My Message to The Graduating Class of 2019


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 kanyailang siya sa akin and bawal siya magka-boypren have plagued me the past four years. I knew there were all coming and indeed it hurts, but I've got some news for you. As much as Mom and Dad tell you na it ain't worth it to cry over a girl, it's through these tears that we become better. It's through the many times we've been rejected wherein we find out more about ourselves, as well as what we must do in order to improve and move on. Lastly, these failed attempts at romantic love make us see the bigger pictures, that a.) it will happen, it's just a matter of who and when, and b.) there's a lot to life than just falling in love (to the conservative parents such as mine, sorry po if I'm kinda offending y'all). So yes, everybody is scared to get hurt and make mistakes. However, those teachers called "Mr. Real Life and Mrs. Reality" make it known to us that we can't run away from our flaws and failures; heartaches and heartbreaks. Heck, we're never perfect and only human to begin with, right? So go ahead, take the risk. Keep taking in all the rejections, but never stop shooting your shot. Basically, don't be a Ben Simmons (this applies to both genders btw). 

Now that I've tackled the love angle of my speech, EVERY COLLEGE GRAD is faced with the "What am I gonna do with my life?" question. Again, I am no stranger to this. The expectations for newly grads are the following: to move out of the house, start a new life, get a high paying job, and for us Filipinos, provide for the family. There's a lot of truth to this. Our parents aren't getting any younger, we're about to enter the prime years of our lives, you name it. For some, this will be easy to pull this off. In fact, I've seen and heard a lot of stories of college students already "Adulting" at such an early age. For those who feel left out because they're still living in their parents' house by the ages of 25-30 (*looks at future self*), there's no need to be envious of your peers. My dad always told me that we each have our own pace, and the challenge is not to keep up with society’s standards but to march to our own parade. I myself have learned that by looking up at other people’s lives seemingly on a pedestal, I fail to appreciate who I am and what I have. Indeed, comparing ourselves with others may lead to measuring our value based on what we do rather than on who we are. Sure, the "doing" adds to the resume, but at the end of the day, your future bosses, mentors and colleagues will focus on your attitude rather than your accolades. It is the EQ that matters more than the IQ. So as far the issues of independence and uncertainty with what to do, be patient, all these will be figured out in due time. Of course, our parents won't live forever, but the fact we just graduated is an indicator that we will be able to figure out our lives in due time, in good time, and in His perfect time.

Before I end my outgoing speech, let’s do our country (and the world) a favor by making it a better place than when we were born into it. Of course, as human beings, we can only do so much due to our limitations. But no matter how big or small our contributions may be, they are enough to "Change the World". Changing the world does not require us to be a martyr or to have some sort of Messianic mentality wherein the responsibility lies solely on our shoulders. Of course, this graduating class and all others before us are privileged to have this diploma. However, rather than using it as a bragging right or a label to brand ourselves, let us put these diplomas to good use in making the world a much better place. Indeed, we must apply what we learned in the classroom. No, not the technical sh*t you learned in calculus, or the many oral exams you had in Philo and Theo. Rather, we must use the newfound knowledge and wisdom that was granted upon us all to share these blessings with those who can only dream of being in our situation right now. Jesus Christ already changed the world and the course of humanity’s destiny two thousand years ago. Now it's our responsibility to help make it better in our own little but special ways. 

So once you go out there and meet that new girl, new job and new calling, never ever forget to say “Thank You” to those who helped you get to this moment. Your parents, who sacrificed so much just so you could wear this toga. Your teachers, who, whilst they tormented you during hell weeks, gifted you with their wisdom and lessons both in and out of the classroom. The janitors, librarians, baristas, cafeteria peeps and security guards who never fail to smile even though we may seem to sometimes ignore them. But most of all, be grateful to those who have hurt you. Sure, it is easy to get pissed off with that girl or barkada that treated you like cr*p, because you didn’t deserve to be treated in a hurtful way. But these ‘learning experiences’ are the very reason why you've been able to harness nerves of steel that are unbreakable. Surely, the hardships, struggles and heartaches are the things for which we should be most thankful because when sh*t hits the fan (and mind you sh*t will happen again at some point in your lives), "what doesn't kill us will only make us stronger". So don't be afraid to make mistakes and take risks. As Fr. Jett Villarin SJ wisely counseled, "Ang matakot, 'di gagalaw" (The ones who are afraid will be unable to move). Be thankful. Be happy. Keep moving. And never be afraid to choose to love. So now it's time to leave behind all the bad sh*t, because it's time to celebrate yo. Congrats, Class of 2019. #DelroOut 

Everyone deserves a standing ovation because we all overcometh the world. – Auggie August Pullman, Wonder


For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11


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