God has granted us another beautiful day to cherish.

On this day of graduation, I would like to acknowledge everyone who attends in this special day of ours a warm welcome. These words youll hear now may be the first & last I may deliver here at the portals of Digital Systems Institute. So I shall include here the words I longed to say. Ten years ago, I was also wearing a toga like this one, only a little smaller. I graduated from Kindergarten, walked on this stage for the very first time not knowing why, and received my diploma. A year later, I was in Grade 1. Naalala ko pa nang sinabi ni Mama at Papa na mas pagbubutihin ko pa raw ang aking pag-aaral para maging First or Second Honors ako. I was inquisitive then, so I asked my Mama & Papa what the point was in being the First or Second? She just said, Siyempre ah, para mas maganda. I did not understand what she said then. But as I matured, the meaning of that mas maganda in my mothers statement had dramatically unfolded. It means that being at the top provides a wider window to greater opportunities. Its a fact. So that was the start. I strove hard to be there, and in my desire to be there, I digested the learning process that this institution has offered. My experiences as student taught me a lot. I learned to cope with the ever-changing world. I changed my perception about life from a hostile world to a world filled with challenges just trying to teach me. Before, I couldnt understand myself, but through experiences I slowly glimpsed at my inner self. It made me strong and willful. Quitting is not my line. Instead, it made me more determined. My dear audience, sa labin-isang taon kong pagiging mag-aaral, lima ang lubos kong natutunan: FIRST, Put God first in everything that you do. SECOND, Life is not a race but a journey.

Sometimes, I thought I should always be the first in everything. I realized I was wrong. Nalaman ko na sa buhay, hindi naman kailangang magmadali. I can have all I need but I cant have all I need at once. We shouldnt be in a hurry because hurrying only leads to more mistakes. THIRD, Passers-by will always look up the tree with many fruits. Being a leader comes with great responsibilities. To be at the top has its consequences. I learned to face those by accepting that my shortcomings are parts of my learning. I was molded into a better person by the scolding and corrections I received. I learned to look at the positive aspects of life without ever being blind from the truth. I conquered the trial of being too afraid of what others might think if I fail. FOURTH, Do your best. Kung gagawin natin lahat ng ating makakaya na wala tayong nasasaktan, siguradong makakamit natin anuman ang ating mithiin. I am not the best but I can do my best not to prove something but to be the best I can be. FIFTH, Education is the Key to Success. This is my philosophy in life. I learned the fact that everything has a purpose. Why am I standing here right now? My education will always insist and hammer in my mind, Go Phill, you can do it. Kaya mo yan, Reach for me. And I hope that our education will lead us to success. Success. A beautiful word. Batch mates, why are we here at school? Why do we study and sacrifice a lot? Its because we want to become successful, successful in our own little ways. Tayoy nagrerecite, nagsusulat, nagbabasa at nakikinig because success exists, and success has a place for everyone. We have only to work hard and reach for it.

I wish to grab this rare chance to thank the following: to the teaching forces of Digital Systems Institute who have been to us very effective and very efficient facilitators of learning; to my friends and classmates who always make me smile and enrich my experiences; to all the parents who sacrifice their time and effort just to witness this momentous event despite their busy schedule; and most especially to the Lord Almighty who provides me in everything I need. Panginoon, lubos akong nagpapasalamat sa iyo. Espesyal ko ring pinasasalamatan ang aking pamilya To all people who are dear to me, thank you, thank you, thank you. I am just bothered with one question I cant erase in my mind: Paano ba ang buhay ko ngayon kung hindi ko kayo nakilalang lahat sa buhay ko noon? I am unsure of my answer but I can assure you of one thing: Guys, each one of you is a part of my life and will ever be. Bawat isa sa inyo ay isang piraso ng jigsaw puzzle na bumubuo ng buhay ko. Without one of you, I am not complete. Without most of you, I cant figure out the image that you resemble for my life. No matter how big or small you are as a piece, youre equal within me. You may not know that, but thats true. Dear fellow candidates for graduation, as we leave our dear Alma Mater and the pillars behind it, and forward one step closer to our dreams; let us not forget how we began. Yet, hindi ito ang katapusan. Focus on what you need and not on what you want. Let us be ready to tackle the duties of a true DSIers. We pray that God shall always bless us and guide us and that we may resist the temptations of the world. Walang limutan, walang sawaan, sanay laging masaya at tawanan, pagkat tayong lahat ay magkakaibigan. Lastly batch mates, I have here a coin. And this coin represents us, the graduates of batch 2010 - 2011. Heto tayo. May dalawang sides ito: ang ulo na siyang kaisipan natin at ang sagisag ng Pilipinas na siyang bansa natin. Hawak ng baryang ito ang pangalan ng Pilipinas. At ang pisong ito ang siyang pundasyon ng kahihinatnan ng bayan. Itapon man yan ng tadhana, mananatili itong buo at di

mawawasak. Sanay ganoon din tayo. Nagkakaisa para sa isang layunin. At mabaon man yan sa lupa ng mahabang panahon, ang halaga ng pisong iyan ay kailan may di magbabago. Patuloy sana tayong magbigay ng karangalan sa Digital Systems Institute. Mabuhay! Once again welcome!