Salutatory address

The speech that you will read below has been delivered by yours truly, Eden-Jan S. Dangla on April 1, 2009, graduation day at Pangasinan National High School.


Distinguished guests, dignified Guest of Honor and Speaker Lt. Col. Zosimo DG. Jimenez, Jr., dynamic and ever supportive m0other of Pangasinan National High School, Dr. Aurora C. Micu, head teachers, teachers, hardworking parents, successful graduates, friends, good morning.

Today is the day. Today is the day we can breathe freely as we say goodbye to the school we have loved. Four years of hard work is to be rewarded today. Finally, I can free myself from the worries and anxieties I felt in my high school life.
This graduation is entirely different from the one I attended four years ago. I had nothing to be proud of. Today, I am one of the blessed students who will come up the stage to receive the reward.

Proverbs 13:4 says, “The lazy man hopes but his desires are in vain, whereas hard workers have their desires fulfilled.” I could relate myself to the lazy man back when I was in elementary. I ignored the importance of studying. Going to school, for me back then, was nothing but a non sense routine I had to perform daily. It is shameful to say but I had my assignments half done and my projects undone. I never reviewed for quizzes and examinations and seldom participated in class.

But things became different since I entered high school. I changed from a lazy pupil to a studious and responsible student. I improved myself and became better.

But I never expected that I would end up speaking on this stage. During the first days of my freshman life, all I wanted was to be a good student; a good student who does his assignments responsibly and submits his projects on time. But then, I realized that I could achieve something better so I strived hard to reach the top of the class. I succeeded. I was the top one of the regular class when I was in second year and third year. My parents became proud of what I achieved. I, too, became proud of myself. I’ve started to believe in my abilities and skills.

Then, senior year came. I worked harder to be consistent in my subjects. I experienced the pressure of beating deadlines. I felt burdened especially when quizzes and examinations were being given all on the same day. I kept thinking about people’s expectations and how to fulfill them. I reminded myself over and over again that I should get used to living with those expectations.

All of those were a burden to me. I felt the heaviness and wished for it to be gone soon. I even thought that I couldn’t reach the finish line of the track because aside from the pressure I felt from school, I’ve also had worries about personal problems at home. Maybe, some of you think that we are rich, but we’re not. My father is incapacitated because of stroke. My mother does not have a job. My father receives monthly pension from SSS but I cannot say that it is enough for us. A part of it is spent for his medication and the rest is for our necessities. But there are things we cannot afford to buy. There were opportunities I wasn’t able to grab due to lack of money; opportunities that could have helped me in honing my skills and
talents.

But I did not lose hope. The hardships I experienced were not a hindrance to the success I have achieved now. Giving up was never an option for me. Through the help of God, I strived to be of the honor students of this batch. I did reach the finish line…

And now, I am standing here before you as the Salutatorian of the regular class. Honestly, I desired something better. But I am happy of what I’ve achieved. This is a blessing from God that I should be thankful for. I did not become the valedictorian whom I desired but I believe this is the way things were planned to be. This is more than enough reason to be happy. I call this success after four years of meeting hardships and difficulties. If I did not achieve what I wanted, then maybe, someday, I will get something better. God has better plans for me in the future. More opportunities from Him will come my way.

So, my fellow graduates, though, most of you do not have awards, do not lose hope. Do not feel down. Continue dreaming. But don’t just dream. Work hard for your dreams. Fulfill them. Faith without action is dead, as they say. So, continue working hard as you ask God’s help. Improve yourselves. Be better. Use your skills and talents and share them to others. God has given us abilities that we can utilize. In Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life, he said, “An unopened gift is worthless.” So, together, let us open God’s gifts and share them.

Because of opening God’s gift, I have achieved success. But this success wouldn’t be possible if not because of people who have supported me in one way or another.

To my teachers from first year, second year, third year and fourth year, thank you for your hard work and patience. I know, as our second parents in our second home, you have done your best to serve us, to give us quality education that we deserve and to instill in our youthful minds good characters. Thank you.

To my classmates and friends who have always supported me, thank you very much. I’d rather not mention your names, or we would have this graduation held until 5:00 pm.

My friends, for four consecutive school years that we’ve been together, you’ve always believed that I would be the best that I could. You have always cheered me. To you, I say, I won’t forget you. Many years will pass but your memories will stay in my mind and in my heart. The happy moments we’ve spent with one another will always be treasured.

To my SoF1 family, thank you very much for being there all throughout my high school life.

To our motherly principal, Dr. Aurora C. Micu, thank you for your hard work and support as I ventured in this wonderful journey.

To the one who has always captured my attention, Ms. Vanessa S. dela Cruz, thank you very much. You always stayed by my side since we knew each other in second year. You never left me behind. You have always supported me and lifte4d my spirit up in times I was down. You made me realize that life is wonderful. And you made me realize that I am being loved.

To all the people who supported me even in their simplest ways, thank you very, very much.

And of course, I have one special message for my loving parents, Mr. Ernesto A. Dangla and Mrs. Lucila S. Dangla. As you noticed, my parents are not present here today. My father cannot come because of his condition while my mother has to attend my eldest sister’s graduation in Manila today. Anyway, though my parents are not here, I still want these words to be heard in this venue. And if they were here, they would be glad to hear me say, “Mommy and daddy, I love you so much. Thank you. I offer this success to you.”

My parents have not always been able to give me financial support, but they have been there to give me their moral support. They cannot always give me everything I desire to have, but they give me unconditional love that has always inspired me.

They have always encouraged me to be a hard working student. They gave me pieces of advice that I have used as I walked on the path of life. They are the reasons why I am striving hard to be successful. I want to give them comfortable life. And I know God will be with me.

Without these people, I wouldn’t be standing here. And above all, without God, I wouldn’t attain this success. Fellow graduates, if you have gotten no awards in your high school life, do not think that God left you. Instead, lift yourselves up and continue the fight for success. Achievements and awards will not determine what our future will be, but perseverance will. Awards will fade and soon be forgotten. Better yet, let us continue working hard for our future.
Graduates and parents, congratulations and God bless us all!

Final days (part two)

Can I accept it?
Shall I accept it?

Now, I am thinking: Had I become the Valedictorian, I could have been happier. Getting my desired position would have given me great satisfaction. Marching proudly as the Valedictorian could have been one enough reason to say, "Four years in high school was all worth it."

But being the Salutatorian is enough to say that I am happy. It is enough to be happy. It is a blessing from God that I should be thankful for. This position is enough to stand up with pride.

I have become sad, yes. But I did not cry after the deliberation. I don't cry. I am not crying. And I won't cry for not being on top. Everything is done. There is no use of crying over spilled milk. I cannot put back the hands of the clock.

My mind is open. I am a broad-minded person. I am open to the fact that somebody is better that I. I showed all the people that I did my best. But somebody's best was better than mine.

On the last few days I will be spending in school, all I want to do is be comfortable with everybody. Be happy and cheerful. I know that being the Salutatorian is not bad at all. Instead of feeling disappointed about the result, I'd rather be joyful as I show the people that I deserve to be one of the top five students of the Regular Class. And even though I was not able to fulfill my desire, I will still wear the white toga and white cap with happiness and contentment.

To GOD be the glory!

Zeus

Well, since I do not have time to wrack my brain for something that will interest you, let us have a review about the Greek god ZEUS.

Zeus (IPA: /zjuːs/) in Greek mythology is the king of the gods, the ruler of Mount Olympus and the god of the sky and thunder. His symbols are the thunderbolt, eagle, bull, and oak. In addition to his Indo-European inheritance, the classical "cloud-gatherer" also derives certain iconographic traits from the cultures of the ancient Near East, such as the scepter. Zeus is frequently depicted by Greek artists in one of two poses: standing, striding forward, with a thunderbolt leveled in his raised right hand, or seated in majesty.

Zeus was the child of Cronus and Rhea, and the youngest of his siblings. In most traditions he was married to Hera, although, at the oracle of Dodona, his consort was Dione: according to the Iliad, he is the father of Aphrodite by Dione. He is known for his erotic escapades. These resulted in many godly and heroic offspring, including Athena, Apollo and Artemis, Hermes, Persephone (by Demeter), Dionysus, Perseus, Heracles, Helen, Minos, and the Muses (by Mnemosyne); by Hera, he is usually said to have fathered Ares, Hebe and Hephaestus.[1]

In Greek, the god's name is Greek: nominative: Ζεύς Zeús /zdeús/, genitive: Διός Diós; Modern Greek /'zefs/. His Roman counterpart was Jupiter and his Etruscan counterpart Tinia. In Hindu mythology his counterpart was Indra with ever common weapon as thunderbolt.

(Source: wikipedia.org)

Final days (part one)

Senior year is nearing its end. We, students in our last year in Pangasinan National High School, are getting ready for one final event--graduation. No more assignments, hard-to-accomplish projects and long and boring examinations. We will finally say goodbye to our teachers who made us feel either happy or, well, bored.

For four years in high school, there was competition. Competition for the top position in class. And, yes, this competition has just ended.

Being in the highest section of the regular class, I have been involved in the competition. I did my best to obtain a good result. I strived hard to get my desired position in class. I worked hard to fulfill everyone's high expectations.

But it seemed that my perseverance was not enough. My hard work was not enough. Did I lack something?

Our general averages were released. Claudine Enduma, our former top two in class, ranked first in academics. I ranked second. Of course, for a former top one like me, it was a sad outcome. But I did not lose hope.

March 10, 2009. Deliberation. Each student in the top sixteen had a compilation of certifications from the co-curricular activities he/she joined. I had mine. The deliberation was the final battle. The very final competition. I admit, knowing that I joined a number of activities and contests, right on that day, I was hoping that I could still be the Valedictorian.

You cannot blame me if up to the last minute of the game, I've still had that desire. When I was in my sophomore year, I strived hard to be the top one. I succeeded. And so it would not be that easy to just give up the desire of becoming the Valedictorian.

There came the result of the deliberation. In the co-curricular activities, I ranked first. Claudine, second. But, still, it was not satisfying. Being the first in academics, Claudine had to be fourth (or lower) in co-curricular activities for me to become the Valedictorian. But it did not turn out to be that way.

So, yes. The result: Claudine is the Valedictorian; I am the Salutatorian. There's a certain part of me that says that I am sad. But I prefer to be happy...both for Claudine and for myself.

Now, there is one more question to be answered and I know that you have this in mind: Can I accept with all my heart that I am not the Valedictorian?

Forgive me, but I will leave that query hanging in the air for now.

(To be continued)

Life here on Earth is temporary

When this tent we live in--our body here on Earth--is torn down, God will have a house in heaven for us to live in, a home He Himself has made, which will last forever.

-2 Corinthians 5:1

Psalm 23

An inspirational message from my aunt:

The Lord is my Shepherd
- That's Relationship!

I shall not want
- That's Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
- That's Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters
- That's Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul
- That' s Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
- That's Guidance!

For His name sake
- That's Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
- That's Testing!

I will fear no evil
- That' s Protection!

For Thou art with me
- That's Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me
- That's Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies
- That's Hope!

Thou annointest my head with oil
- That's Consecration!

My cup runneth over
- That's Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
- That's Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
- That's Security!

Forever
- That's Eternity!

What is most valuable is not what we have in our lives, but WHO we have in our lives!


May other people who read this be enlightened and be uplifted as they continuously take the path of life!

I have discipline

Even though I am mad, I still do my best not to talk gross especially in this site where a lot of people can visit. Melvin Aquino, a.k.a. "madness", if you do not want to respect me, RESPECT YOURSELF! Another thing, I do not believe that your real name is"melvin aquino". You would be so stupid if ever you would introduce yourself with your real name because there might be some people around here who might know you. So, whoever you are, face me and be brave enough to tell me what you want to say face to face.

You have your right to post comments on my blog. I respect you for that because we are here in a democratic country. But I hope you know that freedom of speech has a certain limit. If you call me "bobo", then we are just the same. Look at your language in your comments. "tanga", "bobo", "otoy", "bauninam". Are these words of an educated person? If you call me "bobo", then how do you call yourself? Do not tell me that it's the otherwise for it does not fit you.

I do not know how you knew about my blog. If you are visiting my blog, then it only means that you're someone I know and knows me.