Advocating Passion: A Valedictory Speech

Christian R. Gasan
Magna Cum Laude
Batch 2019

To the Board of Trustees, Ma’am Elda R. Millado, College President, Sir Kristoffer
Franz Mari R. Millado, the Executive Director for Academic Affairs, Dr Geraldine D.
Rodriguez, SPS Director, Ma’am Helen P. Monteclaro, Graduate School Program Director, Dr.
Vangeline Erum, Directors of the different Programs, to mention, the Teacher Education
Program Director, Dr. Analisa T. Amada, Program Coordinators, faculty and staff, our Guest
Speaker, fellow graduates of Batch 2019, proud parents, friends, ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant
morning!

As I set my eyes before me, I can see faces of different stories. These stories are rife with
mixed emotions which are very apparent at this very moment. I must say that our success is the
sum of all our experiences including those struggles we rather kept to ourselves. Despite these,
we all managed to finally wear our Sinablay and to bring with us today our surely proud parents
who deserve thanksgiving. (Let’s give them a round of applause.)

To be honest, it is really one of my dreams to speak in front of my fellow graduates

which is quite ironic because I also have stage fright. You just don’t know but there are millions
of butterflies in my stomach right now, fluttering their wings in unison. Nights before this
moment, I asked myself: how could I meet the expectations of everyone in this most anticipated
event? How could I inspire a considerably enormous crowd comprised of more than five hundred
graduates alongside their proud parents? Well, I majored in Science and our orientation focuses
on scientific feats where we always had to deal with finding solutions to different problems not
really on public speaking and the like. Nevertheless, I thought of a way to somehow catch your
attention by giving you my heart as I share stories some of you may relate to and those which I
shared with few individuals who are here. “Just make it simple”, my friends said when I asked
them how to conceptualize and bring to life my speech so I decided to write this in the simplest
way I could but they forgot to remind me to make it short so please bear with me.

Kidding aside, growing up with many expectations from other people never turned to be
my weakness rather it became my motivation to strive even harder in spite of the unfavorable
circumstances. When I graduated from high school, I got jealous with my friends since they
decided to get degree courses which I perceived before as “more intellectually challenging”
compared to my first choice which is to pursue teaching. That time, my mind was just revolving
around the idea that I shouldn’t be left behind because I graduated with the highest distinction. I
was driven by that wrong mindset so I decided to take a course of which I believed to fit my
intellectual capacity so I enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Accountancy program.

Taking the course was never easy and accountancy students would probably attest to that,
right? I’d been through sleepless nights, got serious problems with my appetite, anxiety and even
doubted myself if I’m really intelligent enough which then resulted to fear of losing my
scholarship which I was most dependent on. As time went by, I realized I was not happy
anymore. Although I got some good grades, I felt they were not compensating my drive further
and that’s the time when I realized that business related courses aren’t my passion. I was wrong!
I should have listened to my father from whom I always seek advice everytime I make tough
decisions. I remembered when he said: “Mag maestro ka nalang glei, total daw dira dira ka man
hawud, di ko gusto nga mag shift ka kay basi uyangan mo lang ya kwarta, oras kag hagu mo”
but I really insisted that I would pursue Accountancy. That persistence subsided day by day so I
made the biggest decision in my college life. I shifted to the education program and took up
Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Physical Science. Nature had called me and it totally
changed my environment. It was like a total reset especially because I had to gain new set of
friends, deal with new teachers and most especially cope with the new academic scheme. That
time, I was happy and I believed I made the right decision.

I worked hard just to prove to my parents that I was not wasting time, their money and
their efforts. I always had in mind to live up to their expectations that is why I persisted so much
that I even ate my dinner at midnights just to study my lessons. Thankfully, I was rewarded for
my efforts and regained their trust. The adjustment was not that difficult for me because my stay
in the accountancy program had taught me a lot of invaluable lessons that helped all throughout
my journey in the education course. Everytime I had to deal with difficult lessons in Chemistry
that involved naming chemical structures, reactions, balancing equations including those in
Physics, I was always reminded of Ma’am Peñaflor’s advice to us. She said, “Practice solving
varieties of problems” which I think is similar with the famous saying that goes, “practice makes
perfect”. I am very thankful for that because that has been my “hugot” every time I am stuck
with difficult lessons and I’m still adhering to that advice even up to the present time. Thank You
Mam Vic! We all have that mindset to hate other subjects but I tell you, we have the ability to
love them otherwise. It’s only a matter of perspective and dedication to strengthen what we are
already capable of, to spot our weaknesses and to find practical ways to turn them into strengths.
We can change them, believe me!

I pursued my passion and that is the teaching profession. But it has been a rollercoaster
kind of ride. There were ups but certainly downs were inevitable. We struggled with our finances
especially during my second year in the program. I always had an argument with my parents
pertaining to school fees. My father is a fisherman and our family is just earning an income of
approximately not more than five thousand a month and what makes it worse is that sometimes,
he just earns one thousand six hundred pesos a month. Budgeting the family expenses with such
income was really challenging and there were really times when my parents lost their hope but to
stop studying was never an option for me. I read a quotation online that says, “A river cuts
through a rock not because of its power, but its persistence”. Optimism was and is my driving
force every time we are financially burdened. I always have that positive mind to think of
alternative solutions so I got myself into a scholarship program in our province called “Paaral
Para Sa Sarangans” that truly helped us a lot. I am an avid believer of the saying that poverty is
not a hindrance to success. What matters more is the mindset and perseverance of the person,
more so the courage that he possesses.

Everything happens for a reason. It was a good choice that I chased after what I am
passionate about. I became a student-leader in our program and served as the DSC President for
two consecutive years. The first term was a good one, I must say, but the last term was not that
favorable it even gave me so much stress and exhaustion. It even came to a point that I
questioned my worth as a leader. But from that experience, I learned that we can’t always please
other people. Some are only keen to the wrong things one has committed thus tend to overlook or
simply forget the good things he has done and his accomplishments. Sadly, they sometimes
forget their manners. This is one of the sad things I noticed about the younger generation these
days. They lack respect towards authority. They think they are always right without even
considering the consequences of their actions. As a result, they defame others.

Nevertheless, this day is worth celebrating because sleepless nights are over, thesis
revisions are done and most importantly our prayers are answered. Certainly, it must have come
to a point when we entertained the idea of surrendering because of so much pressure. Our
experiences in the academe have given us chills and nerves especially when we were under the
supervision of strict instructors who tested the strength of our knees by keeping us standing when
we can’t give the correct answer during oral recitations. They also challenged our immunity to
deadlines and mental fortitude to some unannounced quizzes. But look who made it? We are
now wearing the manifestation of success, our very own Sinablay but let me say hi to those who
just rented theirs, may deposit pa tayong P300.00 guys! We are and we should really be thankful
to Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges which molded us into the kind of individuals we are
today. We also have to be proud because our school was able to produce topnotchers in various
licensure examinations, globally talented students just like our Himig Chorale and Theatro
Ambahanon. Truly, RMMC is the home of the champions and it is the trusted school for
generation. It’s been five fruitful years of staying here as a student and I’m hoping for more long
years as a prospective employee, ‘di naman sa nag paparinig pero parang ganun na nga.
RMMC has always been my first choice of employment because I like the environment where
teachers maintain harmonious relationship with each other and I really love their bond which is
analogous to that of ionic bonding in Chemistry.

Amidst all the triumphs I savored and failures I overcame during my stay in RMMC, my
strengths were the people behind every success who were the same reasons why I strived. I want
to take this opportunity to thank our Almighty God for always giving us the strength and
guidance. I also thank my proud parents who played as the photons of light, surmounted the
waves of the Pacific Ocean just to send me to school. Thank you very much Mother Earth and
Father Earth. To my Lolas and Lolos especially Mamang Caring and Lola Wene for supporting
me same as well as my compassionate aunts and uncles especially Ante Bebeng, Titz Tatang,
Mommy Nene, Ante Gang Gang, Uncle Jimz, uncle Jesus and Dodz.

Furthermore, I wouldn’t be equipped with armors of wisdom without the working force
of RMMC: Sir Millado, Ma’am Rodriguez, Ma’am Monteclaro, Sir Garcia for the support you
have willingly shown not just to me but to the rest of the graduates; program directors, Ma’am
Peñaflor, Ma’am Genton and Ma’am Amada. Thank you so much for the experiences and
learnings. To my instructors especially Engr. Entredicho, Engr. Fernandez and Sir Malinao for
the solid foundation in Chemistry, Doctor Canda, Ma’am Conses and Sir Ruales in the
Professional Education subjects and Sir Valdez for Physics, thank you very much. To the
instructors of the Teacher Education Program, Ma’am Palma, Ma’am, Cherry, Sir Nueva, Sir
Leo, Ma’am Vailoces, Ma’am Mariz, and to the teachers I have high regard on, Ma’am
Rhodeline, Ma’am Neri, Ma’am Naval and to my coach, Sir Ryan Sabales, words fail to describe
my thankfulness to you all for the guidance and wisdom.

Truly my stay in Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges is very worthwhile. I had my

happy moments especially when we successfully passed the laboratory experiments administered
by Engr. Entredicho and Sir Malinao. On the other hand, I had sad moments especially when I
got to handle social critiques. Yet, there were always people behind me especially when I had
episodes of emotional breakdown and when I felt like a total failure. I thank these people for
letting me realize how important it is to look at different perspectives and not to be driven by
selfishness.

To my squad, especially to my very understanding Ate Yvette, my supportive friends

Faith, Jenine, Joy Marie, Dayanan, Froilan for the words of affirmation, Kuya Jimmy, Daniel,
Jerro, Jessa, Jeremiah, May, Ruby, Ate Tamz, Roujie, Jen, Ate Devz, Grazel, Sheryl, Jan, Ate
Mailene Castanares, and the rest of my Physical Science family, thank you very much for the
unending support.
 Likewise, my stay in the Accountancy program was meaningful because of my friends
namely: Edelyn, Jelly and Ma’am Cyra. Know that I’ll always treasure our friendship. I also
found a family with my fellow DSC Officers even from different programs like Jerric, Raymond,
Kaloy, and Ryan. More so with SSC officers, Neri, Carla and Charles. I am also thankful to my
W squared, WW of USAC Family, TEP’s Men Volleyball Team, Regie, Dubbie, Clein, Kuya
Kim, Sly. Also to my PRISAA Quiz Bowl teammates, Sir Christian Jay Fajartin and Jay
Magallanes, and Gambalan Boys squad, you made my college life extraordinary and special.

I would also like to give special thanks to Ma’am Ogalisco for welcoming me to the
Tutelage family, to the staff of Tutelage, DSC officers and Society officers, words can’t really
explain my overwhelming gratitude to you. To the apple of my eye, Vhyn, thank you very much
for sustaining the equilibrium within me.

Chasing my passion in teaching never gave me regrets. It was a call of nature, I must say.
Doing things that gives us happiness always compensates us thus limiting doubts within
ourselves. Advocating our passion in life helps us do our best. Perhaps some of you here still
have doubts about the course you have taken and probably think that it could have been better to
choose another path. Some of you may even consider to pursue law, medicine, fashion designing,
and many more but what I want you to know is that there is nothing wrong about pursuing what
you are really passionate about. Do what makes you happy and pursue that inner drive. It’s only
a matter of taking risks. Remember, more often than not, only those who take risk become
successful. It was a risk to change my course, but I did not regret it because it afforded me this
success.

After this big day, the challenges in the real world of business are waiting. We have to be
ready in facing the new chapter of our lives which is adulthood. Perceptively, it’s more
challenging since we will no longer hide under the shadows of our parents in terms of finances.
And what’s next? Job hunting!

According to National Economic and Development Authority as of 2018, the country’s

labor force continued to grow perhaps it only emphasized the increasing rate of employment and
decreasing unemployment rate to about 5.4 %. Although this report sounds like a good news, let
us take into consideration the social issues that affect man’s will to persevere. The issues on
ethnic and gender discrimination, peer pressure, stereotyping, biases, dynamic work climate and
crab mentality among colleagues are few of the hindrances to career development and success. In
a way, these weaken the will power and limits the chances of those of who are incapacitated by
the thought of not getting a job simply because of impractical reasons like lack of connections,
low self-esteem and self-confidence which yield to self-doubt. What’s worse is that as time goes,
the society forgets the value of meritocracy towards social mobilization. This is a challenge for
the new generation. From this day onwards, let us accept the challenge of accepting and
understanding the conflicting views of interest. Let us always value the regard of optimism and
the Filipino trait of not giving up in times of crises. Let us not be affected by those who follow
the path of pessimism instead, let us boost our confidence and be positive in the endeavors we
will be engaged in. As what the father of Psychology said, “The sacred formula of positivism:
love as principle, the order as foundation and progress as a goal”.

I urge you, my fellow graduates of batch 2019 to advocate the things that make you
happy – your passion. Let us always disregard the feeling of inferiority because each of us has
our own strengths. We are who we are because we were made uniquely and we are made to
excel in different ways. Let us remember the theory of Multiple Intelligences by Howard
Gardner which limits the notion of intelligence to only one specific field. Hence, this theory
accounted the broader range of human potential. Don’t be discouraged when you’re not good
either in numbers, linguistics or music because these are not the only manifestations of
intelligence, there’s a lot more. No matter how unfavorable the circumstance is, let us have the
courage to flip the new chapters and in the end celebrate our uniqueness and how we ended up
successful in our diverse ways! Let’s live life passionately!

Although a valedictory speech connotes farewell, I believe we will cross each other’s
path again one day and I am very sure we will be wearing smiles of success. May our velocities
to chasing our success be meaningful. Be directed! Be passionate!

Soar the highest, GRADUATES OF 2019. Carpe Diem!