Hello graduates!

It’s an honor to be your speaker and able to share a few

inspirational words in this most celebrated stage of your school years through this
unique platform no less. The Pandemic has been a learning curve to the human race
watching all of us not only survive but emerge triumphant has been a blessing. Such as
online classes, modular learning and virtual graduation. Despite some struggles we are
going through, our resilience is being tested and we have been proven worthy. On the
brighter side, this unique situation has paved the way for me to celebrate with you right
now even being here, on the other side of the world. Let me be honest, being a guest
speaker at a graduation is one of my ambitions. Today, this ambition has been realized
so on that note, thank you SNHS for this opportunity.
Public speaking is not new to me. I’ve stood up to a crowd of students,
teachers, lawyers, and government officials. I love speaking my mind to people. I want
to be heard. This speech today however is the most difficult one because I’m staring
through the lens of a camera instead of into the eyes of people. That is seriously
difficult. Relatively speaking, it is harder to put together because I am going to talk
about myself as I revisit my past.
I am your Manang Apple. A teacher, wife of Chris Hemsworth (insert husband’s
pic) look a like handsome white guy, mother of the future heartthrob (insert Abram’s
pic)“ kabahan na si James Reid”, a traveler, entrepreneur and an ambitious woman.

I would like to start by asking you a question; Do you know what you want in
your life? Big question, isn’t it. K-12 is doing a pretty good job in preparing students in
life after school. It is pretty awesome that students can choose their tracks between
academics and technical vocational livelihood. But fair warning, life is known for
busting up plans and giving surprises. During our HS, we didn’t have this kind of
system before. All I wanted before was to enter into the corporate world. I wanted to
take up business management in college, but I was born into a poor family and this
was not an option for me at that moment in my life. Business management is offered in
Batac City. The expenses for transportation on jeepney, boarding house rent and let
alone the food allowance would be too much. Nah, my parents could barely afford to
give my daily 14 pesos for the round trip fare from Sta. Ana to Maananteng at that
time. I am of a family of 10 siblings, my father was a driver and my mother was a
farmer.
I came across a FB post a couple of months ago about HS throwback. If you know
Tofiluk and Safari; those were the chocolate brands that we were selling when I was in
HS as part of our livelihood subject responsibilities. If I remember right, they were sold
for 8 and 12 pesos respectively. I was never able to buy one because I didn’t have
money, but I did get to eat ice cream during lunch time in my 3rd year. #Rich kid
moment ? Nope. I was the ice cream runner for the richest kid of the girl group in my
class . Siyak tay babaunen da nga agtaray ti agmatuon nga mapan gumatang ti ice
cream. Mayat nak met ta iraman nak nga igatangan nukwan. Fair enough deal for me.
For many, HS is the most exciting time. My own HS story was definitely one of the
more intriguing chapters of my life. I was a transfer student of Maananteng from
Bagbag National HS in the 2nd quarter of my 1st year. I was wearing an old pair of
slippers on my first day at the campus. The president of the student body noticed me
at the entrance gate and reminded me about what was the proper school uniform. Too
sad, I did not have a single pair of shoes at that time. I got into Maam Nancy
DelaCruz’s class in my first year and in my second I was in Mrs. Alfar class. Here
comes 3rd year, The most exciting part. This was the year when people began to
notice me. I was noticed in my academic performance, appearance and the abouts of
my family. It was this year when I first received a ribbon on recognition day. Placing in
the top 20. Ohh yeah, top 20. My First ribbon ever! It was the biggest twist of my HS
life. I was at Mrs. Bagiua’s class and not in the star section. I was celebrating this
victory but for others it wasn’t pleasant. I got bullied, questioned and judged. But I
remained silent. Then, 4th year was the start of the “promotion and demotion” school
policy. Keep your grades good or someone will bump you down, out of the star
section.
Have I given you enough to get a picture of me during my HS years? Well, I was not
the famous student or the smartest alumni. Siyak tay nangisit, nakuttong,(insert my HS
pic) managbabain , Kirara nga kunada nga taga Sta. Ana. Now you may be wanting to
know how did I make it to become a teacher in America. Are you ready for the secret?
There is God. He is real. He is the expert of possibilities. He arranged all the stars in the
universe to bring me into this land chasing my own American Dream.
He answered my prayers in my little sticky note when I asked him to bring me to
America. God read my letter to him when I was in 6th grade begging for a little help in
fixing my messy handwriting. He told me to use the Bible to practice on reading when I
was failing in 1st grade because I couldn’t read. He grants the desires of your hearts
and sees your hard work. He knows your heart. Listen to Him. Listen to the people He
sends to lead you to where you are called.
I listened to the very first person who told me that I am beautiful. He is Mr. Greg
Dumlao.
I listened to Maam Jenelyn Colobong when she said that I can read.
I listened to the late Ms. Sherilyn Remegio when she believed in me that I can lead.
I listened to Maam Baguiao, Maam Esperito and to Sir Domingo and the rest of the
teacher’s army who fought for me that I deserve a spot on the recognition day.
I listened to Maam Miravi Balthazar when she said that she had always believed in me.
I listened to my parent’s reminder that only through education will I have the chance to
better our life.
I listened to my Manang Love’s sermons and her mantra that Life is what you make it. I
listened to her because if it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have gone to college to be a
teacher.
Lastly I listened to myself, to what I want in my life. I wanted freedom. Freedom to
express myself. Freedom to travel to different places. Freedom from poverty. Freedom
to love. (Each freedom mentioned flash them on my sides ) But this freedom comes
with risk. I chose to take risks and got out of my comfort zone. Everything was worth it.
Listen to the encouraging words and be deaf to hatred, anger and disappointments.
Listen to the people who are there for you even in littlest things, and remember them.
Success is sweet but failure also exists. I’ve been rejected, the second best,
pinagpalit,sinaktan,iniwan. But always know your worth and go back to what you want
to happen in your life. Look past the pain. Get back up again and come out victorious.

My next question is, Why? Why do you want such things in your life?
Now I realize why I became a teacher and not a corporate girl. Not just because awan
pagbasa da kanyak but for me to be able to touch more lives. So when they hear my
story, I hope I could inspire the bullied, shy, unconfident, loner, or poor kid to have
hope in their situations. Now I realized why I was hired in the US straight from the
Philippines because this moment has to happen. For a day to come for me to get back
to my alma matter to speak of how grateful I am of what I’ve become. To be proud and
loud that I am representing the global stage as a product of SNHS. It is only when you
find your purpose in life when you learn to be happy and contented. Wherever you will
find yourself in the future, find your purpose and fulfill it.
Life is not a walk in the park. Success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a long
journey of trying, living and trying again. Dear graduates, my story will be different
from yours. You will never know what tomorrow will be like. I am a testimony of going
from nobody to somebody. If you often hear speakers telling you to dream, I am here
to tell you to become ambitious. Dreaming is wishing and hoping. Ambition is the
strong desire with action. Go ahead and get what you want. And remember, the
ultimate ingredient of life is LOVE. Put love in what you do.
Congratulations graduates of 2021!
To God be all the Glory.

Insert our family picture