03.23.13

I've always been a believer of advocacy for youth empowerment. I know very well that I may be graduating along with the many others tomorrow, but there are still some of us who will have to face the same set of challenges so as to graduate soon. Very soon. I honestly feel sad, but in my heart, I believe the Lord has never failed to give the right obstacles as well as the right cure for every heartache. Naa jud sya'y plano sa ato tanan and na-prove jud nako na ginahatag jud niya ang mga problema and failures to make us stronger, to make us better.

I have always put my full faith in the power of failures. There's this some kind of "wild card" factor with it. Mura ra bitaw sya'g competition na na-eliminate ka, pero naa diay japun to'y chance to get back on track. You just have to deserve it, you just have to own it. :')

Tomorrow again, is my graduation day. I spent approximately 16 years in the academe just to be rightful of the toga I'll be wearing and of the garland that mom will hang on my shoulders, and the great big hug that my "at long last" proud dad will give me. I honestly do not feel the entirety of the overwhelming reality yet, but surely my heart is full of gratitude right now. The series of unfortunate events as well as the chain of victories has led me to where I am right now AND everything I am yet about to become is attributable to my Lord, who was always there; from the times when I was just like any other undergrad, hoping to be a better me, and to be as competent as I can be, to be someone my little sister is looking up to, to be someone that my relatives will be proud of.

Indeed, it is true, that beneath every student's success story is a family that inspired the heart and a Church that uplifted the soul.

This is not the end, it is just the beginning and like every beginning, there is a celebration, a spark of hope, and a patch of light to guide me once more to the winding path of this journey. All of these, I will hold on to, all of these I will cherish, all of these, I will ever be grateful to my Lord, to my "bestest" friend, to my God.

A graduate, at long last. :')