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!
I ask myself: Do I have the slightest authority or even the right to write a post about something under the context of Love Listens, Love Obeys?
I do listen. I do obey. But to what extent? Am I doing enough for love? Love in all its forms: Agape, Storge, Philia, and (never mind) Eros.
Love listens
- Eros (never mind) is romantic love.
- Storge is love between family members.
- Philia is brotherly or sisterly love, or love in friendship.
- Agape is the unconditional love or the love that God has for us.
- First, Eros is not the only kind of love to be pursued in this world. It is never the end goal of life’s purpose. Romantic love is good but it should never pressure anyone to be in a romantic relationship that supposed to lead the involved persons into marriage.
- Second, Storge and Philia are related and shared the same context to the second commandment: to love your neighbor as yourself, and it is succeeded by the first and greatest commandment: to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
- Lastly, God’s love for us or Agape serves as a reminder of the greatest blessing He has given to mankind and that is grace, the gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ.
Love obeys
Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
I wonder if I am listening and obeying enough to prove my love. Am I enough or am I putting too much pressure on myself and doubting my worth? I am caught up with the idea of not being and not doing enough for love: my love for God, for my family, my friends, and my work.
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
Love hurts. Love waits. Every 'no' is God's redirection towards His best for me.
I wanted to replace those negativity through pursuing romantic love with the opposite sex. I so wanted to fill in the void that nearly ate me up, that emptiness that slowly but surely almost brought me to the end of my journey. I wanted someone to complete me. I tried to find my worth from others. I was desparate, not far from being miserable.
I still wonder did you ever feel sorry when you said you are sorry.You appeared on and off in my space and time.I knew there was something odd but I brushed it off.Told myself, to be content at least he replied or sent you letters.Settle for that because you've got nothing else.I even forgot for a moment I have everything I need, everything I love, of course, minus you in my life.I was blinded for a moment.Pained and hurt for a moment.But God shed the light once again like he always did.He showed me the truth.My prayers were never in vain.He answered them faithfully.I was kept in the darkness for a moment thinking about why I wasn't enough.He revealed the truth and freed me from your lies.You tried to cancel me. Were you scared? I wonder.I still forgive you even if you don't ask for it.And I'm still glad I met you even if the feelings were never mutual.Wander
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God"Ephesians 2:8
A Better Tomorrow
Just live your life, I live mine. Simple as that!
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
When memories flashed before your eyes in broad daylight, it was one of the most peaceful experiences you could ever have during your stay here on earth. It was calming and mind-blowing all at the same time. And after a few more days, you realized how scary the experience was. It was surreal.That's exactly how I felt when I got involved in a road incident. After more than a week, I finally fully grasped the severity of the incident, I almost lost my life in that one wrong move in a split second. I never thought this kind of accident would ever happen in my existence. And there you go and it did happen, but I thank God, I'm still alive and kicking. I should always be reminded that I have to be extra careful always.
Always plant hope, when everything seems uncertain.