This year marks a very significant event in the history of Philippine Education, as we, the first batch of

Junior High School completers is soon to move up in Senior High school.

To the _____________, our honorable Guest Speaker, our ___________,_________, our very
supportive principal, __________, our efficient _____________, beloved teachers, loving parents,
friends, ladies and gentlemen….Good afternoon!

Words may not be enough to describe exactly how I feel today but one thing I’m sure of is that PRIDE
has taken up most space in my heart….that same feeling when Albert Einstein, said: “I am thankful to
those who said NO to me. Because of them I did it myself.”

Being born in a family of professionals, I have always been a big fan of excellence. Since elementary
days, I always dreamed of being the best. I strived hard and managed to be consistently on top of the
class.

Sadly, the best I have done wasn’t good enough. Because of extra-curricular issues between me and
my former school, I was placed second in my 6th grade despite being academically on top of all.

And yes, I didn’t become the valedictorian…and it did hurt me… and more so my family.

But, I did not allow those people who said NO to me to stop me from believing….believing that
someday soon “I can make it”. And, I DID. My failure made me stronger.

While it is true that this is my saddest experience but it didn’t bring me down because I didn’t want it
to drag me down. I know there are still a lot of things out there waiting for me, and it is the same with
you.

Telling ourselves “We can make it” is as good as embracing success. And success comes to those
who value education.

Once a man was walking in the desert when a voice called him and said, “Pick up some pebbles and
put them in your pocket, and tomorrow you will be both sorry and glad.”

The man obeyed and the next morning when he reached into his pocket, he found diamonds and
rubies and emeralds. And he was both glad and sorry. Glad that he had taken some – sorry that he
hadn’t taken more. The same is true with education.

As we move up to Senior High next year, we should value education not only as preparation for life,
but as life itself. Take more learning and make the most of it so you won’t be sorry in the future.

Why am I saying this? With this year’s theme “Kabataang Mula sa K to 12, Tagapagdala ng
Kaunlaran sa Bansang Pilipinas” we are once again reminded of the youth’s role in building a nation
every Filipino deserves. Indeed we have to prove that Dr. Jose Rizal was never mistaken in his belief
that the Filipino youth is the hope of our nation.
I’m sure everyone knows what a corn seed is. When you plant a corn seed on a healthy soil, you
don’t get a corn seed but a corn, right? It’s because the harvest is always greater than what is planted
as long as we nurtured them properly. This applies to what we are right now.

After we finished our Junior High, we became closer and closer to our dreams and to the
achievement of progress. Let us not cease from learning, from nurturing ourselves with knowledge .
Progress is a process in time. Start working for it now. Tell ourselves “we can make it”. And in time,
we will reap more than what we sow.

And as we do that, let us not forget to look back, dahil sabi nga ng isang matandang kawikaan: Ang
hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makrarating sa paroroonan”. Balikan at pasalamatan natin
ang mga taong naging katuwang natin sa ating apat na taong paglalakbay.

Allow me to formally thank our Alma Mater, Divine Light Academy who has always been an
exceptionally performing school. Of course, we are the living proof for that. Thank you for providing us
the extension of our home…our avenue for learning … our comfort zones. DLA is definitely one of the
best places I’d ever been.

Also, I give credit to all our teachers who are not just good, mediocre or superior … they are GREAT.
As the saying goes, “Good teacher tells, mediocre teacher explains, superior teacher demonstrates
… and great teacher inspires!” Thank you for inspiring us to follow our dreams, aim high and never
settle for anything less. “Hindi pwede ang pwede na…dapat, pwedeng pwede!”

Let me not forget my friends, classmates, batch mates…especially those who have been with me
through thick and thin…you know who you are…. What makes leaving bearable is knowing that you
take the best parts with you…and I am taking with me all the memories I had you. Thank you guys.

And most importantly, I am extending my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to my loving and
hardworking parents Mr. _____ Paez and Mrs. Grace Paez. Both of my parents are employees, but
there was never a time I felt neglected. They say that children are mirrors of their parents and so am
I. I do live by my parents’ example. And I thank them for teaching me the value of time, hard work and
humility. I love you Dad. I love you Mom. I will always be proud of being Mr.&Mrs.Paez’ son.

And to Christian, my favorite brother, (of course we’re only two), my best buddy, my playmate since
he was born, my number one fan, thank you for keeping up with Kuya all the time. I strive because I
want to be deserving of your trust and emulation… and as you to establish your own identity, Kuya
will always be there when you need me, I love you, bro!

Above all I thank God Almighty for He makes all things possible for each one of us.

Finally, please let me end this speech with a quote from the ever famous Winston Churchill,
“Success is never final. Failure is never fatal. It is courage that counts.”

Let us keep our dreams alive! Believe we can make it. Never stop aiming for progress not only for
ourselves, not only for our family, not only for our community…. more so to our country!

Kudos to all K to 12 Junior High Completers!

-2-
Thank you and Congratulations!

#vrg2016

-3-