User:Michael Vallejos Zacarias

Testimonial Speech (Delivered on 17th day of March 2011 by Michael Vallejos Zacarias Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 4:54am

My homage to our Almighty Father Distinguished Guests, University President Dr. Elpidio T. Magante Campus Director Dr. Inocencio L. Cosare Directors of the different satellite campuses, Director, Student Affairs and Services Prof. Tita M. Ejorango OIC- Provincial Director, TESDA Bohol Dr. Francisca R. Opog Municipal Mayor of Candijay Hon. Sergio G. Amora Jr. Dean of College Teacher Education Dr. Vilma G. Bermoy Dean, Technology and Allied Sciences Prof. Daisy V. Dellosa Members of the Faculty and Staff Beloved and Proud Parents, Fellow Graduates Ladies and Gentlemen

GOOD AFTERNOON!

I feel deeply honored for having been given this opportunity to speak before you. This day is a very memorable day and a victory of intellectual struggle over a period of laborious search for truth and enlightenment. You and I- graduates, are now endowed with knowledge- and valuable treasures of intellect. This day also marked the most notable event in our lives. Most especially to the parents who have had contributed a lot to what we have achieved today. How fortunate we are for having parents like them. Just before this graduation day, I remember the happiness inside my rejoicing heart. The most significant thing I had pondered of is that this graduation day reminds me of so many things that let tears fall down my cheeks. As a dreamer, I never thought how fortunate I am in spite of different challenges in my life. The fact that I came from a broken family did not deter my dreams. But there were times when I was challenged by destiny, that sometimes it leads me to think of giving up. Many times I had failed to achieve the things I wanted to do.

Just after I had graduated high school, I’ve planned to pursue my college education. But I was quite disappointed because I was told by my mother to find work so that I could save money for schooling for she could no longer support my studies. My mother’s work as is a house maid. She only received a little amount of wage. Her wage is just enough only for our daily needs. But, I convinced myself to continue my studies in college.

Being an optimistic person, I never had in mind to give up; I look for ways to pursue my college education. Being less fortunate in life, I continue to strive and look for a summer job in our municipality just after my graduation in high school. I was hired and was able to save enough money for the entrance test here in BISU (formerly CVSCAFT). Luckily I passed for admission to take Education course.

The time I was enrolled in this university, I always believed that this school would greatly contribute to the realization of my dream as to become a teacher. I was grateful for I was able to start a new life as a college student despite of so many trials that come along the way. I remember during my first semester in this institution that during official examinations, I had to secure promissory note so that I could take the exam kay usahay dili man makautang akong mama sa iyang giamuhan. My mother’s wage is enough only for our daily needs especially that we are two who went to school. Sometimes, my mother tend to give up kay maulaw naman siya magsigi ug hangyo sa iyang amo unya balibaran pa jud kay dako naman ug utang. If we borrow from our relatives balibaran pud kay labaw man pud silang naglisud.

I remember when I was in first year attending NSTP formation when I was insulted in front of the crowd by a student. Maybe he noticed that the t-shirt and pants I wore gibalikbalik na nako ug suot kay lage I don’t have extra money to buy. But, still I was not discouraged of what other people think of me. During weekends, I just stayed in my boarding house just to save money. And I remember one time nga kaulion jud ko sa Mabini then the money left is not enough for the transportation, so what I did, I swept under my boardmates’ deck just wishing I could find money to be added for my transfortation. There were times that I just let the time to pass by without eating lunch kay ma short pud usahay sa kwarta kay 150 pesos will be deducted for transportation just to arrived here in Cogtong. Thank God, I have so many friends and boardmates who have sharing their blessings.

Despite of the different challenges I had met as a student and as a dreamer, I learn how to put sacrifice in everything I did just to reach the goals in life. It feels that I was very blessed for there were so many people who have contributed a lot to what I have fulfilled now. I was then confident to look for so many ways, during weekends I helped my aunt in their barbequehan ug videokehan. So, it really helped me for my transportation and allowance when I went back here in cogtong. Thank God, they had offered me to support financially for my studies. So, i was able to continue my studies. Then, I was not contented, I continued searching for ways para pud dili mabug-atan ang naggasto nako sa pag skuyla, I went to Former Congressman Adam Relson Jala’s residence and applied for the Congressional Scholarship Program and luckily was granted a slot to join the program.

In my boarding house, when I was in second and third year colllege, I was offered by my land lady to help her in cleaning the sorrounding and the Comfort Room, and I did not refused the offer because I believe it would help me, and thank God I was able to enjoy free room rental for 2 years. Being a student, a son, and a dreamer I’ll never thought how fortunate I am despite of all challenges I have shouldered in my four-year stint in this prestigious university. With me are my competent classmates who held each other’s hand in achieving our ultimate dreams. In my academic struggle, I know I am not that superior student but I am still proud of myself that I was one of them who surpassed this long fight even there was a time I was challenged to do the best that I can. I once failed in my academic struggle because there were times I felt discouraged. But I learned to move on and fight back my failures- which until now my mother and my aunt, the one who supported my studies do not even know that I was once deloaded in my subjects. And I guess, this is the very moment to ask an apology of the fault I had made. It was not my intention to deceive them. I never told them because I don’t want them to be discouraged. But, I know they are very proud of me right now. Those things were just challenging me of how far and how confident I am in crossing the torrents that had come into my life. I had proven to myself that I can be the best of what I am.

I would like to extend my gratitude to all the competent mentors in this university for the opportunity you have given me. It was a great privilege I and my classmates received. And you were always behind my success. You have helped me in shaping the future I wanted to be in the coming years. Because of you, I was able to fully develop my skills and character values. And as the former Editor-in-Chief in this University I am greatly honored for all the opportunities you had given me and it really worth when I was chosen as the Editor-in-Chief of the Leader Publication in the Visayas and Mindanao way back 2009. With this I would like also to extend my gratitude to Dr. Carmen D. Dy and Prof. Jacinta C. Tutor for their undying support. And to all mentors, thank you for molding us into wholesome personalities. For sure I will be missing all those memories I had with you. To my beloved mother, I thank you for being always there for me. Thank you for sharing with me your thoughts, laugthers and most of all, your tears, especially when we are in times of difficulties. I am so proud of you for having been stood for me and for my brother Jay-ar all the tests of time. Ma, I’ll just hope that we will continue to stand and fight back to all challenges to come in our lives in order to win back. I promise to land a job soon para dili na jud ka magpa maid. I know you are so tired.

To my brother, thank you for being understanding. Because of you I was inspired because at your young age I have seen that you have the farther look to take whatever responsibilities I and mama given you. This is my dream that as you continue your studies, you will not experience what I had encountered in life as I stuggle for education. To my aunts Yaya, Zening, Rose, Marivic, Mama Rosing, to my ancles: Inting, Tonio, and Kuya Eugen thank you for the trust, financial and moral support you have given me.

To my fellow classmates, especially to Ate Liezel, Steph, Marikit, Isabel, to all my boardmates, Nanay Inding thank you so much for being with me especially when I need you to be lean on.

To the non-graduating students, I would like you to share simple words that are quite meaningful that whatever challenges you will meet as you struggle for education, you must learn by heart that fulfilling dream is combining the virtues of patience, sacrifice, determination and prayers, those were the things I have learned during my four-year stint in this university.

From the challenges I have met, I can say that “Poverty is not the HINDRANCE to our struggle. Like me, I never thought that today I am part of this memorable event. If I quitted during those times of adversities for sure I am not with you this day. Despite of those challenges in life, I learned to fight for it, sometimes it pushed me to give up. I will continue sailing against the big waves that weigh me down towards my destiny. To my fellow graduates, let us always remember that we are bringing with us the name of our Alma Mater. Whatever we do, whatever failure we will meet, and whatever success we can achieve, we will always be a part of the Bohol Island State University.

Mabuhay Bohol Island State University GRADUATES Batch 2010-2011!!!

A good day to all of us!