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K to 12 Graduates: Molded
through a Resilient Educational Foundation
(Gradweyt ng K to 12: Hinubog ng matatag na Edukasyon)
A pleasant and blessed afternoon to all.
I want to take this opportunity to honor each one of
you who have gathered for this special event, to our:
School Division Office Representatives,
Principal,
Teachers,
Canteen/Utility/Security Guard Personnel,
Parents and guardians, and
Students, the Completers of this Moving Up Ceremony.
This memorable day is possible because of the small and big contributions of everyone, and I am so glad to be part of this unforgettable event in the lives of our children--your children.
Just to give you a bit of an addition to my introduction and why I am here.
I am Arlene Cahanap Manocot, an alumna of Applied Academics for Excellence Annex I Aplaya National High School. I am a second child. My father is a welder, "vulcanizer", and tricycle driver. My mother is a vendor and was a street sweeper. I come from a humble background.
I was a shy and timid student back when I was in high
school. My shyness was worse during my first and second years, I was a novice in
recitation and reporting in front of the class. It was a huge dilemma for me
back then, but I guess even now.
I can still remember some of the things I did because
of this ‘shyness’.
·
Pretended
to sleep because I did not want to participate in the recitation and to report
in front of the class – 1st yr.
·
Monologue
incident – 2nd yr.
I must say that high school life is one of the
unforgettable times of our lives, and I know that most people here would
agree, right?
I was in 3rd and 4th year when I
made the decision that I need to improve, I must overcome my fear of recitation
and reporting. I was barely coping back then, but now that I realized it I am
pretty satisfied with the progress I had made during those last two years in my
high school days. I was able to stand in front and report to the class while my
hands were shaking and feeling numb at the same time, my voice also cracked. I
clearly remember embarrassing and small victories in my life as a high school
student, such nostalgia. Indeed, high school life is a thrilling rollercoaster
ride.
And after 17 years… who would have thought?
That the timid and shy student back then would be a teacher, writer, and business owner.
This Moving Up Ceremony with the theme K to
12 Graduates: Molded through a Resilient Educational Foundation (Gradweyt ng K
to 12: Hinubog ng Matatag na Edukasyon) signifies the hardships and
success of all the people gathered around here. This is victory!
Resilient, Education, and Foundation are the keywords that we
can identify in the theme of this year’s Moving Up Ceremony.
Parents/Guardians. You are
the Foundation.
Family is the basic unit of the society. It is where it all began. Learning starts at home. It is the core foundation of every person. The collective atmosphere of a community is directly related to the condition at home. Parents play an essential role in molding the future of our students.
One of the hardest jobs on earth is being a parent, a job that does not even pay you. It is the most demanding job a human being could ever sign up for. It is not monetary compensated, but you do it any and every way you can.
And you remain to be a strong ‘foundation’ for your
children, the future of the next generation. I could only hope and pray that
you as parents and guardians train up your children in the way they should go;
even when they are old they will not depart from it.
School. You deliver free and
affordable quality Education.
Education is a great equalizer, no doubt about that.
For a person like me, who come from a not well-off family, I am grateful to the
Department of Education and PUP Santa Rosa Campus and Santa Mesa Campus for
delivering free and affordable quality education, and to my parents for sending
me to school even though I did not want to.
But the school has to be reminded that the learning
process is not limited to the four corners of a classroom. These students
can also learn from others not only from their teachers. There is a vast of unlimited
knowledge, skills, and abilities to learn out there. Be more open to possibilities
that they have to engage in an independent and collaborative learning process
where they can be themselves, free from unnecessary restrictions unless it is
for their safety.
I could only hope and pray that in the near future, the
Philippine educational system will cater to the ultimate essential learning
needs of our Filipino students.
Students. You be Resilient.
Resilient, according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is
the ability to recover from or adjust easily
to misfortune or change. But most of the time it is not easy. It is hard,
difficult, and sometimes even impossible.
In real life, pain is inevitable. Failure is waiting
for you. Rejection is just there waiting beside Failure smiling at you. That is
part of life and we have to learn to accept that.
So, students, our dear completers, do not be afraid
to:
Make friends, surround yourself with wise and good
people.
Make mistakes but make sure to own up to your
mistakes.
Take risks but be ready for the consequences.
Dream big but handle rejections well.
Forgive or forget, then move on.
Embrace the process. Be patient. Enjoy the season of
waiting.
Celebrate little and grand victories.
Heal from your past and traumas.
Keep moving forward.
Be humble. Honor your father and mother.
Life is not easy, again. But I welcome you to the next
chapter of your life.
Congratulations to all the completers! May you never
give up on your dreams!
Live life with a purpose!
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
Psalm 139:13 ESV
For He knows
That I have come to know
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
