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!