Graduation... Seems so fulfiling to see people harvesting their years of labor for formal education. Yesterday, I attended the graduation rites of our students. I saw the overflowing joys in their faces. I saw the pride and honor that their parents had. I saw the heart warming scenario as our students handed their diplomas and congratulated them at that very stage. I know that moment will be marked in their hearts forever. 

I was in their same shoes one(1) year ago, 4 years ago, 8 years ago, 12 years ago, 18 years ago... I have attened 5 graduations in my life. Last year was the most fulfilling...graduating Cumlaude for my Masterate degree.It was something I will forever treasure for never in my wildest thought that will happen in my life....to enter and be a graduate of a prestigous university, The Royal and Pontifical University of santo Tomas. It was just a dream that came into reality. It is a gift that i will forever carry. It is an inspiration.

My college graduation was the most heart warming...same day today, 4 years ago...It was a product of  trillions of hardwork, of sacrifices, of patience, of determination, of dreams, of inspirations, of happiness,0f trust, of love, and of faith. It is a fruit of an ambition that rooted from a simple goal...to graduate and to land a job with a promise that after that, I will not let my mother work as a helper, do laundry for others, and other slavery works that cut my heart whenever I see her do these for us. It is also a dream come true for at first taking college program was still unattainable. At that very graduation day, I felt the very joy and success for I know what I achieved was not for me alone... but for my family. The good Lord gave me a bonus to still finished my baccalauriat program "with distinction." I was thankful and gratified! (modesty aside for the awards mention). I am a proud alumna of the oldest vocational school in the Far East, The Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University, because in this institution of excellence, I have fulfilled  lots of goals and have made me strive more...

Yesterday, again, I know how the remarkable event lit the flame in the hearts of these graduates, just like what it did to me. I honor DHVTSU for making things possible for less fortunate but deserving and talented students of Pampanga. Congratulations to all the graduates for making it. I wore the same shoes while you are striving the hardships. I now how it feels.  Congratulations to all the mentors (my entors also) who have made these dreams reachable..and still attainable. No matter what happened, no one can ever steal the knowledge and wisdom you laid upon us. To the administrations...and the DHVTSU as a whole, for keeping your dedication to provide the highest quality of education we can achieve over the other institutions in the province. Congratulations for the 150th years of continuous grace of quality education!

-josh

March 30, 2011