06/04/2026
Words of Gratitude
By: Renz Niño M. Andres
With great respect and gratitude, I extend my warmest greetings to our distinguished Guest of Honor the Division Representative; to our Public Schools District Supervisor, Sir Fredie B. Eustaquio, PhD.; to our School Principal III, Sir Arthur M. Cariaga; to our respected Department Heads, Teachers, honorable barangay officials, esteemed guests, dear parents, beloved friends and to my fellow graduates - ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant and inspiring morning to all of you.
As we gather here today to celebrate the end of one chapter and the beginning of another, guided by the theme “Filipino Graduates: Prepared to Lead with Competence and Character” (Pilipinong Nagsipagtapos: Handang Mamuno nang may Kakayahan at Mabuting Pagkatao) it is impossible not to feel a mix of emotions.
There is happiness—because we have finally reached this milestone after years of hard work. But there is also sadness—because soon, we will go our separate ways, walking different paths and chasing different dreams.
Yet among all these emotions, I believe the strongest one we feel today is gratitude. I stand here filled with a thankful heart. First and foremost, I thank God for guiding me through every challenge, every sleepless night and every moment of doubt. Without Him, I would not be standing here today.
Being called to deliver this speech is truly overwhelming. It is an honor, a privilege and a dream come true. But let me ask you—do you know what it took for me to get here?
Most people only see the success. They see the awards, the recognition, the title. But they don’t see the journey. They don’t see the struggles behind it. In my case, only a few people truly know my story—especially my family. So today, I want to share it with you.
Hindi lahat ng success story, nagsisimula sa confidence. Minsan, nagsisimula siya sa pagod… sa lungkot… at sa pakiramdam na mag-isa ka. During the pandemic, I struggled. I felt isolated. I felt lost. Nasa bahay lang, walang kasama—and slowly, it started to affect me. There were moments when I questioned myself—my worth, my direction and even my purpose. But everything began to change when we came back to school. Unti-unti, I found light again. Sa simpleng tawanan with friends… sa pangungulit nila… sa pagiging totoo nila sa akin—doon ako bumangon ulit. Being surrounded by teachers, friends and this community—it lifted me. It reminded me of who I am and who I can become.
And maybe… that’s where my story truly began.
Because when I found myself again, I didn’t just return—I explored.
I tried. I failed. I learned. I grew.
I became a student leader who learned that leadership is not about position, but about service.
An athlete who learned discipline, resilience and how to rise after every fall.
A journalist who learned to tell stories that matter.
A researcher who learned to question and seek truth.
A mathematician who learned that problems are not meant to stop you—but to be solved.
And an ICT student who discovered how creativity and technology can shape the future.
Along the way, I became what others might call a “jack of all trades.” I explored, I tried, I failed, and I learned. I joined competitions, different organizations and embraced every opportunity—even when I wasn’t sure if I was ready. And maybe that’s the lesson: you don’t have to be perfect to start—you just have to be brave enough to try.
High school… it wasn’t perfect. It was messy, unpredictable, sometimes overwhelming—but it was real. And that’s what makes it unforgettable.
We will remember the early mornings when getting out of bed felt like the hardest battle, the rushed assignments, the group works that tested our patience and the exams that made us question everything we studied. But more than that, we will remember the laughter—the kind that echoed in classrooms, hallways and even in the simplest moments.
And of course, I will remember the little things—the lines that became part of my everyday life:
“Renz, pakopya!”
“Renz, laptop mo man!”
“Renz, pa-help!”
“Renz, kasano atuy?”
“Renz, assignment mo man!”
“Renz, agdalus kan!”
“Renz, adda quiz, agpa-review kan ahh!”
“Renz, ania answer na atuy?”
At some point, those words felt overwhelming—but now, they have become some of the most unforgettable parts of my high school journey. Because behind those words were friendships, trust, and the shared struggle of getting through every requirement, every deadline and every challenge together.
And as those memories come rushing back, I am reminded that this journey was never meant to be walked alone. Each moment we cherish is deeply connected to the people who stood beside us, guided us, and believed in us. And so, as we talk about memories, I would like to take a moment to remember the people who made my high school journey even more meaningful.
To our beloved principal, thank you for your constant encouragement. I will never forget your words: “Renz, laging galingan ah… kaya mo ’yan. Dapat makadivision ka.” And yes, kahit hindi palaging madali, I held on to those words.
To my Science family, I will never forget the adrenaline of competitions—those nights na gising pa hanggang 11 PM preparing for defense. To Ma’am JallyMae and Ma’am Janette, thank you for igniting my love for science.
To my Reaper family, thank you for the memories. Kahit kulang-kulang, mali-mali minsan ang outputs natin, but we still found joy in every moment. Thank you, Ma’am Ivy, Ma’am Recie, Sir Gerald and Sir Richard.
To my Math family, this was the first contest I ever joined, and that makes it very special to me. Thank you, Sir Ricky and Ma’am Ethel.
To my sports club family, especially to Ma’am Emily, our MAPEH teacher and mentor, thank you for the strength, discipline and teamwork we built together. Through every training, every game and every challenge, you guided us and believed in us. Through wins and losses, we stood by each other—and for that, I am truly grateful.
To my Araling Panlipunan Club family, I’ll never forget the UNESCO Quiz Bee—finishing second, just one point away from first place. That “one point” has haunted me ever since, but it also taught me the value of every effort and every moment of preparation. Thank you, Ma’am Loulette, for always being there, guiding me and for choosing me to represent our school. It’s a memory I will carry with me forever.
To my SSLG family, hindi ko na kayo makakasama sa kampanya, sa paglilinis at sa pag-aayos ng mga programa. But thank you for the experiences and trust. Special thanks to Ma’am Benjielyn.
To my advisers over the years:
Ma’am Elaine, my Grade 7 adviser—during the pandemic, you guided us through uncertainty.
Ma’am Evavie, Grade 8—dito nagsimulang bumalik ang klase.
Ma’am Carol, Grade 9—dito na talaga nagsimula ang totoong laban.
Ma’am Lingelle, Grade 10(Melendres) — kahit sinasabi naming “worst section,” we became a family.
To my Senior High family:
To Sir Francis, thank you for your dedication. Hindi na po maririnig yung “JINGLE” namin sir,” but the lessons behind those will always stay with us. Your strict yet quality teaching pushed us to do our best, even when it wasn’t easy.
To Ma’am Claudine, I may no longer hear your “Yessss, okay!” and “Tamaa!” during your lessons, but those words will always echo in my mind as a reminder of your passion and encouragement.
To Sir Ricoh, our very own “living Barbie ng Langay,” thank you for your guidance and for bringing both discipline and joy into our classroom.
To Ma’am Mary, thank you for always being there whenever we needed help—whether it was for printing, solving problems or simply giving support.
To Ma’am Rea, my sexiest teacher, thank you for the lessons you shared with us—not just academically, but also the life lessons that helped shape our character.
To Ma’am Marlene, thank you for pushing me beyond my limits. “Renz, insurat kan poetry ahh,” “Renz, sali kan dita essay”—those words challenged me, and because of you, I discovered strengths I never knew I had.
To Ma’am Macrine, even though your time with us was short, you made a lasting impact. Despite handling what may have been the most challenging section, you still chose to understand us—thank you for your patience and kindness.
To Ma’am Kath, thank you for being our kakampi. In moments when we felt misunderstood, judged, or even labeled as the “worst section,” you chose to see beyond our mistakes. You saw our potential, our strengths, and the goodness in us that others sometimes failed to notice. You stood by our side—not just as a teacher, but as someone who believed in us even when we struggled to believe in ourselves.
To Sir Angelo, my source of “chismis” and my lunch buddy—thank you for being one of the reasons why school felt lighter and happier. Beyond the laughter and kwentuhan, you gave us guidance in the most natural and genuine way. You showed us that learning doesn’t always have to be serious to be meaningful. Thank you for the memories, the advice, and the simple moments that turned ordinary days into something unforgettable.
And to my adviser, Ma’am Karen—thank you will never be enough for everything you have done for us. We know how stressful it was to handle our class, especially during those chaotic moments— “haan naka-lock ajay,” “ridaw naka-open ajay,” “silaw kin electric fan”—yet despite all the noise, the confusion and the endless challenges, you remained patient. You chose to stay, to guide us and to believe that we could be better.
You were more than just an adviser—you were our second parent in school. You never gave up on us, even on the days when we made it difficult for you to stay. And for that, we are forever grateful.
If I were given the chance to live this life all over again, with the same struggles and the same journey, I would still choose you to be our adviser. Because in you, we found not just a teacher, but a mentor, a guide and someone who truly cared for us.
And to all the teachers whom I may not have mentioned one by one, please know that your efforts have not gone unnoticed. Each lesson you taught, each reminder you gave, and each moment you chose to guide us instead of giving up on us—those mattered more than we can ever fully express.
You have all been part of shaping who we are today. Whether inside the classroom or beyond it, you have helped mold us into individuals who are not only prepared academically, but also grounded in values, discipline and character.
For that, we are deeply grateful. Thank you for believing in us, even in moments when we struggled to believe in ourselves.
To my section, my Aristotle— Noong una, honestly, ayaw ko talaga sa section na ’to. Imagine—52 students in one classroom. Sobrang siksikan, sobrang ingay. May time pa nga na may naiwan na patay na ibon sa room natin—grabe, l was like “ilipat niyo na ako” Pero ngayon… kung may chance na ma-extend pa ’tong time natin, I would gladly take it. Hindi ko na ma-imagine na hindi kayo ang classmates ko. Kasi sa lahat ng ingay, sa lahat ng kalokohan, sa lahat ng “Aristotle moments”—doon ko nakita kung gaano ka-special ’tong section natin. Yung atmosphere natin? Chill lang, walang plastikan, tulungan kung kailangan, asaran pero may respeto. Totoo—magulo tayo, maingay tayo, playful tayo… pero we’re just kids trying to enjoy our days the best way we can. Yes, we are “worst section” but we are family
To my friends: I’m not going to say all your names—you know who you are—but I just want to say thank you. Thank you for the laughter, the late-night talks, the inside jokes, and the memories that made high school feel lighter and brighter. Thank you for standing by me, for celebrating the wins, and for helping me through the challenges. I may not mention everyone here, but every single one of you has left a mark on my heart. Post ko na lang kayo sa Facebook! Either way, I will carry these moments with me forever.
To my siblings/sisters: Being the bunso, I know I’ve sometimes been the “extra” one—the one asking too many questions, needing too much attention, or just trying to keep up with all of you. Yet, you’ve always been there for me—guiding me, cheering me on, and making sure I never feel alone. Thank you for your patience, your love, and for always having my back. Even when I’ve been the most stubborn or playful, you never stopped supporting me. I’m truly grateful for all the laughter, advice, and little moments we’ve shared—they mean more to me than words can express.
Mama and papa I stand here today in hopes to make you proud and for you to know that everything that I have done I’ve done for you through the tough times the disagreement at the end of the day I hope you always know that everything that I do is make you happy because I wouldn’t simply be here without you. To every parent in the audience, I hope you know and acknowledge us too, we the class of 2025, 2026 I hear pushing day in and day out for not only ourselves but most importantly the wonderful people waiting us at home.
And as we close this chapter of our lives and step into the next, I want to leave you with a line that perfectly captures this moment: as Frank Ocean says, “I’m not a kid no more, and I will never be those kids again.”
This line reminds us that high school has shaped us, taught us lessons we will carry forever, and marked the end of a chapter that will never repeat itself. We are no longer the same students who walked into our first classrooms with uncertainty and hesitation. We have grown—through laughter, struggles, late nights, successes and failures. And while we may hold onto memories of our “kid selves,” we now step forward as young adults ready to embrace new challenges, new opportunities, and new responsibilities.
And now, as I officially close this journey, let me leave you with this:
This is Renz Niño McQuire Andres—your SSLG President, your student journalist, you student athlete, your researcher, your Scientist, your mathematician, a “jack of all trades, master of none,” and the only with highest honors of the batch 2026 —officially signing off. CONGRATULATIONS BATCH 2026
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