Ring Hop, Hooding and Pinning Ceremonies 2019

Valedictory Speech Alvin Velasquez

Good morning, fellow graduates. It is my honor to give a speech to this graduating class of 2019. At the end of this ceremony, we will be leaving our footsteps in our alma mater and taking another step towards our dreams in life.

Despite we have encountered lots of challenges during our days in college; we are here today, wearing togas and caps. It is remarkable to remember how we have overcome those challenges because those make us strong and defined us as who we are today. Challenges make us discover more about ourselves and our capability to respond to hardships in life. And I know you would agree with me, that each of us sees it differently. Personally, I see every challenge, as difficult. Probably, some of you would share my thoughts, others see the other way around.

Whatever challenges and problems we faced, we always have these questions in mind. "How can I overcome it?" “What will I do to solve it? These will always be the questions that come out first.

"How can I overcome it?" Every time we ask this question, doubts will follow. Some people would say, I cannot do this or that because of these and those. What if I will fail? What if I will be scolded? Sometimes, these doubts prevent us from proceeding to the next step. It locks us in, making an imaginary prison. However, negative thoughts or doubts can be turned into positive ones. You just have to find the cause of what hinders you to do this or that. Next is to find ways in overcoming these challenges or problems.

Every challenge and problem has its own ways to be overcome. We should seek for these ways and we shall find them. We are the ones who should seek solutions. If we act and make a move, we will accomplish something.

Similarly, during our college days, sometimes we seek some help from our classmates or other people in order to finish a task. Seeking solutions together makes the challenge to be easily completed. In the same manner, some of us here might have experienced college life differently especially if they are experiencing financial difficulty. For example, they worked part-time in fast food chains, engaged in small businesses, or worked as working scholars. Despite all odds, they have made the right choices and have done sacrifices to continue pursuing their dreams in life. And I praise them for doing that. And now, we are here in this ceremony, celebrating the culmination of what we have accomplished. Today’s event propels us in moving forward. It serves as the fuel that keeps us running in facing our challenges and problems.

Special thanks to my parents who unselfishly offer their sacrifices just to send me to school. Thank you ma, pa. 

Valedictory Speech (Mr. Lester Rasonable)

Distinguished Guests, CHED Director, Dr. Freddie Bernal, CTS

President, Ms. Candice Gotianuy, CTS Vice President, Atty. Nendell Hanz Abella, Exec. Asst. to the Vice President, Ms. Ana Lou Navaja, TechVoc Director, Dr. Eugene Ynclino IV, faculty, fellow graduates, parents, friends, ladies, and gentlemen, good morning.

“ Should I give up? Or should I just keep chasing pavements even if it leads nowhere”? My life was once compared to this famous song. Everything seemed to be uncertain and full of questions.

I didn’t have a normal childhood. I learned to walk at two years old due to my clubfoot, and it saddened my family so much. But, with God’s love, he allowed me to walk normally.

In my elementary years, I was never serious in my studies just like any other ordinary kid. I had uncountable truancies not to mention other offenses in school. In short, I never had a dream. So, it was like traveling on pavements that lead to nowhere.

However, after my high school graduation, I started to form that dream and I felt the need to do something to make that dream a reality. Thus, I started to step foot on the first step of my journey.

From my hometown in Leyte, I traveled alone, trying my luck here in Cebu City, a place that is a total stranger and unknown to a 16-year-old kid.  I was almost empty-handed back then, with only a 500 peso allowance in my pocket. Yet, it didn’t stop me to reach my goal because I knew that I was not literally ALONE… I had my family on this journey.  

My father was an alumnus of CTS-C and he wanted me to get my degree from the same school. Without hesitation, I made a decision. And this DECISION makes a lot of difference in my life now.  

Fellow graduates, we may be living a life full of uncertainties but what matters most is to set goals to make things certain. But, if we will not put a deadline to our goals, it will just remain a dream, beyond our reach.

However, being here now on our graduation day shows that we set goals and we successfully met its deadline. So, I extend my sincerest congratulations to all of us. Only, we need to be steadfast and to continue what we have started because the real challenge in life is yet to come.   

Graduation brings mixed emotions. It is a time to put an end to our hard life in school: no more promissory notes, no more stretching of allowances just to sustain for the next days, no more project deadlines, no more research, no more group works, no more SAFETY FIRST signage, no more terror professors. Yet, all of those shapes us to become better individuals, well prepared to face challenges in the real world.

Graduation is also a time of tremendous joy and overwhelming happiness: parents cry seeing their children marching on stage with pride receiving their diplomas, teachers take pride watching their students develop holistically, classmates smile feeling fulfilled for the uncountable memories they shared together with their classmates. All of these are great highlights in our lives that help us become what we have become today.

Life can also be compared to sailing. I remember the saying “We cannot direct the winds, but we can adjust the sails.” Adjusting our sails means making choices. Often, these choices are not easy, but ultimately, it’s easier than trying to change the direction of the wind. In life, we make choices every day. Sometimes, we make them consciously with a good thought, but more often than not, we make them without solid thought.

Fellow graduates, this proves that what we will become in the future, will depend on what we are doing with our lives today. We may depend on others, but at the end of the day, the one who would “adjust the sails” would still be US.

I would also like to thank the people behind my success. I am forever grateful for the contributions you made in my life.

Special thanks to my mentors, teachers, and fathers, Engr. Ferdinand Batayola and Mr. Peter John Rosario. Thank you for the knowledge and guidance.

To my CTS family, thank you for providing me quality education to make me globally competitive. Without a doubt, I can say that Father knows best.

To my classmates and friends, thank you for the memories. I am forever indebted to you especially that you provided me when I had nothing. Thank you for correcting me at times as well. It made me realize that I am not perfect.

To my relatives, thank you for the support and inspiring words which motivated me to strive more.

To my family, my parents, and my siblings, thank you. You are the reason why I am here today in front of you. Your continued support, undying love, and generosity pushed me to continue my journey even if I was about to give up.

To all those who are not mentioned here, my heartfelt appreciation. Everything that you did will never be forgotten.

Above all, I would like to thank God for His generosity and Love.

 Fellow graduates, at this point, we may have already found the right path; yet, we should not just sit, we have to walk then build.

Thank you very much and may our ever-gracious God bless us even more.

Opening Remarks

Cendryl Flores

SHS Principal, Dr. Severina Chin, CTS Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Ida Yting, SHS Subj Coordinator (TVL), Engr. Ferdinand Batayola, Administrators, Teachers, Parents, Students, Ladies  and Gentlemen, good afternoon.

We are proud to dedicate this day in recognition to those students who excel academically for this school year.  Congratulations for a job well done. This is indeed a tough year for you since you are the first batch of students who undergo the Senior High School Curriculum. Yet, your medals and certificates prove that you are well prepared for this challenge.

This day may not be the end of your journey because you will still have one more year to finish your secondary education, but we are confident that you will continue to soar high with the help and guidance of the people around you. So, continue your journey to success.

In behalf of the college, let may say thank you for making us an instrument in bringing you closer to the realization of your dreams. In return, we will commit ourselves to give what is best for you because we do believe in the Chinese proverb that says: “Give man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”.

Again, congratulations awardees! To all here present, welcome to this very significant event.

Welcome Address

TechVoc Director ,  Dr. Eugene Ynclino IV, SHS Principal, Dr. Severina Chin,  SHS Subj Coordinator (TVL), Dr. Nova Katipunan, Administrators, Teachers, Parents, Students, Ladies  and Gentlemen, good afternoon.  

I am particularly honored to have been given this opportunity to welcome you all to this afternoon’s special occasion, a celebration of the students’ academic achievement.

In a few minutes, we will give recognition to students who have proven their best in the academic areas as their sacrifices paid off.  Dear students, I congratulate you for your achievement and for the honor that you have brought to the college. Indeed, you serve as inspirations to the rest of us here, especially to your classmates and friends. You are the source of pride to your respective families. Your achievement is not only yours, but also theirs’.

However, there may be still a lot more challenges that may come your way as you journey in life yet; your achievement now has given you a good start. To those students who have not yet excelled, don’t be discouraged. There is always a perfect time for things.

Lastly, awardees, always remember that the whole CTS community is so proud of you and we are hopeful that you will continue to bring honor to our dear alma mater. Congratulations again and to all here present welcome to this very significant event.

Closing Remarks (Math Sayaw)

Exec. Asst. to the Vice President, Ms. Ana Lou Navaja, TechVoc Director, Dr. Eugene Ynclino IV, SHS Principal, Dr. Severina Chin, SHS TVL Coordinator, Dr. Nova Katipunan, Faculty, Students, Ladies and Gentlemen good morning.

I really appreciate the opportunity that has been given to me now to express a few words before the closure of this event.

First, let me offer my sincerest congratulations to all the teachers. I know that like me, you are so proud watching your students performed on stage as well as received their awards. Thank you for patiently teaching these students and making their stay in our school memorable, enjoyable and fruitful one. With that, I believe our teachers deserve a round of applause.

It is also timely, to express our appreciation for all the support of the administration to give the best for the students.

May I also extend my admiration to the organizers of this event and to all those, who, in one way or the other contributed to the success of this morning’s gathering.

Lastly, in behalf of the college, let me congratulate all the top achievers who received recognition today for a job well done. Your sacrifices paid off. May you continue to be an inspiration to others. 

Thank you everyone for taking part in this significant event.

Valedictory Address

Valedictory Address

Ivan Carcallas

May 2012 has left a very significant mark in my life. My unexpected journey in CTS-C has begun. But, why is it unexpected? I will show you why....

Wala gyud nako damha nga nahimung hi-way ang awaaw nga eskina nga akong ginasubay. Kinahanglan nga ako ning latasun aron maabot ko sa akong padulngan.  Kana nga  dalan mao ang akong giagian hangtud naabot ko karon dinhi sa akong destinasyon.

My memory in May 2012 is still very fresh on my mind, making me remember its minute details/ on the circumstance that completely changed my life. One day, I and my mother spent a two-week- vacation/ in my aunt’s house here in Cebu.

Ang among tuyo anang higayuna kay pagpahungaw ug paglikay una sa pagpanastamas sa kinaadman, daw maglayag pahilayo sa yuta sa sultan sa pangurap padulong sa langub sa sultan sa kahayahay ug kalipay. Lumad ko nga taga Bukidnon, apan ang nobenta porsento sa akong pagkatawo didto na nahulma sa Bohol.

But, how did I get here in CTS-C? At that time, I didn’t have any plans yet/ of my college education: there was no particular school, there was no particular course...all was vague...all was unclear... especially/ that to study in college is expensive.

Fortunately, on the 3^rd week of May, when we were walking heading to Pier 1/to catch up for our trip going back to Bohol, we met Dr. Marlon Montecillo. He happened to be the childhood friend of my aunt. He and my aunt talked for a while/ while I was just patiently waiting for them. To my surprise, Dr. Montecillo asked me/ if I would like to apply as a working scholar in CTS-C/ because he was the vice president at that time. I was overjoyed. I didn’t expect that opportunity to occur. My answer was definitely yes/ because that would be the stepping stone/ to the realization of my dreams.

However, the happiness was immediately replaced/ with worries and second thoughts. I and my mother needed to be in Bohol for an equally important matter to attend/ that’s why we were in a hurry and the interview would also fall on that day. So, I need to choose/ and make a decision that would not make me regret it in the end.

Tuod man, ako ning gihinuktukan, gitimbang timbang kun unsay angay nakong buhatun labina gyud nga wa pa ko sukad nahibuwag sa akong inahan.

To help me make up my mind, my mother decided to go home alone/ and she left me under my aunt’s care/ so that I could work on my application. I had mixed emotions. I was happy about this opportunity, yet I was sad because I would be away from my parents in Bohol.

Pero mas nagpatigbabaw ang akong kahinam nga aduna nay katumanan ang akong mga pangandoy para mahaw-as mi sa kalisod. Kaniadto, dako ko nang kalipay kun makakaon ug chorizo kausa sa usa ka bulan. Yes, our life in Bohol is really tough. Because of this, I decided to stay for this once of a lifetime offer.

Luckily, I was accepted as a working scholar, so I would start the next day. I gained the scholarship, but I lost the chance to go home to my hometown/ as we agreed before my mother left. This made me realize/ that to succeed, sometimes I need to choose...I need to make a choice...and I am proud to say/ that at that moment/ I have finally made MINE.

That significant choice/ gave me a chance/ to be in front of you this morning. So, I would like to take this opportunity/ to express my sincere appreciation and gratefulness/ to the people who support and help me become/ what I have become today.

To my family, (my parents, my aunt, and my relatives), I am forever grateful for your support and help. You are my inspiration to achieve this recognition today. You are the reason/ why I was able to overcome/ all the struggles in life. When I was about to give up, just a thought of you, gave me the strength to keep me going. Thank you.

To my CTS family, (Atty. Go, Ms. Candice Gotianuy, Dr. Montecillo, CTS administrators, faculty, staff, maintenance, and security), no words can describe/express my appreciation for all the things that you have done/ while molding me to become a better person. You made me see/ that the meaning of the word IMPOSSIBLE/ only applies to people/ who miss trying again after failing.

To my friends, both those who show superficiality/ and those who show sincerity, thank you. You made me experience/ what it is like to be exposed to different types of friends/ and how to deal with them. Thank you for being part of my life. I will definitely treasure/ all the memories we have shared together.

To my working scholar buddies, please always put in mind/ that we are taking our college education/ with free tuition fees and other miscellaneous fees. So, our way of paying back the school/ for this rare privilege/ is our sincere and true service/ as well as dedication to our work. The school has given us the responsibility/ that could make us grow with ample knowledge, well-rounded skills, and the right attitude.  So, we should not fail them. My buddies, if I finish as an achiever, I am confident/ that you can do the same as well.

To those who are not mentioned here, please do not think that I forget you. Your contribution to my success will always be remembered; it may be big or small because I believe that big things start with small things.

Lastly, on behalf of all the graduates, let me express my sincerest appreciation to all the parents who are present here, benefactors, and the CTS family for providing us the right path leading to our brighter future. Once again, thank you, and good morning.