eXclusive!: Graduation Day

Dear friends,

I'M NOW A HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE!

Time has gone by so fast. Now, our efforts have been paid off.

On March 25, 2007, we, the Batch 2006-2007 of Colegio de San Ignacio, had attended the 3rd Commencement Exercises in Green Heights Convention Center. Here, our lives started to go through another chapter.

That afternoon, we dressed in our very lovely toga in yellow and blue. (Our school does not incorporate the "mortarboard", that is, in layman's term, the "graduation hat".) Here, the first thing we did was the processional. We were escorted by our parents. The admin, faculty and staff dressed in elegant Filipiñana style. Our guest speaker was Mr. Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV. We were excited to listen to his speech.

The processional went on smoothly, at least.

Next was the doxology and the Pambansang Awit...(classic!)

Then, the introductory speech by Roneo Vermont, Salutatorian.

Next the conferment of the candidates for graduation... (classic!)

To introduce the guest speaker was the First Honorable Mention, Edmund Gemelo, Jr.

Then, the speech of Mr. Bam Aquino. He spoke really great. He told us about graduation, not just from our field of study, but also in other fields. He told us his story of "graduating" in his stints in the government and in Studio 23's show "Breakfast". Though graduating may hurt, for at least, it is also a feeling of joy and relief from all those hardships taken.

Then, the distribution of the diplomas. There was a audio-visual presentation during this time. Here, we describe ourselves to an object. Mine was bamboo, for I am flexible, in a way that I view more of my abilities.

Next was the message to the graduates from me (Chinese) and from Duane (English). I spoke really great. I was even appreciated by Mr. Aquino. :-) Duane was great, too.

Then, the awarding of medals and certificates. Here are my awards, to wit:

2006 History Quiz Contest, sponsored by the Davao Historical Society & DepEd, First Place, Gold Medal

Chinese Academic Excellence, First Place, Gold Medal

Chinese Academic Contest, First Place, Gold Medal

Chinese Elocution Contest, First Place, Gold Medal

Expressive Talking (Tone Colors), First Place, Gold Medal

Spelling Contest, Third Place, Bronze Medal

Speed Reading and Comprehension Contest, Certificate

Best in Computer, Gold Medal

Chinese Academic Contest, sponsored by the Davao Filipino-Chinese Women's Association, First Place

Loyalty Awardee, Gold Medal

After all the awarding, the much-awaited Graduation song had been sung. The Chinese song was "Ge Sheng Man Xing Nang" (The Melody Fills Our Memories (literarily, "song-sound-fill-walking-pouch"))

Our English song was song composed by Duane & Gabrielle, entitled "Graduation Day".

eXclusive! on The Stellar Weblog, I'll share to you the lyrics of the song.

GRADUATION DAY

Words by Duane Allyson Gravador

Music by Gabrielle delos Santos and Dominique John Contrata

I:

Now that all's been said and done

Now that our wars had been fought and won

We take a step back and try to see

How things have changed from what used to be

Refrain I:

The thime has taken hold of us

Pulling us apart

And now we're all just wishing to

Go back to the start

Chorus I:

Back when we were younger,

Had more time for each other

Back when senior year seemed far away

But no,

Today's Graduation Day

II:

Through the years, how much we have grown

Learning things we have never known

Seeing what wasn't there before

Believing there'd be something more

Refrain II:

The time has taken hold of us

Pulling us apart

But with every trial, every tear,

We're now strong of heart

Chorus II:

Now that we're a bit older

Perhaps even a bit wiser

We see all our sorrows drift away

Because today's

Graduation Day

(Repeat "Graduation Day" 3x; Repeat Chorus II; Repeat again "Graduation Day" 3x)

Coda:

We don't have to let each other go

We just to let to let each other know

That change may pull us away

But love will always make us stay.

Oh, 'di ba? Sobrang ganda ng kanta! The song was really fantastic. I wonder if it will be a major hit if it was released to the public...

Then a tribute was given. We shared our memories about the JS Prom, the Field Demo, the Outreach program at Gawad Kalinga, the Classroom Moments, the Retreat and the moments with our parents. :-)

Here, we shared with our parents our convictions and gratitude.

All has been said and done. The graduation day was truly a moment of glory. God Bless the Batch 2007 of Colegio de San Ignacio!

KENNETH