Academic Excellence

One of my friend's post for today is about a certain speech delivered in UP Diliman Hall from a DLSU College of Engineering.  It was "The" Summa Cum Laude Speech.  I find it odd to have a DLSU gather in Diliman for their commencement exercise.  Though, I've researched a little bit and some say that it was from UPD student.

The gist was all about a student, who was inadvertently been insinuated by professors that he can't make it; a student who is trying to prove himself to the world that even if he just had some flunked some subjects, he rose  to be the Top Notch of his Class.  He also said that he'll cast a middle finger to everyone who said he can't.  It was his rebellion.  He questioned as to why nobody gives an award for hanging on, but only for those who has been the Best.

Clap!  Clap!  Clap!  Bravo for expressing such.  I was happy to know one could really say this infront of the crowd and from a Catholic Private School.  No offense meant, what I am just trying to point out is, it is rarely to see a student coming from ADM or DLSU to say this stuff and God knows why it was a speech with Tagalog as the medium.  Unlikely.

While I am reading it, I rode back to my memory lane way back when I was in College.  Oh, all the cramming and deadlines,  org dramas and dorm issues, gimmicks and homesick with heartaches along the side, it was really a dooms day for me.

I, too experienced the unwary words coming from my professor; telling me that I can't make it.  But that's the beauty in UP System.  They will tell you to strive for the best even if it takes to break you into pieces.  They want you to be on top; to excel because they too came from the same system and they are also proud to know you've strive.  Yes, they can't give you a Best Hang in award because we strive for excellence and if they do that, I am certain that Isko and Iska will be stoic, just accepting a mediocre life.

" Ayoko nang puntahan yung pwedeng mangyayari sa mga Cum Laude. Baduy. Alam mo namang may patutunguhan ang buhay nila e. Pero dun sa mga lumagpak, ano ang meron?"

Yes grades are very important.  But knowing my fellow Isko and Iska out there, they continued to fight.  I fought, I have flunked numerous subjects but I've achieved.  I became a Program Director of an International Company.  I have few friends who were not just flunking but really a delinquent one; but where are they now?  They did not stop.  They are in Singapore, Australia, and some are in the Philippines working for a prestigious Landscaping Company.....Ayala, BTG, and what have you's.  UP cooked us to be strong and stand even when everything else fail.  It taught us that whenever you fall to the ground with your face first, you can still stand up and say to everyone, "ok lang, nakatayo pa naman ako".

To all Isko and Iska, I am soooo Proud of you.  Continue to strive for excellence and continue to battle the world!

Iskolar ng bayan, ngayon ay lumalaban!!!!