Armani Nathaniel F. Martinez
Valedictorian, Regular Class 2011
“I choose to live by choice, not by chance; to motivate, not manipulate; to make changes, not excuses; to be useful, not used and to excel, not compete.”
To our dynamic guest of honor and speaker, Division Superintendent Rosalino P. Javier, sir, our vibrant principal, Dr. Giovanni V. Velasco, sir, equally able department heads, workaholic mentors, beloved and compassionate parents, fellow graduates, and to all of you friends who are here with us today, a morning full of raging bliss and aspirations.
I am the epitome of someone far from perfection. If happy go lucky has a name, it would be mine. Back in the past I was this regular student who was not aiming for high grades or to be in the list of diligent students. I was just one who went with the flow, waiting for recess, lunch, and eventually, dismissal time. Something has changed within me. I have tried my best and shown everyone that I CAN. Now, I am the best that I can be. I am a persona of great esteem and will power. I am a VALEDICTORIAN.
Long enough, I have been staring at the infinite horizon, asking myself the reason why I am here. It may take years before I can finally decipher why, but as I embark on the waves of the vast ocean of life, I gradually come to realize it. It is inevitable that I stumble and fall because of the bitter truth and experiences that made me even stronger and withstand the greater challenges that are given to me by the Divine Providence. It was a long journey and success surely took a long time coming but here it is now, as close as the beat of my heart. The long patience has been worth it for I am about to reap the fruits of our hard work and sacrifices. It has been four years since I first stepped here at my Alma Mater, the Ilocos Sur National High School. I can still remember when my family said that I shall study here; at first I was hesitant for I was not expecting it. But as time went by, I have come to comprehend why they wanted me to study here. They were not wrong when they said that this school would mold me into someone bolder and better, someone who could survive the rigors of life. I thank you for that mommy and daddy. We all know that our Alma Mater is the prime secondary school in our province. We stayed here following its rules and regulations; and living up to its vision, to give quality education, to produce globally competitive students and to nurture its students into good citizens of our country. Thank you very much Ilocos Sur National High School for your unwavering support to your students and for your competency and dedication to help the youth. I am proud to be a product of a public secondary high school, the Ilocos Sur National High School.
It is hard to leave a place where I have found a second family and where I have learned to stand on my feet. It is in this place where I have experienced to be hurt and where I have learned how to stand tall after a great fall. In my journey, it was to be anticipated that I would be walking through a muddy rocky road and get wounded on my way to the sweet triumph. I would never forget the times when controversies and criticisms showered upon me. I rose again, never losing my esteem albeit; I did not hold grudges on them. Instead, I was grateful to the people who gave me such criticisms. Because of you, I have found my strengths which hastened my molding and of course my weaknesses which I have changed or developed me for the better. I am not perfect and I never will. So never be afraid of criticisms, they should serve as inspiration and instruments to bring out the best that you can be.
I have chosen to spread my wings and breakout of my shell. That was probably my advantage over my competitors. It was maybe the reason why I am here standing in front of you now. Being a consistent 1st honor from 1st year to 4th year is not something that you just call destiny. But is a product of patience, hard work and sacrifice. I have fulfilled my promise and I feel happy and contented. My way to the top was not easy. Yes, it takes intelligence to take you to the top, but it takes character so that you can stay there.
I shall never ever forget the people who in one way or another have been a great part of my colorful high school life. Thank you very much for all of your support and understanding. To the Supreme Student Government, this organization molded me and shaped me into the great leader that I am today. It was a great component of my becoming. I am the President of the ISNHS SSG, Vigan City Division, Region 1 and a national treasurer. It was indeed a great honor and excellence to achieve such prestigious position. They say that only a few from millions of students can be in my shoes. I will forever be grateful and proud. It was not only my name that was put in the pedestal, but our Alma Mater, the Ilocos Sur National High School as well. Again, I am thankful for your support. To my teachers who have taught me almost everything that I know. You have given me moral and emotional support. You are one of my inspirations. You are my heroes. I love you, and forever you will be in my heart. To the CAT I-Unit which has inculcated discipline into my system. I shall never forget all the things that I have learned. As I walked the “kaliwas” and “kanans” of life, I gained self esteem and the essential knowledge needed to be a great citizen of our country. To the Red Cross which taught me how to be always first, always ready and always there. I am at a loss for words but all that I want to say are here within my heart.
My friends has been a shoulder to cry on, to my super friends, my bezys, thank you very much for always making me happy. During my ups and downs, you were there. Through the wrong turns that I took, you did not leave me. You were there listening to my problems which I cannot even open up to my family. To my classmates, thank you for supporting me in every endeavor that I took. I think I shall never find a group better than ours, a group where we are standing tall and united. You are a part of my success. To my friends, thank you very much for making all my days blooming and filled with glee. Thanks for lighting up my days, without you, my high school life would be so dreary and monotonous. I am very lucky I have found people like you.
To my family, I am forever indebted to you, mommy and daddy for because of you, I have seen this beautiful world. I am so happy today because for the first time in my life, I am able to see my mother, Rochelle Martinez in person, after 17 years. Hi mommy, I may have not said these words before, but I was always longing for a mother. Thank you for being here with me in my most special day. To my daddy, Jonathan Prudencio who was always there with me and I am always in his heart. I love you very much daddy. I owe you a lot. Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time in my life, I have a complete family. I thank God for this moment.
I am also glad because my grandma Florie and grandpa Edgar have always been supportive to me. They have always reminded me that I have a family and that my mother loves me. You were the ones who were here in the Philippines often and of course you have grown so close to my heart. To my titas and titos who were very generous and who were there when I had problems and told me never to give up, thank you very much.
Before I continue, I would like to ask my great grandmother, Mamang Idding to please come here on stage with me. I have here a gold medallion which says “Greatest Grandma in the World.” Ma, these medals of mine are nothing compared to yours. For without you, I would have not achieved what I have achieved and I would not be here in front speaking to my fellow graduates. You are my greatest inspiration. You are the person behind my success. Even the most luxurious things in the world are not enough to repay you. I offer this day to you for you are and will always be the best grandma in the world. (Hug then Mamang will go down) And of course to my Papang Clenio, who has guided me all throughout.
Of course, I shall never forget to be grateful to our Almighty Father who has been always there guiding me throughout my journey. Thank you very much dear Lord. May You continue to guide and help me, as I continue to face the challenges of life and as I enter a new chapter of my life.
In this life, there is no one you can trust other than yourself. You are the only one who can make yourself enhanced. It is your choice whether to excel or just be ordinary, to stand out or just be among the crowd. I ask you to motivate yourself, for you are the start of change. Remember, you cannot change others but you can ignite the passion of change. All of us are role models in our own way. Together we can change the world. Congratulations, fellow graduates and good luck and keep aiming and soar even higher. Before I end, I would like to share to you an adage by an unknown author which goes this way, “I hope your dreams take you to the corners of your smiles, to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities, and to the most special places your heart has ever known.” Kudos Ilocos Sur National High School! Aim high, fly, soar,.
Thank you very much. God bless us all.
