Introduction:

After all those days of wondering, wondering if we would make it to the end, FINALLY, HERE WE ARE AT THIS
VERY MOMENT THAT marks the summit of our journey. Graduating class of 2014-2015, PLEASE join me in
welcoming our guests. To our guest of honor, Ms. Melizza Soriano, to our Chief Executive Mentor, Dr.
Genevieve Ledesma-Tan, to our school President, Dr. Marl V. Ferenal, to our Principal for Basic Education,
Ms. Marie-Vic Suarez, the management team, school officials, honored guests, dedicated teachers, beloved
parents and fellow graduates, a pleasant morning to all OF YOU!

General Gratitude:

On behalf of every student here, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to all the teachers and
mentors we’ve had in life. You are the candles that light the way. Thank you for using your precious time and
wisdom for us. You HAVE taught us and still are teaching us to achieve excellence. You help us on our way to
success. I believe that we’re a much better person NOW than we would have been had we not met all of you.
I would also like to thank all the parents for your endless support and patience for all of us. You have lovingly
cared for us all these years and set the foundation for our future. There are not enough words to express
how thankful all of us are.

Change:

March 27, 2015. A MARK IN OUR HISTORIES THAT COMMEMORATES the hard work… of not just the
graduates, but also the teachers and parents. It is a very special day that won’t be forgotten even if we leave
Southville. Today, we acknowledge and give recognition to the people we’ve met, the lessons we’ve learned,
the tears, the laughter, and the memories we’ve shared in our years as grade school students. For everything
we take with us, there is something that we leave behind. This school year was filled with fond memories. It
gave us good and also bad experiences. It taught us many things. Most of us, if not all, are brimming with joy
that we’re finally done with it, that it’s all over now. But it isn’t. With every door shut, opens another. Now,
this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Today, we show our teachers, our parents, and ourselves that we’re evolving out of our baby stage. Today,
we show the world that we are ready to take on the next stage of our academic life: High School. All this is
possible because of everyone here and all who are lovingly taking care of all of us. So, thank you.

Personal Gratitude:

I AM ALSO TAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE SPECIAL PEOPLE… who have made my achievements
possible. I might not be able to mention all of you by name, but know that I am a million fold times grateful to
everyone who has put me on this stage today.

To my adviser Ms. Juvy, I am so grateful of your honesty, sincerity, and giving your best to us. Thank you to
my SLGE teacher, Sir Raphael (Bruce) Fernando for sharing stories and memories with me, and guiding me,
aside from being a great teacher. Thank you too, to my English teacher, Ms. Rhea Abat. No matter how rowdy
the class was, you still kept your stand. Thank you for being so understanding to all your students. It’s like
we’re your children. To Ms. Botalon, my Science teacher, thank you for making this year great, and managing
the whole Grade 6, while still being a teacher.
Not just all these names mentioned, I would like to thank every single teacher for changing lives, and helping
me learn more. Whether in Southville, or not, a certified educator, or just a simple person I receive guidance
from, thank you. You HAVE instilled a love of learning in me. You HAVE helped me grow and guided me. And
I’m sure, many other people too.

To all my friends, classmates or not, thank you very much. Arizah, Kyela, Yannikka, AV, Stefano, Andy, and
Inigo thank you for sticking with me. Thank you for believing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.
Thank you for having my back all the time. You guys made me feel that I have a big wonderful family.

A great thank you from my heart to my parents. To my wonderful, beautiful mother, Cynthia Cerbito for all
the immeasurable love, care and time, effort and discipline you are providing and building for me. Without
you, mom, I could not make Valedictorian possible. I hope I made you happy today. Thank you so much FOR
putting up with my antics, FOR your patience, and for waking me up each morning and preparing all the
things I need.

To my biological dad, Louis Goh Co, thank you so much, I mean it. I hope and pray that we will see you soon.

I’m also forever grateful to my stepfather Terrence Lee Gildred for all the love, care and support. You
dreamed to have a more beautiful life with us, planned and brought us here in Southville in preparing us to
go outside the country, to have the finest education, and be a happy family. And hey dad, we made it, I got
valedictorian!

Success:

I am greatly honored to stand before all of you today as the Valedictorian of Class 2015, not only because of
the awards that I have received but because I’m also part of an amazing batch – a batch that has achieved so
much, a batch with so many different personalities and talented people, maybe in big ways, and maybe in
little. Some people think that getting the highest award is so far beyond their dreams. Some people think that
it’s an easy feat, if you were born with the ability to skillfully memorize the whole periodic table, and read the
whole series of encyclopedic books. I may not be the right person to give advice right now, maybe when I’m
70, I can give you better. But I will share my experience, and what I have learned from it. First off, it isn’t an
easy feat in reality. There’s competition everywhere, there’s that pressure, and there’s just so many things
going on. Sometimes in the middle of trying to achieve goals, not just on getting valedictorian, but goals in
general, you will want to give up. Your body is saying, “I’m so tired already…”, your mind will say, “You won’t
get it anyway. Just give up.” This mindset of quitting just adds to the obstacles on achieving goals. There’s
one thing that I learned in life: In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. I’ve noticed that, when I’m in a tight
situation, I almost never notice, that there’s that open door, just there in the corner. I don’t really realize that
I can do something. That I can still achieve. The only time that I have ever realized this is when I WANT to
reach my goal. A friend once told me, “You never know how far you’ve gotten when you give up.” Second off,
it isn’t just achieved with talent. It is in the mind, heart, and soul. Talent is useless without a strong mind and
the passion to achieve. Your goals might be far when you look at it now, but the first step of trying is one step
closer to your goal. There is no such thing as a small act, every act creates a ripple with no end.

Fear, it can be wisdom, or it can be an obstacle. I say, march through the years with courage driven by your
passions. Each one of us here is born with the potential, the spark waiting to be ignited, to achieve. It will be
a confusing and bumpy road, but trudge on, warrior. Every great hero starts with a small spark. Achievements
do not have to be grandeur, but what matters, is that you’re fighting for something worth fighting for. No
matter how small the difference, you are making way one step closer to success. Be queer, be quirky, be odd,
 don’t let anyone ruin your dreams. Remember that, even if it is hard to see in the midst of the chaos and
confusion, the only thing stopping you is yourself. MY FELLOW GRADUATES, Go for it.

Still don’t feel like it?

Well let me tell you something.

President Theodore Roosevelt once said, ‘Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even
though checkered by failure, than to remain with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much,
because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.’

Thank you, and have a wonderful morning!

Valedictory Speeches

 You are the Best: Class 2016 College Magna Cum Laude Speech
 Make the Best of What’s to Come: Graduation Speech of Jozeff Perez (Magna Cum Laude
of College Class 2017)
 Valedictory Speech of Raven Maat
 Valedictory Speech of Gen Mark Tanno (Grade School Class 2011)
 Valedictory Speech of Svetlana Riguera (Grade School Class 2012)
 Valedictory Speech of Alyanna Ong (High School Class 2011)
 Ready for the Next Chapter: Class 2016 High School Valedictory Speech
 Valedictory Speech of Thae Hoon An, International Baccalaureate (IB) Class of 2011
 Go For It!: Class 2015 Grade 6 Valedictory Speech – Cuitlauzina Cerbito
 Valedictory Speech of Katrina Sarmiento (Grade School Class 2013 First Honors)
 Response of the Graduates by Khristine Angelica B. Santos (BEEd-Sped – Summa Cum
Laude 2013)
 Graduation Speech of Miguel Alzona, Grade 6 Class Valedictorian (AY 2013-2014)
 Valedictory Speech of Rene Mark Steven Masias (High School Class 2012)

Contact Details

1281 Luxembourg St. corner Tropical Ave.,

B.F. Homes International
Las Piñas City, Philippines 1740

Telephone Numbers: 8825-63

 SAMPLE VALEDICTORY
ADDRESS (ELEMENTARY)
(Roselyn U. Doletin)
Valedictorian, Class of 2014
51st Commencement Exercises
Gastav Elementary School
March 27, 2014

It was not so long ago when I dared to dream, and not so long ago, when I dared to take
the first essential steps towards the fulfillment of my elementary education.

Today, together with my batch mates, celebrate our success after all these years of
hardship, struggle and perseverance. We reminisce the challenges that stood before us,
and we savor the victories that came upon our hands.

To our distinguished guest speaker, Hon. Councilor John Raymond P. Allado. Sir Omar
A. Obas, the Schools Division Superintendent of the Division of Cotabato, Sir Antonio C.
Dumagpi, the Division Supervisor assigned in Banisilan. Sir Ricarido M. Quitor, the
Principal In charge of our district. The Honorable Mayor Betty A. Allado, The Honorable
Barangay Captain, Virgilio L. Calva, the municipal, barangay, and PTA officials who are
with us today, the teaching force of Gastav Elementary School headed by Sir John A.
Pagayon, guests and visitors, fellow graduates and to our dear parents…. A BEAUTIFUL
AND PLEASANT MORNING TO ALL OF YOU.

From the start that I went to school, I always dreamed of being the best. So, I strived
hard to be on top of the class, but failed to what I dreamt. Despite of that, I continue to
strive hard for me to reach my goal and that is being to be the TOP 1 of the class. I never
lose hope, rather I was inspired to do better, and with that I managed to be on top of the
class during Grade 5.

Standing here in front of everybody, have this feeling of pride and happiness. Because I
have proven to myself that I can be the best of what I am only if will strive hard and have
a sense of determination and perseverance. I am also happy because all my efforts and
sacrifices were well paid off.

The theme, “Hindi Natitinag ang Pusong Pilipino” talks mainly on our ability to cope
with whatever trials comes on our way. Napatunayang natin sa buong mundo na kahit
ano pa mang kalamidad and dumating sa atin ay nagagawa pa rin nating ngumiti at
tumawa. Naipakita natin sa buong mundo na sa gitna ng lahat ay hindi tayo nawawalan
ng pag-asa. Naipakita rin natin ang ating pagmamahal at pagmamalasakit sa bawat isa
sa pamamagitan ng pagtutulungan.

Young as I am today, I can say that failures and trials should not be the reason for us to
say no and never try to do something, rather let us make them an inspiration to do
better. Let them strengthens our character.

These medals I have today are the fruits of my labors. And I know I could not be this
best if not because of Mama and Papa who were always there to guide me. Ma & Pa,
Damo gid nga salamat. To my teachers for the insurmountable dedication and patient in
teaching us. Maams & Sirs, I learned a lot of things from you which I will value as I
continue getting through my dreams.

To my fellow graduates, we end up one glorious chapter of our lives and a new one will
begin. New adventures, new friendships, new series of struggles but with the things we
learned from Gastav Elementary School, let’s keep bodly stepping towards the
fulfillment of our dreams and aspirations.

Along the way, we may meet a lot of trials, but our burning desire to reach our goals will
keep us from straying or giving up. Along the way were many uncertainties, but certain
beacons of light will show us the right path to take.

Fellow graduates, please stand…

Let us thank God therefore for His unceasing grace and guidance; our teachers, for their
immeasurable dedication; our parents for their unconditional support all throughout
these years; and our friends who walk along with us, side by side.

Because of them, we were able to reach this endeavor. Because of them, we can truly say,
“We made it!”

Let’s clapped our hands for all of them.

Congratulations fellow graduates.

Thank you and Mabuhay.

Source: Khee Khoy / TDA Group

SAMPLE VALEDICTORY
ADDRESS (ELEMENTARY)
(Speech delivered by:
Jeannie Rose I Santos, 1st Honors, SY 2012-2013, Magdalena ES, Claveria East District,
Division of Cagayan
and
Earl John P. Santos, 1st Honors, SY 2012-2013, Namuac-San Andres ES, Sanchez Mira
District, Division of Cagayan)

Today features another milestone in the lives of graduating pupils like us. It is a day to
celebrate and it is a day to mourn. A celebration because after 6 long years of acquiring
our basic education, we are now ready to move forward one step higher in the ladder of
our quest to greater level of educational heights. Today is a mournful day because we are
leaving/ the portals of our dear Alma Mater which cradled us when we were still little
young boys and girls wanting to be involved in the daily school activities.

As I stand before you today, I am faced with the challenges of the fast changing time.
Our theme “Building the Nation’s Future Leaders through K to 12 Basic Education
Program” imposes a great task to fulfill ahead. Yes, it is true that the present generation
will soon take the lead in the future. We will soon be a part of a society where
competition will be more rigid than now. There will be more struggles in the job
opportunities, the acquisition of the basic necessities of life, and most of all, the
response to the changing needs of the global market. Thanks to the government!
Through the K to 12 curriculum, we will be kept abreast of the needed skills and
knowledge/to open wider opportunities for employment here and abroad. We will be
prepared to combat the battles that may come our way. We will be transformed into
more responsible, more competent and more skilled individuals ready to conquer the
world in its narrowest sense.
My fellow graduates, we can not deny that not everyone of us will continue the course of
our studies and earn a college degree. But we can still be leaders in our simplest ways.
Applying the self-discipline and basic competencies offered by the K to 12 program will
lead us to a brighter future/ and be a part of developing a society where everybody
enjoys the gift of living.

But before we finally leave the center stage of Magdalena Elementary School/Namuac
San Andres Elementary School, we would like to thank the personas who have turned us
to what we are now.

To our beloved parents, saan nga mabusbos nga panagyaman ti ipaaymi kadakayo
nanang ken tatang. Gapu iti adu nga sakripisyo ken ayatyo siraragsak dagiti puspusomi
nga mangawat ti diploma nga mangipaneknek nga addan kamin kadagiti umuna nga
bala a pangsaranget kadagiti ad-adu pay a karit iti panagadalmi. Dawatenmi ngarud nga
itultuloy dakami nga suportaran tapno maragpatmi dagiti ar-arapaapmi para kadakayo
iti daytoy a biag..

To our teachers, we are forever grateful for the sacrifices and selfless services you have
given us. itan nga maamirismi nga dagiti panangung-unget yo kadakami ket para met
laeng iti pagsayaatanmi. The knowledge and skills you have taught us will be our armor
and shield in facing the world with head up high. Thank you very much for the
opportunities you have given us to develop our full potentials and abilities.

To our friends and schoolmates, we are about to part ways to find the right track that
lies ahead. We will forever cherish the memories both laughter and pain we shared
together. But I know deep within my heart we may be miles away, we will always be
there in one accord chasing the impossible dreams that are planned for us.

To our dear Magdalena Elementary School/Namuac-San Andres Elementary School,

thank you very much for caring us for six long years. Now that we are leaving you, we
can not help/ but to carry with us the victories we have with you. the Class of 2013 will
leave you a legacy which will forever be etched in your history as an institution of basic
education. The 15 graduates are proud to say that we have created a history and set a
record having produced the school’s first qualifiers to the Division and Regional Schools
Press Conference. Thanks to our coaches Sir Bernaldo, Mam Resty, Mam Renalyn and
Mam Jeannie

To all of you who in one way or the other helped us become what we are now, our
heartfelt gratitude.

Above all, the Almighty Father for the gift of life, the wisdom and the expertise you have
bestowed upon us. We pray earnestly that you continue to guide us as we follow the
direction towards the attainment of our dreams.
To this end, I urged my fellow graduates to be one with me in giving back the honor and
glory due to everyone who had molded us to what we have become. We can be leaders in
our own little way. Kaya ba natin ito? (yes we can!) kayang-kaya basta sama-sama.

Thank you very much.

Source: Bernaldo Botsoy Riparip Macugay / TDA Group

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