MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo encouraged on Monday college graduates to “do extraordinary things, strive for excellence and commit to selfless service”.
In her speech at the graduation rites of Our Lady of Fatima University Class of 2018 at the PICC, Robredo underscored the importance of doing what is right through hard work despite uncertainties.
“There are times when a path seems too difficult, when darkness may seem to swallow, when those seek to lie defraud or take power that is not theirs by overpowering the world…when it seems that you’re all alone and no one seems to help. When these things happen, remember this stay at the side of truth and right,” Robredo said.
Robredo explained standing on one’s authenticity involves “hard work, sacrificing convenience, overcoming fears and reservations and believing in inner strength.”
For her, every college student is a story of hope and vessel of light and hope.
“In your heart of hearts may you always have in mind the last, the least and the lost of our brothers and sisters. May they be the reason of your every why’s,” she said.
Robredo also honored one of the graduates, Rudy Labata, who is a cancer survivor and one of the graduating students with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management.
He was helped and connected by a Kythe Foundation, Inc. volunteer to doctors and private individuals who provided for his medications. To pay it forward, Labata became a volunteer and employee of the foundation.
Kythe foundation is a non-profit, non-stock organization that aims to improve the quality of life among hospitalized children with cancer and other chronic illness.