Valedictory Address (March 2016)

This was written for MJ on March 26, 2016.

To our honored guest, to our principal ________________________, to our teachers, to our parents, to my fellow graduates, friends, ladies and gentlemen good morning.

Eleanor Roosevelt said and I quote “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Six years ago, my dream to finish elementary started. Every year after that, this dream was nurtured. I believed that one day I will be able to wear a white toga and a white cap paired with black shoes. The fulfillment of that dream is today. This is it - Elementary Graduation Ceremonies.

Looking back, I used to imagine how it feels when this day happens. I imagine how happy I would be but today I experience mixed feelings. Of course, I am very happy but at the same time sad. Happy because one of my dreams is fulfilled. Sad because when I continue my journey that means my classmates and I will not be together. Not all of us will be together in the same classroom. I will not be in Catmon Elementary School anymore. I will have different set of teachers.

Today, I am also thankful. Thank you, Lord for this day. Thank you for the gift of life and intelligence. Today is made possible because of your divine guidance.

Thank you also to my parents. All of my medals and certificates are for you. Without your love and support, I will not be where I am today.

Thank you, my dear teachers. You have molded me into a better person. When I first stepped in our campus, I felt awkward because of the change of environment. As a transferee from a private school I wasn’t used to walking on muddy pathways. Plus, I wasn’t used to using the bolo for gardening. Now, I believe that things really happen for a reason. I appreciate life better because of my experiences here. Muddy pathways and gardening opened my eyes to reality that not all our wishes happen with just a click of a finger.

Thank you, my dear teachers and to my alma mater for teaching us the value of simplicity, perseverance and determination. Thank you also for believing in me. The contests – singing, quiz bee, SPG Mayor and spelling bee which you have asked me to join made taught me to believe in myself.

Thank you my dear classmates and friends. You have made my stay in our school worthwhile. I would like to make special mention to Jonamie, Cyrene and Cyrel. Thank you for the friendship.

Our Graduation Theme says Kabataang Mula sa K to 12, Tagapagdala ng Kaunlaran sa Bansang Pilipinas. Yes, we are our country’s hope. Let us continue our journey in order to reach our dream of finishing a degree so that we will be able to contribute to the development of our beloved nation. In the meantime, let us show our love by taking care of our environment, following rules and regulation, and doing good at school. Let us protect the trust given to us by our elders.

Fellow graduates, the medals, certificates, our grades and diploma are our gifts to our parents and to our teachers but all of these are just icing on a cake. The real gift we can give to them are what we are and what we will become. The icing on a cake plays a vital role to capture the interest of the onlooker but the cake itself is what addresses the persons desire to eat. Let us be persons of substance. Today, we are a successful yield of youth with veracity. May the education we acquired from our alma mater be our foundation of wisdom, knowledge, skills, proper attitude and discipline. May it be that whatever we gain will be for our own good, for the good of others and most especially for God’s glory.

Valedictory Address (March 2015)

This was written for Angel on March 24, 2015 at 6:15a.m.-7:14 a.m.

March 29, 2015. This is the day that the Lord has made! This is a special day because we experience mixed feelings of reminiscing the past, cherishing the present, and looking forward to take the next stage of our academic life. This is also the day when we give due recognition to our parents, teachers and friends.

First, I would like to thank our God Almighty for the gift of life and intelligence. Today will not be possible without His Divine guidance.

Second, thank you Papa Grin and Mama Bebilou. All these medals and certificates are for you. Without your love, support and encouragement, I would not be where I am now today.

To all my teachers, thank you. Your efforts in teaching us will never be forgotten. We started as larva when we enrolled in this school and you have transformed us into butterflies. The process of metamorphosis is not easy because it required rigorous work and sleepless nights. Thank you for letting me join different competitions in school and even up to the regional level. Joining Miss Intrams, MTAP, Science Quiz Bee, Da Math, Oratorical & Journalism contests have brought me to different places like Calubian, Leyte, Kananga, Albuera, Bato and Sogod. Thank you my dear teachers foo all those opportunities. Coupled with them are the memories deposited in our memory banks.

To all my classmates and friends, thank you. I would like to make special mention to JAMPCPJ - Judail, yours truly, Maryflor (even when you are in Cebu already), Chloe, Princess and Joecil. Thank you for the friendship and thank you for being at my side always. And to the rest of my classmates and friends, thank you for making my six years stay at Tabango Central School a meaningful one.

Steve Jobs said "You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future..."

Batch 2015, let us connect the dots from the past to the present and up to the future by continuing our studies. We all know that education is education is the passport of a better tomorrow. As the theme for this year states "Saktong Buhay: Sa De-Kalidad na edukasyon pinanday." If we want quality life, then let us get quality education.

GMA's StarStruck TV Program's theme says dream, believe, survive. Let us dream big. Let us believe in ourselves. Let's find ways to survive.

Batch 2015, let us take the challenge to be the best persons we can be. God bless us in our journey.