The day has finally arrived! The end and the beginning of chapters in my life.
A moment that is worth a king's ransom.
The celebration of unending and unconditional hardwork of ourselves and people who helped us especially our parents.
Sharing excitement, inspirations, tears and laughters for one last time.
An event that can only be happened once in your life.
To hear your name at the stage, walk through it proudly and get your hard-earned diploma.
The precious part of switching your tassel to the right as the sign of being a graduate.
and that finally you can say to yourself "JOB WELL DONE!"
It is a privileged to graduate in the biggest hospitality university in the Philippines with 1000 College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management Students with Degrees in Hotel and Restaurant Management Specializing in Cruise Line, Hotel and Restaurant Management, and Tourism!
The most awaited event every school year... COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES!
How's my intro??? HAHAHA.
Because of excitement I only got 2 hours of sleep.
The ceremony was scheduled to start at 6:30AM, Yes it is a morning ceremony.
They have to divide the ceremony into 2 parts because of the huge amount of graduates especially from the International Tourism and Hospitality Management. So our college graduation is separated to other University's Colleges. Its been always the set-up for the last 2 years.
Left the house with my parents for a 34KM ride going to Philippine International Convention Center in Roxas Boulevard, Manila and reached the place, Quarter before 6:00AM.
JC showing his moral support and presence for his Co-Fullerton Babies.
Meeting up some of my batchmates before entering the venue hall. A small reunion!
Reminds me of Singapore!
Waiving our presence for the ceremony at the Plenary Hall!
Joined the assembly for the marching of graduates.
The honorable mention beside me, CONGRATS!
The venue before starting the ceremony.
And at 8:30AM, the program starts!
The marching of graduates, I'm the sixth person in line! HAHAHA.
The on-going ceremony...
Commencement Speaker, Mr. Victor Alcuaz might be the one of the well-known hospitality personality in the Philippines. A very nice inspirational stories from him, and offered the graduates with a lot of opportunities for the next 5 years in Hospitality Industry in the Philippines especially in Manila. He was involved in two giant hotel chains in the world, Shangri-La and Grand Hyatt as Director of Human Resources and now, he has a company on his own, which offers services in Hospitality Industry like Training and Consulting. He is also acquired as The Bayleaf Hotel's Consultant. Bayleaf Hotel is the soon to open boutique hotel under the university rights.
I was so amazed that he got a lot of company partners in his arms, if i said a lot, its really a lot! HAHAHA. So that's what make me think to stay here for work rather than going back to SG to pursue my hotel experience and career. That's my tentative plan.. HAHAHA.
I never thought that we will be the first batch to go up to the stage.... So nervous, because we dont know what we are going to do up in the stage, and there's a lot of spectators, the university's exco members, deans and professors are there, so no room for mistakes. We didnt attend the practice coz as late graduates we have so many things to do. Its like why do we need to attend the practice if our requirements is still in peril. Makes sense right???
Geezzz... I'm not satisfied with my stage appearance. HAHAHA.
1000 Graduates is a lot!!! And considering that we are the first graduates to be called, we need to wait for 990 students more to be finished. What a boring situation! HAHAHA. Aside from looking to our phones, we are observing each graduates... Oh and making stories out of them. HAHAHA. No harmful intention its just to ease the boredom. HAHAHA. What do we observed?? One guy, wearing a humungous size of toga! HAHAHA. It is sooo BIG! Coz he is big too. HAHAHA. Four students falling in line accordingly have the same height... HAHAHA. And the shocking of all is that, Girls are not allowed to wear pants or slacks.. we saw 2 graduates with very nice long hair and a very feminine look, but we are wondering why they are wearing pants??? HAHAHA. We waited for their names and found out that they are guys! HAHAHA.
And my favorite part, the traditional tossing of caps!! YAHOOO!
We got one missing cap! HAHAHA. Poor thing! The person needs to pay for the cap he/she tossed!
And oh, the one who got it actually askin for the owner but, she/he needs to pay for it! HAHAHA.
Finally, ceremony ended!!! Graduates try to go up fast in the stage!! HAHAHA.
Batchmates, friends and old colleagues.
So after the picture taking, I decided to go home first! Coz my parents are waiting and besides i'm very very sleepy. Since i didnt took my breakfast, i took my parents in Yellow Cab at Mall of Asia for them to treat me my Manhattan Meatlovers 18" pizza with a free 10" New York Style pizza coz its Yellow Cab's promo. BIG TIMMEE! =))
So i can now welcome myself, officially, to the WORLD OF UNEMPLOYED! HAHAHA.
I need to get my transcript and diploma to be released by the school and it will take a week before they release it before i can be able to apply for a job. =)
But before ending this entry allow me to thank my parents for not giving up with my expensive tuition and miscellaneous fees, as well as on my extra fees. I know that seeing me at the stage alone wearing that toga will make them happy. That's why they are against in sending me to other country for my internship because i will fail to join the ceremony. But then, I made an assurance and promise to them that even i pursue my internship, they will see me marching at the graduation. PROMISE FULFILLED.
Thank you to my classmates for being supportive by giving me a yellow pad paper when i forgot to buy some, lending me their extra pen when i lost mine and always reminding me the exams and test dates. LOVE YOU GUYS! HAHAHA.
Thank you to my ever loving college friends for accepting me as a part of the group, influencing me with their craziness, pulling me to difficult situations, spending out my money to nothing and for letting me experience the things i never thought i can encountered.
Thanks to my professors for always putting me in pressure every class time especially on examinations, for putting all the responsibilities in my shoulder, for expecting so much in me, for scolding me, for the wonderful grades you have given me especially to the two professors who give me a 2.50 grade that made it impossible for me to run for any Latin honors, for putting side notes on my test booklet whenever i impressed them, for believing and trusting to my abilities as a student, and for the lessons you have taught me not just subject based but also about life.
Thank you to my Singapore experience & friends for teaching me how to speak Singlish, for teaching me how to be b*tch, for depression, stress and problems, for accepting and appreciating us, for making us a better and mature thinking person, for understanding our weaknesses and childish acts, for making us realize that Singapore is a great place to live.
And of course, thank you to myself, for not giving up in any problems, for trying to fight and resolve my own weaknesses, for understanding every situations and never let my emotions to take over my decisions, for choosing the right paths in my life, and for being great as I am.
=)
