SALAMAT, UST!
June 04, 2019
Thank you for being home to me, my beloved, the Royal and Pontifical, University of Santo Tomas. I owe to you some of the best people I've met and some of the best things that happened in my life. Thank you for opportunities of a lifetime I had never imagined I'd be able to do and experience. Wherever I go, I will bring with me all the life lessons you have generously imparted and instilled in me. I will bleed black and gold forever dahil sa'yo at para sa'yo, USTe. Mahal kita.
All the joys and sorrows, losses and triumphs, good days and bad of the past four years culminate in this one grand, joyous graduation day. I prayed so hard for this day— to finally wear that toga and walk down that stage with flying colors. Now that I am here and have successfully earned my bachelor's degree, I am nothing but grateful. More than the bronze hanging down my neck, the exams I aced, presentations I won, campaigns I perfectly delivered; it is the late nights and early mornings, booze and Angkong, meetings and daily whatnot, little things and big moments I've spent and shared with everyone which I am most thankful for. So now, allow me to dedicate this space to the very people who made my stay in UST more worthwhile than I could ever imagine.
To my dearest CA3, my home block, my pride and joy— I have learned to become a champion because of you. Thank you for four years of sweet, little victories. I am forever grateful that I played a part in all of it. I may not be able to speak of it every time, but it is indeed both my pleasure and honor to stand in front of anyone and represent the excellence that is you. The road to QPAV was tough and never easy, but going through the journey with all of you made it fulfilling. Congratulations, my CA3! I am proud of you all. I know we will go places, and wherever we end up in this lifetime, I will bring with me the legacy that we've built and the great memories we've had together. I can't wait to see you all succeed in the field we are most passionate of. I love you all and I am absolutely going to miss you. Hanggang sa muli.
If there is one thing I've learned throughout college, it's this: True friendship doesn't count people. To my favorite boys and girls, Alex, Rafa, James, Ck, and Jamie— you taught me that. I am so proud to have you all by my side. No words can ever express how grateful and happy I am that it is with you whom I've shared all of the requirement-completion, most of the production work, and some of the best days and nights of the past four years. I am thankful that we were able to witness each other's little successes and celebrate it altogether. Every single day with you is every moment of my life I will forever cherish. I have so much and a lot to say to each one of you but let me leave it at: I will choose honor call, dance crave, poin curse, satron paint, rove ranger, dack janiels, and all else in a heartbeat. *wink wink* You have me always. Mahal na mahal ko kayo. Sobra.
If there is one thing I've learned throughout college, it's this: True friendship doesn't count people. To my favorite boys and girls, Alex, Rafa, James, Ck, and Jamie— you taught me that. I am so proud to have you all by my side. No words can ever express how grateful and happy I am that it is with you whom I've shared all of the requirement-completion, most of the production work, and some of the best days and nights of the past four years. I am thankful that we were able to witness each other's little successes and celebrate it altogether. Every single day with you is every moment of my life I will forever cherish. I have so much and a lot to say to each one of you but let me leave it at: I will choose honor call, dance crave, poin curse, satron paint, rove ranger, dack janiels, and all else in a heartbeat. *wink wink* You have me always. Mahal na mahal ko kayo. Sobra.
To my college constants, my college best friends, Jamie and Ck— thank you for keeping up with the crazy that is my life. Thank you for being extra patient with my shortcomings; for staying during my unnecessary mental breakdowns; for being there through all of the highs and lows; for holding my hand during my ups and successes; and holding it even tighter during the many episodes of heartbreaks and losses. Thank you for supporting my dreams in every way you can. You don't know how much it meant to me. I am happy that I have the both of you to eat every lunch with and to run to at the end of every day, because you two are absolutely more than enough. You are the best souvenirs UST had given me. I love you. I am proud of you, Laude's!
Here is a special space for you my beshumz, my thesis partner, THE day one of all day one's— beshie, I love you. College is not college without you. If I had to go through all of it again, I'd still cross the football field with you on our first week in UST. Thank you for staying, Jamie. I got your back the same way you have mine. I can't wait for the time when we'd be so rich and we'd be able to travel the places we have just been dreaming and planning to go to together. Someday, besh!
Let me also share this space with my best(est) friend and my forever person— you are the best, Inky. I could not be more proud and happy that we are still by each other's side as we slowly fulfill and reach our dreams. From elementary to high school, and getting through college together just like how we imagined it to be! I would not want to share more of my growth and my every day with any other girl friend than with you, my sister puks! Here's to going places together. I love you!
AND OF COURSE.
This milestone is a celebration of my Papa and Mama who have been my rock, my pillar, and my true strength in this lifetime. Everything that I am and all that I do is for these two.
Mama and Papa, this is for you. You were the ones who first believed in what I can do and who I can be. That is all and everything I needed to keep going and to come this far. I love you with all my heart, Mama and Papa. One day, I'll bring you places and give you the world. I will never get tired of making you proud.
It feels like it was only yesterday when I was too afraid to live independently away from home. Four years later, here I am, with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Arts and with a rightfully earned Latin Honor. I am still clueless of the way forward and a bit terrified just thinking about how I would go on from here. But this is it. More of life and its beauty and mystery is waiting for me. I can't wait to take on the world and chase the things I love and dream about— for myself and for the very people who truly matter.
I'm out here living my best life, and it is truly just the beginning of it all. I am yet to do greater things and grow into the woman of purpose I've always wanted to be. Wherever these impossible roads lead me, I know I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. On to the next!
DIMACULANGAN, Archelle Mae Yambao
University of Santo Tomas
2015-08****
Faculty of Arts and Letters
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts
CUM LAUDE
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