Thank you for that kind introduction Ma’am ___________________.

To the University President, Dr. Andres Taguiam, to the College Dean of the College of
Teacher Education, Dr. Sanny J. Dangis, to the NVSU Lab School Principal, Dr. Regino
Galate, to the faculty members of the NVSU Lab School, Ma’ams and Sirs, Parents,
distinguished guests, graduates, ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant morning to all of you.

I’m very pleased to have been asked to speak for this auspicious event. I promise, as
King Henry the VIII allegedly promised to his wives, “Don’t worry, I won’t keep you long.”
This speech will only last for 5 minutes and 2 hours.

First of all, congratulations to all of you! You have reached a milestone in your life.
Celebrate, smile and be proud. You are one step closer to your goals. One step closer to
your dreams. One step closer into what was once the future but is now the present. And
with that, please keep that in mind. Life is… a present.

To the families of those graduating, congratulations to you and you should know that your
support through this process made an enormous impact. I'm sure you're very proud of
your graduates as they close this portion of their lives and prepare for their next steps into
a new path.

This moment is as much an achievement for the parents as it is for the graduating
students. So graduates; take a look at your parents and say “congratulations”. I’m pretty
sure that parents are thinking “Yes! six or seven years down, eight, ten or more years to
go”

Graduation is one of those steps in life that defines a coming of age - the ending of one
era of life. I'm sure many of you have firm plans and have a good idea of what's coming
next, some of you have a pretty good idea of what you want to do next, a dream and a lot
of hope to get you there, and some of you are just amazed that you got to this graduation
point at all! Well the coming times will be exciting, they will be trying but they will be all
dependent on you and your determination.

It’s been 12 years since I graduated from high school and, like you, I was also sitting there
listening to our inspirational speaker. I wouldn’t expect that I would be doing the same
thing after 12 years.

What I can share to you are my life lessons during this 12 year. Marami po akong natutuan
sa panahong ito pero ibabahagi ko lang sana ang sa tingin ko ay makakatulong sa inyo.

Una – Choose your path wisely!

Some of you may opt to continue to college, some will take vocational school,
some may start working, some may start their own business or some may simply
 depend on their parents. Whatever path you choose, use your heart and mind. A
piece of advice, it’s not always wise to follow you heart. Baka masaktan ka lang sa
huli. Minsan mas makakabuti din sa inyo na pag isipan ang mga desisyon niyo.
Tunay kang PETMALU pag nagamit mo ang puso at isipan mo sa mga
mahahalagang desisyon mo sa buhay. Kagaya nalang kung mamimili kayo ng
kursong kukunin sa kolehiyo, wag po nating ibase ang desisyon natin sa kung
anong uso or kung anong gusto ng mga barkada. Normally, yun po ang unang
pagkakamali ng mga estudyante. Kinalaunan lilipat yan ng kurso kundi naman
hirap siya sa pag intindi ng mga aralin. Ngayon pa lang, tignan niyo po kung ano
talaga ang gusto niyo at pag isipan kung tama ba ang kukunin niyo. If choose, be
firm in your decision as if your life depends on it.

Pangalawa – Education is not a race!

By now, some of you might be thinking kung makapag aaral pa sila sa kolehiyo.
Nag alala siguro kayo na hindi kayo mapag aaral ng mga magulang niyo. My dear
graduates, if you thinking of continuing your education but your circumstances
won’t allow it, work for it. If your parents can’t send you to school, huwag kayong
susuko! Hindi masamang tumigil muna at magtrabaho at pag ipunan ang pag
aaral. Education is not race! If you really want to achieve your goal, work for it.
Huwag kayong mahihiya kung kayo ay nahuhuli. In life, we all have our own
phasing. You may graduate 5 years later or 10 years later than your batch mate,
it’s ok. I tell you my dear graduates, education is a continuous process. This
process will define who you are in the future. Believe you can!

Pangatlo – Always give your 100% in all you do!

In all you do, give your 100%. In life, you seldom given a second chance, for this
give your best. The things you do today will dictate your future you! Remember,
GOOD is the enemy of GREAT!

Pang-Apat – It’s ok to fail!

Wag kayong matakot na magkamali. This will make you a stronger person. My
dear graduates, the best lessons in life are learned from mistakes.

Panglima – While on the road to success, stand and take a look back at where you came
from. Never forget where you came from. Never forget where you came from. Never forget
where you want to go. These are words I learned from my father at a very young
age. It sums up for me what life is all about. It tells us that while we always have to keep
a sharp eye on our ultimate goal we should never lose sight of our heritage and what got
us started in life.

We should always aim high—and then aim even higher. We should have big dreams—
and then set bigger dreams. We should set no limits on what we can dare to achieve in
our time on this Earth.
We should never forget where we want to go.
At the same time, we should never forget where we came from.

So graduates; brace your selves for the many challenges ahead and remember to learn
from them. Follow your dream, diligently work towards your goal and make every day
count. Remember YOLO; you only live once.

Before I end my speech, let me share you the most significant quote that change my life
career – “Do Good, Be Felt and Make a Difference” in the entire community, our agency
mantra!

Good luck and congratulations!