Honoured guest, administration, teachers and staff, family, friends and of course my co-

graduates, the batch of 2020-2021. Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Day!

Foremost, I would like to greet you a warm welcome together with the online audiences
of this virtual graduation of San Jose National High School.
Graduation isn't just a ceremony of getting a diploma or academic degree, it is a
significant part of a student's life, knowing the success from years of thriving, surviving,
overcoming difficulties and standing still inside a school. It's both an ending and a
beginning, it's warm memories of the past and big dreams for the future. Moreover,
knowing that the people who supports you since the very beginning, are watching you in
front with proud sight is truly heart-warming. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 pandemic,
cherishing those moments wouldn't be the same as we celebrate this event virtually. We
need to obey the guidelines and protocols of this new normal to ensure the safety as
well as maintain the students, remain unaffected of the virus. However, sudden changes
in our education system and academic learning greatly impact every school, teachers
and students in various ways. As for my experience, specially as a senior graduating
student, modular classes greatly affected my learning capabilities both negative and
positively. The lack of information I need inside the modules, hinder my understanding
for some of the lessons while on the other hand encouraged me to be more
independent and confident to self-learn. As far as I can remember, It was the year of
2015 when I first came here in San Jose National High School as a grade 7 student in
Junior High. From that school year until now, never had I thought about being a
valedictorian or even be in top of class. I wasn't a great student. I had trouble in work
and handing it on time, i'm always a late comer, and I had never perfected attendance,
even once. That is why I'm so grateful for all the classroom advisers, subject teachers
and even those student-teachers that handled our class over the years, for all the
patience, dedication and passion to help us learn as well as pass our subjects, even I
knowing to myself before that I'm on the verge of failing. Thank you for recognizing that
things that I'm capable of, beyond all the doubts I had on myself, you had never given
up on me. You made me realize that I had potential and so much more to offer. And
most importantly, thank you for the bond and strong relationship we had even for such a
short period of time. It was greatly cherished and well-appreciated. As I step into senior
high school, your dedication incorporates within myself, urging me to dedicate as well
both in learning and studying. I learn to avoid distractions and focus on things, handles
pressure and be more manageable, and show passion in every things that I do. I want
to express my deepest gratitude to San Jose National High School, to their teachers
and staff, administration and stockholders because without their work, I wouldn't be here
speaking right now. Thank you for making this virtual graduation happen even amidst
the pandemic crisis.
As for my friends, relatives and family, I'm sure that you wouldn't be expecting this as
well. You'd heard all my rants, my complaints, some redundant phrases I utter like,
"Makulugon na payo ko", "Stresson na ako", "Habo ko na", or "Dae ko na kaya" as I was
aiming to finish my works, day before the deadline and things that are stressing me out
as a student since the start of modular class. Thank you for scolding and in the same
way motivating me, to never give up beyond the barriers and struggles I face, and for
often telling me not to be succumbed too much at school works. Thank you for inviting
me to hang out for quite some time, as it really helped me cope with stress, pressure
and on the state of isolation. Although we haven't seen each other frequently as we
parted ways, you we're always there to keep in touch online through social media
platforms. Most importantly, I want to thank both of my parents and guardians for
supporting my needs in education, both moral and financial since the day I start my
journey in this school. I greatly appreciated your hard work and perseverance to support
my education specially in these times.
Above all, I want to thank god almighty for giving me the strength to carry forward with
my academics and achieve this recognition. Thank you for your given guidance,
knowledge, wisdom, everlasting kindness and love as well as for all the good things
happening to me lately beyond this pandemic crisis.
To all my co-graduates. As we graduate on this day, a new chapter of our lives has
started. I would like to sincerely acknowledge you all beyond the situation we venture,
the hardships, and the struggles we take, as it doesn't stop us to continue our journey
and for us to finally graduate in senior high school. Whether traditional or virtual, let us
all celebrate the true essence of graduation and be grateful from this day, as we choose
the direction of our lives and the new possibilities we may encounter before us.