Education, My Contribution to the Future

To our Parent Supervisor, Dr. Amado Tosco, Jr.; to our Vice-Mayor, Honorable Tino Villanueva; to our Principal, Ms. Teodora Estebat; to our PTA President, Mrs. Marisa Bautista; Ma'am Jocelyn Bati; Sir Manny Bayot, good afternoon.

Also, greetings to my high school advisers -Ma'am Debbie Gonzales, Ma'am Fe Panganiban and Ma'am Evelyn Panganiban.

Members of the faculty, parents, guests, and graduates, have no fear. I am well aware that on a day like this, what you require, first and foremost, of any speaker is brevity. I will try, not to fail you in this respect. There are around eighty sentences in my speech, six of which you have just heard. It will take me about ten minutes (and one hour) to speak all of them. Just kidding. =P

Before I go on with my message I would like to extend my Congratulations to you, ANHS Class of 2009.

Give yourselves a big round of applause for job well done.

Please give another round of applause to your teachers for their whole-hearted support to you guys.

This is indeed a wonderful day for all of you and your families. I am deeply honored to be here with you to join the celebrations. All those years of hard work, growing up, taking on new (and old) challenges, perhaps even persevering through difficult times when you couldn't quite achieve the grades you wanted or even real challenges in your personal life. All these, have paved the way to this very celebration. So guys, enjoy this day.

About two weeks ago I received a text message from my Ina, asking if my high school teacher called me. Reading that message I immediately knew what it's all about - I am being summoned! It's like receiving an invitation from court. Only I am being asked to stand in front of you and try to impart myself to all of you.

At first I was hesitant since I feel that I am not successful enough to stand in front of you and inspire you guys. Obviously I decided to answer the call and in the next few minutes I will try contribute some of my education to your future.

Having this year's graduation theme said, let me suggest to you guys how you can live up to that message, over there (pointing to the written theme on the stage).

From that I thought of three questions to guide us thru my message.

How will you contribute your education to the future? Or should I re-phrase this, how will you contribute your education to your own future?

After today, most of you will go to college, but in different schools. There, a brand new journey awaits, where you'll be pursuing your chosen career. This will take you four to five years to complete. Four years of additional formal education. This will further prepare and train you in your chosen career path.

I am one of those who continued my formal education after high school. I must say, MY PASSION FOR EDUCATION has made me a licensed professional - a Certified Public Accountant. This became my passport in entering the country's top auditing firm, SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. My exposure in external auditing has given me an opportunity not only to analyze significant and complex business transactions but also to deal with different people and guide audit staff. It has helped me develop my oral and written communication skills and deepen my understanding on various business and industry risks, financial and administrative processes of different companies and reportorial requirements of various regulating bodies. This profession has led me even to the farthest part of the world. A year ago, my profession took me to United States of America, a place which I didn't even dreamt of reaching during my school days. I'm not boasting or anything... I just want to point out to you guys that with your EDUCATION, YOU CAN GO PLACES.

On the other hand, some of you will start working. Entering what we call, "the real world." Some might be working in fast food chains or in factories, either in Gateway or FCIE or EPZA. At an early age you get to experience REAL LIFE.

Whether you continue your formal education or not I am sure you have your high school education to take and apply in your everyday life. Having finished your high school will help you go on with your life.

My second question would be: How will you contribute your education to your family's future?

Four or five years from now, you will become members of the work force. You'll become professionals.

Your careers or your jobs may all be different, but all these have only one benefit. Becoming a professional gives you the ability to provide for your family. This gives you the opportunity to give thanks and gratitude to your parents who have sacrificed almost everything just to keep you in school.

Before I go on, I want to thank my parents for giving everything to support me and my siblings' education. Without you, I may not be standing in front of these promising young graduates. Same goes to all the parents attending this ceremony.

My becoming a Certified Public Accountant has helped me provide for my family. I am now able to help and support my parents' financial need, especially in the education of my siblings. Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the last scholar in our family, Charisse, Congratulations!

Last question: How will you contribute your education to your community's future?

Well, this may be a big deal to some of you. Some may be asking, "Do we really need to do this?" Are we required to give to the community?

I can say, "No." But I want to assure you something, a different kind of fulfillment is felt every time you find yourself reaching out to the people you do not even know. The thought of helping others lightens up your heart.

Working in SGV has given me the opportunity to audit not-for-profit organizations like Gabay ng Barangay, which is funded by Christian Children's Fund. It was a one-week audit field work in San Miguel, Bulacan. My experience in handling this account showed me the real situation of less privileged children. I realized how blessed I am for having the chance of going to school and finishing it.

Because of this I have decided to give and help someone. A close friend and I sponsored a child, who happened to be a Caviteno, thru an organization called World Vision. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Through this organization we sponsored the child's education by sharing a portion of my blessings by sending monthly allowance for the child and his family's and community's support.

I am not saying that you are required to do the same thing.

But yes, you can do the same thing. Better if you personally participate in community programs.

What I'm trying to say is, as you become more successful in your chosen career path, do not forget to at least share something of what you have become in your own field. That's the simplest way to contribute yourself to your community.

In the future you will create your own path. I am hoping that each of you go about it positively. There is a saying that attitude determines altitude. No matter what you plan next, whether it is in college, a job or a simple time-out from school, I hope that you go about it with a smile on your face and determination/strong will to succeed in whatever endeavor that you engage in.

Let me borrow these words from a prominent senator. He said, "Education is the key to reducing poverty in the Philippines." To you, the new Graduates of Amadeo National High School, I strongly give you this piece of advice. For each and every day of your lives, continue your education. Continue your learning.

Because your education is your passport to a better tomorrow... Remember this year's theme. For your education is your contribution to our future.

Thank you and Congratulations, Batch 2009!