Graduate Studies Recognition Rites 2015 Speech

Having graduated as Academic Excellence awardee (the highest academic honors awarded by UEP-Graduate Studies) for the degree Master of Arts in Education major in Administration and Supervision with a Grade Point Average of 1.08, I was given the rare and amazing opportunity to speak before the University administration, Graduate Studies and College of Education faculty, doctorate and masters degrees graduates, guests and families – last March 2015 at the Gymnatorium of the University of Eastern Philippines, University Town, Northern Samar. The following is the full text of my speech.


To the University President, Atty. Mar P. De Asis; the Guest Speaker Dr. Remegio D. Ocenar; the Vice President for Academic Affairs and my thesis adviser, Dr. Felisa L. Sanico; the Director for Graduate Studies, Dr. Virginia Balanon; other University officials around; faculty and staff of Graduate Studies; my parents, and other parents who are here; friends, fellow achievers, good afternoon!


Congratulations! Our presence here today is a manifestation of our continuing passion and love to explore the world more and enrich ourselves to better serve our fellowmen.


In my study on the disaster risk reduction measures of the elementary schools in the Balicuatro Area of Northern Samar, it was found out that the schools are vulnerable to hazards which threaten the pupils, school personnel, educational investments, records and the normal operations of the school system.


Ladies and gentlemen, we also have our own vulnerabilities in our daily tasks as servants. Vulnerabilities may make us weak, but we never let them destruct us. Vulnerabilities may make us fragile, but we never let them destroy us. Vulnerabilities threaten us, but we never allowed them to stop us.


Thanks to the University of Eastern Philippines for capacitating us to become strong and undestroyed to withstand the hazards of our respective callings in life. We are strengthened by your ideas. We are molded by your geniuses. We become sturdy to uphold the values that you instill.


Fellow achievers, how far we have gone today is indeed exceptional. We have endured the vulnerabilities that we have encountered in this road less traveled. We have been victorious in every step along this journey; this moment is the grand victory of our endeavor. Today, it is with truly great sense of pride that we embrace this achievement. We wish to share it to you – you, who never leave us in this quest - our parents, our families, our loved ones, our professors, friends and classmates.


Let this occasion remind us that our achievement can be our greatest contribution to the world. We cannot be superheroes, but we can be superb in thoughts and deeds to be mighty for the powerless, to speak for the voiceless, to be noble for the lowly and to be calm for the bothered. When we put our achievement in action, we inspire others to achieve even more.


Let us make sense of what statistics says: We can make a very significant difference when we create opportunities for significant relationships.


Good luck to all of us!