Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Speech, UNC Elementary Graduation 2012






Thank you Dr. Dante. That was a generous introduction. Ma’am Nel, by the way, was my good Science teacher and adviser in Grade 6 almost seventeen years ago. Bilang isang alumnus ng UNC Elementary Class 1995, malaking karangalan po na tanggapin ang imbitasyon na maging speaker sa importanteng okasyon na ito, at tanggapin ang hamon na mabigyan kayo magandang mensahe sa inyong pagtatapos.

Executive Vice President Dr. Lourdes S. Anonas, again Elementary Principal Dr. Nelia R. Dante, faculty, staff and administrators, graduates, parents, guests, ladies and gentlemen, good evening.

One day during the Linggo ng Wika in 1990 (hindi pa kayo pinapanganak), Ma’am Fe Valenciano asked me to give an intermission number in a small class program. I sang the nationalistic song Isang Lahi before my Grade 2-A classmates. Ma’am Fe was happy with my performance that she brought me with other singers in the Elementary to a popular local radio station here in Naga to sing on air. That time, AM radio-listening was a popular habit of Naguenos so many of our neighbors, my friends and relatives tuned in to the station to hear me sing.

Yun ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon na may isang tao, maliban sa aking pamilya, na nakitaan ako ng potensyal, naniwala sa aking kakayahan at nabigyan ako ng ‘break’ para ibahagi ang aking sarili sa ibang tao. From then on, I was inspired to hone my talent by memorizing song after song and practicing hard with my mother as my mentor, Ma’am Fe as my talent manager, and our old karaoke as my constant companion. The next time I sang, I stood on this same stage before UNC and Naga City public during a Foundation Day outreach. And in the succeeding four years, I sang in many other venues and occasions here and outside the campus. I can still recall the feeling every time I sang before the public. It was beautiful.

My life has never been the same because of these experiences which began on that single moment of inspiration when someone believed in me. That moment happened in Elementary. I should also tell you that I was one of the fastest runners among the boys in my class. This fact was obvious during our aragawan-base. I used to win in the games of text/card games and marble games – you know jolens quick or touch quick. But our teachers Like Ma’am Maritess Taday were also quick in confiscating our cards. I am not sure if you still play these traditional games. Baka puro na lang PC games.

I am sure that you also have your own stories of success, dreams, friendship – your first ambition, your first group, your first crush, your first fistfight, your first educational tour, your first moment of inspiration. Sa inyong pagtatapos, napapanahon lamang na inyong alalahanin ang mga makukulay na karanasan sa elementarya.

As you remember your experiences, you may also go back to the lessons you learned in Elementary. Tandaan ninyo parati ang mga natutunan ninyo sa Elementarya sapagkat magagamit ninyo ang mga aral na ito nang pang-habangbuhay.

Let me explain this. When a high school student has poor study habits (tamad mag-aral), that student must have been lazy in Elementary, and was not properly motivated to be serious in studying. Or, when a college student is a bully (mahilig mang-away), more likely that student has been a bully back in elementary and was not well-disciplined by teachers or parents. Or when a politician cheats in the elections or steals money from the people (mandaraya sa eleksyon o kurap), that politician must have forgotten an old saying which is first learned in elementary: Honesty is the best policy. (Sana ‘pag tumanda na kayo, kabisado ninyo pa rin ang linyang iyan sapagkat hindi naman yan magbabago sa high school, sa college o kahit graduate na kayo.)

I gave you these examples of possible consequences if one is not well-formed, disciplined or motivated in elementary, or if one forgets the lessons in elementary. Pero sino ang hindi nakakalimot? When you grow old, you may forget which the hottest planet is in the solar system, who the characters are in children’s stories, or the short and long methods to solve math problems. But keep in your hearts the lessons which are more important than these knowledge or grades. True, it is impressive for a person to have a college diploma and many awards, to be knowledgeable, to wear decent clothes, and to speak English and Filipino fluently and convincingly in public (Mataas ang pinag-aralan, maraming alam, magaling magsalita). Are these the most important things in life? Ito ba ang mga pinakamahalagang natututunan ng isang mag-aaral sa Elementarya?

The novella The Little Prince says no. (Have you read The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery?) The book says that “What is essential is invisible to the eye.” Ang mahahalagang bagay ay yaong hindi natin nakikita o nahahawakan. It invites you to see with heart the more important things in life like time with family, friendship, attitude. Hindi iPhone or iPad. Hindi mamahaling rubber shoes.

Harry Potter agrees with the Little Prince. For Harry, Hermoine and Ron, love of family, loyalty to friends, the good and the truth are more important than any amount of popularity and magic or power.
Finally, Doreimon shares his own opinion. (Kilala ninyo ba si Doreimon?) He told Nobita: “Hindi mo kailangan ng superpowers para magkaroon ng kaibigan”, para maging mabuting tao, para maging tunay na masaya.

The truth is, the most basic and important values are learned in Elementary (meaning at school and at homes- sa eskwelahaan at sa tahanan). It is in this level that young people are taught about basic values: honesty, discipline, love of country, care for the environment, love of God. Tinuro ba ang mga ito ng inyong mga guro sa elementarya? Pwes, huwag ninyo itong kalilimutan.

After summer this year, you shall be in high school where some things shall be different. In high school, you may become more conscious of materials. You may realize, for instance, that your classmates are rich, and you are poor. They have more baon than you have. They have iPhone or iPad, and you do not even have a cellphone or desktop computer at home. There are conditions in your family that you cannot change and you just have to accept for now. But your material inadequacy, yung kakulangan ninyo sa material na bagay, should not be a source of your insecurity or a reason for envy. At para sa mga nakaaangat sa buhay, the good financial status of your family should not give you the privilege to belittle or put other people down.

Meron akong kaklase noon na laging tinutukso kase Grade Five na kami pero naka-shorts pa rin siya kase hindi pa kayang magpatahi ng pantalon. Nung mag-first year high school kami, lahit kami bagong-bago at puting-puti ang aming unipormeng polo, ngunit ang kanyang polo ay second-hand, medyo punit pa nga ang kwelyo. Pero hindi niya ikinahiya ni minsian ang kahirapan ng kanyang pamilya, bagkus naging inspirasyon niya pa ito para makapagtapos siya ng high school at kolehiyo at magtagumpay sa buhay. Remember, in succeeding in your studies, these material things are not the most important. Your hardwork, determination and resourcefulness would be the key to overcome the challenges and achieve your goals in high school. Hindi naman kayo kayang ipasa sa exam ng iPad ninyo o ng baon ninyo. Neither would these materials matter in your relationship with other people. Hindi naman kayo makakahanap ng tunay na mga kaibigan dahil sa pera ng magulang ninyo.

Remember this: Hindi kayo ang parents ninyo. Hindi ninyo pera ang pera ng magulang ninyo. Hindi baon ninyo ang sukatan ng kagalingan at pagkatao ninyo. You are what you do. You are your values.

I am not saying that you should be poor. Siguro ngayon pa lang naririnig niyo na ang magulang niyo na “Anak, magtapos ka ng pag-aaral kase ikaw lang ang pag-asa namin baling araw.” Eh talagang kailangan niyong makatapos ng pag-aaral at magkaroon ng magandang trabaho. Hindi ko rin sinasabi na that you have to deny yourself of the joys and convenience of new technologies. Kung kaya, walang problema, ‘di ba? Kung hindi kaya, huwag pilitin ni Mama o si Papa.

Here is the bottomline: In the future, you can be rich, but not greedy. You can achieve many things in life, but not through cheating or stealing. You can be happy without having to hurt other people.
I know that as young as you are, you have already seen enough on TV and internet the social realities in the country and in the world: unkindness, greed, corruption, environmental destruction, war and many others that are not the ideal world presented to you in elementary. In high school, you will become more aware of these realities. Sa high school, ang mga leksyon, ang mga relasyon, ang inyong mga nararamdaman, ang buhay ay magiging mas makulay, ngunit mas magiging mahirap at sabi nga sa Facebook, magiging complicated.

As you experience these, remember elementary and the lessons taught to you by your elementary teachers. Bear in mind, however, that being a UNC graduate entails the challenge to be BETTER than you are today. Hindi lamang kayo ordinaryong graduate; graduate kayo ng UNC. I believe that much was given to you; therefore, much more is expected from you. Sabi nga ni Spiderman: With great power, comes greater responsibilities. Be MORE.

Nung first year high school na ‘ko dito sa UNC, sabi ko sa sarili ko, hindi lang pag-awit ang kaya kong gawin. Kumakanta pa rin naman ako, ngunit mas nilawakan ko na ang aking mundo. Naging masipag akong estudyante. Nagbasa ako ng maraming libro. Sumali ako sa ilang organisasyon. Hinamon ko ang sarili ko bilang isang campus journalist o manunulat at public speaker. Sa palagay ko, nagtagumpay naman ako sa high school. In this University, I finished high school as one of the most awarded graduates in my batch. I became MORE in high school. This is also my challenge to you: if you think you did good in elementary, then you can do so much better in high school. Kung nagging medyo pasaway, maraming pagkakataon naman na bumawi sa high school.

This is my personal mission-vision which I would like to share with you: Today is a chance to be better than yesterday. Ang bawat araw ay pagkakataon na mas maging mabuting tao, estudyante, anak, kaibigan. The same challenge goes to you: Paano? Uulitin ko – ito ang unang hakbang: alalahanin ninyo ang mga karanasan at mga aral na natutunan sa elementary sapagkat magagamit ninyo ang mga ito nang pang-habangbuhay.

Finally, have a grateful heart. Always thank the people who have helped and accompanied you in your young journey: your parents, friends and teachers. As a fitting tribute to your elementary teachers, may I propose that all students stand and give your teachers a round of applause for their hardwork, patience and services. May I also request you to hug or kiss your parents in thanksgiving for their guidance, support and selfless love.

Hanggang dito na lang po. Salamat sa pakikinig. Mabuhay kayong lahat.



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