To our beloved District Supervisor Dr. Cecilia Buenaventura, to our dearest Principal Mrs. Monaliza Villanueva, to our industrious, caring, and diligent teachers; to the happiest people on earth at this very moment- the parents; with the celebrators of today’s success- the graduating pupils of Hagonoy East Central School Batch 2015; guests, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon!
It was in the year 1999 when I was as little as you that I also graduated in the same institution, a 12-year old pupil who marched on stage to formally end that chapter of my life 16 years ago. Wow! For more than a decade, I feel so nostalgic about the good old days back then. I have never imagined that I will be standing here in front of you today to share with you the memories of yesterday and inspire you for the sweet yet challenging promises of tomorrow.
Since the advent of social media like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, it is a tradition to reminisce the past by posting old pictures every Thursday, hence, it’s called #throwbackThursday. But it is not Thursday today, so let me have a #flashbackWednesday instead.
Ako ay isang batang 90’s.
I had lived my childhood stage without the influence of any hashtags; without posting my current status; and with no any idea of what was trending. I lived in an era when all the pictures were genuine, #noFilter. I know that most of you could not imagine our way of life then. Maybe some of you would say that it was so boring. It was unbelievable to imagine that we had no any kind of gadgets as source of games and entertainment to be compared with smart phones and tablets nowadays. Well, we just had Gameboy and family computer to play Tetris and Super Mario but they were very limited to us. And most of our games were played under the sun as we felt the pain of every wound we got from the streets, secreting a river of sweat caused by physical activities in school playground. But now, I bet that many of you own an iPad or Samsung tablets perhaps.
But why am I telling you all these things? Because as student, I want you to realize that you are fortunate enough that every bit of information and knowledge you need today is just at the tip of your finger. In one click away, you are able to research for your assignments and projects as fast as you can. You may take advantage of what the world offers you right now but do not forget that what you are now is because of the concerted effort of all the teachers, school administration, and parents who passionately brought out the best in you, guided you through the years, and loved you unconditionally that no gadget ever can download that kind of care for your education and you cannot even google that kind of concern for your own future. That is timeless no matter what era you are involved.
And that is what we celebrate today, dear graduating students!
We celebrate your childhood. In the past 12 years, you have surpassed the early chapters of your journey with flying colors. It was not an easy path but you’ve finally made it! We celebrate the stage of your life when you are in an active process of unearthing the potentials in you. This is the stage when you are beginning to know yourself better. This is the stage when you are starting to be conscious of who you are and who you can possibly be in the future.
To continue my #flashbackWednesday, I would never forget the time when this school pushed me beyond my limits. I was a typical Grade 4 pupil then when I was evicted from Pilot section. My grades then were very low and a favorite visitor of the Prefect of Discipline. Yes, I was a headache both for my teachers and my parents for a time. But when I continued my fifth and sixth grade in Section 2, everything had literally changed. From that period of my life, the school helped me unleashed the hidden power in me- a power to discover that there were intelligence and diligence from me as a student. From the guidance of all my teachers and patience of my parents, I graduated First Honors here in Hagonoy Elementary School.
And from that story, that is the way I want to inspire you now that you are about to turn the pages of the new chapter, the High School.
- Push yourself beyond your limits to accomplish your goals.
Do not limit yourself from what other people think of you. If you know deeply in yourself that you can do something better, do it! There is no harm in trying. Learn from the author of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Mark Twain, had said: “There are basically two types of people. People who accomplish things, and people who claim to have accomplished things. The first group is less crowded.” It is up to you what group you want to belong.
- Talent is never enough.
One thing is for sure, no matter how talented you are as a person, if you do not persevere with the right attitude, you cannot maximize all the talents given to you. For you to succeed in the coming years, think about this great dictum from John Maxwell: “Talent is a gift, but character is a choice.”
- Learn how to say “no”.
Not everything is answerable by “yes”. There are times that you will encounter bad influences as you take this new journey. Say NO if it is not right for you! You can recognize that it is already wrong when you know that it can drag you down and your future. Say YES only to the things that can benefit for your positive growth as an individual. Remember that you do not have to follow the crowd. Do the right thing even if no one is looking at you.
- Determine what you want.
As they say, you cannot dream something if you do not know what you want. As early as your age in high school, it should be the stage when you are in the process of determining what you want to be in the future. Track your progress as you take this journey, explore more for what you can offer the world, and prepare yourself for tough challenges ahead of you. If you fail, then so what? The Wright Brothers had failed for many times before they actually achieved sustainable flight for the world’s first airplane.
- Value your parents and God.
The fact that your parents are here celebrating with you at this very significant moment of your life is one good reason to thank them and a million reasons to hug them tightly. They are indeed proud of you! You have a long, long way to go ahead of you but rest assured that if you would just listen to them sincerely, you’ll never go wrong. And most of all, whatever you do, do it as you delight yourself with our Almighty God.
As you face a new academic year, bring with you all the knowledge and virtues taught by Hagonoy East Central School. Someday, really someday, you’ll come back after so many years and will eventually tell yourself: “This school had a huge part of turning my dreams into a reality!”
But for now, let’s face the reality of this moment. You have waited so long for this event to wear those beautiful white gowns and toga. Feel the beat of the graduation march. Stare at your classmates and remember those faces who borrowed money from you. (Just kidding.) Smile at your parents as a gesture of gratitude. You know what? This is the best time to ask money from them! (Just kidding.)
Savor every moment that you are here and about to receive your diploma as you successfully completed a course of study. And may this moment of yours be a beginning, instead of an ending. Continue soaring! Continue sailing! Broaden your horizons as you continue taking this journey of your life!
And do not be afraid to dream big. It is in dreaming that the world gives you a clue of your real purpose on this planet!
Thank you very much and #congratulations, graduates!
Speech by Herwin Cabasal as a Guest of Honor and Speaker for 107th Graduation Exercises of Hagonoy East Central School
3 | 25 | 2015
Here, I win. 