IBA KA BOY!!! UP Summa Cum Laude's Valedictory Address That Won’t Inspire You

Summary

In this graduation speech, the speaker shares their personal journey of overcoming financial instability and becoming the first in their family to graduate with honors. They challenge the notion of being an inspirational story, instead advocating for systemic change to dismantle barriers that force students from marginalized backgrounds to work harder for education. The speaker calls for an equitable society where quality education is a right, not a privilege, and urges fellow graduates to demand better public service and hold leaders accountable.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker is a proud first-generation university graduate, achieving the highest academic distinction despite financial struggles.
• 💼 At 18, the speaker began working multiple jobs to support their education and family, highlighting the financial instability faced by many students.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The speaker took on the role of the family breadwinner at 20, emphasizing the burden of responsibility many young people face.
• 🌐 The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the speaker's family's financial situation, illustrating the impact of global crises on individual lives.
• 🤔 The speaker questions why education, a fundamental right, is not accessible to all and is often treated as an exceptional achievement for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• 🔨 The story serves as a call to dismantle societal barriers rather than being a standard for success, advocating for systemic change.
• 😡 The speaker encourages feeling discontent and frustration towards the system that requires students to work excessively hard for an education.
• 📚 The digital divide is highlighted as a significant issue, with the pandemic's shift to online learning exacerbating educational inequality.
• 🌟 The speaker rejects the idea of being a role model, asserting that no one should have to endure the same hardships just to get a diploma.
• 📉 The script discusses the importance of public service and the need for a resilient and dedicated approach to addressing societal issues.
• 🌱 The speaker advises not to always look for the silver lining in struggles, as recognizing and challenging systemic problems is crucial for progress.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial career at the age of 18?

The speaker began working as a call center agent for a BPO company at the age of 18.

How did the speaker support their family during the COVID-19 pandemic?

The speaker became the breadwinner of the family at the age of 20 when the pandemic caused both the father and the older brother to temporarily lose their jobs.

What academic achievement did the speaker accomplish at the University of the Philippines?

The speaker became the first University of the Philippines graduate in their family and received the University's highest academic distinction.

Why does the speaker feel uncomfortable being an inspiration to others?

The speaker does not want to be an inspiration because they believe that no one should have to endure the same structural barriers they faced to get a diploma.

What does the speaker suggest as a reaction to their story instead of inspiration?

The speaker wants listeners to feel discontented, frustrated, and even disgusted towards the system that requires students like them to work harder just to attain an education.

What is the speaker's view on the current educational system?

The speaker views the current educational system as one that perpetuates class inequalities and makes quality education a privilege rather than a right accessible to all.

How does the digital divide affect educational outcomes according to the speaker?

The speaker believes that the digital divide leads to significant differences in educational outcomes, with privileged students flourishing and underprivileged students falling behind.

What does the speaker advocate for in the education sector?

The speaker advocates for better public service and education sector reforms that address the inaccessibility and ensure equal chances for all students to finish their degrees.

What perspective does the speaker suggest when looking at the struggles of Filipinos?

The speaker suggests adopting a 'half empty' perspective to recognize systemic root causes of problems and to hold leaders accountable.

What message does the speaker have for those entering public service?

The speaker encourages those entering public service to be critical of the status quo, challenge the perpetuation of inequalities, and strive for a system that provides equal opportunities for all.