Her Perseverance (1st Cut)

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Every student has the most awaited day. And that day is graduation day. Sino ba'ng estudyante ang hindi gusto'ng maka-graduate.

Diba wala?

Dalawang taon sa Kinder, anim na taon sa Elementary, apat na taon sa high school at apat na taon sa college. And finally you will graduate to your degree you pursued.

Everyone wants to wear a black gown toga and throw black toga cap.

That is the most priceless event you waited.

"Eleanor Mariano, Bachelor of Arts in Film, Cum Laude!" said the host.

Pagtawag ng pangalan ko. Hawak kamay kaming umakyat ni Nanay sa stage.

It was a mixed emotions of happiness and hope.

At last, after all struggles,  hardship, stress, and sacrifices, I finally graduate.

Nakipag shake hands ako sa mga Deans, Admins and sa President ng SAU.

Pagdating namin sa dulo ay nakangiti silang inabot kay Nanay ang Medal ko. Nang nakuha ito ni Nanay, tinitigan nya ito at maluha luhang tumingin sa'kin.

We proceed to the center of stage tinanggal ko ang toga cap ko para maisuot sakin ni Nanay ang Medal.

Isang masigabong na palakpakan ang narinig ko pagkatapos maisuot ang medal.

Pagkatapos maisabit sa'kin ni Nanay ang medal niyakap nya ako. Naramdaman ko ang hikbi nya habang sinasabi ang salitang 'Congratulations'.

Pagkatapos namin magpapicture ay bumaba na rin kami ng stage. Sunod naman na tinawag ay si Harris.

"Harris Gabrielle Lozano, Bachelor of Arts in Film. Cum Laude." rinig kong tawag ng host kay Harris.

Lagi man kaming magkalaban sa huli pantay pa rin kaming dalawa. Sa course namin kaming dalawa lang ang nakapasok sa Latin honors.

Maybe there are times na ako ang nangunguna o mataas ang marka pero hindi sa lahat ng aspeto ay ako ang magaling.

Pagbalik ko sa upuan saka naman tinawag ang honors ng Business Administration.

"Timothy Lim, Business Administration Major in Marketing Management. Magna Cum Laude!" tawag ng host.

Wow!

The Arena filled with applause after the host called Timothy.

Hindi ko rin napigilan na mapahanga sa kanya.

He walked together with his parents. They looks like a perfect picture of exclusive family in magazines. Timothy just smile a little bit while his mother proudly smiled and his father are seriously looking at the camera.

After the awarding of Latin honors. Tinawag ako para magbigay ng speech. Bitbit ang isang folder na naglalaman ng aking speech, confident akong naglalakad na nakangiti.

"Poverty is not the hindrance to success'. This is the quote I always buried in my mind since the first day I step into school. Growing up with the only choice to out of poverty is education—is never been easy. I need to use my knowledge to get the privilege of going to exclusive schools like Saint Augustine University. Maintaining my grades for my scholarship, lack of financial to support my needs in school and working in fast food to provide my basic needs; but still lack. That is just few challenges as a student. But thanks to SAU for giving us opportunity to the poor—like me—to make our dream come true— through your scholarships offer..."

As I delivered my speech, I roam my eyes to the people who attentively listened to my story, my life and my challenges.

Nakita ko si Nanay na nakangiti ngunit walang humpay ang kanyang pagpunas ng pisngi. Hinanap din ng mata ko ang mga kaibigan ko—and they are all smiling. Sunod ko namang hinanap ay si Solomon. Pero bago ko pa man matagpuan si Solomon napadaan ang tingin ko kay Timothy.