speech

A.K.A. a post requested by my bestfriend Maymay. =)

From time to time, people ask me to deliver speeches, pep talks and/or inspirational messages. You can call them anything you want, actually. Haha! Well, according to my mother, my speeches are inspiring. I suggest you don't argue with my mother. :p

Okay, I'm sharing this one speech which will be read (sadly) by someone else on my behalf this coming Saturday in front of our second batch of LET reviewees. Where will I be on Satuday, you ask? I will be in Bohol bridesmaiding in a close friend's wedding. For the first time. =)

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Dr. Marcelo T. Lopez, SUC President III, Dr. Filomena T. Dayagbil, Dean of the College of Teacher Education, members of the university faculty and administration, reviewees and guests, good morning.

When I was asked to write a message for you, our second batch of reviewees, I was told that my message is for the purpose of inspiring you to give your utmost effort in the months ahead for your review and achieve the best results in the upcoming Licensure Examination for Teachers. In the process of coming up with this message, I can’t help but reminisce what happened on the day I took my board exam.

As a usual practice in our home, my entire family gathered to pray over me. I will never forget my mother’s words when she said: “Itugot Lord na si Michelle Mae Olvido mu-top sa board exam.. mu-top one.” Horrified, I looked at my mother. With a laugh, she finished, “Pero ug unsa may Imong gusto, Imong pagbuot ang mutuman.” Fast forward to November 16, 2009, I received the news that I placed third. By the way, November 16 is my mother’s birthday.

I guess the point that I am trying to drive at is this: reviewing for the board exam is a journey – a very challenging journey BUT it is a journey that you will not take alone. You have family and friends who will walk with you and pray with you all the way. When it becomes very tough, ALWAYS REMEMBER WHAT you are doing it for and FOR WHOM you are doing it. I quote an organization called EO Alchemy when I say:

“We’ve been led to believe that success is bestowed upon the lucky few. We’ve been led to believe that finding our way is about being granted access. But in reality, it is really not about fortune smiling upon you but asking yourself… how hard are you willing to work for your dreams?”

My challenge for you is not to answer this question through your words but through your unceasing effort in the months to come. Let us see your answer through your actions. Let us see your answer through the September 2012 LET Exam results.

You may ask, why do we want you to pass and top the board exam?

You ought to know that when they say ‘Cebu Normal University’, when they say ‘College of Teacher Education’, when they say ‘the first and only level IV AACCUP accredited university’, when they say ‘Teacher Education Excellence, when they say ‘From good to great’… you ought to know that they are talking about you, our dear students. You are CTE’s excellence. You are CNU’s greatness.

You can count on us to walk and pray with you. I hope that we, too, can count on you… to make us proud. God bless you all!

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AMDG