PMI- LOBOC ACADEMY

MARCH 27, 2010

Distinguished guest speaker, Dr. Francisca R. Opog, Ph. D., the OIC Provincial
director of TESDA-BOHOL, Mr. Misoro Salamera, our PMI-Colleges Director,
members of the faculty headed by Mr. Isabelo T. Palapar, our Principal, fellow
graduates, friends, ladies and gentlemen, I feel deeply honored for having been given
this opportunity to speak before a gathering of intellectuals, and to my fellow young
men and women graduates this day. Together we have had quite the journey and as
someone wise one said, a journey is best measured in friends rather than miles. I am
pleased that the friendships that we have developed will forever reflect the incredible
trip we have shared.
Graduation day brings happiness and joys to the graduates and their teachers
and a higher degree of happiness and joys to the parents, brothers, sisters and
relatives of the graduates. It stands for a glorious achievement one has done.
Today is the day of achievement and a crowning glory of intellectual struggle
over a period of laborious search for truth and enlightenment. It is a turning point in
each of our lives. We have spent the past years wandering the halls of this great school
and now we are ready to go on. We have learned, laughed, loved, gotten into trouble
and most of all matured together. But today doesnt just concern reminiscing about
the past; its also about looking forward into our future. Today is a momentous
occasion for us graduates for it is a day that marked another milestone in our lives
that recognizes achievement through hard work, perseverance, and sacrifices. It is the
day that recognizes triumph over disappointments, frustrations, financial difficulties
and above all, triumphs over losing hope of making it to the end. Life is a series of
passageways and we are leaving one and moving on to the next. When we reach that
daunting place that has been our destination, we will start over. We will meet new
people, make new friends and learn new things. We will grow older, more responsible
and independent. Then, the cycle begins again in college, and after that, we are left to
traverse the unmapped expanse that is our future. Hereafter our lives will hold many
surprises for us, but Im sure that we will approach challenges with the same boldness
and equanimity with which we tackle problems currently. The unknown of our future
may seem frightening now, looming over us like a dark thundercloud, but we might find
that it is just a light, spring rain that brings the tidings of a rainbow.
You and I, the graduates are now endowed with knowledge- an everlasting
attribute of valuable treasure of intellect; a badge of freedom from the dark cave of
ignorance.
Our young faces are bright with optimism and eagerly looking towards the
future for greater accomplishments. Yes, graduation always evokes this mingled
emotion of successful fulfillment and deserving sense of pride for a task well done.
As members of this graduating class, we are indeed very glad to have financially
achieved our long cherished dream for having successfully completed our secondary
level. This is undoubtedly the result of our incessant toil, patience and determination,
coupled with the undying sacrifices of our loving parents and the untiring efforts,
encouragements, and guidance of our beloved teachers in this institution.
As we can see the happy faces of the would-be-graduates, the more we can see
the happy faces of our parents and our instructors who have jointly sacrificed for the
realization of our ambitions.
It is not easy to say farewell after four long years of sweet and memorable
association, but we must go for our tenure of stay in this institution is over. It has
prepared us for greater and perhaps more difficult, through more rewarding
adventures in life.
To our beloved parents, this is what we are now. This is what we have reached
and this is what we have become because of your gracious support, guidance, and
love.
Dear teachers, see us enjoy the fruits of your inexhaustible patience in
nurturing our young minds to prepare us for better tomorrows. A grateful heart now
bids adieu; to our Alma Mater from whose fountain of knowledge we have imbibed
deeply, a fond farewell.
Beloved parents and teachers, this success of ours, we owe to you We shall
forever remember that you are the motivating factors behind our success.
We shall go our different ways but wherever we are, the memory of our dear
Alma Mater will spur us to greater achievements. Very soon, we will make our very first
leap to an uncertain world. It would be another arena. Could we conquer it
triumphantly? Much depend on us. Could we take the challenge? The knowledge,
learnings and values embedded in us in all these years will be our most valuable
weapons. It is for us now to use that wisdom for our advancements and success. Life
is what we make it!
We must be confident that whatever the future has in store for us. We will
eventually obtain it, for we have been rightfully prepared to reach our goal.
If there was one thing I would leave with this batch, it would this: be an
artist. When I say this, I dont mean it in the literal sense but instead by being one who
improves his life just like how a real artist would on his masterpiece. An artist is one
who constantly grows as a person in numerous aspects in his life. This growth is
reflected upon his artwork. As he grows, his ability to create something from his mind
grows too. Whenever he looks at his masterpiece, he may feel that there is always
something, which he can improve on. As time passes, the artist matures and new
methods and techniques open to him. Because of this, he grasps this feeling of
dissatisfaction with his current work; and as a result, some parts of the old image are
covered with a new coat of paint, which improves it. After sometime, the painter may
look at the portrait and again thinks of what he can do to improve his masterpiece.
But before starting on his masterpiece, he first sketches what he wants on the
masterpiece. And today, we artists are at that point where we are ending the stages of
sketching our ideas unto the board, and now beginning the stage where we paint over
it. Today a new chapter unfolds in our lives. This is one crucial point wherein we are
called to act and renew our masterpiece for our mind has numerous things in store for
us. Right now, we see sketch marks that will forever lie in our masterpiece, which
contains all of our fond memories to the good times and bad times here in high school.
Although we may cover these memories in our masterpieces, these will always be a
basis of who we are and where we came from. And Im sure that we will never forget
our stay here for it truly left its mark in each and every one of us. At this point, I
would like to congratulate the batch of 2010 for attaining knowledge that can only be
learned here. But aside from the graduating batch, I would also like to thank the
teachers, parents and the friends who have helped us finish this long journey, this
journey that sometimes called the best of years of life. However, the race isnt done
yet, the masterpiece isnt finished yet and there are still indefinite things to do with it.
And in the succeeding years this is the challenge to everyone. Whats next? What do
we do now with our lives? The answer I tell you lies within you. For each person, this
goal varies for we have varying strengths and difficulties. At the end of the day, you
will realize that life isnt a competition with others, but instead a competition against
yourself. If you thought problems were just like solving math questions, you are yet to
learn that the real problems are things that you are yet to cross in your life. Do not be
intimidated for these obstacles will only make the end product even better. After
several coats of knowledge and experience, Im sure these will help and contribute to a
one of a kind piece of work. And I hope that when youve finished your masterpiece
you will do what true artists will do. Youll share it to the world and show them what
knowledge youve learned and empower them to succeed too in life.
From here on, our ambitions and aspirations will either begin to take a tangible
shape through our own efforts or fade away through our own inaction.
Our education should not end here. It should be a continuing process. This
time nurtured and refined by experience. We must continue to read and think to
develop our faculties and aptitude.
Ours is a fast changing and highly competitive world; and we have to keep up
with. Always remember that as we progress in wisdom and skills, our country and
people shall progress with us.
As I look over the many faces I behold today, perceptions of individuals are
washed away. I no longer see people as they were; I see them as they will be. So, rather
than a young boy, failing all his classes, I see the next Einstein, making revolutionary
discoveries. I know that this amphitheatre holds the next decades great business
leaders, doctors, politicians, scientists, and stars, and that all of these graduates will
contribute to the fabric of the future in some way. So when looking at the bright
horizon that is my future, I am happy for although my life will contain sadness and
heartbreak, it will also hold joy, love, and success. And I know my classmates will too.
So dont look back, and regret, my friends, look forward and smile.
Thank you for everything and congratulations!

GELICIOUS