THE Philippines needs the younger generation to move the country forward.
As Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar made this observation in her speech at the recent 61st graduation ceremonies at the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU in Borongan City, Eastern Samar.
Villar urged the graduates and the ESSU students to “remain hopeful and steadfast even amid the most difficult challenges of the future.”
“My dear graduates, our country needs you. You are our future. The country needs your energy, your talents, your knowledge, your passion to move the country forward. As we face many challenges, we rely on you to help your families, your communities, your government, to move forward and help this world become a better one,” Villar said.
“In my own experience, in business and now in public service, there is one important lesson that I have learned: change does not happen in one earth-shaking moment; it happens gradually. “
“It happens when good people do good in every corner of their world. It starts within you, within your families, within your circle,” the lawmaker said.
She added that even amid the many challenges that they would be facing when they strive to be part of the country’s workforce, the idea of giving up “should not be in your DNA.”
“Never let a failure, a flop, or a mistake deter you from doing your best. There will definitely be a lot of challenges ahead. Laban lang. Learn the lesson, bounce back, and work harder than everyone else… To dream, is one thing, but to make it happen, that takes a whole lot of determination, perseverance, industry and patience,” she stressed.
She urged the graduates to “stay the course, survive and succeed,” and to find their inspiration to “fuel your passion to dream and lay the path to your destiny.”
“While material success is something to aspire for, remember to find your purpose and your destiny. When you find it, cultivate it, nourish it, work hard for it,” she added.
Villar also quoted the national hero Dr. Jose Rizal who once said; “On the battlefield, man has no better weapon than his intelligence, no other force but his heart.”
According to her, Rizal was not referring to the battlefield of war but to the battlefield of life. She exhorted the students to use their brains and their hearts to make a head start in their next journey.
“As you end a chapter here in ESSU, you are beginning a new, challenging phase in your life, a new battlefield. The new challenge is adulting, as what you call it today. The next phase will be exciting, maybe adventurous, even at times, probably scary, as you will be facing a whole new world vastly different from when you were in school., Villar said.
“But I am confident that each and every one of you is as prepared as you can be to navigate your way into a successful and fulfilling life. The ESSU brand of education has equipped you with the knowledge, the skills and the values you,” she said.