Although she grew up in the world of politics owing to her father’s career as a politician, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte never dreamed of becoming one herself. She wanted to become a doctor. Vice President Sara Duterte was the guest speaker during the graduation ceremony of the Philippine Science High School - Zamboanga Peninsula (PSHS) on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (OVP photo) But she said during the Philippine Science High School - Zamboanga Peninsula (PSHS) 2nd commencement exercise at the Dipolog Sports Complex on Tuesday, June 6, where she was the guest of honor, that the Almighty had other plans for her so she found “a special purpose in life.” This was Duterte’s message to some 60 Pisay graduates, who she said must learn how to hold on to their dreams but also how to find happiness in their unfulfilled dreams. The official shared a personal story of how she originally wanted to become a doctor but instead pursued a law degree, passed the Bar, and joined politics. “Fast forward to where I am right now, I also did not plan to become Vice President of the Philippines. But here I am. And maybe, this is part of the Almighty’s plan,” the Vice President said. “Follow your dreams. But also find your happiness in unfulfilled dreams,” she added. And although dreams don’t always come true, she emphasized the need to “always find happiness.” “My dream may not have happened, but something else happened to me. It unraveled a special purpose in life that comes with great responsibility,” Duterte said. To take the responsibility, she added, is to be reminded of fundamental values as human beings that celebrate the importance of families, of loved ones, and of individuals “who have made immense support and contribution in one's journey.” (Photo from Inday Sara Duterte via Facebook)
“And one who has the responsibility and power must be reminded, all the time, that we have been called to follow a different path for a reason — that is to serve others,” the official stressed. “Your journey will be long. There will be many mistakes and disappointments, but always have the courage to follow your dreams, and have the courage to find happiness to unfulfilled dreams,” she added. The Vice President asked the graduates not to get disappointed because of unfulfilled dreams and to soldier on despite not reaching those dreams because this would allow them to be “excellent” individuals. “But as adults, we may start looking at the deeper reason behind the failure rather than spending our energy sulking in self-defeat,” Duterte said, adding that people should “follow the path that leads to a place that allows them to reach their full potential." “This is where we become excellent individuals excellently serving others, our communities, and our nation,” she said. She reminded the graduates that success “is not defined by fame, power, or material wealth”, but that it is “about finding fulfillment and making a positive impact on the world around you.”