8/12/2019 PCC Batch 2013 College Speech

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*Traditional acknowledgement of esteemed guests and dignitaries*

Good evening.

As I stand behind this podium, trembling, I am in the middle of a quarter-life crisis. Yes, a crisis. Somewhere along2012, it dawned on me that I am in a transitory phase of being a real adult. If you would give it enough thought,

this is a really nerve-wracking stage in life. There would be times when you would experience bouts of

existentialism; a sort of what-is-my-purpose-in-life debacles with yourself. Around the first 20 years, give or take,

we should take time to reassess our lives. Where exactly are we? Is there a certain direction to where we're going?

Duty to as the centennial batch

Let me focus on a milestone we have just achieved. Our academic institution recently just celebrated its centennial

founding anniversary with the theme PCC at 100: Ablaze in Mission. It is the perfect passionate mindset to cap a

hundred years of history, an ardent start to another 100 years. Although fortuitous, it is a great pride for us that

we are the centennial graduates of our beloved college. The challenge is after we received that coveted diploma,

what are we going to do? This is an additional pressure to our quarter-life crisis. We are now entrusted with a duty

to our school. As gratitude for nurturing us for the past 4+ years, we have this responsibility to elate her name to

the highest praises. Our relationship with our Alma Mater will not be finished after this momentous event. The

question now to us graduates is, Are we worthy to be called the products of the insurmountable effort for the 21st

century?

Values

As we move on, we should also have a steady heart that holds our dreams. I am still a chaser of dreams. Although

we should realize that we have to make sacrifices. We can have it all, but not all at the same time. Thats the

inevitable truth. If we are not going to sacrifice something for our dream, then maybe it isntworth dreaming at all.

However, we must not be slaves of the trivialities. Right now we are at a pinnacle in scientific and technological

advancements. The manufacture of Google Glass is underway. Most probably we will be too preoccupied for

authentic social interaction because augmented reality will suffice. Just last year, Karolinska Institute in Sweden

was successful in growing the second man-made trachea. Soon, other body parts will be available for fabrication.

Once again, the essence of life shall be devalued.

Sometimes we are too eager to chase the future; we forget the substance of the present. As we set foot on our

next journey, I hope that each one of us shall plant our feet firmly to the ground whilst looking forward. As we

grow older, we become a tad arrogant trying our best to meet the challenges of the real world. Let us not forget

the years of values that we received from our family and from this institution.

Walking in fire

While facing the trials of the next stage in our lives, we shall slowly lose our youthful vigor. We first started by

prancing towards our goal. As time passes, that jolly gait will turn into a slow crawl or maybe a screeching halt.

Sometimes as we hit our stride, everything falls apart. Charles Bukowski, one of my favorite American novelists

said that, "What matters most is how well you walk through the fire." No matter how hard things may be right

now, push harder. There are millions of other people pitted in direr circumstances, yet they persevered. Its

because they have a reason. Have a reason worth the pains of moving forward.

Conclusion

Finally, let me just say that I do not want to grow old. Age is inexorable, but the spirit can stay the same. Much like

our theme, we should have the flames of exuberance. Just like a child, we should still have the enthusiasm to face

every day with a grin on our faces no matter how dark or austere things may be. May our hearts and mind be

forever young in our relentless pursuit for our dreams. Kudos to us graduates. Its time for us to leave our home

and journey as God leads us to the best direction where we should be. Good luck to us all. Thank you and good

evening once again.