Salutatorian Address

Salutatorian Address

By Justine Lloyd V. Bautista

“Beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad; it’s what you do in between that count the most.”

                Alas! Time had come inevitably for us, as we are now venturing the portals of another dimension – a dimension of hellos and goodbyes. The last few years have just flown by, leaving behind the loving memories of high school. Four years ago, we started on our adventure and this adventure shaped the modern-day us. Four years ago, moro-moro and taguan served our past time, but now, computer games, social networking sites and the never ending rock concert in our class replaced them. Four years ago, we didn’t mind taking even a look at oneself in the mirror. Kahit pawisan man, mabaho o kakagising pa lang, ayos lang. Lollipops were our lipsticks, Stick-O our cigarettes and ChocoMani wrappers were our braces. But in these days, one cannot leave their house without putting on make-up, applying powder on his/her face and spraying on some perfume. We became conscious of who we are. Four years ago, we were only immature kids playing a role as adults – but those were all four years ago.

                High School life is the most complex stage in education - the hardest part yet the funniest. High School is pure irony. At first, we spend our school days wanting to graduate yet in the end, we yearn for those days to be back. Our schooling may be over and our adventure had just reached a milestone. Nevertheless, education still continues. We stand these days as single and unique individuals. We are pursuing our dreams, creating paths toward the future. We may have left the vicinity of the school; still, pieces of our hearts will remain at JJRMHS.

                Gratitude is a must. Acknowledgement is needed. Repaying is our obligation.

                To my teachers and the whole faculty and staff of John J. Russell, kindly accept our sincerest gratitude from the deepest chambers of our heart. Without your perseverance and patience, we are nothing. You are the artists who modeled and fashioned us. Our parents in the classroom - siblings outside. Truly, you’re the heroes of this community. We can never be thankful enough for your sacrifices and unparalled dedication to your work. Also, we can never think no more of those joyous time we spent together. Simula pa lang sa first up to the last subject, kasiyahang walang humpay. Sisimulan ng paniningil ni Ma’am lot,kasama ang pagiging active ng aming adviser, sunod ang “you are the because of my like this” na ang ibig sabihin pala ay “ikaw ang dahilan kung bakit ako ganito” ni Ma’am Fely, ang mga enjoyable activities tulad ng C.A.T., jogging, at movie marathon sa MAPEH ni Sir Rollie, at for the last subject sa umaga, ang small but terrible na teacher sa Physics, Ma’am Lanie na paniguradong babanat at mapapatawa ka. After lunch, hindi ka aantukin sa makasaysayang pagtuturo ni Ma’am Flora, sa pangaral pa lang, matatauhan ka pero pag nasimulan na ang biruan, sasakit ang tiyan mo sa tawa, next ang active na active na si Ma’am Donna na ang tipo ay naka’y Ate Bambi pa lang ay nag-grigreet na. Ang El Filibusterismo, que se joda, at mga nakakarelate na kwento ni Ma’am Liw sa time ng Filipino at last but definitely not the least, ang comic talent, story teller, at poet na nagpasikat ng “The Door at Lumberjack” na walang iba kundi si Sir Ahdz. And for all those teachers who served as our foundations, a million thanks wouldn’t really be enough.

                To the mother of our school and our Alma Mater, Mrs. Leonora P. Manalastas, we thank you for the unending support and striving to give us the best what our school can offer. You paved a path for us to reach the destination with ease. We are very grateful for having you as our principal. Kahit lagi kami talagang matitigas ang ulo, sa mga pasakit namin, hindi parin po kayo nagsawa at nadala sa amin. You continued to show your dedication. Being a principal was not really your job, it is your devotion. Even if we grew up as distinguished individuals in the near future, we will still look back where we came from. Isang invitation lang po, may guest speaker na kayo.

                To our parents, thank you for inspiring us to be what we are today. Valedictorian and Salutatorian honors should not be bestowed upon us, for all the crowns and glory are all for you. Salamat po sa pag-aasikaso at syempre sa palagi naming hinihinging baon. Thank you for your understanding, kahit puro gastos, puro gala, group project naman po yon, kahit hindi.

                To my classmates and fellow graduates, salamat sa pagiging mga tunay na kaibigan. I never thought that you would accept me as your own. Thank you for all the times of laughter and sorrows. You have left me with memories to cherish until the very last day of my life. Nandyan yung group project kuno pero gala lang ang habol. Tapos kapag uwian naman, kanya-kanyang lagay ng bato sa bulsa, para daw hindi mapagalitan. Hindi mawawala ang joker sa classroom. Napapatawa lahat kahit walang ginagawa, at kasama niya si Look-Out, ang savior ng lahat. Kapag narinig na ang hudyat ni Look-Out na “Andiyan na si Ma’am”, upo at biglang tahimik ang lahat. Hindi din mawawala ang mga nakalahad namga palad nasikat tuwing recess at lunchbreak; mga nakararaos ng gutom sa pamamagitan ng hingi. Hiraman ng polbo,suklay at ‘di pa nasiyahan, pati pabango. Sa sobrang close nga eh pati lollipop, isahang gamit ng lahat. Syempre hindi makakaliutan ang kinatatakutang listahan ni Ma’am Lotus ng hindi nagsusuot ng footsack. Kahit sira-sira at kahit hindi kanila o hindi magkamukha, sige lang, basta wag lang malilista. Umaabot na nga sa puntong, nakarating na ng canteen, doon na lang malalaman na nakasuot pa ng footsack pala. With this laughter, I bet no one can forget the friendship and closeness. We may forget the names and faces, still, the presence and memories will never subside.

And now, we are on are separate ways. Different individuals we shall meet; new persons to mingle, new persons to share memories with. Achieve your dreams.  Always remember the only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary. Just remember, you can’t climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pockets. Follow your passion, stay true to yourself, never follow someonelse’s path unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path then by all means you should follow that. Stick to what you think is right. Most of all, remember, when one door closes, a window opens. But if no window opens, build your door for opportunity knocks to those who seeks for it, not the one who’s just waiting for it.

Thank you and Godspeed.