By Raymund Antonio
Vice President Leni Robredo told graduates of Philippine Science High School-Eastern Visayas about the act of giving back to the country by serving their fellow Filipinos in need.
In her commencement speech, Robredo emphasized that graduating from the prestigious PSHS was a privilege and they should serve the interests of the common good.
“Marahil marami sa inyo ang nagtatanong: Ano ba ang mundong aking daratnan sa labas ng paaralang ito? May magagawa ba ako para makatulong sa ating bayan? Mayroon bang handang makinig sa akin?” she said.
Vice President Leni Robredo
(OVP / MANILA BULLETIN)
(Perhaps many of you are asking: What would be the world that awaits you outside this school? What can I do to help our country? Is there someone who is ready to listen to me?)
The Vice President urged the graduates to always remember their responsibilities to serve their country as she believed they can make valuable contributions for the benefit of many.
“Hindi lang kayo inaasahang maging mahusay sa pipiliin ninyong bokasyon, misyon din ninyong tumulong sa pag-angat ng ating mga kababayang nasa laylayan ng ating lipunan,” she said.
(You’re not only expected to excel in your chosen vocation, it is also your mission to help improve the lives of our countrymen on the margins of society.)
“Susi ang inyong pagiging Pisay graduate sa pagiging isang mabuti at responsableng Pilipino,” Robredo addressed graduates during their commencement exercises Wednesday afternoon held at PSHC campus in Palo, Leyte.
(Being a Pisay graduate is key to become a good and responsible Filipino.)
“Malaki ang magagawa ninyo upang himukin ang bawat isa na maging mabuting Pilipino. Huwag nating hayaan na maghari ang galit, dahas, at kawalan ng respeto sa ating lipunan. Hindi tayo ganyan. Hindi ganyan ang Pilipino,” she said.
(You can do much to encourage everyone to become a good Filipino. We should not let hate, violence, and lack of respect to rule our society. We are not like that. Filipinos are not like that.)
Robredo, a mother of a Pisay student, lauded the PSHS for its first batch of high school graduates in Eastern Visayas.
Her youngest daughter, Jillian, will graduate from PSHS-Quezon City on June 1.
A day before her graduation, the Vice President shared on her social media posts she attended Jillian’s Baccalaureate Mass, along with two other daughters—Aika and Tricia. This was the first time Robredo and her three daughters were complete since last year when Aika pursued her postgraduate studies in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
In Palo, Robredo reminded the graduates the value of their education.
“Alam natin ang kahalagahan ng edukasyon. Sa ating mga Pilipino, ito ang nagbibigay ng pag-asa na makaahon sa kahirapan ang ating mga pamilya,” she said.
(We know the importance of education. For us Filipinos, this gives us hope for our families to rise from poverty.)