Testimonial Dinner – November 20, 2009

My closing remarks that was written by Marynel Avila (Tita Nel for some :p)

 

I have long been looking for this day, to speak before the batch that has been so dear to me, second to my current batchmates of course. (smile)

(serious mode on)

As quoted from one famous writer, every great dream begins with a dreamer. Tonight, as we look around us, we would be able to identify the dream (pause) and the dreamers. Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to acknowledge again the presence of the new Bedan CPAs, which represent the dream(pause) and of the freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and most of all the seniors, which are the dreamers. I am of course included. (smile again)

With an array of talented and high-calibred line up of professors, everyone present here has experienced their own taste of heaven …and hell. We all know that life is not easy for BS Accountancy Majors here at San Beda College. It never was. And I know, it never will. Everyone of us has gone through a lot of adversities – failed grades on major subjects, tough professors, lost friends (those who have the misfortune of being expelled from the program and enroll in another school), almost-zero (or for some of us) no social life - all of these were successfully hurdled by these people (point to the CPAs) and currently being experienced by most of us.

Dreams are the touchstones of our character. As what is stated in the video a while ago, dream no small dreams for big dreams have the power to move the hearts of men. If a little dreaming is dangerous, the cure for it is not to dream less, but to dream more… to dream all the time. Everything starts with a dream. Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning. But of course, catching that dream is never an easy task. You cannot let your dream to forever remain as a dream. You cannot dream yourself into a character, you must hammer and forge yourself into one. Here, we would be able to test the strength of everybody. Many would simply bow their heads to defeat but a few brave-hearted ones would choose to continue…and win the fight. It all would rest on the choice that we would make.

In achieving that dream, we must always remember that no one has a right to rain on our dreams. Like what Jesse Jackson said, "No one should negotiate their dreams. Dreams must be free to flee and fly high. No government, no legislature, has a right to limit your dreams. You should never agree to surrender your dreams." Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. And when you have finally reached your dreams, do not ever forget to thank everyone who helped you. Your friends, your professors, your family, your boyfriend or girlfriend and most especially your batchmates for they are your constant companion in reaching your dreams. Always put in your mind that when we are dreaming alone it would forever remain as a dream but when we are dreaming with others, it is the beginning of reality.