Dear
Graduates, If we
look back one hundre years ago, our national
heroes fought against our colonizers. They fought
with bolos and guns, which were largely inferior
to the firepower of the colonizers. They paid
with their lives the high price of our
independence.
We enjoyed our independence
since then, one hundred years ago. But let us ask
the question: Are we really free? In the broader
sense of the word, yes we are. We relatively
enjoy freedom. We have elections. We have our
constitution. We are free to do what we want.
However, in the strictest sense of the word, we
are not. We are not because our freedom continues
tos be restricted by many things. Our elections
are questioned as fraudulent. Our economy is
largely dependent on foreign manipulation.
Dr. Jose Rizal is our
national hero. He is so because he fought not
with hi bolo but with his pen. He fought not with
his bare hands but witht he might of his mind. He
was the brain that ultimately inspired the other
Filipinos to fight for freedom and independence.
As graduates, you are at
the same tract that brought fame to Rizal. May
your graduation serve as a burning inspiration to
aspire for an even higher level of knowlede in
the future.
Congratulations!
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