Melanie Jimenez, News, Communication Management Office
After two years in the virtual academic setting, a total of 751 students received their senior high school diploma in the recently held Senior High School Virtual Commencement Exercises, July 30. Hon. Diosdado M. San Antonio, Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction served as the keynote speaker.
“We all know that life isn’t easy; the life we have today is complicated and difficult. It is critical that you focus on identifying the goals you want to achieve in your own lives. People who put in more effort in the real world end up getting ahead of others and becoming more successful”, USec San Antonio said in his message.
The undersecretary emphasized the importance of preparing new graduates for a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world. He encouraged each graduate to be proactive, results-oriented, intelligent, and to have strong network. He also expressed the commitment of the Department of Education to produce graduates who can meet the demands of a VUCA world.
“In the real world of adults, while we want to see all of you becoming passionate lovers of the Republic of the Philippines, we also want to see you equipped with 21st century skills for you to communicate effectively and think creatively and critically,” he stated.
Michelle N. Tolentino, the batch representative, delivered her valedictory address. Having been in the online setup for two years, she expressed her message of sympathy to those who experienced painful circumstances during the pandemic.
“Life tried so hard to quench our light, to blow it out, to extinguish it, and let’s be honest, sometimes it does succeed. But not always. As a result, our light flickers. And soon enough, we are subject to many endings. Some are unfortunate, they lost their spark” she said.
“Here we are, wounded, somewhat exhausted, but triumphant. I am not saying these to romanticize our hardships, because what doesn’t kill us, doesn’t always make us stronger. Rather, I am here to thank you for your hard work, for not giving up, and for prevailing in the pursuit of excellence,” Tolentino added, encouraging her batchmates to continue moving forward and becoming a Tanglaw ng Bayan to many.
“As we graduate senior high school…let’s become the light we were expected to become- ang tanglaw sa mundong nililigid ng dilim. I pray that in this God-given opportunity, our graduation, our education, we learn to pay it forward- to serve as a source of luminescence to the less privileged. To cast light on those who stayed in the shade [sic].”
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