The Extraordinary Introvert

To all the graduating students, their respective parents, teachers and online guests,  It is truly my pleasure to be writing this virtual speech to all of you. Believe it or not, we are the final batch that would have graduated College in the 2010s. Let that sink in for a moment. We just wrapped up the hundreds of thousands of grads who marched in this particular decade. Wala lang, just a fun fact for y'all (this isn't a "formal speech, so pardon me if I use some slang terms.) Indeed, a lot has happened for every single graduate. One of which is heartbreak. Sigurado ako na lahat sa inyo na nagbabasa nitong sulat ay may napagdaanan. I myself am no stranger to this. Even though I've had no experience of being in a relationship, I had my heart broken a couple of times. Reasons such as may  nanliligaw na sa kanya ,  ilang siya sa akin  and  bawal siya magka-boypren  have plagued me the past four years. I knew there were all coming and indeed it hurt...

Normally, it would be the other way around. The graduating son would normally be the one receiving letters from his parents. However, besides this week being Mother’s Day, my Dad’s 57th birthday, and my parents’ 23rd Wedding Anniversary, it is only rightful that I switch it up a bit and write my culminating letter to them as I am about to enter “adulthood”. So here it is. Enjoy. Dear Mommy and Daddy, I thank you for the mere fact that you guys met on a random afternoon in SF back in the 90s “at the right time”. Had you two met one day early or one day late, maybe I wouldn’t be here writing this very letter right now. Heck, had you guys not even met at all, I certainly wouldn’t be a human being. However, meeting is barely half the job done. I’m thankful you two worked it out between the first day you met and your wedding day at some wonderful cathedral at New York City. Kung di kayo nagkasunduan, baka wala ako ngayon. I understand there were arguments and frustrations alo...