Major in English valedictory address “Lang?” - Mariyela Mari Gonzales Hugo, Cum Laude, BSED

Summary

The commencement speaker reflects on the challenges and societal perceptions faced by those pursuing careers in education and the arts. They emphasize the importance of individual passions and strengths in choosing a profession, countering the notion of 'lung' or lack of value in certain fields. The speaker encourages graduates to embrace their chosen paths, acknowledging the sacrifices and dedication required, and to contribute to society with their unique talents and skills.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The commencement speaker, a graduate with a Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English, shares personal insights on choosing a career path.
• 🌟 The speaker initially aspired to enter health sciences but reevaluated due to a lack of long-term interest and passion.
• 🗣️ Strengths in communication and a love for teaching led the speaker to pursue a career in education, despite societal pressures and stereotypes.
• 💭 The script challenges the notion of 'lung' (Filipino for 'just' or 'only'), arguing that every profession has value and should not be undervalued.
• 👨‍🏫 The importance of teaching is highlighted, emphasizing its noble nature and the fulfillment derived from shaping young minds.
• 🎨 The speaker advocates for the recognition of the arts and their significance, despite the financial struggles artists may face.
• 📢 The role of communication professionals is underscored, emphasizing their critical function in informing and shaping public opinion.
• 🤝 The speech encourages graduates to embrace their individual talents and skills, contributing to a diverse and supportive society.
• 🚫 A call to action to not let others define the value of one's profession and to resist the pressure to conform to others' expectations.
• 🙌 The speaker concludes with a message of gratitude to the university, professors, classmates, and family, and an encouragement to graduates to be brave and strive for greatness.

Q & A

What is the meaning of the term 'lang' as used in the commencement speech?

The term 'lang' is a short term for the Filipino word 'la man,' which means 'just' or 'only.' It is used to express limitations and a lack of something.

What was the speaker's initial career aspiration before choosing education?

The speaker initially aspired to work in the field of health sciences, considering becoming a doctor or a pharmacist.

Why did the speaker decide to pursue a career in education instead of health sciences?

The speaker decided to pursue education because they realized they would not be happy or interested in health sciences in the long term. They considered their strengths and interests, such as being talkative, proficient in English, patient with kids, and enjoying helping others learn.

What challenges did the speaker face in choosing their career path?

The speaker faced challenges such as self-doubt, confusion, and uncertainty about their career choice. They also had to deal with snide remarks from people questioning their decision to become a teacher.

What does the speaker think about the importance of choosing a profession based on one's own interests and strengths?

The speaker believes that choosing a profession should be based on one's own interests, strengths, and what makes them happy, rather than just prestige or financial gain.

How does the speaker view the role of teachers in society?

The speaker views teaching as a noble profession, emphasizing the fulfillment of teaching young minds and helping them grow and develop.

What does the speaker suggest about the diversity of talents and skills in different professions?

The speaker suggests that each profession is incomparable to others and that everyone has unique talents and skills. They emphasize the importance of recognizing individual differences and multiple intelligences.

What message does the speaker convey about the value of perseverance and self-belief?

The speaker conveys that perseverance and self-belief are crucial, encouraging graduates to continue pursuing their passions and not be discouraged by challenges or the opinions of others.

How does the speaker address the issue of people doubting the value of certain professions?

The speaker addresses the issue by advocating for the recognition of the value and need for every profession, and by encouraging graduates to be confident in their choices.

What advice does the speaker give to the graduating class regarding their future?

The speaker advises the graduating class to be brave, continue believing in themselves, aim for greater heights, and to remember that their reasons for choosing their course are important enough to keep them going.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 Pursuing Passion Over Preconceived Notions

The speaker begins by introducing the concept of 'lang' in Filipino, which signifies limitations and lack. They share their personal journey of aspiring to be in the health sciences field but eventually realizing it wasn't their true calling. Through introspection, they identified their strengths and interests, leading to the decision to pursue a Bachelor of Secondary Education, major in English. Despite facing skepticism and doubts from others, the speaker emphasizes the importance of choosing a path that aligns with one's abilities and passions, rather than societal expectations of prestige or financial success.

05:03

🎨 Valuing the Arts and the Role of Communication

In this paragraph, the speaker addresses the struggles faced by those in the arts, who often have to choose between basic needs and their artistic pursuits. They highlight the dedication and creativity of artists, who despite facing financial hardships, remain committed to their craft. The speaker also discusses the misunderstood field of communication, emphasizing the critical role of communicators in keeping society informed and vigilant. They argue that the value of education and other professions should not be measured by monetary gain but by the fulfillment and impact they have on individuals and society.

10:04

🙌 Embracing Individuality and the Power of Perseverance

The speaker concludes by celebrating the diversity of talents and skills that each individual brings to society. They encourage graduates to recognize the importance of their unique abilities and to continue pursuing their passions, regardless of others' opinions. The speaker acknowledges the support and sacrifices made by family, friends, and educators, and expresses gratitude for the opportunities provided by the university. They remind the audience that every profession is valuable and necessary, and that graduates should be proud of their achievements and the paths they have chosen.

Keywords

💡Valedictory Address

A valedictory address is a formal speech given at a graduation ceremony, typically by a student who is chosen to represent their graduating class. In the script, the speaker is delivering the valedictory address, which sets the tone for reflecting on their educational journey and the challenges faced.

💡Commencement Speaker

The commencement speaker is an individual invited to address the graduating class at a commencement ceremony. In this script, the speaker is not only a student but also the commencement speaker, indicating a position of honor and the expectation to inspire and motivate fellow graduates.

💡Filipino Word 'Lang'

In the context of the script, 'lang' is a Filipino word that conveys a sense of limitation or lack. The speaker uses this term to illustrate the reality of facing limitations and the challenges that come with pursuing one's chosen path in education and career.

💡Health Sciences

Health sciences refer to the study of health, illness, and healthcare. The speaker mentions aspiring to work in the field of health sciences, reflecting on their initial career aspirations before ultimately choosing a different path.

💡Education Major

An education major is a field of study that prepares individuals to become teachers or educators. The speaker chose to pursue a bachelor's degree in secondary education with a major in English, which is central to the theme of the speech as they discuss the value and challenges of choosing this path.

💡Multiple Intelligences

Multiple intelligences is a theory that suggests there are various types of intelligence beyond just academic or linguistic skills. The speaker refers to this concept to argue that each individual has unique strengths and passions, which should be valued and developed.

💡Noblest Profession

The term 'noblest profession' is often used to describe teaching, highlighting its importance and the selfless nature of the work. The speaker uses this phrase to defend the choice of education as a career and to emphasize the fulfillment that comes from teaching.

💡Intrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic motivation refers to the internal drive or desire to do something for its own sake, rather than for external rewards. The speaker discusses the importance of following one's intrinsic motivations, suggesting that this is what leads to a fulfilling career choice.

💡Holistic Individual

A holistic individual is one who is considered in terms of their whole being, including their physical, emotional, and intellectual aspects. The speaker argues for the importance of recognizing and valuing the diverse talents and skills that make up a holistic society.

💡Camaraderie

Camaraderie is a sense of friendship and trust among a group of people. The speaker expresses gratitude for the camaraderie and teamwork experienced with classmates, emphasizing the supportive community that is often a part of the educational experience.

💡Unending Grace

Unending grace refers to continuous and boundless mercy or favor. The speaker thanks their family and God for their unending grace, acknowledging the support and encouragement that has been instrumental in their journey.

Highlights

The commencement speaker discusses the limitations and lack of something expressed by the Filipino word 'lang'.

The speaker's childhood aspiration to work in health sciences and the realization that it wasn't the right path.

The importance of considering one's likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses when choosing a career path.

The decision to pursue education based on personal strengths and interests.

The speaker addresses the snide remarks about choosing to become a teacher.

The societal expectation that teachers should not be knowledgeable or wealthy.

The pain caused by doubt and questioning from loved ones about one's career choice.

The existence of 'lung' due to unmet expectations in career choices.

The challenges faced by those in the arts, including the struggle between art and survival.

The role of communication in keeping society updated, informed, and vigilant.

The speaker's defense of choosing education as a profession despite its perceived lack of financial reward.

The fulfillment of teaching and the impact on students' growth and development.

The importance of recognizing individual differences and multiple intelligences in society.

The speaker's call to not let the term 'lung' come from us and to be brave in our choices.

The acknowledgment of the support from the university, professors, classmates, and family.

The final message to the graduates to remember the value of every profession and to continue believing in themselves.

Transcripts

bachelor of secondary education

major in english will deliver the

valedictory address

our commencement speaker

chair of the board of trustees

university officials faculty

fellow graduates ladies and gentlemen

lang the short term for the filipino

word la man

which means just or only

a word used to express limitations and a

lack of something

sounds unmotivating but this is the

reality

that some of us had to face through

college

when i was little i aspired to work in

the field of health sciences

i always said to myself if i become

a doctor or a pharmacist i will always

know what medicine to give

if someone gets sick in my family

i will always know what to do

i always had that dream since i started

grade school

until i finished high school

however i got lost

confused and somehow unsure on whether i

should really take a program in the

health sciences

as time passed by i weighed my options

do i see myself in this field

will i be happy will i be interested in

this

in 5 10 20 years

and the obvious answer is no

during that course of contemplation i

took into consideration

my likes and my dislikes and my

strengths

and weaknesses i know i am talkative

i am fairly proficient in english

i like being with people i am patient

with kids

kinda and i like it

when i help people learn i like it when

i learn

and i will love it if i will be able to

continue learning

with this i knew the path i needed to

take when i decided to pursue education

i heard snide remarks from people

giving them the benefit of the doubt i

thought they were just being concerned

but what does this imply

knowledgeable people shouldn't be

teachers

i shouldn't teach because i won't get

rich from it

who should be teachers then

now how many of you have heard these

lines

from your friends family

and even mere acquaintances

project

even if those lines were jokingly said

it does not lessen the pain we feel

every time we hear those slangs from the

people who are supposed to rally behind

us

to be doubted by our loved ones is even

worse

to hear the words that made you question

your value and your purpose in life

is like a blinding pain you somehow

cannot complain about

why does this lung in different programs

exist is there a set of criteria

that gauges which programs are deemed

worthy and which are not

i believe this lang exists

because our own choices do not satisfy

other people's

expectations if our profession is deemed

unusual impractical easy

or not high paying many people consider

it a lung but our practicality

and prestige the only things to consider

when choosing a profession

i beg to disagree some of those

in the field of arts have to choose

between food

or art materials and survived on

drinking copico 78 on their worst days

coming up with unique ideas usually

exhaust their creative juices

so what they do will never be allowed

their commitment to delivering art for

art's sake

or using it as a medium to express

sentiments about social issues may be

contradictory

but it is anything but now

communication is probably one of the

most misunderstood programs out there

calm people are keen observers

especially when it comes to tiny details

there is no room for lung in what they

do

their roles to keep us updated

informed and vigilant

help us be more responsible in the

actions that we do

and the things that we believe in

education i cannot remember

how many times i've been asked why i

chose

education but my question is

why not education

true the paycheck may be unappealing for

some

but teaching isn't called the noblest

profession for no reason

to teach young minds and to see them

grow and develop into someone they can

be proud of

is some one of the most fulfilling

moments

a person can ever experience

to go beyond the line of duty to make

sure that the students

are both academically adept and also

equipped

with a high sense of morality is both a

duty

and a reward in itself

education long will never measure the

sacrifices

dedication compassion and empathy

that a teacher has

regardless of what other people say

about what we pursue we still chose to

continue

and so here we are

the strength and courage we have shown

is enough to ignite a fire to do what we

love doing

doing what we are best at creates a

diverse world of talents

and skills talents and skills that will

help us

pull each other up while p we are

pulling ourselves

up talents and skills that will continue

to serve this country for its

development and the development of its

people

let us do our part in recognizing the

importance of our individual differences

and multiple intelligences

multiple intelligence exists for a

reason

this only proves that our passion and

aspirations in life

are grounded in our dominant

intelligence

it further shows that each program is

incomparable to each other

one can excel at something other people

may be having trouble with

but that doesn't mean that those people

don't have a knack

for something exceptional too

our intrinsic motivations drive us to do

better in what we do along with the

skills that we can further develop

as we go along the way

there is no superior profession as there

is no

lung profession we should not settle

that the sciences are better than the

arts

or the speakers are better than the

listeners

our different abilities complement each

other

in forming a holistic individ individual

to form a holistic society

moreover let us strive

not to let this lang come from us

because the times may be challenging

but we should never be discouraged by

the lungs

that we have heard

not everyone understands why we chose

our course

not everyone knows the reason why you're

standing here

having gone through rigorous tasks for

four five six

or maybe seven years not everyone has

seen you exhaust yourself to the point

of breaking

only to be able to stand where you're

standing right now

even the passion you once had seemed to

flicker at times

and they didn't know about the moments

when you hit rock bottom

and almost couldn't go back up but you

did

we did whatever your reasons are

they are important enough to keep you

going

be it because of your parents

your passion your friends

or yourself keep them with you

and if you ever trip slide

or bleed along the way cry if you must

but never forget to stand up with your

head held high

reach out for the hands offered to you

but never be afraid

to be your own anchor

all the scars and bruises show how tough

you are

you will never be defined by your

mistakes

because as cliche as this sounds every

successful person out there

has his or her fair share of failures

with this we must thank our university

and the administration for never giving

up on us

and for being our haven for the past few

years thank you to our professors

for they have equipped us with knowledge

we need

for our chosen profession

thank you classmates for the camaraderie

and teamwork thanks be

to the people who came and left

but more to those who believed and

stayed

thanks be to our family for

their unending grace and their sacrifice

and motivation but more importantly

we thank god for his unending grace

so to the graduates of batch 2019

let us remember that every profession is

valued and needed and don't let other

people tell you otherwise

you will never be alone and you should

never feel like one

as tamaras we should strive to always be

brave

continue believing in yourself and aim

for greater heights

thank you

[Applause]

and now to provide a musical interlude

let's welcome the aku koran