Have you ever wondered why, no matter how pressured we are in college, we were able to make it? From all our sacrifices, our crying moments, and doubts, we chose to push through; that is the reason why you are standing in this very moment. I have asked myself that question: Where did I get hope, and no matter the hardships, why did I choose to move forward? Is it because I wanted to prove something to others? I found one of the main reasons why, and it is simply because I want to give back to those who have raised me.

My beloved WLCians, I have been part of the student council, our varsity, and our student publication that granted me discounts nga hapit na wala na koy bayranan. I have been in different places, ranging from your technical staff, your editor, your officer, your usherette, your contestant in different competitions, may it be within or outside our school, from district to national level. Despite having a lot to think about, fortunately, I was able to balance everything, including my freelance work and academics. Some people tell me I am lucky, some tell me I was just born smart, and some even assumed I was born rich. But none of this is true.

I was born poor, where I had to witness my parents’ sacrifices running a sari-sari store just to make ends meet. Sayo mumata, dugay matug, halos malupigan pa ang 24-hour nga mga tindahan, puryabuyag lang. Bisag unsa sad kakapoy, I chose to keep moving because if gikapoy ko, mas gikapoy sila. Why would I give up if the very people nga ga-pa eskwela nako are still fighting just for me nga makahuman? I realized that the reason why I am resilient and hardworking, bisag unsa pa ka pobre, is because I am the reflection of the people who have raised me. And that goes the same way for you. It could be your mama and papa, your lolo and lola, your tito and tita, or someone who we are not related to by blood but still supported us. You’ve become who you are because of the sacrifices of these people, and the reason why you didn’t give up is because they also didn’t give up on you.

Let me also share something about my mama’s dream when she was my age. She wanted to graduate as a cum laude too, and I know she was capable and smart enough to have achieved that, but her circumstances hindered her from getting what she deserved. Ma, you might not have become a cum laude, but you raised a summa cum laude. And this achievement is not just for you, but also for Papa, who also worked hard to get me here. Bisag PWD siya ug maglisod og lakaw, ga-padayon gihapon siya og putos og uling ug bantay sa atong tindahan. I owe this achievement not just to myself, but to you, as the pillars that kept me standing.

We owe this moment to these people who gave a part of themselves for us to be where we are today. The word “parent” does not necessarily mean our biological mother and father but could also be the people who acted as parents for those who had none. So thank you to our parents. Di namo maabot ni nga achievement without your unconditional love and support. Do not just be proud of your children; also be proud of yourselves for raising a graduate.

Our dear parents, you did everything you could to make this possible. Bisag unsa ka bug-at og kakapoy sa trabaho, as I have witnessed with my own, with some even nga ga-juggle og daghang sideline, you saw that we are worth your sacrifice, and that is what a parent’s love can do. It is limitless and strong; bisan ganig gasakit-sakit, gikaya gihapon kay naay pangandoy para sa mga anak. We tend to sacrifice ourselves for the people we love, and the fruits of those sacrifices are now in front of you and blessed by our Lord God. Congratulations everyone and God bless!