Friends, family, distinguished guests, administrators, (name of principal/s), (name of

president), good morning.

Let me start by saying how privileged and honored I am to speak to you on this
special and momentous day. It has been 5 years since I've first stepped in this very
campus and it feels nostalgic to feel the same atmosphere again to when I was last here
and looking back right now. I remember ____________. My people I met and the
memories I made here will have a special place in my heart. I am definitely blessed to
grow the Salesian way; in fact we can all agree that we are all blessed to grow the
Salesian way.

Today we celebrate the fruits of labor that these students have endured and
conquered for the past 6 years. The sweat, the tears, the effort, the trials and the sacrifices
these students have put in to meet all the daunting tasks. It is not only the students who
gave their work to reach this milestone but also the strenuous efforts the faculty gave, day
in and day out, therefore today we also acknowledge the people who brought these
students right here in this celebratory milestone. To the administrators and faculty all
your teachings and advices molded these students to not only be exemplarily in their
academics but also be a person with Christian values. The parents and guardians for all
the never-ending support, motivation, and inspiration you have given to your kids to
work hard and excel in their studies. It is really a journey together and to that, it made this
very moment possible. Let this moment be a reminder to everyone that everything every
thing that you hoped for is realizable together with love which brings me to the next
point.

Coming here today I want to tell you that I made a realization and in that
realization I have grown to whatever I am today because of love.

To prove my point, let me tell you the story of my preparations for the accounting
board exams. Truth be told, I never expected to land as one of the topnotchers of the last
May 2016 board examinations. In the preboard examinations, which was offered by a
review center, I got ranked 110th in the final. It instantly brought me down and
discouraged. I felt like I lost all hope to be a topnotcher in the final board exam let alone
pass the exam. Although my instincts told me to get back up and not let my failure hinder
me to get what I want which is to finish this race strong and reminded myself that why I
chose this course and it is because I love it.

When you put love in what you do, you would ignite your will to do more and be
more. I reminded myself that I love making financial reports for businesses and thinking
logically on how to solve why the debit and credit is not balanced. Looking back on the 5
years Ive spent in Accounting, I have put a lot for this and if threw everything away all
the efforts right there and then just for a grade that I didnt expect I wouldnt get, then
what was those 5 years? I reminded myself of the love the teachers, professors and
coaches have given to the tasks of helping and giving me with all the knowledge I need.
That little reminder brought me to where I am today and even those simplest things can
matter a lot.

I reminded myself of the love my parents have given me who worked tirelessly
overtime everyday just to provide me with the things I needed. Yes, I drew strength from
that and it kept me going. True enough I made it through the first three days of the board
examinations. I hurdled it but the final challenge started the night before the last day of
the board. I started vomiting all night and that made restless. My mom and I thought I
could not finish the race. I was crying. And it was frustrating to think that all my
preparations would be for nothing. And then I stopped for a while and I saw the Holy
Rosary. That moment, I reminded myself of how much Mary the Help of Christians
loved me. It was around 4 am in the morning. I was just holding my rosary and
everything stopped. I have slept for only a couple of hours but when I stood up I felt so
good and better. From that moment, I knew that the Blessed Mother was with me.
 That experience of mine made me realize how important it is to have everything
and anything through the power of love. It was my own journey of love working together
in my success and I know it will be in your case. I never had a chance to share this to
anyone. That is why when Miss Sasan invited me, I never thought twice because it was
Marys ways that brought me here to remind us all with her love.

To our teachers, who continue to pour love in all the things that you do. We, the
students, need it for us to grow in knowledge and values. Your tireless dedication in
molding your students to what they are today is the source of all the successes and
achievements we experience in the classrooms that we bring to our own lives.
Remember that this school would not be fruitful without you and so we ask you to guide
us with our future endeavors.

To the parents and guardians here present, continue to love and inspire your
children because, they may not tell you how much they need you, but know how
important to you are to them in all the endeavors they do. Your support is a needed
factor for their success. Your undying love to them would motivate and inspire them
reach beyond their limits and I am a living testimony to that.

To the graduates, dont choose a path in life because of nothing else but love
because if you do then you can do whatever you aspire to be and I ask the parents to
support every decision your child will make in the coming years because it can shape the
child's own future. My dear graduates this will sound clich but always dream big, hope
big and love big because you can get there if your just believe, work hard, and never stop
loving what youre doing. Alway have courage and be kind to one another for as the
saying of Karma goes, what goes around comes around. When all else fails, pray. Never
underestimate the power of a prayer for it is the strongest force on earth and a beacon of
hope. Love for your passion will be the driving force for you to succeed and get where
you want to be. Dont let the doubters and failures hinder you to get where you want to
be because know that your friends, family, and God will back you up.
 Amidst all the chaos, this generation without a doubt will be the future of this
growing nation and with your success you can bring with your family in it to your
success and leave a mark in this country that will be never forgotten. It would be your
greatest joy to see your own efforts come true especially when your efforts are coupled
with all the support you need from all the people close and dear to you especially our
blessed mother the help of Christians. And always hold that when you think nobody
support you; remember that the Blessed Mother will always be with you in any situation.

Before I end, I would like to extend my never-ending gratitude to this institution

that shaped me for what I am today. I could not have gained the courage, knowledge and
inspiration to leave a mark in the career path that I chose. I would not have achieved this
without you. And I would like to congratulate the graduates and the parents/guardians
because you made the best choice.

I would like to end by pushing you to make a difference as you go on with your
journey. For the next 6 years and more, it would not be easy. It would be a rough ride
before you can reach your destinations. You would encounter a lot of challenges, doubts,
temptations and regrets before you can feel your success but never be discouraged when
something or someone pulls you down but make it as an inspiration to love your dream
more. The world would be hard on you but never stop believing and hoping as you
remind yourself with all the people who loves you. There would be doubters in your
journey to success but never bring yourself down with them because there is no chance,
no destiny, no fate, that can hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.
Unless someone can look into the core of your heart, and see the degree of your passion,
or look into the depths of your soul and see the extent of your will, then they have no
business telling you can or cannot achieve because while they may know the odds, they
do not know you.

Again Congratulations to the graduates of school year 2016-2017! May you set a
blazing fire to your road of success and dont forget to love.