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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 – 1^st yr.

·         Monologue incident – 2^nd 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 3^rd and 4^th 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!