The Alumni Night wasn't much of a success, there weren't a lot of people who went. Probably because the invitations were sent out last minute plus we had to pay P500 per head, which for someone who's unemployed like me, is already a huge amount. (I'm sorry but the amount was just too steep! Heheheh!) LOL! Seriously though, I was glad I came even though they made me impromptu host for the night and I wasn't at all prepared for it. Anything for my Alma Mater I guess... We had fun, well at least I know I did have fun making a fool of myself... ;)
Fast forward to a month later, I received a text from Tr. Hazel asking me if I was free on March 28th. I'm like, that's more than 2 months away, how would I know? She later informed me that they would love to have me as special guest for the school's elementary graduation. I was like, why not? Well actually, I felt really honored, uhm, what exactly does a "special guest" do?
A few weeks later, I received mail from the school telling me that as their honorary guest for the commencement exercise, I would need to deliver a speech to the graduates with the theme: EDUCATION, Changing Lives... I was like W-T-F? All the while I thought I was only going to help hand out the fake diplomas onstage! LOL! Oh wait, I didn't even know that I was even supposed to go onstage! I thought, I was soooo screwed... Then I thought, I still have more than a month to come up with a good enough script, so I said, I should be fine... Can I just lead the opening prayer or something??
3 days before THE DAY, I was still staring at a blank page... 2 days before THE DAY, all I had was "GOOD DAY" and "CONGRATULATIONS" I thought, I AM SOOOOO DEAD... I was not exactly a good impromptu speaker, well on certain informal occasions I guess, but a graduation ceremony???
Come Sunday (day before THE DAY), with the help of my brother in law who patiently sat down with me as I told him exactly what I wanted to impart to the graduates, I finally had a draft. He actually served like my secretary typing down my ideas and adding his inputs, after a few hours, and less than 24 hours until my actual speech, we finally came up with a good enough speech. Man was I so relieved! As I practiced reading, I thought, this is definitely not bad! Not bad at all! :)
Let me share with you my speech for batch 2010:
"To our Alma Mater, to the school administrators, guests, parents, and graduates, good day!
What I would give to be 13 again and about to graduate from grade school. Had I known then what I know now, I think I would have done things differently. Then again, I live a life with no regrets, besides - I have always believed that life is about the journey, not the destination. I would not be the person I am now if it weren't for the decisions I made along the way and the various experiences I had and the people I met along the way.
When I was younger, I would always hear my parents tell me to enjoy every single moment of my youth and my life as a student. For some reason though, when I was still in school, I have always wanted to fast forward my life and start working. I guess it's the same with some kids my age at that time, the power of earning your own money, the independence, getting to buy anything you want and go anywhere you want to go.
Oh well, if I knew back then that it's not as easy as I thought it would be like, I would have not held on to the idea too much and just enjoyed more going to school every single day. Oh, I do not mean to scare you, I am just saying it as it is, nothing beats "buhay estudyante" but you all know, we can't help but grow up and mature at one point.
I know Ate Apple is not that old but I can confidently say to you my dear graduates that I have definitely been there, done that. I also wore a toga, went up on stage, four times in my lifetime. And I feel that I have so many things to share with you, experiences and all but it would take us forever and I know for a fact that speeches like this is your least favorite part of the program so I will try to make it short and sweet.
A 27 turning 28 (whoops there goes my real age! LOL!), I feel that I still have a long way to go and I can tell you that I can go for hours sharing what I have learned along the way. I have, however, narrowed down my top 3 life lessons that I can confidently say are fool proof.
Lesson number one is to love and always obey your parents. I know you've heard this lots of times but surely, our parents would never want something bad for us. There may be times that we feel they are imposing and even annoying and even though we sometimes think that their advice is not sound because of the generation gap, I have found out along the way that surely parents will always seek what's good for us.
Secondly, I know that high school is fun. In a way, it gives you more independence as compared to elementary but independence should be handled responsibly. I encourage you to finish high school with flying colors and do not miss out on this learning stage while you are still teenagers. Missing high school and taking it at a later time should not be an option. Imagine, the average life of a person is not at 70 years old. You will just take high school until you are 16 or 17 years old then finish college at 20 or 21 years old and you still have the rest of your lives to do whatever you want. If as early as now you already have a career in mind, then high school is a very good place to start. Why? Because you grades and performance in high school will determine if you will be accepted in your dream university and will also determine how well you can accomplish your endeavors.
Education should be given priority while you are still at the peak of your young minds. You know that not everyone your age even get past 2nd grade. So while your parents are still strong enough, do not waste your opportunity to do well with your academics.
Thirdly, I will say that life is all about choices. There are two sides to it, the right one and the wrong one. It may be hard to foresee at times which of these two choices would benefit us but with the right education, a good Catholic education for that mater, at least we have been given an advantage.
To end this speech, I want all of you to think about your classmates, your teachers, your friends and you families. Cherish your relationships. One crucial stage has gone past. You are now about to take less than two months of vacation and then when it's done, another chapter of your lives begin. Remember all the good things you have gone through and take all the lessons you have gained from this closing chapter moving forward. As an older sister to all of you and as an alumna of this school, I wish you all the best in high school and enjoy every bit of your time.
I am so proud of you and congratulations."
*SIGH*
The ceremony itself was nice, smooth sailing and very organized. The program didn't really take forever. I had goosebumps when I went onstage, I felt honored everytime they would address me with utmost respect, mentioning my name before even mentioning the school admin and addressing me like: "To our beloved guest of honor, Ms. Ana Paula dela Cruz." And when they stood up when I went onstage and I had tp tell them that they can already be seated. Yessssss! I felt sooooooooo honored! LOL! It was like music to my ears! Ahahahahahaha! I am just not used to that kind of situation, it actually felt good. I am happy, really happy for the opportunity. :) (Forgive me if I sound mayabang, I apologize, but I felt like it was my moment! LOL!)
Congratulations once again batch 2010! And special thanks once again to my brother in law for helping me out with my speech. ;)
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