STRANGER WIFE

CECILE'S POV ???GraduationDay ??? Siya si Cecile Delgado. Architecture student ng Southville International University. Maganda. Matalino. Nagmula sa pamilyang may maalwang pamumuhay. She cleared her throat as she survey the thousands of people in front of her. She was about to deliver her speech as the cumlaude of their batch. Magkahalong kaba at saya ang namamayani sa dibdib niya sa mga sandaling ito. Ito na ang pinakahihintay niya. Ang kanyang pagtatapos. Nang mapako ang tingin niya sa ama na nakaupo sa unahang pew na nakalaan para sa mga magulang nilang magtatapos ay sumilay ang matamis na ngiti sa kanyang mga labi. Ang kanyang ama, si Don Manuel Delgado ang nag iisa nya na lang na pamilya na siya ring nagsisilbi niyang inspirasyon upang marating ang kinatatayuan niya ngayon.. Dito niya unang inaalay ang kanyang tagumpay. Naagaw ang atensyon niya ng kasalukuyan nang magpalakpakan ang mga tao... Saka niya inumpisahan ang kanyang inihandang mensahe.... ????????????? " To our Chief Executive Mentor, Dr. Geselle Ledesma Lim, our School President, Dr. Mark James Bernal, our Vice President for Academics and Research, Dr. Marjorie Lopez, our Vice President for Administration, Ms. Jocelyn Tuazon, our distinguished Guest Speaker, Mr. Mark John Fernando , officers, the Deans of the different colleges, faculty members, staff, parents, friends and guests, a blessed afternoon, and to my fellow graduates, Congratulations! I AM HERE BECAUSE I AM THE BEST. Now, before any of you say that I am a self-absorbed, egotistic, or arrogant being, let me ask you a question: what does it mean to be the best? If we are going to define the said word according to the standards of our society, the best may mean the most intelligent, the most talented in any given skill, the most gifted of all, or simply the one who has all that he needs and is greater than anyone else. However, that is not how I see it. Growing up, believe me, that is exactly how I grasped the concept. The more medals you get means you're the smartest. The more trophies you received, the better. And the higher your grades, the better you are as a person as compared to others. Yet it made me realize that this belief only placed a false sense of security over an individual and an even greater risk of self-doubt in the coming years. We were taught that to be the best means to be the greatest among others. But I disagree. It is my strongest conviction that striving to be the best is not about a life of constantly beating or competing with other people so that you can be at the top, rather, it is conquering a greater enemy other than the people around you - and that person is you. We have no greater adversary than ourselves. And like a brave soldier in an epic battle, I believe that one of the highest and utmost purposes in our lives is to defeat and conquer the rival, the opponent which we see every time we look in front of the mirror. My fellow graduates, never stop growing. Never stop pushing yourself. Never be afraid to try new things. And let us remember, that we can do all things armed by our faith which makes us stronger. Going back to my introduction, I said that I am here because I am the best. I am not talking about being here in front you as I deliver this message nor about being here as someone who received the highest academic honor. Truth be told, I never expected myself to be in this position. Still, I believe that it happened for a reason. I am here because I overcame myself. And I am glad to say, that you did too, my fellow graduates. You are here because you are the best - the best version of yourself and no one else. And for that, a job well done! You may not be the best in your class, the most talented musician, or even the best athlete but you can still be the best version of yourself that you or anyone have ever seen. Grades are but a number and medals and trophies fade over time, but the fulfillment of outdoing yourself is something that even the highest honor or recognition could never match. And remember, that our journey to become the best is never a solitary one. There are people who are vital in our lives who helped us become the person we are today. Of course, our parents who have toiled night and day to send us to a good school and who placed us first before themselves. And to my Papa, I appreciate you for being there from the start. I may not be expressive as regards my gratitude, but God knows how I am grateful for all the sacrifices you have made. I love you very much. To our Dean, Dr. Aris Imperial , thank you for pushing us and giving opportunities that we never expected. We went through a lot and I am grateful for all that you have done for us. The same goes to all of the members of the faculty who have nurtured us from the beginning until the very last day of our classes; who have instilled the 5 C's in all us - Character, Competence, Creativity, Collaboration, and Commitment to Achieve." Nangingilid ang luha kong pagtatapos sa aking talumpati. Pakiramdam ko ay lumulutang ako sa ulap habang ako ay pababa sa entablado. Nang tuluyan na akong makababa ay agad akong sinalubong ng papa at mahigpit na niyakap. "Congratulation iha!I'm so proud of you", masiglang wika ni Don Manuel. "Hindi ko akalaing ikaw ang mangunguna sa lahat." "Pa, I want you to be proud of me. At ginawa ko lang kung ano ang nararapat.", aniya at muling yumakap sa ama. "Ikaw yata ang number one inspiration ko!..Kaya syempre,ginalingan ko." "Aba!talaga lang ha? So,this calls for a triple celebration.", ani Don Manuel sa dalaga. "Teka muna.,paanong naging triple celebration?", kunot-noong tanong ni Cecile sa ama. "Iha,don't tell me nakalimutan mo talaga.", may bahid pagtatakang sambit ng kanyang papa. "Let me remind you,darling. Triple celebration because... First, it's your graduation day. Second, you've got the highest honor this year... plus all those medals,trophies and ribbons for having countless awards. And the third is....." "It's your very special big day!!!....Happy birthday Best!!!! ", mula sa kung saan ay bigla na lang sumulpot si Kim, her best friend, na nagtitili pa kaya naman hindi na nagawa pang tapusin ni Don Manuel ang sinasabi sana nito sa anak. "Happy Graduation sa atin, Best!", anitong bigla na lang yumakap sa kanya. Namilog ang mga mata ni Cecile at halatang nagulat sa narinig. Oo nga pala. Birthday niya nga pala ngayon. Natatawa namang nagtinginan sina Don Manuel at Kim. Hindi niya akalaing makakalimutan niyang talaga ang kanyang kaarawan. Pagkatapos ng graduation rites ay inaya na rin siya ng ama na umuwi. Sa farm house sila tutuloy dahil doon nagpahanda si Don Manuel. Nasa parking area na sila nang tumatakbong lumapit ulit si Kim. "Ahm, Best, Tito Manuel, pinaiimbita kasi kayo nina Mom and Dad eh. Di daw pwedeng di kayo dadaan muna sa bahay", sabi ni Kim sa kanila. Subalit nang makita ang palitan ng tingin ng mag ama ay agad ring dinugtong " Pero sabi ko nga po na nagmamadali na rin kayong makauwi muna. Kaya kahit mamaya na lang pong gabi,pag medyo kaunti na lang ang bisita ko,puntahan na lang din kita,Best. Tapos pag uwi ko sama ka na lang sakin." "Yeah,sure. Pakisabi kina Tito at Tita na ganun na lang ang gagawin natin Kim. So pano,we have to go." paalam ni Cecile sa kaibigan at nilingon ang amang tatango tango na lang. " Bye Kim. See you later." "See you later", ganting sagot naman ng dalaga. "Bye Tito!", saka kumaway at tumalikod na para bumalik sa mga magulang nito...