PH FUTURE.* “Fuel your passion to dream and lay the path to your destiny.” Rep. Camille Villar shared this message during the 61st commencement exercises of the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU), where she was invited to be the event’s guest speaker. After the ceremonies, Rep. Villar interacted with the students, shaking their hands and congratulating them for the milestone. She also posed for photos with ESSU officials and other special guests, among them, (from L to R) ESSU VP for Administration Dr. Rhodora Mendoza, ESSU President Andres C. Pagatpatan, Jr., Ms. Allana Montelibano, and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan.
THE Philippines needs the younger generation to move the country forward, Rep. Camille Villar gave this message to this year’s graduates in general, and the students of the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) in particular, as she urged them to remain hopeful and steadfast even amid the most difficult challenges of the future.
Speaking as guest speaker during the 61st commencement exercises of the ESSU in Borongan City, Rep. Villar said: “My dear graduates, our country needs you. You are our future. The country needs your energy, your talents, your knowledge, your passion to move the country forward. As we face many challenges, we rely on you to help your families, your communities, your government, to move forward and help this world become a better one.”
“In my own experience, in business and now in public service, there is one important lesson that I have learned: Change does not happen in one earth-shaking moment; it happens gradually. It happens when good people do good in every corner of their world. It starts within you, within your families, within your circle,” added Rep. Villar, who is the CEO of ALL Value Group and managing director of Vista Land.
She told the graduates that even amid the many challenges that they would be facing when they strive to be a part of the country’s workforce, the idea of giving up “should not be in your DNA. Never let a failure, a flop, or a mistake deter you from doing your best. There will definitely be a lot of challenges ahead. Laban lang. Learn the lesson, bounce back, and work harder than everyone else… To dream, is one thing, but to make it happen, that takes a whole lot of determination, perseverance, and sipag at tiyaga.”
To stay the course, survive and succeed, the House Deputy Speaker rallied the graduates to “find what inspires you” and use this to “fuel your passion to dream and lay the path to your destiny.”
“While material success is something to aspire for, remember to find your purpose and your destiny. When you find it, cultivate it, nourish it, work hard for it. Magsisimula ‘yan sa inyo. Huwag kayo susuko, kayong huwag mawawalan ng pag-asa,” she added.
In closing, Rep. Villar used a quote from one of the writings of national hero Jose Rizal, which states: “On the battlefield, man has no better weapon than his intelligence, no other force but his heart.”
“He (Rizal) was not only referring to the battlefield of war but to the battlefield that is life. Utak at puso, and you will surely get a headstart to where you want to be. And so, as you end a chapter here in ESSU, you are beginning a new, challenging phase in your life, a new battlefield. Ang bagong hamon ng adulting, as what you call it today. The next phase will be exciting, maybe adventurous, even at times, probably scary, as you will be facing a whole new world vastly different from when you were in school. But I am confident that each and every one of you is as prepared as you can be to navigate your way into a successful and fulfilling life. The ESSU brand of education has equipped you with the knowledge, the skills and the values you,” she said.
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