My Popular Bachelor

MPB - 18

CHAPTER 18

SAM'S POV

".....May we call on this year's batch valedictorian, Kathryn Samantha Ronquillo." ayan naaa! Breathe in, breathe out. Umakyat na ko sa stage at sinimulan na ang valedictory speech ko.

"Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude. No man ever reached to excellence in any art or proffesion without having passed through slow and painful process of study and preparation."

"To our school principal, Mrs. Belinda Maniago, teachers, guest speaker, parents, fellow graduates, visitors and friends. Good day to all of you. This day marks another milestone in our young lives as we celebrate our graduation day and receive our long awaited, hard-earned graduation certificate amd diploma."

"I remember the saying, 'We cannot direct the winds, but we can adjust the sails'. My fellow graduates, this just proves that we will be in the future will depend on many other people like our parents and teachers. But at the end of the day, the one who would 'adjust the sails' would be for us. I feel very fulfilled because I know I worked hard for this and I always aimed for excellence. Getting here was a bumpy ride. But thanks to all the lessons, the guidance, the knowledge and the joy that everyone shared with me combined with the values I have learned to develop, I was able to reach where I am now." I paused.

"As I reminisce the past, I could remember my teachers who patiently and diligently taught and helped me in reaching my goals."

"To our beloved subject teachers, Miss Yena, Miss Arboladura, Miss Precy, Sir Cyrus, Sir Karl, Sir Edward, Sir Peter, and Sir Bethuel, thank you for always believing that I could do better and for expanding my potentials to be an achiever. You let me learn that opening up to new ideas and experiences intensify the knowledge that I gain in the classroom."

"To my adviser, Miss Kristalene, thank you for unleashing my writing skills which helped me a lot in competetions. You are kind, patient, and hard-working."

"And of course, to our school principal, Misis Maniago, thank you for allowing me to participate in such competitions, exposing my talents and abilities, and for being supportive in school activities. You've done great things in our school. I salute you for that."

"This success will never be tangible without my family. I am forever thankful to my parents who are there for me in whatever challenges or trials I face in my studies. I am also inspired by my brother who was the valedictorian in Saint Claire's High in Laguna. Thank you so much, mommy, daddy, Emman, and Jacob. You've been my inspiration since then." sabi ko habang nakatingin sa kanila. Tanaw ko naman mula dito na teary-eyed si mommy at daddy.

"Penultimately, this journey would never be complete without my friends who helped me push through the hard and tough times in school. To my batchmates, thank you for making the sacrifices worthwhile, for making every school day a party, for sharing a lunch with me, for talking nonstop about Candy Magazine, Jacob Alcantara, and for the love and care. I will always cherish our memories together like camping, prom, and slumber parties." sabi ko at nginitian ang mga kaklase ko.

"Lastly, I would like to give thanks to the Almighty God for providing me these great people around me. I am grateful to you for choosing me to become your follower and for guiding me in all my endeavors. I accomplished these because of your divine guidance and enlightment. Thanks, bro."

"The function is to teach one to think intensively and to thing critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education." I proudly said.

"Congratulations, fellow graduates and parents for successfully completing our elementary years. This is Samantha Ronquillo, speaking. Good day and may God bless us all. Once again, congratulations, fellow graduates!" sabi ko. Bumaba ako ng stage ang umupo sa upuan ko. Tumingin ako sa may bleachers. Tinignan ko sila mommy at daddy na teary-eyed, si Emman naman na nag-thumbs up sakin. Syempre nandito rin si Diego para suportahan ang jowa no.