Summary
Highlights
Kara David begins her commencement speech, expressing her delight and acknowledging the MSU-IIT graduates. She humorously points out the difficulty of giving commencement speeches, considering the expectation for wisdom and maintaining the attention of a young audience.
David shares a memorable story from a 2015 graduation in Subic, Zambales, featuring an Aeta child named Mawi Liwanag. She recounts how news anchor Mike Enriquez discreetly helped Mawi's family after seeing her documentary, providing them with a carabao to ease their burdens. This story exemplifies her first life lesson: 'If you want your life to be long, learn to give.' She emphasizes that this principle applies to success, wealth, talent, and knowledge – giving back ensures longevity and memory.
Kara David recounts her 2016 trip to Lanao del Sur, where she covered the issue of child marriage. She highlights the story of Omnia Ibrahim, a 9-year-old girl who dreamed of finishing school despite the risk of arranged marriage. David supported Omnia's dream, and Omnia ultimately pursued higher education, now a second-year nursing student. This illustrates her second life lesson: 'Never give up on your dreams,' emphasizing their transformative power on individuals and communities. She also shares the story of Anthony, a child laborer who eventually graduated college with a Political Science degree, further proving the power of education and dreams.
David discusses why she often visits remote areas for her journalistic work, explaining that even in the darkest corners, light can emerge. She learned from the Mangyan people of Mindoro Oriental that 'what is heavy becomes light when many carry it.' She shares how, after a documentary about their struggles, many viewers contributed to building 10 health centers, easing the Mangyan's burdens. She connects this to a student, RJ Castillon, who was inspired by her documentary to pursue medicine in underserved communities, highlighting her third lesson: 'Never give up on people' and the strength of collective compassion.
David concludes by emphasizing that graduation is not an end but a beginning. She encourages graduates to carry the idealism of youth into their service and to remember that they don't need to be wealthy or powerful to bring about change. She reiterates the lessons of giving, perseverance, and supporting one another, wishing the MSU-IIT graduates a 'happy beginning' to their dreams for themselves and others.