Annie Mercolita Cirera

Farewell Speech My warmest and bliss-filled afternoon greetings to everyone. I am quite certain that almost all of the people who are gathered in this momentous event felt honored to be here, for this instance simply indicates great achievement. Yes, this is an attainment of our educators because another year of struggle to guide and educate many individuals is over. Their vital role of shaping the lives of youngsters is now once again fulfilled. Another year-long tedious mission was accomplished. For this, I would like to request all my fellow graduates to stand and offer our salute to the Barugo II Central School administration and staff as well as to our mentors by giving them a resounding applause. (pause, clap) Likewise, this eventful moment projects the success of our parents and guardians. All throughout our young lives, they are always behind us, ready to provide our needs despite the hardships they face. Even at their most stressful and painful moments, they have always managed to willfully do their duties so we will become what we are now. So, they truly deserve recognition. Thus I am encouraging once again my fellow graduates to personally thank your parents or guardians. Let us compensate their sacrifices through our simple way of saying Thank you Nanay, Tatay, Mama or Papa or whatever way we call them. Let us take this chance to tell them that we love them, for I know this means a lot to them. (Pause) In addition, I know for sure that this significant occasion means our wonderful achievement, my fellow young graduates. Definitely, each of us has been a part of each of our journey. The friendship we shared has been a vital parcel in our process of growing up. This made us learn a lot. So, I can say that we are also surely happy for this. Thus, it would rather be better if before we part our ways to continue our quest for a good future, let us express our thank to each of our classmates and school mates. You can give your close friends a hug right now, or shake their hands and say “thank you”. Thank you so much for doing so. I’ll do my part later off stage. Truly, as I stood here right now, my heart is filled with mixed emotions. Yes, I am glad that I have surpassed the challenges I have encountered in my elementary years and that I know I am making my parents proud of me (I hope so). Truly, it was a bumpy 6-year journey. However, I treasure every experience I had in this Alma Mater. My young mind considers the triumphs and losses I had in different battles as the molder of my inner strengths and confidence. So, I can’t get enough of words, really, to thank my Alma Mater, my teachers and especially my parents for backing me up. Similarly, I can never forget the ups and downs I shared with my friends and classmates (especially Ronin, James, Tolits) that somehow helped me to gradually understand even just the shallow realities of life. So, I am once again expressing my honest gratefulness to you all. On the other hand, I am saddened by the fact that I will be facing another chapter of my life’s journey with new teachers, new people and new acquaintances. Certainly, there will be greater challenges to face. But with everything that I have acquired from this school, I know that I possess something that I could use to overcome the trials ahead. And I owe this to you, especially my dear mentors and my ever supportive Tatay and Nanay. So, my dear fellow graduates, now, that we are about to take another doorway towards achieving our goals in life as more matured persons, let us all keep in our heart and mind what our Alma Mater has instilled in us. Let us use these to soar higher so we can continuously uphold its name. We may not go to the same school and surely find new friends, I am hoping that we will still keep and cherish the bond that we have. Though it is with sadness that I bid you farewell, I am delighted with the thought of this success of ours that makes us feel honored and victorious. Yet, as I have said, there is still much to hurdle. So let us keep an eye to our ambitions and goals in life in order to draw a strong pillar of determination. Let us all keep going, nurture the spirit of perseverance, humbleness and industry, and put God as our main propeller of our life’s boat so we can be a part of the bright hope of our nation. Good day and may God bless us all.