Senator Joel Villanueva gave words of inspiration and advice for the graduating students of the Bulacan State University (BulSU) to not give up on the challenges the country is facing, and to continue building their knowledge even after graduation.
This was Villanueva’s message to the 11,285 graduates as the guest speaker of the university’s 81st Commencement Exercises held at the Philippine Arena recently.
In his speech, the veteran legislator mentioned the challenges that the country’s educational system is currently facing, particularly the low performance of Filipino students in math, science, and reading comprehension compared to other countries based on international findings.
Another challenge he mentioned is dealing with the unemployment situation in the country, and the need for skills training for Filipino workers.
Despite the situation, the seasoned lawmaker advised BulSU’s graduating class of 2022 to “keep on learning” and aspire for lifelong learning to continue the growth of their knowledge and keep up with the changes happening in the world.
“Lifelong learning is important as studies show that knowledge goes back to square one after five years.”
The senator said that lifelong learning is important as studies show that knowledge “goes back to square one” after five years, and it is a way to keep up with technological advancements such as artificial intelligence.
He also shared the hardships he faced as a student at Harvard and his personal tragedy of the recent loss of his mother and sister.
According to Villanueva, these helped shape his character and taught him to never give up on any challenge, which is a piece of advice he gave to the graduating students.
“Never, never give up. Kahit sabihin pa ng pinakamatalik mong kaibigan, o ng iyong pamilya, na hindi mo kaya, huwag kang maniwala sapagkat kaya mo at kaya mong magtagumpay,” he said.
Villanueva also advised the graduates to not let anyone tell them to keep their dreams small.
“Huwag po kayong papayag na sabihin kayo na liitan, paikliin, o papangitin ang inyong mga pangarap.”
“Huwag po kayong papayag na sabihin kayo na liitan, paikliin, o papangitin ang inyong mga pangarap. Hold on to your dreams. Keep on learning. Never ever give up,” he said.
Villanueva also said that his advocacy of improving the country’s educational system continues through the laws that he passed, such as the Philippine Qualifications Framework Act, Excellence in Teacher Education Act, and the Doktor Para Sa Bayan Act.
He also recently filed his priority bills such as the Enterprise-based Education and Training to Employment Act, and institutionalizing the National Employment Recovery Strategy under the Trabaho Para sa Lahat ng Pilipino Act.
