My Life Race Track: My First time as Guest Speaker

Every student look forward to their graduation day, this will mark day of victory after a long years of hard work at last this day had come. And to be invited and chosen to be the guest speaker in a Commencement exercises is really flattering. I`m thankful and overwhelmed given the opportunity to speak before the gradating class, especially in my own Elementary Alma Matter, that in my own little way I could inspired them to do their best. As guest speaker, I know it`s a big responsibility I hope I give justice to it. I`m really nervous having my speech, also I`m controlling myself not to try for this is very nostalgic moment for me.

To Mr. Aldrin Estipona our principal, Barangay Captain, Mr. Jose Esteves and councilors, PTA President, Mr. Mario Pura and co- officers, Teachers, Parents, graduates at sa lahat ng naririto, Masaya at Magandang hapon po sa ating lahat.

Great feeling and so honored is in my heart, for you have invited and chosen me to be your guest speaker today, in this Commencement Exercises for school year 2012-2013. A very special and momentous occasion. For me it was a big responsibility to stand here and speak before you, and to be honest, sobra po akong kinakabahan and until know I`m still convincing myself...

More than a decade, tulad nyo isa rin ako sa batang nakaupo dyn sa baba, waiting to call my name to get my diploma and to be announced as graduate. I`m the one who lead the Pledge of Loyalty, and now I`m sharing with the same stage, and perhaps this is a blessing, given the privilege and opportunity to thank all my teachers, kung hnd po ako nagkakamali, lahat sila na-assign na sa ibang elementary school.

To my grade I and II teacher, ma`am Rosit Feratero

Ma`am Sylvia Fereras, my grade III and IV teacher

and to Ma`am Edna Figueras, for my Grade V and VI.

You have a big part of What I am today, Thank you very much.

My warm congratulation, to our dear graduates...I could feel the mixed emotion inside in you. Ang saya sa mukha ng bawat isa sainyo ay hindi maipagkakaila, as well as the excitement to go further. At last, 6 years has been finished, but let me remind you dear young ladies and gentlemen, it`s not yet over.

An equal warm congratulation to the parents and teachers. This is the perfect timing to say our deepest thank you, to them. To your parents for the unconditional love and undying support through all these years. And to your teachers, for there uncountable perseverance and enthusiasm to teach and inspire you, more than as their profession but taking it as their mission in life. A very noble work. May God bless you all in return.

Our theme for today is.

“Building the Nation’s Future Leaders Through the K to 12 Basic Education Program”(K-12 Basic Education Program-Tungo sa Paghuhubog ng mga Makabagong Lider ng Bansa)

I assumed that everybody already heard or perhaps knows about this K-12 Basic Education Program. To be honest, I don`t have much knowledge about the technicality for this new curriculum, but I do a little research. Philippines is the last and only country worldwide with 10-year pre university cycle, the 12 years program for basic education, is the standard for recognition of students and or professionals abroad. I assumed that the government is doing this transformation, to enhance the process and quality of education here in the country. For us to be more competitive and skilled not only here locally but abroad, which is really good thing. But most is to provide quality education will build quality leaders and good citizens.

For generations, from our ancestors up to this point. We believe how important education is. Gasgas na po ito. Sabi ni Rizal, ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan and Most of our parents, mag-aral ka para makaahon tayo sa kahirapan at yan lng ang tanging mamaipapamana sayo kasi wala tayong lupa at ari-arian. Lahat yan ay totoo at napatunayan na.

Kids, I don`t want to pressure you, pero sa ayaw o sa gusto nyo, you are the future leaders of your generation... ako, sila Kap, sila teacher hindi babalik sa edad nyo para kami, sila ulit sa susunod na henerasyon. Pwede lng namin bisitahin ang lugar naito, pero hnd namin maibabalik ang panahon. Kaya as early as your age now, we are preparing you. Sakto lang ang edad nyo, to practice social awareness and social responsibility. Ang pakikipaglaro at pakikipagkaibigan ay parte nun. You play as a team, you win as a team. Pipapayagan tayo makilahok sa mga school activities, sa loob o labas ng campus and you have given a task or a role to play and form that, you learn to be with people, to be responsible not only for yourselves but also to other people. We learn to show our concern to the group, and from then to society you belong. And the leader act grows within. You build confidence, Your curiosity, consciousness, and awareness to your surrounding have been more define. I do believe that there is no such a natural born leaders, Leadership is being learned, and leaders has been created thru influences form others.

Mga magulang, alam ko na gagawin nyo ang lahat, para pag-aralin ang mga bata ito. At alam ko na hindi madali, mahirap, hnd pa man ako magulang, naranasan ko na yan, nag working student ako to finished my Engineering, and I say thank you to Mama dahil sinuportahan nya ang desisyon ko, to take it with my own, kahit alam ko gagawin nya ang lahat para mapagtapos ako. Marami akong tatutunan, magpahalaga at mahalin kung ano meron ako, at higit na yakapain at hawakan ang pangarap ko. Hindi biro ang isipin na enrollment na, o kaya may parject na kailangan ng bubget, my bagong libro na bibilhin at kung anu ano pa, tapos sala pa sahod. Alam ko na ung 2 years na dagdag ay mabigat, naiitindihan ko because of the very limited resources that we have. Pero sana po hindi magmula sa atin ang kawalan ng pag-asa para bitiwan ang pangarap ang mga batang ito. Pwede po cguro madelay pero wag kalimutan balikan. Kung sila ang pag-asa at magmamana ng lahat ng meron tayo ngaun, at higit na magpapaulad at papayaman sa mga ito, kailangan tayo nila, para gumabay at umalalay sa kanilang paghahanda sa pag halili at sa pag tanggap sa resposibilidad na iiwan natin sa kanila. Sa ngaun kayo pa ang kapitan ng barko, and they are your crews.Train and teach them to be the next captain, show and give them the best influence they can get.

Dear graduates, natapos nyo na ang first level and you are about to start the next, much complex and higher level of studies, that need more hard work and perseverance. Kaya gusto ko namnamin ninyo ang saya ng araw na ito. Remember this moment, put it in your heart and mind, for you to looked forward for this day to happened again. Na sa mga susunod na kabanata at maramdaman nyo ang hirap, pagod maisip nyo na sa bawat hirap at pagod nyo magbubunga un ng higit na saya. I assumed na lahat kayo gusto magtapos ang ng pag-aaral, tama ba ako?... pwede ko bang malaman ang rason kung bakit gusto nyo makapagtapos?... nakakatuwa at nakainspired, na at your age now, ganyan na kalalim ang mga reasons ninyo.. kc ako at your age, ang gusto ko lang nun ay maisuot ang itim na toga. Given the opportunity to go to school, make the most of and enjoy. Have a balance healthy high school life, have friends as much as you want, play your favorite sports, joined clubs and organization, and most, be on time in every subject and lesson that you have. Alam ko na hindi madali maging studyante, mahirap mag-aral, mahirap intindihin ang numbers na may kasamang letters, laging nawawala si X and Y,...pero kaya, ang mahalaga `wag kang ibibitiw at susuko. Isang malungkot na katutuhanan we are living in society, that we need to comply with stardards.The preferably, must be and etc. Pero magagawan mo ng paraan nyan para higitan ang standard na nyan. Dahil naniniwala ako ikaw bata, hindi nasusukat ang kakayahan mo bilang tao na gumawa ng isang makabuluhang bagay, sa kung saan ka nag-tapos, ano ang grades mo at kung ilan beses mo inulit ang mga subjects mo. Naging outstanding student ako, consistent honor student, scholar and also remedial baby and take two student. Bumagsak at take two ako sa Machine design major subject sa Mechanical, pero un ngaun ang trabaho ko, research and development, Design Group. Also, mag-aral kayo ng mabuti at taposin ninyo, hindi lang para sa matataas na sahod at malaking kita, but to learn and gain knowledge and intellect, to improve yourself to be better person, good citizen, and to have a fulfilled and happy life. Tandaan ntin, hindi lahat ng mataas ang sahod masaya. Dahil ang kakayahan mo at ang halaga mo bilang tao ay higit na mas mataas kaysa numero nakalagay sa magiging payslip mo.

Hindi ko na po pahahabain pa, Graduates, again congratulations, I officially welcome you to your high school life. Good luck as you take off. Enjoy make the most of it. Be the best that you can be and make your own history.

Dios marhay na hapon... Salamatonon po :)