IT was not a bit surprising that some schools have aptly used “Moving Up” as a new term to refer to “graduation” or “commencement exercises” to signify that a student is now ready to advance to the next level or stage of his life.
Back during our days, graduation meant the end of many sleepless nights and endless study periods of struggling to finish all the essays and projects that were needed to submit before one could proceed to the next school year, and if one gets lucky to persevere, a degree.
But before we could heave a big sigh of relief because school works are finally over and done with, we should never fail to thank many people who matter most in our lives, foremost of whom are our teachers and classmates, especially those who stick it out to become our friends.
On top of our thank-you list, of course, are our dear parents who made all sacrifices to be able to send us to good school so that we would have better and more opportunities and be better prepared to compete in the global labor market.
For many good people I know, however, some of these students would not enjoy the joy of having their parents around to witness the “moving-up exercises” because they are working for other families abroad or even taking care of children other than their very own.
No social media platform could ever substitute for the joy and pride of being physically present for such very special occasions and celebrations in one’s life, and the honor of walking towards the stage and putting some garlands around your children’s neck.
This is the reality of most Filipino families nowadays. Almost every Filipino family has an OFW, or at least a next of kin. Parents are absent on our graduation or even recognition day because they are working abroad so that they can send their children to good school.
So for those who are graduating this year, do not forget to express your deepest gratitude and appreciation to your parents for their unselfish love and countless sacrifices because without them we would not be where we are right now.
And for those who are still studying and have more years in school, do not forget to thank your parents and make the most of the opportunities they have worked hard to provide you with.
Your best gift to them is giving them the honor of seeing you marching for graduation. GLOCAL PINOY/FJ MAGLALANG
