Graduation season na naman. At dahil sa comment ni Eunice, magtatapos na valedictorian sa kanilang paaralan, at sa iba pang naghahanap ng talumpati para sa graduation, ibinabahagi ko ang talumpating binigkas ko sa Ipil National High School noong April 1995. Isinulat ito para sa akin ng isang kamag-anak naming guro.

Ang totoo, nagulat ako nang mabasa ko ang comment na nanghihingi ng valedictory address. Kako’y valedictorian siya, bakit kailangan niyang magpagawa sa iba? Pero nahiya ako sa sarili ko nang maalala kong hindi rin naman ako ang nagsulat ng speech ko noon bilang valedictorian ng klase. Hindi ko na maintindihan ngayon kung bakit kinailangan ko pang magpasulat ng talumpati na ako ang bibigkas.

Medyo weird na ngayon ang ilang bahagi kapag binabasa ko ang talumpati. Lalo na’t pagdating ko sa UP, kung saan wala na akong tagasulat ng talumpati, ay isa ako sa mga estudyanteng bumabatikos sa Philippines 2000.

Ang maipapayo ko kay Eunice at sa mga gaya niya, gamit ang ilang halimbawa gaya ng talumpati sa ibaba, at sa gabay ng tema ng pagtatapos nila, isulat niya ang sariling valedictory address. Magiging mas natural at mas totoo ang kanyang speech kapag ganoon — saka wala siyang mararamdamang hiya sa sarili balang araw.

Valedictory Address
Ipil National High School
April 1995

The distinguished guest, Miss Carmenchu Paras; our respected Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Vilma L. Labrador; Our Distict Supervisor Mr. Celso S. Arevalo;our Teacher-In-Charge Mrs. Fidela P. Ricamara; the different heads of other national high schools; beloved teachers of Ipil National High School and Ipil Elementary Schoool; Our barangay captain Nelson C. Peñaflor and his councilmen; PTCA official led by Mr. Beato Peñaranda, dear parents, fellow graduates, friends, ladies and gentlemen:

Graduation day is the realization of one’s dream to acquire education. Education, which is never-ending quest for knowledge. You and I, as graduates have mixed emotions for this is really a significant occasion.

It is indeed a distinct honor that I am in your midst–on the top and I honestly feel I am walking in cloud nine. And on this cloud nine I am excited for you are with me sharing the single blessedness of success. Of course, honor and success is not mine alone. It’s ours. On this opportune time, may I specifically mention them–the persons I owe a lot, and to whom I am very grateful. First and foremost, my mother, Mrs. Evelyn Eder, my lolo and lola, Mr. and Mrs. Alejandro and Matilde Peñaflor. They are one of the best things the Lord had ever given to me. This, I am sure, my fellow graduates agree with me. So my dear fellow graduates, let us rise and give a round of applause to our dear parents.

Secondly, to our teachers who have sacrificed for giving us the ssed of knowledge. And this knowledge which we acquired from them continue to bloom, bear fruits and make a good harvest of achievement from generation to generation to generation.

Thirdly, to our dear Alma Mater–THE IPIL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL. The institution that has long been a source of solid foundation of our elder brothers and sisters–not to mention other barangays.

Lastly, but mostly, to our dear LORD GOD JESUS–the source of our strength and wisdom–for without HIM we are but nothing.

My fellow graduates, how shall we live up for a noble expectation? How could we prove our worth? Young as we are, we have a vision as we have to be aware of the share we must do, for good. Not only for ourselves, neither for our family, for our institution, but also for our community and country as a whole.

Varied problems and issues arise which have been alarming. Many cases of rape, killings, kidnappings, robbery, white slavery, destruction of our national wealth and resources, pollution, tenancy problem, malnutrition, child abuse, drug trafficking, and other heinous crimes remain unsolved, especially those committed by influential people, high ranking officials, and persons in authority. This is a disheartening scenario.

Kaya, mga kapwa ko magsisipagtapos, maging bukas ang ating isipan para sa makabuluhang pakikialam at pakikibaka sa malaking hamong ito. Magsikap tayo, magsipag sa pagtuklas pa ng karunungan upang makatulong tayo sa pinapangarap na Pilipinas 2000 ng ating pangulo. Matindi ang hamon sa atin–kapayapaan at kasipagan–kaunlaran sa taong 2000. Tayong mga bukod na pinagpala na pinagkalooban ng karunungan bagamat nasa murang isipan pa lamang ay hindi dapat magsawalang bahala sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon. Kaya nating labanan at lutasin ang anumang suliranin kung magtutulung-tulong tayo–sapagkat tayo ang mga batang mamamayan na may mahalagang papel sa kaganapan ng pangarap ng ating pangulo. Lagi nating isaisip na ang kapayapaan at kasipagan ay siyang sandigan tungo sa makabuluhang edukasyon sa taong 2000.