, Mr. Lucas Bibar, head teacher of San Pablo Elementray School and Sphere, Mrs. Myrna Canete, teacher-in-charge of Aslum Elementray School, Mrs. Eleonor Balasanos, teacher-in-charge of Mercaduhay Elementray School, Mrs. Gloria Diaz, parents, visitors, and most importantly, graduates of Class 2007, warm greetings to each and everyone of you.

It is my honor to speak before you today with a message of hope and encouragement for every one of us here. When I was informed that I will be the one to share the graduation message this year, I did not hesitate to accept the invitation for two reasons: First, as a graduate of this school, it is both my desire and honor to impart what I have learned in this life. I am so proud of this institution. My acceptance is one way of showing my gratitude. Secondly, I want to encourage our young graduate today to pursue their dreams and ambitions in life.

The theme for this year’s graduation exercises “Student Empowerment towards Greater Productivity” (Lakas ng Kabataan Tungo sa Maunlad na Kinabukasan) is very timely because there is an increasing number of students enrolling today in schools yet most of them were not productive as we should expect. Why? It is because our knowledge about student empowerment is limited and is not effectively applied. Student empowerment means enabling the students to pursue social and achievement goals.

Poverty has been the major reason why many students today could not finish their schooling. You have always heard the saying “Poverty is not a hindrance to success” from different people. However, it is my opinion that the opposite is what the reality is: poverty is indeed a hindrance to success. In my 21 years of existence in this world, I have realized that poverty will cripple you until you have nothing to left in yourself. This is not discourage you, our dear graduates and parents, but I just want to emphasize here the reality of life. When we truly begin to understand that poverty, like other things and circumstances, such as physical disabilities, hinder our progress, we will overcome these obstacles. Remember that an empty stomach will not empower students. I can tell you this because I have experienced it. Let me give you a personal experience so that you will see a clearer of what I’m trying to say. When I was in college, there were several times that I missed my classes simply because of these two reasons: I didn’t have money for tricycle fare from my boarding house to UP and I was too hungry to bother attending my classes. Where is empowerment in this setting? None! I’ve gone through a lot of difficulties in college, but I never give up. I borrowed money from my friends and classmates. So parents, wag niyong gugutumin ang mga anak niyo if you want them to graduate. To our graduates of Class 2007, do not loose hope. Never give up! Do not be intimidated by the poverty of life. Develop positive characteristics within yourself for these will be your swords to combat any obstacles that will come on your way. Be empowered.

With regard to the future, this is what I say to you: dream big. Dreams help you to do great things in life. Dreams will help you make the impossible things possible, to set direction in your lives, and to make changes for the better; even better, change the world and make it better. To dream big allows great inventions and discoveries to be made. To dream big puts energy and spark into each day. To dream big makes you continue to seek for excellence in everything you do. You have seen and experienced excellence time and time again these past six years so I hope that the desire be embedded deeply within your hearts.

Continue to learn. A school is not the only place where learning occurs nor is academic learning the only kind. Always be curious, be open to the ideas of others whose interests differ from what you believe. Learn something new each day. By doing so, you will develop new passions and you will be an interesting person. I don’t want you to be dull.

Take responsibility for your successes and your failures. Enjoy the former, and learn more from the latter. If other people helped you to be successful, acknowledge and thank them; if others were involved in disappointment, encourage them to work with you to be successful next time.

Foster good relationships. They will help you with those big dreams. They will help you to keep real. They will help you to maintain perspective in good and difficult times. Stay connected with people as you go through to high school, college, work, and beyond. Your lives will be richer and more enjoyable as a result. Test me in this. Be involved in your community in some way.

To the parents and teachers, help your children and students develop their potentials. They need you. They are in the stage of growing up. Help them realize their goals just as you helped me when I was still your student. I am indebted to all of you for inculcating in my mind the importance of education.

And lastly, don’t forget to pray and seek God. Make Him the center of your life.

Thank you so much!

***END***

37TH COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS (HIGH SCHOOL)

COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS

*Delivered during the commencement exercises of Justimbaste – Remandaban National High School, Tabontabon, Leyte on the 30th day of March 2007

*Guest Speaker: Marlon Bignotea Raquel, a Fellow (Master of Arts in Demography) of the University of the Philippines Population Institute, UP Diliman, Quezon City with the funding support from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Inc.

Thank you Ma’am Irene for your kind introduction. Our honorable Mayor Priscilla R. Justimbaste, our energetic secondary school principal, Mrs. Teresita V. Coquia, honored guests, parents, visitors, and most importantly, graduates of Class 2007 of Justimbaste-Remandaban National High School, warm greetings to each and every one of you.

In this memorable occasion of your life, I am honored to be asked to deliver a commencement address to you today. Actually, I was not expecting that I will be the one to speak before you. What I expect is that I will be the guest speaker next year, two years after my college graduation just as what Ma’am Coquia had told me once when we talked. When I bought my plane ticket, I was so excited that at last, I will be delivering a message as a guest speaker to the graduates of Jabong Elementary School where I graduated from, not realizing that my joy and excitement will be tripled later on when I was about to be informed that I would also be sharing a commencement address to you, young graduates of Justimbaste – Remandaban National High School. So I heartily extend my gratitude and thanksgiving to Ma’am Coquia and our teachers for choosing me as the guest speaker today. Thank you so much, Ma’am and Sir!

Current visions of preparing students for the 21st century advocate that students must be enabled and empowered in the present and for the future. The theme for this year's commencement exercises "Student Empowerment towards Greater Productivity (Lakas ng Kabataan Tungo sa Maunlad na Kinabukasan) is thus very timely. Filipino adolescents are growing in number. The latest 2000 Census counted 15.1 million adolescents aged 15-24 years old and is estimated to reach 30 million by 2030. Of 15.1 million adolescents, 62.8% ages 15-19 are studying in schools in 1994 and increased to 67.8% in 2002, as revealed by the Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality (YAFS) study conducted by the UP Population Institute in UP Dililan, Quezon City where I preently taking up my master's degree. These figures show that our parents have the unwavering desire to educate their children. I salute and congratulate our parents who are here today for their efforts despite cycles of economic difficulties experienced in the last few decades. You really deserve to be honored in this occasion.

As a political scientist brought up in UP environment, the word "power" is not new to me. We discussed it every class meeting. And even beyond the four corners of the classroom, power was often the center of our discussions. It is not the magical powers that you usually see in televisions such that of Super Twins or Power Rangers, or any other fantasy movie. Student empowerment has something to do with the ability of the studdents to take control over their lives and valued resources through development of social skills and allowing them to freely exercise their own powers and responsibilities. Teachers are encouraged to share powers with their students instead of dominating or controlling them. To our dear teachers, continue developing the potentials of your students. They need you. Empowering students is not just something that can be turned on and off but needs to be consistent and persuasive. I am very grateful to our dear teachers of this institution for helping me develop my skills--in both academic and leadership. Without them, I may not be here speaking before you today. They deserve honor and respect for inculcating the value of education to us.

To the graduates of Class 2007, I am so proud of you. Congratulations! You have completed high school education. Check that off to-do list, you’re off to great start but it is only high school. Your education and life has only begun. Remember the past days and years, look back and relish these memories forever, but don’t forget the future. Don’t linger in the past. It’s time, graduates, to move on towards bigger and better things, a brighter future.

I remember five years ago during our high school commencement exercise, in this same place, that one of my teachers (who is here today) gave me a bookmark after I delivered my valedictory address. A powerful quote is written on it which says, “Believe in God and believe in yourself, together you can do unbelievable things.” Imagine how this quote became a source of inspiration to me since that moment and until now. It became a guiding principle in my life. The Philippines, as a nation, has been known worldwide, as the only country in the whole continent of Asia which is pre-dominated by Christians. In fact, the latest 2000 Census reveals that about 85 percent of Filipinos are Christians. Personally, I am proud to be a Christian. I am thankful that God is always there for me. I went through a lot of difficulties when I was still a college student, but God has been my Helper and Comforter. (Share some life experiences.) No matter how intelligent, successful, famous, handsome or famous you are, if you don’t acknowledge God in your life, it makes no sense. To paraphrase the statement of the famous scientist Blaise Pascal, he said that if “I believe in God and you do not believe in His existence and it was proven that there is no God at all, then that’s okay. But if it will be proven that there is God Who sees every man in this vast universe, you’re the loser and I’m the winner.” To our dear graduates, as you go out the portals of your beloved Alma Mater, always remember to seek God in your life and make Him your topmost priority and all things you desire will go well with you.

The second part of the quote I just mentioned earlier says, “Believe in yourself.” Believing in yourself is very vital in order to accomplish what you want. Do not be afraid of the unknown. Extract the best of you. Strive for excellence. You’ve got your whole life in front of you. People won’t always be nice to you, things may not always come easy, and life won’t always be fair. It’s going to be tough times, I won’t lie, but you’ll get through, you’ll figure it out. (Share some life experience). Do not loose hope, please. Never give up. Keep trying. I know each and every one of you is an amazing person. I just hope that you will live up to the fullest potential and change the world. Do not be intimated by the people around you. Do not allow people to look down on you just because you are young, just because you are poor or just because you are not as intelligent as they are for they are just like you, running in a race called life journey. If your faith in God is as strong as a fortified city, and you firmly believe in yourself without a doubt, I am telling you right now: You can do unbelievable things – things you’ve never imagined before!

Be thankful to the people around you. You have to look back to the people who helped you and will be helping you build your dreams. I am the only one in the nine children of my family who completed a four year-bachelor’s degree in college. And as my father used to say, I just kept on going and going and going. Although I earned that privilege through hard work and perseverance, I know that I could not have succeeded without that great cloud of witnesses upon whose shoulders I stood. So please allow me to take this opportunity to thank the following people and institutions who have helped me a lot. First and foremost is my immediate family and relatives who tirelessly and unselfishly helping me throughout my 21 years of existence in this world of ours. I really salute my father and mother for the moral support they always give me especially in times of troubles. I also want to thank my friends here and abroad, Kuya Sean and Aaron of London, Raymond and JB of Taguig City, Jojo of Quezon City, Jay of Olongapo City, Kate of Eastern Samar, Jojo and Ate Alma of Canada, Rufino of Bulacan, Ate Hely and Marc of Caloocan City, Mark Lester of Catbalogan, James of Aklan, Kuya Tata of Davao City, Kuya Yuan of Laguna, Manong Russ of China, Jerome of Romblon, Kuya Josh of Misamis City, my other friends in Metro Manila, Rose and Gina of UP Diliman, Kuya Yel of San Juan, Mana Linda of Tacloban City, Kuya Matt of the United States, my spiritual leaders such as Ate Jean, Concepcion family, Ecija family, my church family, my Agape family, some employees and professors of UP Tacloban College, my teachers in both elementary and high school, our barangay captain, my barkadas, and even to complete strangers who became part of my life. I would also want to thank the entire Filipino people, through taxes paid to the government, for the scholarship I enjoyed for four years in UP Tacloban and just recently, to The David and Lucile Packard Foundation for awarding me a scholarship grant for my master’s study in the University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City. I am indebted to all these persons and institutions who over the years saw something in me that I could not myself see, and gave me their support in time, in prayer, in guidance, in mentoring and in providing financial needs. I made this list to encourage you, our dear graduates, that no matter how successful you will be in the future, don’t ever, and ever forget to thank those people around you.

Throughout the rest of your lives, Class of 2007, you are going to be at the top of a decision, ready to take risk and something might hold you back. This moment is critical! Assess your fears! Sometimes you delay action in fear of getting hurt or fear of hurting someone else. Be smart! However, if your hesitation derives from fear of the unknown future, remember: the moment you all were born, everything was new; emotional and physical discoveries were made every second, and they still are. Taking risks is part of your life. If you are afraid of the unknown, the solution is simple: make it known! It’s called “getting educated”. I’m not just talking about math, English, or science – but those are important too – I’m talking about understanding the world, the mechanics of it – the society itself – and understanding yourself: goals, values, what you stand for, what you want to get out of life, what makes you happy. Once you think all these things quickly though, reassess your risk. You go through this process everyday. Should I try to live on my own? Should I get married? Should I go to college? Should I take the risk? Is it worth it? In high school, there have been some obstacles, some trials, and some risks. But now they’re over, look back, reflect, remember, and move on. You’re ready, graduates of Class 2007, to venture into the real world.

As an alumnus of this school, it makes me feel wonderful to know that our teachers, alumni, and other people’s achievements and investment will result in a remarkable contribution to our communities. As Filipinos, you are called to serve this nation. I am hopeful that you will carry forward the values of care, justice and commitment as you take the next step of your lives. Your diploma will be your passport to another step in higher educational system. Remember this: each one of you is a bright explosion in the universe about to take off for a destination beyond Justimbaste – Remandaban National High School.

I want to end my commencement address today with this exhortation: “BE A SHOOTING STAR FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!” Dream, believe, survive!

Thank you so much and once again, congratulations, graduates of Class 2007! God bless us all!