Valedictory Address

How time flies. It seems just yesterday when we were shy and awkward small kids who
would not let our mothers leave us in school or else we would cry the whole day.

It seems just very recently when we had our first test that made us happy or sad
depending on the result. Or when we had our first report cards that made our parents
happy or sad depending on the grades we got.

Now, we are graduates.

But are we graduates because we wanted to be ones? And are we graduates because
we tried and succeeded?

Distinguished guests, our principal, members of the faculty, beloved parents, fellow
graduates, ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant afternoon to all.

The moment our parents and we have been waiting for has finally arrived. This day is
just the beginning and not the end itself for we are leaving a stage in our lives and
facing greater challenges – mas challenging pa tiyak sa bunjee jumping ng Extra
Challenge. This celebration reminds us of yesterday’s memories. These are memories
that inspire; memories that urge us to strive harder and do better. From simple abc’s
and basic mathematics, we now move on to more challenging lessons in life.

I stand before you today overwhelmed with deep sense of gratitude, pride and joy. I am
thankful to God for granting us talents, wisdom, knowledge and strength. I am grateful
to God for blessing me with loving and concerned teachers, supportive parents, and
wonderful classmates. Fellow graduates, let us all sincerely thank those people who
helped us to be what we are today.

I would like to thank our beloved teachers who patiently taught us our first abc’s.
Teachers who work hard to instill discipline to unruly children; to inspire uninterested
ones; and even to tame the spoiled brats. How can we forget our first teachers who run
to the rescue of a kid crying because he wanted to go to the toilet only to find out it’s too
late. Nag-cr na pala sa kanyang shorts. Yes, our teachers work hard in school and work
harder at home. They devote their time to other children and have little time for their
own because they prepare lesson plans, quizzes and tests for us. Thank you teachers
for your patience in molding us to become what we are today. Maraming salamat po sa
inyong mapagkalingang kamay. Thank you for never giving up.

Fellow graduates, let us all thank our beloved parents who work hard to earn a living
and support our education. On many occasions, they are willing to forego simple
luxuries so we could meet our school expenses. While they work hard at daytime, they
often sleep late at night to assist us in our assignments and projects. They dream, they
persevere, they pray, all for our sake. Let us all thank our parents for their solicitous
concern for our welfare. Thank you for disciplining us with love. I am especially grateful
to my parents who have instilled me values that will direct me to the right path. Thank
you Papa and Mama for your support not only financially but most of all emotionally,
mentally and spiritually. I know you are proud of me. We honor you with respect and
dignity. Fellow graduates, let us all give a big round of applause to our parents. Araw din
nila ito. Ngayon nagbunga na ang kanilang mga paghihirap.

To all of you my classmates, thank you for the long lasting memories we’ve shared
together. Thank you for the laughters. Thank you for the tears. But wherever we shall go
and whatever we shall be, everything we learned in this school will serve as a guiding
light in our pursuit of a noble endeavor.

Thank you OLPCC-San Agustin for molding me to be what I am today. I will forever
cherish all the learning years I’ve spent here. Thank you for giving me a solid foundation
in education.

I would like to share this day with my Lola Pening. Salamat sa pag-aalaga mo sa amin.
To my sister, Trickzhen I am sharing this honor with you.

Yes, we are graduates not only because of our efforts but also because of these people
who forget themselves and prioritize our future. If we as to face another chapter in our
young lives, we will have good chances to succeed because we were nurtured,
disciplined, guided and prepared by them.

Can we even thank them enough? We can, but how? Let us study hard. Let us live a life
guided by the lessons they taught us. Lessons in truthfulness, trustworthiness, patience,
courtesy, honesty, integrity and above all, godliness.

I am proud of myself because I’ve reached this far. I know that my fellow graduates feel
the same way, too, because the victory is ours now.

Again Congratulations, and Good day!