To our principal, Sr. Emeteria Podaan, our school director, Fr.

Sean Mejia, to the

teaching and non-teaching staff of St. Williams Academy, distinguished guests,
dear parents, fellow graduates. Good day.
Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves up.
I remember hearing this from the movie Batman.
I know Batman. The dark knight of Gotham City. It may seem unlikely to get an
excerpt from a superhero movie. But I think its fitting for the occasion we are
celebrating today.
It has been almost four years since I have first stepped on this school. Natatandaan
ko pa yung pinaghalong excitement at nerbyos na naramdaman ko noon. And I
know I wasnt the only one who felt that. Batchmates, karamihan sa atin ay
magkakilala na noon pa. May mga pagkakataon na sabay sabay tayong tumawa
nang malakas, umiyak, napagalitan nang todo, lumaban para sa kapakanan ng isat
isa, at nadapa. But here we are!
Finally, in our hands the symbolism of our hard work and perseverance, our
diploma.
Ngunit hindi pa ito ang wakas ng lahat ng paghihirap. Dahil sa pagtungtong natin sa
kolehiyo, siguradong mas darami pa ang puyat at hirap. There will come a time that
we would fall again, not only once, and we would think that we could never stand up
again. And when these times come, batchmates, I ask of you Think of everything
weve been through. All the people that love and care for you. All of us that believe
in you.
I wanted to tell you this, because I too, had my downfall. And getting up wasnt
easy. It was when I failed to become an honor student during the 2 nd and 3rd grading
period of my second year in High School. I was disappointed in myself. But after a
long talk with my parents and some advices from people who cared, I found the
confidence I lost again. Ito yung oras na naunawaan kong kapag may taong
naniniwala sa atin, makakamit natin ang minimithi natin.
Bago ako magpaalam, gusto ko sanang magpasalamat sa mga taong naniwala sa
kakayahan ko.
Sa aking mga guro na nagsilbing pangalawang mga magulang ko dito sa paaralan
ng mahigit apat na taon, maraming salamat. Kayo po ang gumabay at tumulong sa
amin. Hindi ko na kayo iisa-isahin dahil baka abutin tayo ng oras. Alam kong gutom
na kayo. I will miss your sermons and life lessons, and I hope you continue to shape
your students into someone who can make a change. I thank you with all my heart.
Sa aking mga malalapit na kaibigan at sa lahat ng aking batchmates, thank you for
making the time and sacrifices worthwhile. You have been my brothers and sisters

for the past years. And Id like to thank you for the memories, love, and endless
support. It has been an honor and to go on this journey with you.
Sa pamilya ko, Mom, Dad, Lola, and my brothers, I owe you the greatest thanks of
all. Thank you for supporting me in every way you can. Thank you for the
encouragements and for believing in me. And most of all, thank you for bringing me
into this world.
Lastly, on behalf of the entire batch, Id like thank God for leading us down this
road.
All of you, everything you did, made me who I am today. I thank you for that.
This day marks another success in our lives. Batch of 2015, Congratulations!