THE singing of the national anthem, opening prayer, regional hymn and other songs sung in local ceremonies are done. The program flow is still the same. Kung ano ang ganap noong siya ang nagtapos, ganon pa rin ito ngayon.
Tumabi si Ream kay Dean Javier na malaki ang ngiting nakatingin sa mga kolehiyo na magtatapos ngayong gabi. Alam niya kung gaano kamahal ni Dean ang mga estudyante na dumadaan sa kaniya. Parang anak na rin ang mga ito sa kaniya lalo na't mayoridad ng mga pagtatapos ay galing sa salat na pamilya kagaya nilang dalawa.
When she graduated as a Magna Cum Laude, Dean Javier always tells the students to be like her. That despite of the challenges that happens in their lives, they can conquer it as long as they believe. As long as they have a dream.
"Nakakatuwa silang makitang naka-itim na toga." Mangiyak-ngiyak na saad nito sa tabi niya. "Alam kong yearly mayroong nagtatapos pero hindi ko mapigilang hindi matuwa. Laging bago ang pakiramdam na unti-unti na nilang naabot ang pangarap nila."
"Iba po talaga kapag may mga professor or dean na kagaya ninyo." Hinawakan niya ang kamay nang ginang at marahang ngumiti. "Kasi alam namin na may naniniwala sa kakayahan namin. Through ups and downs, nandiyan po kayo."
"Para ko na ring mga anak lahat ng nasa CEA." Pinunasan nito ang luha at tumayo na sa platform na nasa harapan nila upang magsalita. "Good evening to all of you, students and your company for tonight. I know that it has been a month since we announced the names of the students who will graduate this year. But still, I want to say congratulations! You all deserve to be here tonight." Masigabong palakpakan ang pinaunlak ng mga estudyante para sa sinabi ni Dean. "This is not the end of journey. After your received your diploma, there are still challenges that may come on your way. But do not worry. Our university had honed your skills for you to be able to cope with those. Through the years of education, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines produced individuals who are globally competent. Our alumni continued to showcase that PUPians can offer to the community because we believe that the impact of education to good governance will create a country where quality-education can foster. With that, again, I would like to congratulate all of you."
"Thank you for the warm opening message by our own Dean Javier." Saad ng emcee at muling tumingin sa papel. "For the next speaker, may we call on Ms. Kristine Almadrones, our Summa Cum Laude for this batch."
Napangiti siya nang makita ang babae na kanina'y nagpapicture sa kaniya sa pasilyo. Puno ng tuwa at pagkamangha ang mga mata nito nang makita ang daang-daang estudyante na nakaupo.
"Good evening, my fellow graduates." Tumikhim si Kristine para tanggalin ang kaba. "Everyone of us failed. I failed. I cried. I even questioned my worth after the things that happened this year. I thought about giving up. Thought about not reaching my dreams. I know that we all had that moment when we feel like the world turned its back on us. When the light does not shine through anymore. When there was no rainbow after the rain. But I believed in myself. I believed that I was born for something. To be someone who's honorable. Someone who shares her smiles and sorrows. Who inspires and gets inspired." Unti-unting pumiyok ang boses nito.
"Last week, my father died. Papa died. I even questioned myself earlier. I was in the verge of not attending but I decided to get on with it. I faked my smile. I imagined my Papa was here. And do you know what made me accept that somehow, he's happy for me?" Tumingin ito sa kaniya at ngumiti. "The one that made Papa proud of himself. Engr. Lajani. I thought of it as a sign. My Papa always tells me that I should be like her. My Papa and I read a magazine about her once. Her life was narrated there. And do you know what Papa told me? That I can be like her if I believe and work hard."
Pinunasan niya ang kaniyang luha dahil hindi niya mapigilan ang mga iyon. Naiiyak siya kay Kristine dahil hindi niya lubos akalain na makakatulong siya sa simpleng pagbati rito kanina.
"I was born in poverty. That is why being in this university helped us a lot. And today, our dream is continued to be fulfilled. After receiving the diploma, the reality of being an Engineer will make us realize that life is more. Life is not just about finishing our studies, getting license, getting a job, being married or have babies. But life is about constant struggles, crying million tears and getting rejection. Life is more. And today, as we close a chapter of our lives, I hope that everyone of us can be strong as we opened a new one. Congratulations, everyone!"
Lahat ng nasa loob ng PICC ay nagsitayuan at nagpalakpakan. Maging si Ream ay napapalakpak dahil sa speech ni Kristine. Alam niya ang hirap na mawalan ng magulang kaya nararamdaman niya ang nararamdaman nito ngayon. Alam na alam niya ang pakiramdaman na tinalikuran ng buong mundo. Lalo na ng mga taong inaasahan niyang tutulong sa kaniya kaya tumagos sa puso niya ang mga tinuran nito.
"Thank you, Ms. Kristine Almadrones, for your speech." Muling tumingin sa papel ang emcee. "For the next speaker, may we call on CHED Commisioner, Mr. Ernesto Decula."
May iilan pang nagsalita kagaya ng CHED Commissioner at ang pagpapakita ng mga pangalan ng mga magsisipagtapos. Ngayon ay hinihintay nalang na matapos ang pagbibigay ng mga diploma at iba't-ibang awards. Marami ang mga iyon dahil buong College of Engineering ang makakatanggap nito ngayong gabi. Habang nagbibigayan ng diploma ay buong programa siyang nakangiti dahil nahahawa siya sa kasiyahan ng mga nakapaligid sa kaniya.
The way the students smiled and pump their fist in the air says a lot. She knows how their heart wants to burst because of happiness and excitement. She was there. In their position.
"For the next speaker, may we call on Engr. Ream Ealasid Abha Maarit Lajani, our alumni." Pagpapakilala sa kaniya ng emcee.
"Thank you." She quickly went to the podium and smiled. "Good evening, everyone. I am not sure if you know me. You even saw me in one of the magazines published by your favorite entertainment magazine. Which I didn't approve." Kahit siya ay natawa sa kaniyang sinabi. "First of all, I would like to extend my gratitude for the newly graduates. As what Dean Javier said, you all deserve to be here. Being in this huge event place, wearing the black toga and your cap, means that you fought enough to be here. Your college life might be full of happiness, regrets, rejection or even heartbreaks." Nagsitawanan ang mga nakikinig na mas ikinangiti niya.
"But I am sure that as the time passes by, you will know that those memories and experiences will hone you for who you will be in the next years. In the reality, outside the university, there are different situations that even you didn't imagine that you will be into it. Countless of job rejections, toxic superiors and other things that might be a reason for you to give up. But do you know what's the secret?" Tinaas niya pa ang dalawang kilay. "It is about acceptance. Acceptance is the key for you to cope with it. If something does not go to your way, then accept. Then, adjust. Building Lajani Construction was never easy. I tell you. Those entertainment magazines do not really reflect the struggles of being an engineer and businesswoman at the same time. That's the reality."
"And I believe that we make our reality. Maybe, fate does not seem to go to what we are expecting it to be. But what if fate destined you to experience those rejections? Those tough times? Then, it honed you. It sculpted you to be someone that you will be. That 'better' version of you? As you close this chapter, I hope that you are able to find the reality that you are longing for. Congratulations, everyone! Padayon, mga Inhinyero!"
Malakas na hiyawan at palakpakan ang dumagundong sa buong hall. Ang bawat estudyante ay kapwa nag-iyakan dahil sa realisasyon na matatapos na ang apat na taon nilang pag-aaral. Na may panibagong kabanata ng buhay silang madidiskubre. Kasabay ng masayang iyakan ay ang yakapan ng mga estudyante at kani-kanilang mga magulang.
If my parents are still here. Will they be proud of me?
BINABASA MO ANG
BC # 3: Shattered Chains (COMPLETED)
RomanceRandi Ealasaid Abha Maarit "Ream" Lajani was born to be the best. She was used to ace everything. She was taught on how to make everything on her favor. Not until she met the man who shattered her heart into million pieces when they were in college...
