Eighteen-year-old Miguel Rondina didn't think that his post would go viral. It was a simple wish from a graduating high school student—to experience a physical and actual graduation ceremony supposedly set this April 16 for him and his batchmates.
In his now viral post with over 70,000 shares, he posted a recent graduation ceremony photo from St. Ignatius Colleges with the caption, "Please allow us to march on our graduation day, considering the safety protocols set by the authorities." He also told Manila Bulletin Lifestyle Online, "It seems that they are strictly following the health protocols. I've also read somewhere that their graduation was a safe and successful one."
When asked why he posted this, he shared that he wanted this to reach the authorities in charge. "I want them to allow us to march on the day of our graduation, following the health protocols properly. Marching on our graduation day signifies that we've made it , so I hope they'll allow us."
But not everyone is supportive of his dream. There were a handful who were against it, while others tagged the Commission of Higher Education and their respective schools, hoping they would also consider hosting an actual graduation ceremony. " Those people reacting that way are those students who aren't allowed by the government to attend their graduation physically. They're reacting that way because they felt that it's unfair. Well, in fact, it's not we haven't allowed yet by the government so, they don't need to act that way I guess. It wasn't my intention to make my post viral," he says.
"I want to propose that they should set guidelines/health protocols for people to follow. The authorities must be strict on implementing it. That's the only thing I think will make our graduation day safe for everyone. What I have posted is not a formal proposal but I hope they acknowledge it as if it was formal one," he ends.