Valedictory Address
63rd Commencement Exercises
Our university President, Rev. Fr. Sixto M. Bitangjol, OAR, our Vice President for Academics, Rev. Fr. Raul M. Buhay, all the OAR priests and religious administrators, deans and directors of the different colleges and offices, members of the faculty and staff of this institution, our beloved parents, fellow graduates, guests, friends, ladies and gentlemen, Good Evening!
It seems just yesterday, when I first stepped into the imposing portals of this prestigious university. I just can’t imagine that four years had already passed. Four years of college life, 4 years filled with discovering and experiencing the most beautiful and meaningful days of my life. Finally, we have reached the end of our mandatory education. This means reprieve from countless assignments, nerve-wracking quizzes and recitations, and mind squeezing and heartbreaking examinations. I say it’s a reprieve because for those aspiring to reach the highest star, there are more challenges coming and foremost of which is the board exams for many of us.
Crampatanta, May J. (BS Accountancy)
I cannot help but look back to the time when I was driven by my desire to study here in Bacolod City. I dreamed of it not because I wanted to brag and claim that I am studying in a university but more so because I want to get away from our place and from people who tend to underestimate my capacity to succeed in life. I can still recall the exact words of my mother when I happened to go home one Friday evening during my first year in college. I was full of enthusiasm then as I find college life to be okay. But Mama’s words struck and pierced my heart badly when she said “Day, eskwela ka gid mayo ha? Ga hambal di sila nga daan nga indi ka gid namon mapatapos”. I am very grateful to my parents who did all they could to send me to this university. I know how hard they had labored just to sustain my four years stay here in UNO-R. In gratitude to my parents, I did all I could to pay them back for all their sacrifices. I studied and worked hard through all the assignments, homeworks, quizzes, exams, researches and thesis and I could humbly claim that today I succeeded in making them proud of me. Thank you so much Mama and Papa.
Above all these, I never forget to raise all my trials and successes to the Lord and I know that God has a reason in placing me here in this position now. I just hope and pray that I live up to God’s plan for me, and that He’ll make me an instrument to serve as an inspiration to other people. In many occasions, God’s hand rally worked on me. I used to go home Friday afternoon and come back very early in the morning of Monday, My classmates used to ask me why I don’t go back to Bacolod City on Sunday, and I told them that I have to wait until Monday because my parents are still trying to find some means to raise some amount so I’ll have something to take with me when I leave for Bacolod City. And all those times, I know that God never left me or abandoned me because He really provided for us.
This senior year of my college life was the most challenging of all. I’ve been balancing time and emotions. I go to school every day and my parents send something for me to process every other day. As I go to school everyday, I have to make sure that I’m doing well in school and that I am performing as expected to be able to maintain my scholarship. I have to “burn my brows” right after my 8:30 p.m. class every night because I don’t know what the next day would demand from me and it will be another very busy day. I have to divide and balance my time between my studies and helping my parents to sustain our only source of income – developing, enlarging, laminating pictures which need to be processed here in Bacolod City and be sent back home again on the same day. At the end of the day, I really feel tired and exhausted. There are times when I entertain giving up, but I immediately check myself because I also believe that God brought me to deep waters, not to drown but to cleanse me. Again, God has his reasons for putting me in this situation and I know that I will always and forever have people who are not just ordinary persons but truly inspirations.
And before I close my speech, I would like to thank all the people who have brought me to where I am today.
First of all, I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart, to my dear parents for understanding me despite my making them feel I am discontented with the allowance they send me with every week. Mama, Papa, thank you so much for believing in me and for supporting me through the ups and downs of my life. This honor is my offering for the two of you.
To my brother, the guy dearest to my heart, thank you so much for your sacrifices in giving up your desire just so I could study. Thank you for standing up as my second father and my best friend. You are one of the reasons why I just can’t give up that easily. I promise you, I will support you in your dreams of becoming an Engineer, and it’s not so far away.
To my other, younger brothers, thank you also for being so obedient and for putting up with my moods.
To our Dean and teachers, thank you also for believing in me. Thank you, too for the trust and encouragement and for allowing me to show what I’ve got. Sir Cabarles . . . believing in me and supporting me in all JPIA activities.
To my JPIA family most especially my classmates, the Senior JPIANS, guys, thank you for all the jokes and the fun. Thanks for all the laughter and the tears we’ve shared together. I will treasure all those memories forever.
Mr. Taclobos and family for sharing not just his resources, food and shelter but home – month stay.
To the UNO – R community and administration, my whole hearted thanks for making me a part of this institution. Thank you, too for being a part of my life.
Above all, my overwhelming gratitude to our Lord God for all the blessings I’ve received. Thank you for always being there for me, for being my constant friend, brother, father, mother.
To all those I have not mentioned, thank you for being a part of my life. I know I have not gone this far without all of your help, support and encouragements.
To my fellow graduates, now is our time to shine. Let us show to the world what we’ve got. Let us show to the world that we’ve got skills and talents, abilities and capabilities. Let us only bear in mind that ability may enable us to get to the top but it takes character to keep us there. Let us soar and fly higher. Never be afraid to spread your wings. Dream big! Just remember that ambition has one heel raised in hell though one stretches his finger to touch the heavens. May we always remember that our future still rests in our hands.
Once again, to UNO – R, thank you for giving me not just a school but a nurturing home. May you continue to live up to your slogan – UNO – R, the cradle of excellence. I hope I’ll make you proud as a UNO- Rian.
Again, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart, and have a pleasant evening everyone.
May Crampatanta
BS Accountancy
Suma Cum Laude