It is an honor, a privilege to be invited as your guest speaker for tonight’s
graduation ceremony. An honor and privilege because out of all great
alumna of our beloved alma mater, isa ako sa Napili upang maging
tapagsalita, sabi nga ng kanta “some people live a lifetime for a moment like
this”. Pero isang malaking responsibilidad din na tumayo sa inyong harapan,
hindi ko alam kung saan ko sisimulan, kung alin sa bahagi ng aking buhay
ang pwede kayo mainspire…. 33 years old ako ngayon, almost half of your
age, may mga classmate ako na nagpapa graduate na ngayon ng highchool
habang ako naman nagsisimula palang bumuo ng sariling pamilya.
Exactly 18 years ago, nandyan din ako sa kinauupuan nyo, graduate ako ng
batch 2006, naaalala ko pa ang ibat ibang emosyon habang nakaupo dyan sa
kinauupuan nyo, halo halong saya, kaba, excitement at lungkot. Pero bago
matapos ang aming graduation nun ay may naiwang isang katanungan sa
amin.
“What has life to offer me when I grow old?
What has life to offer me
When i grow old
What's there to look forward to
beyond the biting cold
'Coz they say it's difficult
Yes, stereotypical
You gotta be conventional,
You can't be so radical
Chorus:
So i sing this song to all of my age
For these are the questions
We've got to face
For in this cycle that we call life
We are the ones who are next in line.
My dear graduates, let us ponder on this question… what has life to offer to us after this
graduation?, after we packed out our things and move forward for a new journey. Some of us would
find a new job and hopefully all of you would continue your studies and pursue a college degree.
TRANSFEREE
NOMINATED MY SELF MAPEH
GAINED SELF CONFIDENCE
ENTRANCE EXAM
CHOOSES INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
LOOSE CONFIDENCE
GAIN AGAIN
GRADUATION IN COLLEGE
CAREER PATH
EXPERIENCE IN COMPANY
ENTREPRENEUR
FATHERS SHADOW
PANDEMIC
ELECTION
MAYOR
My dear graduates sa edad kong ito masasabi ko na halos nagsisimula palang ang aking bagong
journey, sinusulat ko palang din kung ano ang legasiyang maiiwan ko sa ating bayan, sa mga
Kabataang tulad nyo.
Balikan natin ang tanong ko, what has life to offer me when I grow old?
Paano kung sabihin kong wala…..panghihinaan na ba kayo?
My dear graduates tayo ang gagawa ng ating storya tayo ang maghahanap ng diskarte kung paano
tayo mabubuhay sa mundong ito.
Panghawakan nyo ang inyong mga pangarap, marahil hind isa ating itinakdang panahon maii
sakatuparan ang lahat ngunit maniwala kayo in Gods perfect time. Tulad sa kwento ko, lahat ng
plinano ko sa buhay ay hindi naging Madali, ngunit alam kong inihahanda ako nito upang mas
maging matatag ako kapag dumating na ang tamang panahon.
Growing up, lagi ko naririnig kay papa ang poem o tula ng desiderata, hindi ko dati maintindihan
pero paglipas ng panahon mauunawaan nyong ito ang matra sa buhay upang mamuhay ng tahimik
at mapayapa.
Desiderata: Original Text
This is the original text from the book where
Desiderata was first published.
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and
remember what peace there may be in silence. As far
as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with
all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to
others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too
have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are
vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with
others, you may become vain or bitter, for always
there will be greater and lesser persons than
yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep
interested in your own career, however humble; it is
a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the
world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to
what virtue there is; many persons strive for high
ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither
be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and
disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully
surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden
misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark
imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and
loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with
yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than
the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the
universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at
peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the
noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With
all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a
beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
by Max Ehrmann ©1927
congratulations my dear graduates!!!!
And always remember, always be kind.
Thank you and good evening!!!!