UP Diliman 2025: Jessica Soho's Full Commencement Speech "Eh Ano Ngayon Kung UP Ka?" | Full Speech

Summary

This heartfelt graduation speech reflects on the value of a UP education, its connection to the community, and the importance of remaining grounded and humble. The speaker emphasizes resilience, humility, and service to others, sharing personal stories from a 40-year career in journalism. They encourage the graduates to embrace challenges, ask tough questions, and be disruptors for good. Highlighting the value of relationships, perseverance, and the pursuit of truth, the speaker reminds the graduates that despite the hardships, their journey is one of growth, learning, and impact on society. The speech concludes with a call to action for graduates to take responsibility and contribute meaningfully to the world.

Takeaways

• 😀 Emphasizing the connection between UP and the community, showing that education is not isolated but connected to the realities of life.
• 😀 A reminder to graduates to remain humble and grounded, acknowledging their privilege and the struggles of others.
• 😀 Highlighting the importance of asking questions and never being afraid to challenge the status quo.
• 😀 Acknowledging the resilience of graduates, especially those who endured the pandemic and its challenges.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the importance of relationships and reaching out to those who are different from you for a richer life experience.
• 😀 Acknowledging the ongoing struggles with societal issues such as poverty and inequality, and challenging graduates to be part of the solution.
• 😀 The importance of integrity and never compromising one's principles, especially in the pursuit of truth and fulfilling duties.
• 😀 The speaker's personal journey of perseverance and overcoming difficulties, including losing a parent at a young age and facing initial challenges in education.
• 😀 Encouraging graduates to use their skills and technology for good, while also enduring challenges and persevering in the face of adversity.
• 😀 A call to action for graduates to stay engaged with their university, even after graduation, and give back to their community.

Q & A

What is the significance of the speaker's experience as a reporter in relation to the graduates?

The speaker uses their experience as a reporter to highlight the importance of humility and the value of hard work. They emphasize that work equalizes people, regardless of where one studied or their background, and that UP graduates should remain grounded as they embark on their careers.

How does the speaker link the UP experience to the community outside the university?

The speaker highlights that UP is not an isolated institution but is deeply connected to the community around it. They mention the presence of local businesses and the interactions between UP students and the people who live nearby, illustrating that the university is embedded in real-world realities.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of helping others?

The speaker stresses that helping others is crucial for personal growth and happiness. They reference a lesson from Philippine psychology, where a person's heart is considered beautiful when they care for others, aligning this with the idea that helping those in need strengthens both individuals and communities.

What lessons can graduates learn from the speaker's experience with disasters and calamities?

The speaker shares their firsthand experiences covering natural disasters and conflicts, conveying the message that life can change in an instant. They stress the importance of resilience, community, and survival instincts, encouraging graduates to appreciate the people around them, especially in times of crisis.

How does the speaker view the role of the youth in shaping society?

The speaker expresses hope in the ability of the graduates to bring about positive change, especially as many of them participated in the recent elections and influenced the outcome. They encourage the graduates to use their voices for good, to challenge the status quo, and to continue questioning societal issues.

What is the speaker's perspective on the relationship between work, education, and social responsibility?

The speaker reflects on the privilege of receiving a UP education, stressing that it comes with an obligation to serve the broader community. They remind graduates not to feel entitled but to be humble and aware of the struggles faced by many, emphasizing the need to contribute to society rather than focusing solely on personal advancement.

Why does the speaker focus on relationships and the importance of connecting with others?

The speaker believes that relationships are essential for personal and professional success. They recount experiences where trust and collaboration with others were key to overcoming challenges. The speaker advises graduates to reach out to people from diverse backgrounds and to listen to those around them.

What role does storytelling play in the speaker's career, and what message does it convey?

Storytelling is central to the speaker's career in journalism. They use storytelling not only to inform but also to impart lessons about society, perseverance, and integrity. The speaker encourages graduates to embrace storytelling in their own careers, emphasizing the importance of truth and empathy.

What does the speaker suggest about facing failure and the process of learning?

The speaker encourages graduates to view failure as part of the learning process. They reflect on their own journey, where mistakes and setbacks helped them grow and improve. The speaker advises that perseverance and continual learning are key to achieving success.

How does the speaker use their personal background to inspire the graduates?

The speaker shares their humble beginnings, including growing up without much and losing their mother at a young age. They use this personal narrative to inspire the graduates, showing that despite challenges, perseverance and a strong sense of purpose can lead to success, especially in a place like UP which provides equal opportunities.