GRADUATION INSPIRATION

{Dorothy Perkins dress, Suelas flats}

I attended the high school graduation of Francis’ sister last Sunday. It was one of the better graduations I’ve attended coz I honestly don’t remember being that inspired in my own high school graduation, on the other hand, although the speaker’s speech was inspiring during my college grad, it was plagiarized. 😐 The commencement speaker, Gang Badoy of Rock Ed Philippines, opened her speech by saying that it was addressed to Batch 2011 – not the parents, not the teachers, not the guests but we were free to listen. I’m glad I did coz I feel like her speech made-up for my less than stellar graduation experiences. Her candid speech about nation building as something concrete and not some far away idea lit a spark and left a mark in me. She told them to be better than the best possible selves they can imagine and use the best possible language in conveying it – English, Filipino, music, art, paintings, etc. She reminded them that it’s okay to ask for help if they think there’s someone out there who can deliver the message better – in fact, she had Gemma Bulos take the stage and sing her United Nations proclaimed new human world anthem, We Rise. She also touched up on blogging and encouraged the newly grads to write write write as this is what makes and preserves our history as a people. She ended by saying “ang kabataan ay hindi pagasa ng bayan – ang kabataan ay ang bayan – kayo ang bayan – tayo ang bayan” (the youth isn’t the hope of the nation, the youth is the nation. you are our nation. we are our nation.). I left the auditorium inspired and optimistic as ever – like what I hope every graduate out there feels.