When an ordinary becomes an
extra-ordinary…
By: Sophia Vien C.
Andongo
“For
those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves
will be exalted.” To our honorable guest of honor and speaker, Most Rev.
Socrates B. Villegas, the archbishop of Lingayen- Dagupan, our beloved Mayor,
Mark Roy Q. Macanlalay, the Schools Division Superintendent of Pangasinan I,
Dr. Maria Celia Junio- Fernandez, our dynamic principal, Engr. Magdalena C.
Manoat, PTA Officials led by Mrs. Fe S. Reyes, different department heads,
members of the faculty, parents, friends and fellow graduates, a blessed and
glorious afternoon to one and all.
It’s
dashing and unbelievable to think that after four years, dozens of projects,
hundreds of long tests, and over a thousand quizzes, we find ourselves here
today, about to formally close this chapter of our lives. I consider this as a
turtle that overpassed a cheetah, a camel that crossed a needle and a mouse
that ate a cat… quiet impossible right? But it is true. I moved the mountains.
We have conquered the storms of life.
Yes!
It’s hard to believe that after this ceremony, we will no longer be students of
Calasiao Comprehensive National High School. We all know that letting go was
never meant to be easy, and once we exit these covered courts, these halls and
classrooms that have become such a big part of our lives will soon be reduced
to memories.
“Always
do what you are afraid to do.” Those words served as my motivation in my high
school life. You’d probably think that I am strong, confident, excellent and
fearless but to tell you honestly, I lack strength, I am fearful, and I am
afraid to talk to people . . . but those personalities changed when I met Jesus
Christ. I consider myself as a dust and unworthy but He teaches me to love
myself and my family more than anything. He is with me in all my contests and
in my whole journey. He plans everything to be just right. I never expected
that this school will change my destiny. I never pictured it to myself standing
in front of many people saying these words, so my deepest honor is in this
school, for it witnessed how God turned my future into paradise. This school
saw wonderful miracles of God. This school was a photo album of God’s grace. I
learned to value every simple effort. Yung
tipong kahit one to five na quiz, pagbubutihan mo. Yung kahit nahihirapan ka
na, pero sige lang ng sige, ang importante nag-enenjoy ka. I also learned
that failing is not falling and defeats only depend on how you handle it,
whether it will be your stepping stone for level up or your comfort zone to
stay what you are.
There’s
a certain duality between “goodbye” and “thank you”; we even acknowledge this
two words in the classroom every day when we say goodbye to our teachers and
say thank you to them. Today, as we bid our final goodbye to this school, I
know that we also feel a deep sense of gratitude, one that tries to encompass
all four years of high school. I think I speak for everyone when I say that I
am absolutely overwhelmed by this gratitude, and I know that each and every
person we encountered here in high school contributed in a big way to who we
are today. Truly, we are all blessed to have been given this opportunity to
study in this school, and I know we’ll always be thankful for it.
Before
I end, I know that we all feel the need to acknowledge everyone who played a
big role in our journey over the past four years, so on behalf of the entire
batch, I’d like to thank our principal, Engr. Magdalena C. Manaoat and of
course, Dr. Lourdes D. Servito for their compassion, dedication and love for
the students. I would also like to extend my thanks to all my advisers from
first year to fourth year namely, Ma’am Alma Hortaleza, Sir Jesus Bacani, Sir
Crisanto Vallo and Sir Jophel Caragay,
your patience and kindness is greatly appreciated; to Ma’am Virgibal Vallo, Dr
Daisy Barongan, Ma’am Lourdes Vinoya, Ma’am Chrizelle Maicle, Sir Ruel
Nepuscua, Sir Arthur Bauzon and Sir Mauro Mejia; your undying support and
guidance will never be forgotten and to all the teachers of CCNHS who have been
a part of my progress and success, I thank you for everything.
To
SPA IV-COSMOS, Sorry if I can’t mention you all but please accept my warmest
thanks for the friendship. I won’t forget you guys! You all completed my high
school life and I learned so much from all of you. I will always remember
“TUD”- Teamwork, Unity and Discipline.
And
siyempre, my family deserves even
more the recognition I will receive today, because my triumph is theirs as
well. My utmost gratitude to my family most especially to my father, Joseph C.
Andongo and my mother, Elsie C. Andongo, whom I know are very proud of me. “Pa,
where ever you are, I know you’re watching,
ito oh, yung baby girl mo, ga-graduate na ng high school.” and “Ma, Thank
you for the support, time and love. You are the real Superwoman. Always on the
go!” I am more proud that I have a parent like you too, together with my sister
Jonah Elaine, who is also my Cell leader and my brother Hans Joseph; I thank
you all for everything.
Above
all, I offer this valedictory address to our Almighty God. Ngayon siya naman ang bida sa speech ko. This victory is His and
all the glory is His. He turned a nothing like me into something, He made an
ordinary me into an extra-ordinary creature. I still remember every time na may quiz and exam kami, I always
write the verse Luke 1:37 at the back of my paper and it says there that “With
God all things are possible.”
Fellow
graduates and all that is in here, the success we have achieved in high school
is not final, it is only the beginning. Expect more tears to fall, more
challenges to face and more obstacles to pass. We need to not be afraid of
things. Don’t let our fear and problems over power us. I dare you to be an
extra-ordinary. Don’t be defined by your past, your past is the tutor of your
present and is always preparing you for new experiences. Forget about
disappointments or any past mistakes that is keeping you from moving forward.
It’s never too late for a new beginning, so everyone I dare you to dream . . .
Achieve it to the fullest!
Congratulations,
Thank you and God Bless us all!
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