The Speech

 

Graduation Speech

Holy Family School

Brgy. Paraiso, Sagay City, Neg. Occ.

18^th Commencement Exercises

29 March 2012

Theme: “Your Gift of Learning, Our Tool for Nation Building”

Distinguished guests, members of the faculty and staff, proud parents, graduates, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

The thought of having to stand in front of an audience has always scared me, more so if I am required to speak.

With that, I have (quite an embarrassing) secret to tell. I remember when I was your age; I intentionally went to school late almost every morning. Sir Rod, our class adviser back then, can attest to that. For one reason: I avoided attending the flag ceremony. I was worried that I might be asked to lead the beating of the national anthem.

But of course, I cannot avoid those things all the time. In fact, on the day of our graduation, I was tasked to read the responsorial psalm during the baccalaureate mass. As soon as we got home, my mom told me: “Kadasig sa imo magbasa, daw ginalagas ka sang ido.”

So when I got the invitation to speak today, I was anxious yet very honored and overwhelmed that I cheerfully agreed. It was only then when I realized, this opportunity to speak with the hope to inspire to my dear Alma Mater, has always been my dream.

Writing and preparing this speech was a great experience, one that did not come without its share of trial and error. But more than that, it allowed for something truly wonderful--a chance for me to reflect on a school whose lasting impact on me did not end with the simple act of graduating here.

For all it's worth, and even if no one else remembers the speech I gave today, it will forever live on for me as the fulfillment of a dream, and the feeling that I could give back in some small way to the place and the people who have made me who I am.

Today is Holy Family School’s 18^th Commencement Exercises. Congratulations! But look, I still have here with me this little card which contains our graduation program dated back in 1999, including even my Graduate Ribbon. Yes, I have been keeping this in my treasure (shoe) box for 13 years now. Please don’t be too quick to compute for my age though. Hehe

Indeed, I value my gradeschool education as much as I value my college diploma. But I don’t mean for you to take that literally. I want your young minds to understand that although having access to education is each person’s right, having a Holy Family School education is a privilege given to a few. And that includes ME, and all of you, graduates.

Many say that high school is the best and the most significant, others argue it is college. I cannot debate on either of that. However, sometimes some people fail to acknowledge the importance of elementary education wherein we first learned to speak and write our ABC’s and count our 123’s. It is where we are being taught of the right morals thru GMRC; where we first gained knowledge of the value of family and friendship; where we initially developed both our interpersonal and intrapersonal skills.

And as in your theme, all these gifts of learning will be the basic tool for nation building. I know or rather, I’m sure, this venue for today, holds the next teachers, doctors, entrepreneurs, engineers, politicians, maybe even bankers like me. As Tom Brokaw quoted, “You are educated.  Your certification is in your degree.  You may think of it as the ticket to the good life.  Let me ask you to think of an alternative.  Think of it as your ticket to change the world.”

I can say I am blessed for having been a part of the Development Bank of the Philippines. Early on in my career, it helped me to become more sensitive to different social needs, to become aware of my moral obligations, and to embrace the demands of the society. Most importantly it helped me, in one way or another, meet all these moral and social expectations from me. However, having first-hand information on these social needs has also its disadvantage. It was highly surprising how some of the educated youth of today fail to display eagerness in nation building. Have they really forgotten their responsibility towards our nation or do they knowingly skip the tasks for fear of the pains of accountability?

So my dear graduates, as you become loaded up with weapons of proper education and moral and ethical values, you are expected to become the armies of battles against societal adversities. I appeal for you to be socially responsible and to work collectively to help reshape our nation’s image to attain that developed status and move forward from being a 3^rd-world country.

In these trying times where our country suffers from various socio-economic crises, our government came up with the 4Ps or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. It was created to help alleviate the condition of our poor countrymen. Being in the government myself and as a development banker, I’ll end my speech by also sharing my 4Ps to success and hopefully will aid you in your pursuit for knowledge and make you catalysts for social change.

First is Perseverance. Cliché as it may sound but always remember: Winners never quit and quitters never win. Strive to be the best in everything you do.

Second is Play. Enjoy your youth. You’re too young to be stressed. But at the same time, maintain a proper balance between school and play or work and play.

Third is People. In your lifetime, you will be meeting a lot of people. Cultivate relationships. Develop friendships. Share laughter with those around you, rejoice on each other’s triumphs, as well as learn from each other’s mistakes.

Lastly, Prayer. We don’t always get what we want in life. We only get what we need and what we deserve. If at times, everyone and everything in the world may seem to be against you, pray for God’s presence. When all else fails, what could be more powerful than a strong and unmoved faith?

Thank you and may we all be instruments for nation building.

Again, my warmest Congratulations graduates!