Jethro Sia Modequillo UP Speech

Penilee Grefiel

6 Jul 202411:50

Summary

TLDRJethro, the class valedictorian, delivers a heartfelt speech to the University of the Philippines' graduating class of 2024. He shares three key wishes: to pursue what brings joy, to be open to failure as a part of learning, and to give back to the community. He acknowledges the unique privilege of free higher education and urges graduates to honor this by contributing positively to society. Jethro also expresses gratitude to the university staff, families, and his loved ones for their support throughout his academic journey.

Takeaways

🎓 The speaker, Jethro, is the valedictorian of the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science class of 2024 at the University of the Philippines.
💡 Jethro emphasizes the importance of doing what you love and finding joy in your work, suggesting that passion should have a place in one's life.
🌟 He shares a quote by Pablo Picasso, highlighting the idea that everyone is born with a unique talent or passion worth pursuing.
🧩 Jethro admits to the struggles of balancing academic excellence with the fear of failure, and how it led to burnout and resentment.
🤝 He expresses gratitude for parents who did not impose expectations of success, allowing him the freedom to explore and learn without pressure.
🔄 The valedictorian encourages being open to failure as a part of the learning process, stating that mistakes are evidence of active engagement and curiosity.
🏆 Jethro acknowledges the significance of the University of the Philippines providing free higher education and the responsibility to give back to society.
🙌 He calls on the graduates to use their education to make the nation a better place, reflecting on the generosity of the Filipino people.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Jethro thanks the staff, administration, families, and friends for their support throughout the graduates' academic journey.
👫 He dedicates a special thanks to his family and partner, acknowledging their unwavering support and presence throughout his college years.
🌈 The speech concludes with a message of pride and congratulations to the graduates for overcoming challenges and achieving their degrees.

Q & A

Who delivered the speech on behalf of the graduating class of 2024?
-The speech was delivered by Jethro, the class valedictorian and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science summa cum laude.
What is the significance of Jethro's speech being the commencement address?
-Jethro's speech is significant as it represents the graduating class's perspective and experiences, and it is a tradition for the valedictorian to deliver the commencement address.
What is Jethro's first 'magic wish' for the graduating class?
-Jethro's first wish is for the graduates to do what they love, emphasizing the importance of finding joy in one's work and life.
What quote from Pablo Picasso does Jethro reference in his speech?
-Jethro references a quote by Pablo Picasso: 'Every child is an artist, the problem is how to remain an artist once they grow up.'
What personal trait does Jethro attribute to his love for computer science?
-Jethro attributes his love for computer science to his curiosity, which he describes as the core of his soul.
What does Jethro mean when he says that everyone is born with something inside them worth pursuing?
-Jethro means that every individual has unique talents or passions that are intrinsic to who they are, and these should be nurtured and pursued throughout life.
What is Jethro's second wish for the graduating class?
-Jethro's second wish is for the graduates to be open to failure, suggesting that embracing mistakes and learning from them is crucial for personal growth and development.
Why did Jethro's graduation get delayed by a year?
-Jethro's graduation was delayed by a year because he stopped in the middle of his course due to the pressure he put on himself to succeed and excel without making mistakes, which led to burnout and resentment.
What lesson did Jethro's parents teach him that he is grateful for?
-Jethro is grateful for his parents' lesson of not burdening him with expectations of success, which allowed him the freedom to explore and learn without the fear of failure.
What is Jethro's third wish for the graduating class?
-Jethro's third wish is for the graduates to give back to something they care about, emphasizing the importance of contributing positively to society.
How does Jethro view the role of the University of the Philippines in the lives of its students?
-Jethro views the University of the Philippines as a unique institution that provides free higher education, making it a place where students are invested in by the people of the Philippines, and thus, they should pay it forward in their future careers.
What does Jethro hope the graduates will remember when they look at their degree?
-Jethro hopes that when graduates look at their degree, they will remember the 100 million Filipinos who made their education possible and feel a sense of duty to serve the nation.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 A Humorous Start and Three Wishes for the Future

Jethro Modo, the valedictorian of the Class of 2024, begins his speech with humor, expressing his surprise at being given the opportunity to speak freely. He then outlines his intention to share three wishes with his fellow graduates. His first wish is for everyone to pursue what they love, despite the challenges life may present. Jethro emphasizes the importance of joy and passion in life, quoting Pablo Picasso to illustrate his belief that everyone has something worth pursuing. He shares his own love for science and curiosity, explaining how his passion led him to computer science. Jethro encourages his peers to embrace their uniqueness and use their different talents to solve problems, as humanity thrives on diversity and collaboration.

05:02

💡 Embrace Failure and Learn from It

Jethro shares his second wish: to be open to failure. He recounts his personal struggle with the pressure to succeed and how it led to burnout and delayed graduation. Jethro emphasizes the importance of being forgiving towards oneself and highlights how his parents never burdened him with expectations. He believes that people perform better when they are free from the fear of failure and are allowed to experiment, make mistakes, and learn. Jethro advises his peers not to be driven by external expectations but to pursue fulfillment and growth through their experiences, accepting failure as a natural part of learning.

10:03

🇵🇭 Give Back and Serve the Nation

In his third wish, Jethro urges his fellow graduates to give back to something they care about, particularly emphasizing the unique position of University of the Philippines graduates who benefit from free education funded by the Filipino people. He reminds them of their responsibility to repay this generosity by contributing positively to the nation, regardless of the career path they choose. Jethro expresses deep gratitude for the support from family, friends, and the university staff, acknowledging their vital role in the graduates' success. He concludes by expressing pride in his peers for overcoming the challenges of the pandemic and congratulates them on their achievements.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Valedictorian

A valedictorian is the student who delivers the farewell speech at a graduation ceremony, typically the one with the highest academic achievement in their class. In the script, Jethro, the class valedictorian, is the speaker, and his role is central to the narrative as he shares his thoughts and experiences with the graduating class.

💡Curiosity

Curiosity is an intellectual desire to know or learn something new. It is presented as a driving force in Jethro's life, motivating him to pursue computer science and understand the world. The script emphasizes the importance of curiosity in personal and professional development, as it leads to learning and growth.

💡Passion

Passion refers to a strong emotional connection or enthusiasm for a subject or activity. Jethro encourages the graduates to build a life around their passions, suggesting that doing what one loves brings joy and fulfillment. The script illustrates this through his own love for computer science and the joy it brings him.

💡Failure

Failure is the inability to meet a desired objective or the end of an endeavor without success. In the script, Jethro discusses the importance of being open to failure as a part of the learning process. He shares his personal struggle with the fear of failure and how overcoming it allowed him to grow.

💡Excellence

Excellence is the quality of being exceptionally good or outstanding. The script mentions the pursuit of academic excellence but also challenges the notion that it should come at the cost of well-being. Jethro's speech suggests that excellence should be balanced with self-compassion and a healthy attitude towards mistakes.

💡Burnout

Burnout is a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion, often caused by excessive and prolonged stress. Jethro describes his experience with burnout as a result of the pressure to succeed, which led to resentment and a lack of fulfillment. The script uses this term to highlight the negative consequences of unrealistic expectations.

💡Uniqueness

Uniqueness refers to the state of being the only one of its kind; being unlike anything else. The script emphasizes the uniqueness of each graduate, suggesting that everyone has a distinct set of talents and a specific role to play in the world, which contributes to the diversity and strength of society.

💡Service

Service is the act of helping or doing work for others. In the context of the script, service is connected to the graduates' future roles as professionals who can contribute positively to society. Jethro expresses hope that the graduates will use their education to improve the nation, reflecting the university's motto of 'honor and excellence in the service of the nation'.

💡Generosity

Generosity is the quality of being willing to give in a selfless way, often in the form of time, resources, or help. The script discusses the generosity of the Filipino people who, through Republic Act 10931, have provided free higher education to the graduates, symbolizing the investment in the youth for the betterment of the country.

💡Fulfillment

Fulfillment is a feeling of satisfaction or happiness that comes from achieving one's goals or finding meaning in one's actions. In the script, Jethro advises the graduates to pursue activities that bring them a sense of fulfillment, rather than being driven by external pressures or the fear of failure.

💡Resilience

Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties or to endure hardships without breaking. The script acknowledges the resilience of the graduates who have overcome various challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and other personal trials, to reach their graduation day.

Highlights

The speech is delivered by Jethro Modo, the valedictorian for the Class of 2024 from the University of the Philippines.

Jethro humorously mentions that the university gave him the privilege to say whatever he wants in the speech, joking that this might have been a mistake.

He emphasizes that he doesn't feel comfortable giving life lessons because he hasn't lived enough to do so, but he shares three personal 'magic wishes.'

The first wish is 'Do what you love,' advocating for the importance of pursuing what brings joy, even when life forces choices between passion and practicality.

Jethro shares