Catching a Prince

Chapter 34 - Congratulations

CONGRATULATIONS

"Our principal, Mrs. Nerissa Botor... our distinguished guest speaker, Congressman Ramon Villegas... dear teachers... beloved classmates… parents…  and friends... a pleasant good evening to you all..."

Si Mike iyon. He's doing his salutatory speech on stage. Graduation day namin noon. Lahat ng senior students ng Santo Nino High ay nakaupo in their proper places sa auditorium ng school. Lahat kami, masaya and excited.

"Today marks the end of a journey in this beloved institution," sige sa speech niya si Mike. "For four years, we have been together through thick and thin, through hard work and fun, through laughters and tears..."

Napapa-smile ako sa mga words ni Mike. As far as I know kasi, siya mismo ang sumulat ng speech niya na yon. I even heard it several times when he was practicing it. Magaling siya talaga when it comes to writing and speaking. Actually, mas matalino talaga siya kesa kay Joy na naging class valedictorian. Lahat ng teachers and students sa Santo Nino, naniniwala na he should be the valedictorian. Proven kasi yung talino niya by his number of quiz bee victories, at siya lang sa batch namin ang nakapasa sa U.P.

"In this journey, we have shared our lives to each other, learning to respect, to have faith on, and to love one another in the process. Who can say that he completed high school on his own? No one can. We survived because we were together. We emerged as victors because we are one..."

Pinagmasdan ko si Mike as he spoke on stage. I was telling myself, ang lakas talaga ng dating niya. A handsome face, an attractive physique, impressive brains and talents, pero most importantly, boyfriend ko siya. He's mine and mine alone.

"Sixty days from now, I will be stepping on the grounds of a new and bigger institution. I will be starting on a new journey, a much more difficult one. But remember this, my friends, without the lessons that I learned when I was with you, I will never make it. You made me what I am. You'll be part of what I'll become..."

Touching naman, I told myself. Sa dami kasi ng dinaanan namin ni Mike, parang napaka-sweet pakinggan yung mga words na yon. Although about high school education yung journey na sinasabi niya sa speech, parang naire-relate ko iyon sa lovelife namin. "I'll be with you, Mike," napabulong tuloy ako. "We will make it together..."

"And so I would like to give thanks to the people who were instrumental in the success of my journey. Actually, all of you were part of it. But these guys, they did a lot of self-sacrifice just to see me through..."

Nagtaka ako. For all the speech practice na ginawa ni Mike in front of me, hindi ko narinig yung part na yon. I wondered, idinagdag niya ba yon? And why isn't he looking at his cue cards? Don't tell me, impromptu yung part na yon ng speech niya?

"To my father, General Reynaldo Laroza, who taught me everything I had to know. Thank you so much, Tay. I may not be as tough or as disciplined as you are, but this I promise you-- eight years from now, I'll be a doctor, and I'll make you proud..."

Napalingon ako sa seats ng parents ng mga graduates. I saw General Laroza there. Naka-smile siya, todo-todong smile. Obviously, proud na proud siya.

"To my mother, Mrs. Carmen Laroza, who gave me life and took care of me from the moment I was born to this world. Thank you so much, Nay. Although we never say endearing words at home, I want to tell you now, I love you so much..."

Napatingin ako kay Mrs. Laroza, katabi niya si General. There were tears in her eyes. Napaiyak siya sa sinabi ni Mike.

"To my sister Gelay and my brother Gab, who were my partners in everything at home. Thank you, Bro, Sis. And goodluck. Next time around, you'll be doing a speech like this in this same auditorium..."