The former mayor of the Municipality of Plaridel, Jocell Aimee Vistan Casaje, and now known to many as “Ate Jocell” was the invited guest speaker on the Virtual 23rd Graduation Rites of the Elementary and 6th Completion Ceremony of the Junior High School Departments, respectively on a joined occasion, celebrated last July 1, 2021 via Facebook and YouTube Live.
According to Ate Jocell, none of us wanted to think that this pandemic could been extended this long, infected millions of people all over the world, destructed the education system and our social life.
“To the graduates of 2021 from LAMS, kindly indulge me as I share some pieces of advice which I feel would help you face the next school year or to your next chapter of life. Para madaling tandaan, itago ninyo and aking advice sa isang grupo ng KPOP na alam kong sikat na sikat ngayon, BTS,” she stated.
She explained the meaning of BTS in her speech as follows:
“B – Be brave. Keep going. School didn’t feel like school at all this year that it was hard to make sense of it. Don’t be discouraged by this. Do not feel defeated by these challenges. You have been through a lot in the fact that you are graduating and moving up this year is actually rewarding. We are here celebrating this milestone only because you were brave and you kept going.”
“T – Trust in yourself. Don’t be afraid to change your mind. Normalize changing your views and opinions about something as you get wider exposure and increased awareness. Our thinking should always change as well as how we perceive tings disruption. Our world constantly changes and will never remain the same.”
“S – Be Strong! Don’t be stressed. It will all work out like most things this pandemic will reach its end. Rather than focusing your attention to what you cannot control, focus on the things that you are good at and that you love to do. It might just open up doors to other opportunities you did not expect.”
She ended up her speech by congratulating the graduates and completers and said to them to show the world what they are capable of despite the challenges of time.