R E D ! [Under Revisions/Editings]

"Start of Fresh Beginnings"

The first millenium had ended, the new had started - year 2000.

I was the high school valedictorian of batch 1999-2000.
And as usual, no family members had attended the graduation ceremony.

My name was called, and I was mentioned as the Valedictorian- top of everyone else in my batch.

For the first time in my life, I felt that I had been recognized.

Almost all the faculties, staffs, students and parents gave me a standing ovation. I don't know if they knew the hardships I have fought through .. or what..
But they were all smiling, clapping and rejoicing with me. It was the melody of joy, the harmony of happiness, and the symphony of bliss. It was almost euphoric. For the very first time in my life... I felt.. APPRECIATED.

I saw at the distance my mentor and our class adviser clapping, standing, rejoicing - with so much tears in her eyes, as if she was my mama. It was so true, that you have a second parent at school, that's your teachers. You have a second family, that's your classmates and friends.
But its up to you whether you will let them 'adopt' you into their lives or not.
Well, I chose to.

And I will tell this honestly: in years that I had received the beatings since I stopped crying when I was 14, this is the first time tears fell once again. And I tell you, it was like a storm.. Its like streams of water that I don't know how or when will it stop from rushing down.

I was like a young kid, rubbing his eyes with his arms, sobbing and crying like a baby. I would never forget that moment. I would treasure it forever.

Then..

My name was called again for my valedictory adress. I walked up on stage, in front of all those people on that very auditorium. The mass crowd waiting, excited and I felt tension in me and almost everyone on that place.

They were all waiting for my speech, as if they were all thrilled. I am not a good communicator, nor good public speaker.

But, I went up on the stage. I crumpled the piece of paper that the school mandated me to speak. Everyone from the faculty was shocked. They don't know what to do. They just saw me crumpled the speech I am supposed to speak and I throw it away like a piece of thrash. Then, I began to hold the microphone, went in the middle of the stage, as if having a concert.

In my very own volition, I began to spoke about a speech - not acted, nor practiced, but written in my very own heart and not in a blank sheet of paper...
I have nothing in my hands not even a piece of paper. I believe its all here..
In my heart.. In my mind..

All I saw,
All I heard,
All I felt,
All the truth and reality..

All I believe was.. I HAVE A VOICE.. I HAVE A STORY.. AND I HAVE A DREAM..

Then they all gaze upon me, and began to listen to what I'll be saying..

Now, this was my speech back then: