Distinguished guests, administrators, faculty members, families, friends, my fellow candidates for graduation, ladies, and gentlemen good morning.
It certainly takes a strong determination to realize a vision in life. Similarly, the completion of this study entailed the involvement and participation of a number of people who come from diverse contexts but who are connected by the aim of improving the life of those who are poor like me but desirous to become somebody.
Today, we get to remember reportorial presentations in class, the late-nights still awake because we are still not done with our persuasive research study due for critiquing. The ever hectic schedules we are caught up with because of other commitments. We have also had our moments of procrastination. But what overpowers those are the hard work we have put through to finally be here and receive the symbol of our sacrifices. We all got to finish it together!
With all these realizations, it is but proper for us to finally express our gratitude to the people and the institution behind our success today. They deserve the recognition just as much as we do. These are the people who honed us to become our better selves and worked hard so we could achieve our dreams.
I feel immensely grateful to those whom I had the pleasure to work with during the completion of my dissertation. First, the chair of my Guidance Committee, my adviser, my mentor, Dr. Delfin C. Suministrado for the unending support. Sincere appreciation is also extended to the members of my guidance Committee. I would like to thank you all for the enriching feedback that hastened the accomplishment of my research work. Your insightful suggestions and comments contributed a lot to the preparation and realization of my study.
I would also like to thank all my professors, my batch mates, the GS Family, the IAE family and my base-unit the AMD family for all the support in my 3-years stay in the university.
The journey I had in the most prestigious institution of the country, the University of the Philippines was really a great opportunity. Yes, all the people in the academe were so influential in making this PhD journey a success. Aside from the knowledge imparted on me by my professors, it thought me how to be creative, patient, persistent, diligent, flexible and strong to face the challenges of university life.
I would like also to extend my gratitude to my institution where I get my bread and butter in order for my family lives, the Mariano Marcos State University. It is indeed with pride and honor to stay in this school where I finished my BS and MS degrees and now serving with dignity the academe. The administration never failed to inspire me push through with this professional enhancement journey. This is also for you my beloved Alma Mater.
Also, I am indeed so blessed to be given the opportunity to be one of the only few ERDT scholars. God is so good! Because without this scholarship, I may not be able to push through with this study.
And of course, not to forget the biggest sources of my strength- my family (my wife Saly and our 3 little children Sean, Syed and Shanel) who serves as my inspiration to work hard. Indeed, it was not easy for me to be away from you, but thinking all of you while I was in school motivated me to be stronger and make this dream come into reality because ‘this is all for you.’ Nobody has been more significant to me in the pursuit of this degree than YOU! I know you are proud with what I have accomplished. My award today is definitely yours, too.
Most of all, I give my endless gratitude to God Almighty who orchestrated the realization of this cherished dream. He equipped me with strength and wisdom so I can endure and hurdle all sorts of difficulties during this extremely demanding phase of my professional life.
Lastly, my fellow graduates, let us not forget to thank ourselves because through it all, we made it. It was our efforts that brought us here. It was because our great desire to finish this chapter that we are now in this memorable event with the people we love and the people whom we owe much.
This may be the end of something significant, but today also marks the fresh start of something far greater than what we have left behind! As we go back to our respective institutions and families and as we continue our journey we should not forget as “lskolar ng Bayan”, that we have our share to contribute to our fellow Filipinos for a better future.
Congratulations to all of us!
Thank you and May God bless us all!