BY ASANGAN T. MADALE
MARAWI CITY – A professor has recently delivered a very inspiring message during the recognition day of the students of Iligan City East National High School (ICENHS).
Professor Loi Vincent C. Deriada, from the Department of Filipino of MSU-IIT said during his time he also experienced a lot of challenges that sometimes weakened his strong belief to succeed in life.
“The things I’d like to share today is about how this person, standing in front of you, survive from bullying,” survive from insecurities, survive from anxieties, survive from disappointments, and now surviving life with faith,” he said.
Professor Deriada said he was once a victim of bullying but because of his big dream, he was able to survive to this challenge.
He thanked his teachers in high school who, in one way or another, helped him survive the crisis of being a victim of bullying and insecurities.
Below is the excerpt of his full speech:
MANGARAP KA, HINDI DAHIL KAILANGAN, MANGARAP KA, DAHIL MAY PANGARAP KA
Hello po sa lahat, unang una po gusto kong magpasalamat sa isa sa mga Filipino Teacher ko, Ma’am Evelyn Manahan for trusting me at recommended me para maging speaker sa hapon na ito. Sa iginagalang na administrador ng ICENHS-Sta. Filomena ,sa pangunguna ng ating school principal, Dr. Rosemarie Macarandan , sa aking mga guro, mga mag-aaral, higit lalo sa mga supportive and proud parents , at sa lahat ng panauhin na andito ngayon, good afternoon po.
Karon nga event, I was encourage to used Bisaya sa pagstorya para mas mutuhop sa matag naminaw ang akong mensahe. But, allow me to use mixed language sa pag-deliver ani na message. Bisaya, Filipino, English. This is a formal event, but to be formal doesn’t mean na ilayo mo sa ako kay ako ang speaker, pero mas ipadool mo–na ang inyong kaagi , naagian nako. Dili man sa parehong panahon, dili man sa parehong sitwasyon, apan, by experience sa feeling , by emotion.
Things to share today, is about…
How this person standing in front of you, “survived from bullying”
“Survived from insecurities” “survived from anxieties” “survived from dissapointments” and now, “surviving life with faith”
Back in highschool, I was told by my teachers.
“Loi malayo yung mararating mo”
How powerful these words are, it motivated me to do my best while studying in college, also in pursuing my Masters Degree. But, little did they know and maybe I would probably tell the crowd and ask my mentors,
“Ma’am and Sir, unsa pa dapat kalayo ang success?”
Kay gihatagan man kog oportunidad to be here sa recognition day for this school year, allow me to share my success stories from my journey in high school used to be called as “Tatang” being the class president and “Loi” as called by my mentors, to this time now, being called as “Titserloii”. Don’t worry, I hope I can well deliver my message with conviction and power to change the mindset na kung speech puro achievement ang hisgutan. This time, I’ll be more direct and be thankful for all the things happened, because this school molded me to be the best version of myself. And, helped me kung unsa ang naa sa ako karon. So I hope, I can give courage sa inyo at some point, na mupadayon.
In highschool, I dreamed a lot. Ang dami kong gustong maging,
I want to be a writer I want to be an actor
I want to be an accountant I want to be an engineer
I want to be teacher
Ofcourse this, yung ginagawa ko ngayon, a dream come true, I dream before that— I want to speak in front.
Wala naman talagang mali mangarap, but in life full of uncertainties, kailangan kabalo ka kung aha ka mulugar. Fun fact about me, during our graduation in highschool in this same venue, year 2013 when I was told na ako ang 2nd honorable mention sa batch, I was happy but ,una Nakong gi tan-aw og pangutana sa program,
“Naa bay part ang 2nd honorable mention para mo speech?”
That I believe that time, ako ang naay pinaka-inspiring story on behalf of the graduating class. Self-proclaim ko ato na time…bahalag kabalo ko nga , dili ko makastorya sa atubangan. Kay as usual it was just the valedictorian and salutatorian.
Then, I was that type of student before up until now, having this mindset,
“Kung dili para sa ako karon, maybe puhon” — and indeed this is the perfect time. Kanang dili diay nako need mahimong valedictorian, salutatorian para mustorya sa atubangan, dili pod diay nako need ipugos ang panahon para ako ang pilion. It just came suddenly, matod pa nila
“Success happens, when it is unexpected”
If you could only see my joy in me, gaawas awas akong kalipay na muatubang karon sa inyo. Thanks to my Filipino teacher, Ma’am Sombilon, kay didto akong unang exposure sa public. I hope she can still remember me. I was that student before, na imong gipugos mam na muapil sa Balagtasan. During our class sa Ibong Adarna, Thanks for trusting me po, makadumdom jud ko sa giingon ni Ma’am, “Deriada, ikaw na kay kusog kag tingog”. Well, I humbly say, nag champion lang naman , 4 consecutive years, gisagad ko na. I guess, to declare the Mr. Balagtasan ng campus, pero dili na karon.
I was so active, I can say back in highschool, participating literary events. From performing the speech choir of Sir Jaime Ybanez and Sabayang Pagbigkas of Ma’am Manahan and Sir Lagos. The dramatic monologue and extemporaneous speech of Ma’am Bado , being an actor in a short film trusted by Sir Al Corpus and ofcourse the puppet story making of Ma’am Reponte and Ma’am Casinillo. If you could list it down,
puro nasa language and literature yung interest ko. Which is the reason kung nganong gikuha nako ang kurso na akong gi graduate og gipadayon sa akong profession karon.
When I was in highschool po, I can still remember when Sir Doplon and my first year adviser ,the late Ma’am Bahian approached me na hindi ako nakapasok sa Special Program in the Arts. And I was just standing sa inuupuan ko when Sir Julius Hechanova came to our classroom and announced kung sino ang hindi nakapasa sa mga auditions. And during the specialization time, Ma’am Bahian approached me if I want to write, and I said yes. Dumaan po ako ng 3 months under observation by the mentors and Sir Doplon asked me to write a balak, with my co-writer Claudine we wrote a balak entitled, Ang Mananggiti. That time , hindi ko alam but Sir Doplon and Ma’am Bahian were impressed and my mentors told me na naipasa ko na ang 3 months under observation. And that I can still remember, I told myself–there’s always be a right time.
Gamayng back story, back in college, I was actually enrolled sa Electronics. Maybe because, naa koy gamayng interes sa math during sa class ni Sir Magto and Sir Hechanova. But still, Very different kung unsa akong interes sa highschool. I hope Ma’am Jane Paglinawan could remember this, my coolest and coffee lover, 4th year adviser. that I had a chitchat on you na , I said, gikapoy na gyud ko mo skwela kay galisod ko sa kurso. Imagine, from balagtasan to finding the value of the current na naa sa blackboard lang gi drawing kay parallel circuit and memorizing the Ohms Law. As much as I want to be an engineer, pero akong gihuna-huna, dili tanan butang kaya nako. Insecurities are there, nakapangutana ko, nganong nakaya nila and ako dili. And because of that, I pushed myself to transfer and shifted to BA Filipino. Where all my high school experiences helped a lot. Becoming an actor for stage plays, frontlining for Sabayang Pagbigkas, writing different feature article for our college publication, and ofcourse pursuing what I had started in creative writing. I call it success, but still naa sa akong huna-huna, unsay next?
After graduating in college year 2017, my classmates passed the licensure examination for teachers. And ako, nipadayon og skwela sa masters. And still, naay
insecurities, daghan silag success in just a span of 1 yr. but ako , I feel like stocked in a situation of uncertainty. Nag-masters for 5 yrs.—imagine that long years , halata na dili smooth and sailing ang akong journey. And there, finding motivational thoughts, ga flashback ang giingon sa akong highschool mentors,
“Loi malayo yung mararating mo”
Words are powerful, it motivated you . Sa panahon kung aha gi invalidate ka, there are people na magpadayon og salig sa imo. I was not that type of person who excel sa kadaghanan, matod pa nila,
“Kana si Loi, lowkey lang” But, my principle is to… wait.
When I was bullied in year 2020, kanang literal na verbal bullying. I was so down back then. I don’t want to go into details but, that time I realized, words could motivate and sometimes hurt you. Doon ko nasabi,
“Kung salita ang dahilan ng sugat, salita lang din ang makapaghihilom nito”.
My story of success, isn’t about like others. I don’t want to mention here and there my publications, my professional growth , my awards that I received, my success as a professor in MSU-IIT. I just want to tell you that,
“Your stories of success doesn’t end when you have that position where you became the leader, or perhaps awarded as best of the best and so on” Instead, your success, is measured by how you influence the people. Kanang wala ka kabalo na , you’re inspiring someone na diay. So with that, I want to say this to my mentors,
“Ma’am and Sir, for 15 years since gasugod kog highschool up until now, kayo po ang tunay na nagtagumpay” You inspired me a lot , to do , work, push and go
beyond my capabilities. Maliban sa mga magulang ko, kayo ang isa sa unang nagtiwala sa akin… I want everyone to help me na PALAKPAKAN sila. Pagsaludo sa mga guro natin!
To the students, I know isa mo sa nag-excel sa klase. But, this recognition doesn’t defined your future but rather , will helped you na mupadayon. Beyond this, to have an impactful and changeful society, let’s helped hand in hand to encourage one another. Kahit anong honor ka, always show the kindness. Help your classmates kahit yung nasa last rank ng klase. Always believe and remember, They too, can excel.
Ako as a teacher, I always believe, that every students are special.
Kung wala mang magtitiwala sa kakayahan nila, may lagi’t laging akong tahimik na susuporta sa pagiging sila.
To our proud parents, thank you for raising your children. They excel academically, and they too excel in changing for a better community. Salamat sa inyong mga suporta, gikan sa mga pagpangasaba para mutul-id sila sa ilang prinsipyo, financial support para matagbo ang needs gikan sa ilang adlaw-adlaw na balon hangtod sa pagpalit para sa ilang mga performance tasks. But kani lang, I want to share the principle from my parents, — guide them with the truths and learn to listen their stories. Connect with them, have connection sa ilaha from their emotional backlash and academic success journey.
As I about to end my speech, allow me to share specific insights about the theme natin for this year,
KABATAANG PILIPINO PARA SA MATATAG NA KINABUKASAN NG BUONG PILIPINAS
Please share this too, to your classmates , kahit hindi sila nakatanggap ng recognition this recognition day, they are still worth to be told,
Kahit anong hirap ng araw-araw, piliin niyong maging Mabuti. As how our literature taught us, stories makes us realized na kahit gaano ka piksyonal ang mga kuwento, may lagi’t laging aral sa buhay na pwede nating buksan sa realidad. Iniisip man nating malayo pa sa pagbabago ang Pilipinas, pero walang ibang susi sa lahat ng ito, kung hindi…tayo.
Gaano man tayo pinanday ng edukasyon, sana’y piliin nating maging MAKATAO.
Never compare your success to others.
Okay lang kung next year hindi ka na honor,
Okay lang kung, yung nasa last rank this year, mauuna na sayo next year Okay lang kung ma-delayed ka sa pangarap mo,
Ang huwag mo lang gawin, ay huminto. Don’t stop chasing your dreams,
That dreams na iniisip niyong maging, aren’t just the dream of yourself, but it’s also for the people who believe in you, trusted you and supported you kahit naiisip mong naubos ka na.
Just like what I told to my students last few weeks after looking to them very tired kasi finals namin sa University, sabi ko
“Pause when it is needed, but never press the button to stop your dreams. You still have to tell in the future, that you meant turning these dreams into reality and success ”
I, myself, an educator, a learner becoming a creative writer, a someone who believe the power of words through journalism, an alumnus of this school that produces success stories,
This is again Loi Vincent Caparoso Deriada, nagapasalamat sa inyong pagsalig to be your speaker para sa Recognition Day. Babalik at babalik ako dahil dito ang tahanan ko.
Share your stories, because you too, have unique success to tell. Daghang salamat po!
Allow me to share my original creative digital writing , as to pay tribute and encourage you na mupadayon!, this has been always my own way of showing thanks and encourage my students. And this time, for you, our dear awardees!
Sabihan niyo ang inyong mga sarili at ang mga katabi ninyo,
MANGARAP KA, HINDI DAHIL KAILANGAN, MANGARAP KA, DAHIL MAY PANGARAP KA!
