The finish

It is finally the turn of the University of the Philippines Cebu to hold its commencement exercises today. I feel that it is particularly special, ending the academic year very close to the middle of the month. Once again, the university grounds will be filled with students wearing ecru, donned in the highly-coveted sablay. While it signifies the end of what has been the past four years, it is also a reminder that they will soon begin a different chapter in life.

One particular new tradition today is called the "Panugon", where university officials will leave reminders to the graduates as they pass through the monumental Administration Building. They are received on the other end by the barangay captains of the two villages where the campus sits, symbolizing that they are now part of the larger community beyond the university gates. It is more than just welcoming them as they transition into a new stage of life. It becomes an act of commitment to the nation that honed them, reminding them that learning does not stop with a diploma and that service does not end at graduation.

The most obvious question for every graduate, really, is how? How do they move forward from here? By tomorrow, they will still be flustered by everything that transpired and busy looking back on their memorable graduation ceremony. Once that has settled, they will be left wondering what steps to take next. It may be finding a job, applying to another university for higher education, or maybe taking a month's worth of rest to recover from the mental exhaustion college has induced. Regardless of the choice, this I know should be the guiding principle: it must serve the people. Time and again, these graduates are reminded that it is the Filipino people who made their education possible.

For those who think that investing in tertiary education is a waste of taxpayers' money, then maybe you have got it all wrong. It is exactly why a portion of our taxes goes to the national treasury --to fund education and help build the next generation of critical thinkers. They are expected to use that education to their advantage, even if it means challenging the status quo. This may be difficult for some to accept, but it is also a necessary wake-up call. A protest is not a stupid act, but a demonstration of one's right to expression. To feel enraged by the current system may not even fully explain why people choose to speak out. Sometimes, questioning what is wrong is the very first step toward making things right.

I leave the graduates with a challenge: ensure that the steps ahead are filled with gratitude instead of spite. The world is not all glitz, nor is it a walk in the park. It will be harsher than college ever was, and there are no semestral breaks waiting after every difficult season. Once you are ready, head out with an open mind and an open heart. You got this, Isko. Congratulations.