MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo has urged the youth to dispel the culture of negativism and become inspirations of success amid hardships.
“Let us encourage one another to be good, to dispel anger and lack of respect for each other. As Filipinos, let us face the world with dignity coming from giving big regard to justice and identity of each one of us,” she told graduates of Philippine Science High School – Eastern Visayas campus in Palo, Leyte on Wednesday.
Robredo, who was guest of honor during the commencement exercises, urged graduates to not just be models of academic excellence, saying that being a Filipino is more than just performing in the field of sciences but “exalting the core values which make Filipinos admired by other nationalities.”
In connection with this, she narrated the story of the daughter of an Australian journalist who said she wanted to become a Filipino when she grows up. This, after the girl had watched the 1986 EDSA Revolution coverage of his father.
Robredo also urged the graduates to make it their mission to help those who belong to the marginalized sector nationwide and “to serve the country not only through their scientific inventions but also through their genuine love for the country and its people.”