31/03/2026
Taylor Swift once said and I quote, “The lesson I’ve learned the most often in life is that you don’t always know what’s coming."
Grabe, we really can't predict life at all times because look at us now. The students who were once confused of what strand should choose finally would march here as a senior high graduate. We're left with little bits of chapter in life before adulting comes in. But before I continue, I would like to extend my greetings to everyone.
Good evening to our esteemed Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Nimfa D. Bongo through her representative, Dr. Nestor A. Arandia, Education Program Supervisor in English; to our Public Schools District Supervisor of North District 3, Dr. Maricon M. Gumba; to our dedicated School Principal, Dr. Edwin S. Cablao and to our faculty and staff; to our Lahug Barangay Captain, Hon. Hazel Ann M. Empleo and her company; and to our ever-supportive SPTA President, Mrs. Argie Mae Mantilla and to the rest of the SPTA officers; and to our beloved parents and guardians! Now, to my fellow graduates, I would like all of you to give yourselves a pat on your shoulders... as I would like to say good evening!
Uncertain. That's the word I know for sure we all quietly shared today. Uncertain for what the future awaits— the path we will navigate soon and the path we're not ready to grasp. I know everything still feels surreal and I want you to embrace this moment. If you feel like being lost, feel it. If you feel afraid of everything, acknowledge it. Take a deep breath and let all of those sink in. Because the moment you take a further step into uncertainty, a deeper sense of courage is born inside you.
Allow me to tell you my story, my fellow graduates. Ever since I stepped into my highschool journey, I tried my best to keep my grades up and humbly speaking, I was consistently ranked as the top student among the class. I was dedicated and I worked the hardest. But life really decided to test me by bringing uncertainty.
As a kid who grew up without an ideal father by my side, I have never ever been looking for someone to play his role in the family. Being surrounded by a loving mother and a caring aunt is more than enough to bypass the longingness I have felt inside. My mom would usually come home from work, bringing us food and my aunt would take care of us for school. It was stable, still, and safe. A typical scenario for a family raised by a single parent. I have always thought my life would stay like this all throughout. But I have never known I would have mistaken every bit of it.
During my junior high school years, our family encountered a nerve-wrecking situation. My mom stopped functioning like how she used to be and she had to be forced herself to leave her job. After that, she no longer looks after us or even checks on us. She just suddenly became a stranger living in our house we used to call home. And for the first time in my life, I started questioning my mother's love for us and started searching for my dad's affection. I never thought that uncertainty would shake my entire world, making me doubt the narrative of certainty I had once thought about life.
As if that wasn’t enough, life decided to challenge us in more ways. Without having anyone to support our finances, a reoccurring problem about money started to rise up. Everything I have taken for granted before became a problem too steep for me to step. Like going to school without having to worry about money, getting my meals ready, and even going to my dream school started to vanish little by little.
Juggling both my academic and personal responsibilities became overwhelming and too much to handle. My dream of graduating as the top student for our batch began to blur in plain sight. I slowly lost the spark of motivation to even go to school and continue the fuel I have. Every struggle I faced in school began to be overshadowed by the problems I have at home. I stopped dreaming too high and started fighting for survival instead. Because how could I worry about passing my projects on time and dealing with exams when I have way worse problems at home?
During that exact time, I could only remember how we forced ourselves to sleep just to ignore the growl on our stomach. In times wherein my Ate and Kuya had to pose as our parents for a while because my mother suddenly felt lost along the way. And as a middle child and Ate myself, I can't help but to witness everything fell into crumbs. Although it feels like the world is against us, I still have to keep my head high and be strong in order to be the ideal Ate to my little brother. And because I was too focused on keeping our family intact as possible, I forgot to nurture the dream I had for myself. Unfortunately, I failed to achieve the dream I once had. Although my academic journey holds dearly in my heart, nothing ever beats in prioritizing my loved ones. Because after a series of deep talks from our relatives, my mother then regained her senses. Slowly, she started to feel like home again. But I have no regrets in life because look at me now, I still graduated as the top student in my batch. Even though God permits my dream a little late, I am still beyond grateful for everything I have experienced. And I want all of you to remember that each one of us has our own timing. Just like mine.
I am filled with so much gratitude receiving this award. Although I joined extracurricular activities including Banwag Lahug (School Publication) and SSLG, I did not disappoint. I always find time to maximize and manage everything in order to put things in place. If you really just have the passion and dedication to work on things, everything will fall into the right place.
As we close this chapter and step into a new one, we will once again encounter such confusion. You'll probably experience the same pain and struggles. There will be moments where we will feel lost and when we do not know what to do next. And I want you to feel and acknowledge every bit of it. Take every pain and turn it into something meaningful. Let it shape you, let it fuel you, and let it remind you that you are growing. Because in life, you are not expected to have everything figured out... and that is the beauty of uncertainty.
Before I end my speech, I would like to thank everyone who supported and served as my constant all throughout my senior high journey.
First and foremost, I thank God for His guidance and wisdom. Thank You for never letting me walk alone through this path. For the endless enlightenment and for never letting me give up this journey.
To my beloved mother, no words could describe how thankful I am to have you beside me. Para nimo jud ni akong achievement Ma and I am sorry If I ever doubted you in this lifetime. Ikaw ang nagsilbi nakong kusog ug kalipay sa mga kasakit nga akong naagian. You motivate me to keep pushing forward despite every challenge and the circumstances I have faced. I dedicate this speech to you— my one and only, my beloved, my home.
To my beloved aunt, thank you kaayo kay wa mi nimo gipasagdan. I may not be vocal towards my feelings pero gusto ko iingon nimo nga dako kaykag impact sa amo life. Our life would never be like this without you by our side.
To my siblings— especially to my Kuya and Ate, you have no idea how happy I am to be your sibling. Dili nako ni permi iingon pero salamat sa tanan. I was never this affectionate but I wanted to thank you for posing as our parents even for just a short of time. You truly motivate me to continue in life.
And of course, to my day ones. To my friends who have served as my companion all throughout. To Niña Marie Dalaguit, salamat nga naa raka permi sa ako kilid dae. And there are still so many to name but you guys know who you are. You guys have been a treasure of mine that I'll keep closer to my heart forever.
To my family and relatives who are there through my ups and downs. I am forever grateful for your support. To my ever supportive cousins, thank you for being one of my pillars. You will always be my forever buddy and bestie.
I am also filled with gratitude to the teachers who constantly nurtured and shaped my identity as a student. Most especially to our adviser, the one and only Cardo Dalisay ng Lahug— Sir Ruel Dela Torre. Thank you for being more than just our adviser sir, you will never be forgotten by us.
And so, with gratitude in my heart and courage in my steps, I am now ready to step what lies into my next journey. To my fellow graduates, may you embrace the uncertainty of life and fuel your drive. Always remember, layo pa pero layo na. Again, I am Justice Dawn P. Barte, your class valedictorian. Here's to the class graduates of school year 2025-2026! Thank you and congratulations!
✍️: JUSTICE DAWN BARTE
Editor-in-Chief, Banwag Lahug
With High Honors
Class Valedictorian
Batch 2026
