08/06/2024
๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ
๐ง-๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐๐ ๐. ๐๐๐ฃ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ก
๐ช๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ฆ
โARAPAAPโ is a seven-letter Ilocano word that means Dream in English. We all know that we are different from each other, but what makes us similar is that we dream, therefore we are dreamers, and โaddaan tayo iti arapaapโ.
To our esteemed guest of honor and speaker, Mr. Roland Lewis B. Romero, Sir. Our school principal, Mr. Aljene A. Palafox, Sir. To our DLCES superintendent, Rev. Msgr. Romeo Tito M. Bonoan. To our bishop, Most Rev. Renato P. Mayugba D.D., other visitors, Faculty and Staff, loving parents, relatives, friends, fellow graduates, and completers. Praises and Glory to the Most Holy Trinity.
Good afternoon to each and every one of you today, I am deeply honored to be here standing right in front of you to speak about our collective victories and culmination of success. Today, I am going to tell you a secret. I have been accused for becoming a dreamer, a person who always dream so many things. I have been told several times how unachievable my dreams were, how inadequate for me to reach them, and how easy it is to give up.
Six years ago, when one of my arapaap turned into reality when I first stepped onto the school campus filled with excitement and anticipation because I was about to meet new people who would eventually become part of my life. Junior High School life was a bit short experience for us students due to the pandemic that changed the lives of every person including their dreams. During these years, we students need to thrive more than usual because of the distance learning setup. We canโt deny the fact that learning amid the pandemic is not an easy thing for us because as much as we want to learn face to face, we are inside our homes trying to teach ourselves while doing the household chores. Agwalwalis, agugugas, aglablaba, agbabantay tianggi wenno agbanbantay ti ubing habang agdengdenggeg ken teacher, ngem adda dan to latta met agitay agoff-cam sadanto iturugen. These are just some of the relevant experiences that made us stronger and resilient.
Fast forward to Senior High School, this marks the most memorable year of my high school life. Here comes the part when our education became more serious because we are about to graduate in the next few years. On the first day of school in Grade 11, I was so happy that my classmates since grade seven were still my classmates until 11th Grade. I still remember how we used to hang out after classes, watching the sunset while sipping into our favorite iced coffee and talking about life with our adviser Ms. Ma. Estephany Garcia.
In these years, there's nothing left in my mind but to enjoy the remaining days of my senior high school life despite the academic pressure. I know that most of you mostly see me in my momโs Facebook feed with my pictures holding certificates and medals. Luckily, I am, I was a consistent top student since Grade Seven. But behind those smiling pictures of me, is a kid who always craved academic validation, a kid whoโs scared to fail, a kid whoโs scared to disappoint his parents. People often say, โImbag ka pay nalaing kaโ Little do they know that I worked hard for it, that I pushed myself to the limits just to be who I am today.
As I continued my senior high school life, I started valuing the importance of friendship between me and my classmates. A friendship that motivates me to go to school every day, because I am at my happiest when I am with them. This last year as a senior high school student made me realize so many things. During the first day of school, it is already a practice to introduce yourself in front of the whole class and tell something about your future ambition and why you chose that. Some of us respond โhmmm introduce yourself manen, makauma metโ โAlla ana ngata ti ibagak nga dream ko, haan nak pay siguradoโ. Listening to these phrases made me realize that we all have perseverance but we donโt have the same privilege. I just simply responded to my classmate, โket pilyem a no ana talagaโt kayat moโ. Because in my case, from elementary to high school, I only have one dream in my mind, and my best friend jazel knows that, and that is to become a successful pilot someday. A thing that influenced my dream is my OFW mother itโs because I always encounter huge airplanes every time, we fetch her at the airport. This amazed me and I used to play miniature airplanes when I was a kid trying to imagine that I was the driver and trying to reach the sky as far and as high as possible. But as high as the skies, that dream remained as a dream for me. Lately, I just realized that pursuing that dream is slowly becoming impossible because of financial reasons, that hurt me a bit, because as they say โLibre lang mangarap, pero ang mahirap kung papaano mo aabuting ang iyong pangarapโ.
This last year as a Senior High School student is the most tiring, yet fulfilling year for me. It was a โPass it or fail itโ scenario because the first semester already welcomed us with so many requirements and school activities. Every time that the school needed a representative to compete in several pageantries, they always put my name on the list, and of course, I would always nod my head because I always dreamed of representing the school in several co-curricular activities such as journalism and pageantry. I represented the school three times carrying the St. Jude High School sash pinned on my shoulders and I always end up as a runner-up. We celebrate these victories however sometimes; this questioned my capabilities and highlighted my insecurities. Yes, I was there, but never good enough to be there. You often see me as a resilient and confident person but I do also have insecurities and imperfections.
Despite questioning my worth, my classmates never failed to cheer me up and boost up my confidence. This is what I admire about them, they are a huge support system for me. Throughout my journey as a graduating student, I never craved support from peers because we were all together as we faced the challenging times of our lives. As we embarked on our academic journey, I saw how these folks pushed themselves to accomplish all the tasks, from all school activities, periodical exams, and school requirements, most especially the subject that almost forced us to be Grade 12 students again, The Research Project. But thankfully, we made it with the help of course of our subject teacher, Mr. Arjay Tabbaban, Thank you, sir. Idol daka.
Before we arrived at this very moment, we shared different stories of defeats and victories, pain and relief, conflicts and harmony, failures and success. These shaped us into who we are today. As the saying goes โHardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destinyโ.
But today, we can finally say โThe war is overโ. We have now come to the last episode of our journey as High School Students. But this would not be possible without the people who helped and inspired us to strive for the best.
First and foremost, I want to give my utmost gratitude to Almighty God. Thank you for guiding me throughout this endeavor. I offer all these victories to you and may you continue to bless these amazing people in front of me with unending happiness and success.
To my loving parents. Ma, Pa โAggradwar toy kakaisuna nga anak yonโ. Thank you so much for the unconditional love you both have given me. I can no longer wait for the day when my mother will no longer need to go and work abroad just to provide my necessities. Congratulations mama and Papa, youโve raised me so well and I hope that these milestones of mine will make you proud because I have always been proud to have you both as my parents. Uray no dadduma ket adda suksukir ko ken sadsadot ko ngem I promise ko nga sukatak to amin nga banbannog yo. I hope that you will still watch me as I embark on the next chapters of my life. Adu pay nga ananus ma, pa. Dumteng to latta.
To my ever-supportive relatives, my titaโs and titoโs who trusted in my capabilities. Special mention to my Lola Angelina, who became my greatest supporter in every pageant I joined. Uray kasano kaadayo, umay to latta nga umay ni lolang ko tapno lang icheer nak. Manipud Adams inngana Batac, adda isuna. I love you Lola, and this is all for you.
To Mama Nolie, thank you for being a mother figure for me whenever my mom is in abroad working for me. You will forever be part of my success. To my cousin Sydney, thank you for being my โtaga hatid sundo uray masuron ka kanyakon ta gapoโt kinabayag ko nga aggargaraw. Agyamanak ti adu nga ananus mo ta gapo kadagitoy, Nakagradwar tanโ.
I would also like to thank our ever-supportive class adviser, Mr. Leomar Aguilar. Thank you for exuding patience and love in teaching us and molding us to be better persons. May you continue inspiring others like how you inspired us in our daily conversations. We are so lucky to have you, Sir. To my Grade 11 Adviser, Ms. Ma. Estephany Garcia, you are one of the main reasons why I got these achievements, thank you for always reminding me that I am capable and that I can make it. I know that these students in front of me right now also do the same because of your unwavering dedication and love for us.
Lastly, to my fellow graduates. โActually, kayat kay maysa maysaen ngem baka agbalin nga two days detoy graduation tayo, but anyways. As we walk out from the four corners of this gymnasium, may we all remember the memories we will carry wherever we go. Days from now, we will no longer see ourselves on the four corners of our classroom sleeping on curtains as our bed sheets and screaming our famous line โWalang makakaalam kung walang magsasabi, Tiwala langโ to our nilalaglag moments. Days from now we will no longer see these โnaarjudโ girls sharing each otherโs makeup and asking if they applied their lipsticks properly, If their eyeliners are aligned, or ask whatโs the best shade for them. Days from now we will no longer ask each other what we sohuld wear, what we should eat, or where we should go after classes or simply tell โTara half dayโ. Days from now we will no longer see each other wearing the same royal blue uniforms and blue ID laces around the school premises.
Looking back, most of us might have wished for a fast-forward button when we started high school. Now, Iโm finding myself looking for a rewind button. Along the journey of our school years, we have made many mistakes. Other than stealing someoneโs boyfriend or girlfriend. Letโs just leave that. But the reality is that our mistakes are just as important as our success. So, letโs not aim to be perfect. Instead, letโs aim to be educated.
As Taylor Swift said, โLong Story Short, We Survivedโ. Thank You, class, of 2023-2024, for an unforgettable journey, always remember that you did so great, and Iโve witnessed all your efforts, dedication, and passion just to arrive at this very moment. Continue to make your mama and papa proud because, without them, we will not be able to see this amazing world full of amazing people. Once again, Congratulations class of 2024. And let us continue to uphold the essence of being a true Judean wherever the world takes us. Thank You and may God Bless us all in our future endeavors. Dios unay ti Agngina.
Photo by Jherel Daphnie A. Jesual
