(Graduation Speech Delivered during the 19th Commencement Exercises of Pagbilao Central West Elementary School)
Thank you so much Mrs. Ruby L. Medenilla for your kind introduction.
Beloved parents, teachers, school administrators, Brgy. Officials, visitors, Class of 2010, ladies and gentlemen a pleasant afternoon.
I feel so honored to be chosen as a guest speaker for the 19th Commencement Exercises of Pagbilao Central West Elementary School. When Mrs. Urgelles invited me to give a graduation speech for this commencement exercises, I did not hesitate to accept the said invitation for the following reasons: First, it is my time to express my heartfelt gratitude to this institution for giving my basic education. This institution taught me a lot. This is where I learned the difference between consonants and vowels, the famous fable character of Pagong and Matsing, the legendary story of Alamat ng Pinya at ang pagkakaiba ng pangngalang pantangi at pangngalang pambalana. I owe so much from this institution. My teachers molded and disciplined me the way I behave now. Without them, I think I am nothing. Secondly, I want to give an inspirational message that will help you graduates to get motivated. I encourage you guys to fulfill your dreams. Aim high. Lastly, to recognize your outstanding success and your awesome talents as a Class of 2010. Palakpakan n'yo ang inyong mga sarili sapagkat matapos ang anim na taong pag-aaral sa paaralang elementarya ay naririto kayo ngayon at tumatanggap ng diploma at medalya ng karangalan.
Maybe some of us here today, including your parents/guardians, are asking how your lives are going to turn out after this graduation. It is ok to wonder but, I also think it is significant to realize that our future is not just something that happens to us. It is up to us to create. Ikaw, ako, tayong lahat ang may hawak ng ating kapalaran. Don't ever think that the only honor students are the intelligent ones. Remember that everyone has its own potentials. Tandaan n'yo na lahat tayo ay anak ng Diyos at alam ng Panginoon kung paano magbahagi ng galing at talino sa bawat isa sa atin.
If your trying to contemplate the message of todays graduation's theme, Education Changing Lives: Edukasyon ang Solusyon. It says that education has a power to change our lives. It plays vital role in achieving a productive life. Education improves value and excellence of one's life as well. With this, I urge everyone of you to pursue in achieving higher education. Once have it, value and use it.
As one author defined, education is not only preparation for life but it is life itself. Hindi lamang ito paghahanda para sa magandang kinabukasan bagkus ito mismo ang inyong bukas. Education makes man a right thinker. It tells man how to think and how to make decisions. Ang edukasyon ang susi upang makausad sa mundo, makahanap ng maayos na trabaho at maabot nating ganap ang ating mga pangarap. Tunay na napakahalaga ng eduksayon sa isang indibidwal kaya walang dapat pagkaitan sa pagtatamo nito. Mga magsisipagtapos, kayo ba ay sumasang-ayon?
Parents, teachers, visitors and most especially graduates keep on learning. I encourage you to continue to learn all you can and to be the best you can be. I sincerely hope that you will continue to fight for learnings. Who knows, after many years, you will be outstanding people in all kinds of professions. Remember that you are the future of this country. Today you are graduating in grade school, them move to high school, right after go to college and then enter the world of professionals. If you do have a good educational background I assure you guys that you have an edge to achieve your dreams. The significance of education cannot be neglected by any nation. And in today’s society, the role of education has become even more vital. It is an absolute necessity for economic and social development of any nation. Indeed, education can change lives. Graduates, do not allow poverty to be a hindrance in achieving your dreams in life. A person that gets a good education will become a more dependable worker, a better citizen, and a stronger consumer. Education is a solution to the country’s problems and to see "the youth as the fair hope of the motherland." Alam ko, maraming pagdaraanan ang isang tao para sa pagtatamo ng mataas na karunungan, nariyan na ang pagod, kakulangang pinansyal at ang masaklap ay ang inggit ng iyong kapwa. Subalit huwag n'yong hayaan na ibaon na lamang ng kahirapan at ng ibang taong humihila sa inyo pababa ang inyong pangarap na magtamo ng karunungan. Gaya ko, dumaan din ako sa hirap para matamo ang karunungang aking tinatamasa sa kasalukuyan. Tulad n'yo rin patuloy pa ako sa pag-aaral upang magtamo ng panibagong karunungan na alam ko magagamit ko sa hinaharap. Currently, I am studying in one of the prestigious universities in the country, the De La Salle University-Manila as a university scholar. Sino bang mag-aakalang ang isang probinsyanong tulad ko ay makakapag-aral sa nasabing elistang unibersidad sa bansa.
Fellow graduates, value education the way Dr. Jose Rizal sees it. Remember that you are the hope of this nation. You are the future leaders of the Philippines. Try to excel in all endeavours. Never give up. Strive for the best. Be proud because you are a product of this institution. Ang galing ng Pagbilao West Elementary School ay galing ng Pagbilao, Quezon.
Before I end my speech I want to give an inspirational messages to all of you.
Parents, I know that you are happy right now. Ang makitang ang inyong anak na suot ang toga at naglalakad para tumanggap ng diploma ay isa sa pinakamasayang pakiramdam ng isang magulang at isa sa pinakamagandang regalo ng isang anak. If you have the capabilities of sending your children to college, do it. Never ever say NO. Because I strongly believe that education is the best solution to alleviate poverty. After all, ang tagumpay ng inyong anak ay tagumpay n'yo rin. Mga magulang, inaanyayahan ko kayong lumapit sa inyong mga anak upang bigyan sila ng isang malambing na yakap at batiin sila sa kanilang pagtatapos.
Teachers and School Administrators, continue the good deeds. The future depends on you. Keep on learning. If you have a time to take further studies, do it. Because I know it will uplift your knowledge and it will help your professional, social and moral development. You instilled in us the core values of upright citizens and we will forever treasure our years with you in our hearts. Batid naming lahat na ang pagtuturo ay hindi birong bagay. Lalo na sa mga pampublikong paaralan gaya nito. Kayo ay itinuturing na pangalawang ina at ama ng mga mag-aaral na gaya namin. Dahil sa inyo, naabot namin ang aming mga pangarap. Mga magsisipagtapos, maaring bang sabihin ninyo sa inyong mga guro ang katagang, SALAMAT po Titser.
Graduates, as you go through this defining moment of your lives you must never forget these things: (1) Never stop learning. It is a lifetime process. Ipagpatuloy n'yo ang inyong pag-aaral. Gamitin ang karunungang natamo sa kasalukuyan para sa pagtatamo ng magandang kinabukasan. (2) Do not lose hope for your nation; Tandaan n'yo na ang ating mga bayani ay naniwala na ang bansang Pilipinas ay magiging malaya at maunlad gaya ng mga ibang bansa. Ipinaglaban nila ang kalayaan na ating tinatamasa sa kasalukuyan. Gamitin ang karunungan para sa pag-unlad ng ating bansa. Because I strongly believe that the Philippines will rise again, (3) Don't stop caring for our people. Alagaan n'yo ang inyong kapwa gaya ng pag-aalaga n'yo sa inyong sarili at pamilya. Tandaan na ang konsepto ng pakikipagkapwa ay likas sa ating mga Pilipino. Huwag, ipagdamot ang mga bagay na mayroon ka. Matutong magbahagi at tumulong sa kapwa (4) Be proud you are a Filipino. Mga magsisipagtapos, sabay-sabay ninyong sabihing, AKO AY PILIPINO. TAAS NOO KAHIT KANINO at (5) Be a good servant of God. Mga magsisispagtapos, huwag nating kalimutang magpasalamat sa ating Poong Lumikha. Tandaan n'yo na lahat ng tinatamasa nating kasaganaan ay biyayang mula sa kanya. Kaya sabay-sabay nating sabihing, Salamat po Panginoon.
Finally, enjoy the trip. Go on your journey armed with passion and curiosity. Open your hearts to your fellow passengers and they will surely open theirs to you. I wish you well on your journey.
Congratulations Class of 2010! May God bless you all.
Enjoy the rest of the evening.
