Andrea Jane Villamil

Padayon: All For One Mission

Oratorical Piece

Padayon-- a simple word in our dialect that means “to keep going.” A
word that serves as an encouragement and a call for action.

Students, teachers, alumni, visitors, esteemed judges, a pleasant day

to all of us. As we celebrate another year of ‘Panaghiusa’, we imbibe
another day of being a proud Catalinan who lives by the core values of
FIDES SPES CARITAS. “We believe. We hope. We love. We integrate
Faith, Life, and Culture”.

Why is today significant? What makes this day different from all the
other days?

Today is a milestone of what we have been through. Standing here

looking at all of you allows me to recall the journey that we surpass to be
here. Just like most of you, I could still reminisce the first time I set foot on
this campus. I was full of hopes, and aspirations. I could not contain the
euphoria that I felt that little by little my aspirations are being realized.
Though most of us encountered hardships and unexpected adversities with
our studies during the pandemic, we remain resilient and we keep going.
We are able to adapt to the new normal education. Let us be proud that we
overcome the challenges giving us a reason to smile now-without the
mask.
 To everyone present here today, whether you are a freshman, a
junior high school student, or from the graduating class, or perhaps, a
teacher, or staff, I would like to ask: What keeps you going? Is there a good
reason for us to PADAYON? The answer to that—can be found within you,
look inside and contemplate why you are here in the first place. Our
reason’s may vary, but we are all in this together. We are ONE, and we all
have a mission to pursue - to continue moving forward, and probably
become the first person to live on Mars, become the president that initiate
concrete changes or become a billionaire that helps the poor. Whatever
your aspirations in life, just keep moving forward, padayun.

An ordinary becomes extraordinary if you have the passion to never

give up. Just like Darna, Dr. Sojor, Sir Mark, or Milan, the role you portray
is vital. Your mission may be to teach and mold young minds, to help the
next generation become a generation full of knowledge with Christ centered
values helping our institution grow and flourish. To my fellow students,
padayon! But always be grateful to this institution for giving you the gift of
learning. Be grateful to the teachers who have become your life mentors
and to the students who became your friends.

I urge fellow Catalinans to raise our dearest Collegio De Santa

Catalina de Alejandria with the quality of lives we live.
 Padayon Padayon Padayon gyud! If it feels too much, ‘pahuway’,
breathe! Rest for a while but get back up because our mission is still on
going. PADAYON in empowering fellow Catalinan’s who lost the spark.
PADAYON in impacting change in the lives of others. And PADAYON
increasing our faith in God. My friends may we have reason to keep going.
He keeps going, we should also keep going!