Sam’s graduation speech
It is Graduation time once again; and as a proud Tito, allow me to share with everyone the very inspiring speech of my niece, Aiseah Samantha D. Sorita (Sam for short) as she graduated Summa Cum Laude and top of her graduating class at the Manila Tytana Colleges with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications. I share her speech to help inspire those who too would be graduating amid our current social challenges with the hope that Sam’s experiences would give that extra boost to pursue their post-graduation dreams. Here are some excerpts from her speech:
To Our beloved University Officials, Members of the Faculty, Family, Friends, Fellow Graduates, Ladies and Gentlemen … A Blessed morning to everyone. It has been said that “Dreams are lovely. But they are just dreams. Fleeting … ephemeral … transient … But dreams do not come true just because you aspire for it. It entails a lot of hard work to make it happen. Hard work that can create change as catalysts”. As Shonda Rhimes, an acclaimed American television producer, screenwriter, and author succinctly puts it: “our hard work has been paid off”. Not only did our batch-mates put in a lot of effort, but we are also indebted to our loving parents, educators, and benefactors.
Today, as we embark on this momentous occasion, I am honored with our accomplishments as we fulfill it with sense of pride and gratitude. As a traveler together with my fellow batch-mates who have worked hard for the past four years of our academic journey, may I proudly say that “we made it’, deserving a spot in this our graduation ceremony.
Truly, as we conclude our academic life in this our cherished Alma Mater, we embark the next chapter of our lives amidst the crossroads of our current COVID-19 Health Crisis, Global Oil Calamity and transition of the new Philippine Government after the recently held 2022 National and Local Polls. But I am confident that our dear Alma Mater has prepared us for all of these life challenges. Our collective ability to thrive and to learn despite the limitations posed by the sudden shift in the learning environment and pedagogy has made our batch unique and a “benchmark” as well of what we can accomplish despite our limits. Yes, we had our equal share of physical, social, emotional, mental, financial and spiritual stress just to cope with the demands of our studies but this our GRADUATION CEREMONY is a living proof that nothing is impossible if we place our trust in God and find STRENGTH IN UNITY as one academic community.
To Thrive and not just Survive despite the “challenges of the times” is indeed a grace from God. So, allow me to start by giving thanks first and foremost to our Almighty Father, the God of our lives and of our history. His Divine presence and intervention in our lives has allowed us to face the life’s hurdles with “flying colors” knowing that for every Good Friday there will always be an Easter Sunday.
Secondly, allow me recognize our educators … our dear mentors who poured their hearts out especially in these trying times. They are our modern heroes … our ACADEMIC FRONTLINERS, who would always bring out the best in all of us. To quote a phrase from a film, The Emperor’s Club, let just say that “A great teacher has little external history to record. His life goes over into other lives. These men are pillars in the intimate structure of our schools. They are more essential than its stones or beams, and they will continue to be a kindling force and a revealing power in our lives.” To our dear educators, you have no idea how much you have made an impact in each of our lives. We are forever grateful to all of you. To my home for the past 6 years, our beloved alma mater, Tytana, we are dearly indebted as we step out from this learning institution with honor, pride, and excellence carrying the GREEN BANNER inspired by our six core values as we continue to soar high. To the administrators and staff, who took care of us and really treated us as a family, Thank you. To our security personnel, canteen staff and the blue boys and girls, well now they are wearing brown uniform … Maraming Maraming Salamat po, “kayo po ang madalas naming makasalamuha pagkatapos ng aming mga klase, sa maiiksing pakikipag-usap habang nag-aantay ng susundo o susunod na klase, sa pagpapanatiling malinis ng aming mga silid-aralan nandyan po kayo para sa amin. Maliit na bagay man po ito pero malaki ang inyong kontribusyon sa institusyong ito para sa amin. We students are not the only vital assets of MTC, but all non-Teaching personnel are as precious as well … and we are grateful for your service.
To our dearest parents and guardians, a heartfelt thanks to all of you. Your contribution in our lives is undisputable. For instilling in us how to value education and keeping alive the passion that is trapped within us. Your limitless support, for not just trying and doing your best, but doing whatever it takes just to see us graduate today, enduring our emotional “ups and downs” inclusive of all our financial challenges; you never missed to and failed to support us. Now, we can officially say “Ma/Pa, we made it”. To my ever-supportive family, my deepest appreciation for always being there whenever I need your assistance and guidance. To my MAMA, I love you so so much, I will always be forever grateful for all the sacrifices you have made for us. “unti-unti ko na po naaabot mga pangarap mo sa akin, panahon na po para ako naman ang bumawi sa inyo” Let me also take this opportunity to thank my cousin who recently passed away, Ate Charm, -“kung nasaan ka man nagpapasalamat ako sa walang sawa mong suporta at pagmamahal, hindi mo po alam kung gaano po kalaki ang inyong tinulong saakin, mahal na mahal po kita.”
Last and definitely not the least, to my fellow batch mates, let us thank and appreciate ourselves too. All of the achievements that we received today are also because of our burning desire and dedication to achieve it! And we did it!! Despite the 360 degrees shift in our learning set-up and modalities, we still conquered it. Each and every one of us should feel that we are all empowered today. To my BAC batch mates, I am so proud of all of our character developments! Seeing us grow from the time noong tayong sinasaway dahil sa kaingayan natin kasi madalas natin kantahin yung “AKIN KA NA LANG NI MORISSETTE AMON for no reason kahit wala tayo sa tono; To now na lahat tayo may kanya kanya ng visuals, spotlight, and skills na kapag pinagsama-sama mo, ay outstanding level talaga. Kaya I’m hoping to see you all in the lucrative and small industry of our chosen fields.
To my batch mates, cherish and embrace this moment. “MOMENTS THAT WILL BECOME FRUITFUL MEMORIES, WE ALL DESERVE IT.” Let us all remember to be kind to ourselves, be persistent, compassionate and socially conscious embarking with our principles and core values, and keeping our feet still on the ground. I want to leave you with this inspirational quote from Winston S. Churchill “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” Kudos to all of us! Padayon Titans!!
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