The Point Forward

I have spent most of this day staring at the computer, wondering what to do to alleviate my boredom. I have tried to visit several websites but I can’t find a way to ease myself. Suddenly, I remembered the date today - June 4. That is exactly two months after my graduation last April 4. The memories of that day settled into my mind. This was also the day when I delivered my Valedictory Speech in St. Mary Magdalene School Kawit, Cavite on the occasion of its 33rd Commencement Exercises with the theme “The Filipino Graduates: Celebrating Achievements, Pursuing Opportunities”. Below is the complete content of my speech:

Fr. Romeo O. Ner, our School Director; Ms. Carlisa Alicdan, Acting School Principal; Dra. Angelina Torres, Academic Consultant; Mrs. Catalina Monton, Elementary Coordinator; Mr. Edgardo Camungol, High School Coordinator; Dr. Fiel Nierva, commencement speaker; faculty and staff of St. Mary Magdalene School; parents, friends, and fellow graduates.
Good evening. As a member of the graduate class, and on behalf of my batch mates in the year 2008, I would like to thank everyone for their love and support throughout the whole duration of our high school years. We finally did it. Hard work really paid off. The stress of late night studying, endless tests and examinations, cramming during recitations, pressure in doing projects, and college school applications are now behind us. As we gather here, I am sure that hundreds, or even thousands, of memories run through your minds, and we nostalgically reflect on our many wonderful experiences over the past four years.

Mixed emotions probably are the best way to describe what we feel tonight. Happy, of course, because finally we have proven ourselves worthy by accomplishing things we never thought possible before. Sad because this night marks the end of our high school days, making us temporarily separated from each other. Some may even be excited to face the next chapter of their lives while others may be afraid to encounter college life. But whatever emotion is that, I am sure that all of us are brave enough to face whatever challenge we are going to face, because we are Filipinos.

Being “Filipino Graduates” of the current school year gives us new obligations we need to fulfill. First, we have to strive hard and do what we can do in order to help uplift the status of the Filipino Youth. The future of the Philippines is fully entrusted to us, since we will act as the new leaders in the near future; we need to do our part by studying hard. Second, we must also act as role models to the younger generations because we are simply the ones they look up to. We also need to exercise good relationship and communication at home, school, and community. The success of these noble tasks lies on our hands. We can stand out and make a difference.

As Filipino teenagers, I believe that we still have many more roads to cross, things to do, and goals to accomplish and sometimes, our weakness may lead us to the wrong direction but if we utilize our God-given talents, we can overcome it and find our way out. All along, no one’s perfect so we must not be afraid to commit mistakes. Together, we can start the change that our nation needs.

Before this night ends, I would like to thank all the people, who in one way or another, have helped me throughout the way. First of all, I would like to extend my gratitude to God for giving me the most wonderful gift a human can receive, my life. I would also like to thank Him for guiding me in my daily life. To my family, especially my parents Roberto and Aurelia Nuguid and my grandmother Leticia Nuguid for letting me grow in their never-ending love throughout the years. If it hadn’t been for them, I’m sure I won’t be here where I am right now. To all my mentors, for all the knowledge they have unselfishly shared with me for the over-all development of my personality. To Mr. Rosas, Ms. Ullega, Mr. Ilustrisimo, Mrs. Ancheta, Ms. Guiruela, Mrs. Dungca, and Ms. Botacion. To my CM Adviser, Mr. Joel Cadiz, my The Magdalenean adviser, Mrs. Emraida Torres , and of course, my fourth year adviser Mr. Edgardo Camungol, one of the best teachers that have crossed my school life. Likewise, I also thank my SUPER party mates, Joie Papa, Jerrah Mae Anglo, and Jayson Delapaz; my fellow CM officers, Kelsie Santos and Rose Anne Sosa; my fellow The Magdalenean writers, Chazzel, Edmar, Frances, Chermina, and Arriane; my fellow honor students especially Badeth, Jozene, Marikay, Jeanalyn, and Collins; my classmates in IV – St. Mary Magdalene who have supported me; I also thank Tropang Jorbolz; And lastly, I would like to thank all my fellow graduate students for the times we have shared together and for all the memories that will forever be etched in my mind. Nothing’s perfect but you, batch mates, have made my high school life absolutely perfect.

Over the years, we have evolved into young men and women ready to face the world and all the challenges that it has to offer. We are equipped with an armor of formal education and knowledge. What we need to do is to strive hard and dominate the battlefield called life. Finally, let’s embrace the future with open arms. Congratulations batch 2008. Good luck and God bless in your journey.

Just a few days from now I, together with my batch mates, am going into a new world where we must prove our worth. This will be the deciding factor whether we will or will not be successful in our lives. And we can do it.

P.S. I would like to thank my very reliable English teacher, Mrs. Emraida Torres, for helping me with my speech. I miss you ma’am!

The POKEMANIA Strikes Back

It did. And it struck like a lightning.

Way, way back years ago, six years to be exact, I have started the collection of a lifetime. Being a young child is pretty boring most especially if you have nothing to deal with. That reason made me think of other things to do aside from playing, playing, and playing. It’s collecting. Collecting Pokemon Trading Cards to be specific.

The first time I watched Pokemon cartoons on TV, I knew there’s something special about this series because it kept my eyes glued to the screen every time I’m watching it. That led me to the mall to hunt for some Pokemon stuffs. I found some action figures and decided to buy them. I just found myself obsessed with Pokemon starting that day.

However, my Pokemon-action-figures obsession soon faded and it was replaced by my would-be collection that time, Pokemon Trading Cards.

I remember being an elementary boy going to school, carrying a dozen or so Pokemon Cards with the purpose of trading or playing with my class mates. And when I got home, the same routine takes place but this time, I do it with my cousins and neighbors.

That was the story six years ago.

Just last week, however, when I was searching my file cabinet for something, my eyes found a small, rectangular wooden box, which contains the Pokemon Cards I have collected. Suddenly, I found myself browsing through hundreds, or probably thousands, of them in my study table. The memories ran through my head as I slowly gather and recall my life as a young boy playing with them. I realized that many years have gone by, yet my collection still stands as a mute witness to my many jovial experiences during childhood. Those days may be over, but not my collection.

Today, I am now officially back into the business of collecting Pokemon Cards. It may seem weird for a teenage boy to do such things but I believe in the saying “Do what makes you happy”. And collecting Pokemon makes me happy so I intend to continue my hobby till I reach my adult years. I love Pokemons. I really do.