Sunday, July 6, 2008
Y-Speak
A new path
By Aissa Ang / Vagabond
THE current academic year of 2008-2009 is special to me for several reasons. Apart from this being the blessed year I'm graduating from the Ateneo, this is also when my sibling Albert is joining me in Katipunan for his freshman year as a BS Management student and Cervini Hall dormer. Welcome, dear brother! May the professors look kindly upon your papers and prayers, and may St. Ignatius de Loyola speed-deliver the miracles you will soon be seeking!
Kidding aside, it is in the spirit of celebrating Albert's graduation from the Brokenshire Science High School with First Honors (and a hefty number of other honors, too) as well as his being awarded a 100 percent tuition, fees, dormitory and allowance scholarship by the Ateneo that I offer for your reading pleasure the valedictory address he wrote himself. It is my hope that the wings of grace sustain him ever onward on the university path. Dear reader, I give you Albert Edison dela Cruz Ang:
"First off, let me breathe a sigh of relief. This speech is essentially my last requirement and I'm glad it's done. To the commencement speaker Pastor Iris Herceda -- Tibus, board of trustees, teachers, parents, classmates, ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Looking back, I recall the fond memories I have of high school. I can remember feeling lost as a new student when I first came here. I can still recall it was Ma'am Amor who assisted us in enrolling, and her smile really broke the ice for me. Going back, some memories made us feel blissful, happy and contented while others saddened or angered us; yet they are part and parcel of the story that is our life.
"We all like stories don't we? Stories of love, stories of courage, funny stories or a little bit of everything... the list can go on and on. But what really gives a story its life? What gives its power to put a smile on one's face or move someone to tears? What makes a story come to life is the entirety of the story itself. What I'm driving at is this: our lives are like stories. Our life has its own set of characters, events and settings that make it wonderful and unique.
"As I scan the pages of my life up until this point, I have a lot of people to thank for helping get me where I am today. Having the privilege of giving a speech like this isn't given to everyone and I intend to make the most out of it. These following people are the ones who have greatly shaped my life in one way or another. Through their teachings, counsel and even their funny antics -- these people are what has made my story that much more colorful.
"I want to thank my parents -- my mom and dad who have molded me with the ideals of hard work and determination. That impossible is nothing when you put your heart and mind to it. I further would like to thank them for putting up with me through the good and bad times. An eternity wouldn't be enough to thank them for everything they have done for me so a simple and heartfelt thank you might do the trick. I also would like to thank my sister Aissa who isn't here today because it's their final exams, for her constant reminders of maintaining a good work ethic while keeping my feet firmly planted on the ground. My aunts Virgie and Ester also played a big part in my success and I thank them wholeheartedly for everything they have done. And to my grandmother, amah who has never failed time and again to make the tummies of our family full to the brim with the good food she cooks sprinkled abundantly with love and care.
"What is life without wise counsel? And who could better give that counsel than a teacher. To the faculty and staff, I thank you for all the lessons you have taught me in my stay here. Although I value the lessons taught to me in books, I hold the things they have taught me outside of them closer to my heart. All of you are mentors worthy of recognition for your tireless resolve in advancing the principles of learning. However there are some teachers, who have affected me greatly, more than any number of books can. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Sir Ramil Cubelo for his invaluable teachings in social studies and countless others outside of the field. I remember feeling so nervous when he was our 2nd year Araling Panlipunan teacher. His strict conduct in the classroom first brought fear in me but as we worked together on numerous contests I learned more and more about how great this person touched my life and my classmates'. Sir Mhel, thank you once again. Thanking each and every faculty member would take up an absurd amount time to finish. But from the bottom of my heart I thank you for everything. They say that there is a difference between a teacher and a mentor. A teacher merely teaches but you didn't just teach us, you changed our lives and that' what a mentor does.
"High school is a time when your connections with people are made strongest. It is in high school we find our best friends, our confidant and what not. I want to think of my friends as the bursts of vibrant color adding more life in my story. Because without them high school would just be too drab and dull. To Chris Gi, Jude, Feljon, Russel Mamburam, Jeo, Marvin, Daryl, Ernest and the other people who I'm with most of the time, I thank you for your comedic disposition and more importantly the friendship that we have forged over the years. To my batch mates, it is with great honor and humility that I express my gratitude for all that we did together. Our lines in this story won't be forgotten. Best friends don't get any better than these two people. To AC and Ralph, who would have expected us three to be the best of friends? It came so unexpectedly but I cherish it nonetheless. Although there were some disagreements along the way, isn't that what friends do? Agreeing to disagree? I'll never forget the countless hours we shared just keeping each other company. I'll never forget those times.
"Lastly I'd like to thank the One who has made all this reality -- God. I thank Him for everything because without Him life would just cease to exist. We'd have nothing at all. All this is for Him and His greater glory.
"These are some of the people and events which have made my story what it is. I'm sure you have that unique set of people and events also. All this shape our life into something one of a kind. It was earlier said that what gives a story its life is the entirety of it. But what's ironic and at the same time profound is that a single event or person can prove to be the representation of the entire story itself.
"On this day, another great event happens. Classmates, this could be that one event that'll change the course of our stories. You know why? It only takes one to change everything. Yes, it only takes one. Just a single occurrence in our lives can be the catalyst for change. Our graduation marks the completion of high school. But actually it involves more than receiving our diploma or getting honors. Our graduation can be that turning point in our lives. Since it only takes one to change something, we must know that the change we long for is here and now. It's just a matter seizing it.
"I heard this word a long time ago. At first glance these words seemed uninteresting but they carry a message so great and relevant. Carpe Diem -- this is Latin for seize the day. Let us seize this one chance to write the stories of our lives the way we want to. Whether it's success or fulfillment in anything or everything, we now have that opportunity. We may have different ways of writing our stories -- bold, big strokes or small but steady inscriptions, however what's important is we write nonetheless. The stories of our lives have a long way to go. Many more chapters are to be filled. Many more lines to be written on. Let us truly seize this day and continue writing the greatest stories -- our lives." (caladan_ice@yahoo.com)
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