I want to start my speech with this question: how do you feel today?
If you are feeling nervous or excited or overwhelmed, that is exactly how I felt
many years ago when I was about to receive my graduation diploma. You see? I was once
a little child like you, but time and opportunity seasoned me to become what I am todayI mean, not my physical attribute but me being a successful teacher, teaching beautiful
persons like you.
I would like you to know also that I am so honored to be speaking with you today
and share my little stories of sacrifices and how I endeavored and labored to finish my
studies. We are so much alike although in our time, technology is not present, we only
have our papers, pens and crayons for our daily activities. Our teachers used board and
chalks to teach us. But you, everything was made easy for you. You don’t have to go to
the libraries with bespectacled librarian who would tell you to keep quiet because you
only have to browse for websites which could readily give you what you are researching
for.Our learning way back is basically focused on teacher-teaches-learners-listen mode
of education. But now, you are given more chances to show your knowledge and skills.
Nonetheless, your generation is more free to express yourselves, thus, you own all the
chances to explore and discover your talents, with your parents and teachers who always
have your back to support you.
You have gone through a lot of adversities in life- additional 2 years of studies
because of the implementation of k to 12 curriculum is an additional burden to the
finances of the poor to average families. And what is more? 2 years of not having a regular
class because of the pandemic brought by Covid 19 virus, with only yourselves to
understand the lessons in your modules , is extremely stressful,( am I right?)
This year’s theme: K to 12 Graduates: Pursuing Dreams and Fostering Resilience
in the Face of Adversity or in our own language, “Gradweyt ng K to 12: Masigasig sa mga
Pangarap at Matatag sa mga Pagsubok” just tells about the stories of your struggles in
conquering every difficulty which seemed to block your paths leading to your goals. This
theme exactly fits the experiences you had as you journey through your elementary
years. Sometimes, you opt to stop, oftentimes you tend to give up but now, you, your
parents, and your teachers are all very thankful for the times that you gripped harder to
your hopes which helped you go further forward until this day, when you finally reap the
fruit of your labor – your Graduation Day.
Think of the times when you have been so anxious to finish your written
performances overloaded with confusing and unique grammar rule in your language
subjects, the misconceptions of the formulas in mathematics and in science and you tell
yourselves that whoever invented these formulas had an intention of making a fool of
you. How about the dates and places in history which you were asked to memorize? No
wifi zone in your school, no available internet at home- when all of the tasks given to you
need all the modern technology. What about your own personal dilemmas? Low family
income, no homes, no parents to support you- despite of these adversities- you are here
gathered together to receive your diplomas. And you deserve to be congratulated and
praised.
Dear graduates, make this moment last- hold on to your hopes and never stop
chasing your dreams. You are K-to 12 graduates- yours are the virtues of diligence and
perseverance. Go and walk with confidence and faith in yourselves, but never forget to
be compassionate and honest, always have humility and patience at your side-take the
courage and fortitude to step forward and always think that a prudent learner has all
the wisdom to conquer all the adversities in life.
Once again, Let me have this precious chance to congratulate you and your
parents. May you return all the glory to God who is with you in silence all the time.