The Graduation Speech

“ ..... Congratulations Batch 2018-2019. You are now officially graduated and I’m looking forward to see you again after many years. After this important day of your life, I hope you’ll start immediately to build the foundation of your success. Once again, Congratulations!! “ 

The University President ended her Speech for our Graduation. And obviously the speech is not that entertaining or amusing at the same time. The speech has been repeated every year. They just changed the Batch Year.

“ Ladies and Gentlemen please get ready for the speech of our Magna Cum Laude; Ms. Elizabeth Fuentebella. Give her a round of applause. “

So, here’s the go signal. They finally mentioned my name. They will now receive the sweet taste of my revenge. Why revenge? You’ll understand once you finish reading this story. I’ll prove to you that school officials were also having corruptions. Connections matters to be popular. So that all the staff will be in favor if you have the power. And it’s true. Power controls everything. Power can take someone’s life.

I walked straight to the stage. Holding the microphone while holding an old piece of paper. Staring to all the graduates. And I can feel tears flowing to my face. My heart beats too fast. My hand is shaking. Everyone is just looking at me, wondering what I am doing. Why I am just looking at them so eagerly. As my tears drop, I started my speech.

“ Congratulations to all of my batch mate. The academic year 2013-2014 is never been easy to all of us… “

Everyone is wondering and whispering to each other questioning why I state the wrong academic year. But still, I continue reading my speech.

“ … Time elapsed. We haven’t notice that the end has been approaching so fast. That a new whole world is waiting for us to conquer the challenges that awaits us. Challenges that will make us stronger and much better than we are right now. So, to all of my batch mate. Don’t be afraid to face the reality. It’s been an awesome experience. It will give meaning to your life. Because if you always avoid and ignoring to face hardships, nothing will happen. Nothing will improve. Because you limit yourself already to see the outside world. There’s a lot of things to explore outside the box. Let yourself to improve and experience the amazing things in life. But all of these won’t happen if not because of our respectable professors. They help us, they prepare us for this. All thanks to them, without them, we’re not here right now wearing the most beautiful outfit on Earth. And also be proud of yourselves, ourselves. Because we too, has been so tough enough to stay late at night to review, to finish a project, to do a lot of paper works. We too should be proud of ourselves because we survived the trembling experience during class recitation and participation, class performance and class projects. We too should be proud of ourselves because we overcome the hardships during enrollment. Waking up early just to fall in line first. The feeling that your heart beats so fast as you open the piece of paper containing your grades and the happiness you felt that you passed them all. Guys, don’t forget the happiness we felt when we saw our grades. Because once we success to our chosen fields, the same emotion will explode. And I knew that all of us really like it! Right? HAHAHAHA.. So, this is it guys. We already reached the end of our studies. The 15 years of studying was already done. And there’s a lot of things to be missed. The memories we planted here will always be here inside of us. The lessons that we have learned will use to protect us in the future. But what I really miss is that, our class rooms wherein we all started dreaming together. The funny moments during class discussions. To our professors that is no joke. To Sir Michael, you taught us how to be fun while learning. We’ll ‘gonna miss your Jokes and you being stricted during examination and quizzes. To, Ma’am Thelma, you treated us like you kids. You’re with us as always. To Ms. Perez, you make our heart breaking to your breath taking recitations. To your brother Sir. Perez, you made us to stop thinking while you’re in the class. It’s because you always feel our presence, you always read our minds. HAHA.. To Ms. Leonora, you made our College Life fun. Thank you for not attending class more often, because of that we have time to do the home works for the other subjects. HAHAHA. To. Sir Eric, you made our Physical Education so fun. Because of that you all witness my clumsiness. My god. I hate PE’s. HAHAHA! Guys honestly I don’t wanna end this speech. Because there’s a lot of things I wanna say. This is just the 10% of it…”

Everyone’s face is questioning me why I mentioned the names of the professors from the other department. 

“ .. But because every beginning has its ending. Therefore, this speech does also have its ending. Ending. It comes in two way. There’s a sad ending and a happy ending. And obviously this ending is happy. So let’s start the new phase in our life happy and proud of ourselves. To my friends. Lea, Cherry, Angel and Ailyn thank you to all of you. You made my college life so fun. To my parents thank you for raising me to be a good daughter, a good sister and a good student.. To everyone. Thank you and have a good and interesting journey in life! Congratulations Batch 2013-2014!”

My fellow graduates don’t know if they will going to clap or not since I tell weird things in my speech. Everyone is mumbling again because my friends name I mentioned didn’t exist in my batch.

I stay still in the stage watching them. Looking at them. From the graduates, professors, Campus Dean and the President, to all of the staff. They looked at me full of questions.

“ Actually I commit a crime. This Graduation Speech isn’t mine. I didn’t have time to read it beforehand so I can be able to change some facts. I didn’t have a time to change it. I’m sorry for that. You caught me. You witnessed me committing a crime. I’m not good at it. But there are persons who is expert in committing a crime. They can hide all their dirty tactics using their power. They can manipulate everything because they’re powerful. Well, I’ll admit whose Graduation Speech is this. This is my Sister’s supposed-to-be her speech during her graduation. She is Princess Fuentebella! “

Everyone got shocked on what they heard from me.

“ She’s studying so hard and now she’s gone crazy!”

“ She’s totally insane.”

“ What is she talking about?”

“ Drama series has been taken her senses away.”

“ Is this a live show?”

“Nice act!”

I received a lot of different reactions and attentions. But still I continue what I’m doing. No backing out.

“My sister died because someone cheated on her. She died five years ago. Here right in this place.”

“Ms. Fuentebella, what are you doing?!Come down now!” Sir Francis yelled at me. But I didn’t listen.

           ___________  T H R O W B A C K _____________

Five years ago.

My eldest sister is also a graduating student of BSBA Major in Marketing Management that time. She’s also a Magna Cum Laude that time. Unfortunately, something happens. During her actual Graduation, her position has been replaced by the richest kids at school. She as a Magna Cum Laude fades immediately just like that. She’s been confused. Adopting the scenarios little by little. She waited for a couple of minutes, expecting that the host has been announced the wrong names. But nothing has changed. She confronts the assigned staff regarding that thing. And this is what he says;

“You can complain if you have connections. But if you don’t have. Just sit back and be quiet!” 

My sister didn’t accept this kind of discrimination. She left the event hall. Running and crying. Because the medal that she was supposed to received will be given to our parent’s tomb. Because that’s what we promised before they died. But someone stole her achievement. Someone stole her happiness. Someone break our promise to our parents. Someone has taken away her life. That day. She died. She is sick. She has a heart problem. And situation like this made her die. The day that we should be celebrating. Turns into the day of mourning. 

          _________________ E N D __________________

“The school officials killed my sister! I know revealing this won’t make things change. But I just want you to know that, not all Honor Student deserves the award. Not all student is clean. All of us did something that will raised ourselves more! Not all students wearing medal is bright. And not all students that didn’t received anything is fool!”

“I don’t know why discrimination, politics and connections is running in the veins of this country. Those who more deserve it is always been set aside. And those who didn’t deserve it always have a spot in everything. This nation is using their power to control everything! Those who doesn’t have power always treating bad. And those who is rich has special treatment. I don’t know why I born in this cruel world! This place is a safe haven for the bad folks!”

“I’m not saying this to gather your attention or to be famous. I don’t even need that. I just want to speak this speech today. Because this is my sister’s last words of her studying. I’m not saying this to destroy the school officials or to start an argument to our country. I’m saying this because… because… … this is her last wish before he died. To hear me using her piece to my graduation.”

“By revealing this, I’m ready to accept the consequence of my actions. You might hold my Transcript of Records (TOR), my Diploma or even block me to the famous restaurants and hotel here in the Philippines. I’m ready to accept the consequence. We all knew that you have the power to do that. Well, I’ll prepare myself to be killed after this event. By destroying my future, you will just have killed another innocent life. Then you just prove to me that you don’t know how to fight equally. And this is my graduation speech.”

I go back to my sit. Everyone is looking at me. I just bow my head after all I have done. I know people is cursing me right now. I know they’re mad at me. Well, it’s fine. This life has no point anymore. There’s no point of living if you’re surrounded with fake people.

“You’re so brave! Amazing!”

“I didn’t know that, that kind of acts exist in our University.”

“Don’t worry Elize! We’ve got your back!”

“Elize, you’re not alone!”

“We’re all here for you. You’re a good example of a deserving student! You well deserved what you got today.”

I look at them. They were at my side. They are supporting me. I cried so hard. To the point that I can’t breathe. Someone’s tapping my back. Someone’s saying that I did a great job. 

But what’s amusing is that I saw my Sister in the stage. Smiling. Waving at me. It made me cry even more. 

“Elize, you made our Graduation even more interesting and unforgettable. Thank you for lighten up our spirit. Thank you for proving to us that we something. That we are nothing.” My best friend said.

“That the grades is never been the basis if you’re going to be successful in life. It’s just a piece of sheet (shit). Success comes with a GREAT DETERMINATION AND PASSION! You did well Elize. The most memorable Graduation I ever seen.” Sir Mike said.

And I smiled with tears. Finally, I feel relieved. I can now breathe again freely.

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P.S: Credits to the owner of the photo.