By Mica Elaine D. Ortaliz, Batch Valedictorian of CPU Junior High School – Regular Class

Mica Elaine D. Ortaliz, Batch Valedictorian of CPU Junior High School – Regular Class, delivers her Valedictory Address during the CPU Junior High School 11th Moving-Up Ceremony on March 31, 2026, at Rose Memorial Auditorium.

Deus videt, Deus audit, Deus scit — God sees, God hears, God knows.
Even if no one notices what you’re carrying — He does. Because feeling unseen is heavy, this reminds you that you’re not invisible.

To our esteemed guest speaker, Asec. Leo L. Quintilla,
To our President, Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy,
To the Senior Pastor of the university church, Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian,
To the Office of the Registrar, Ms. Charissa June G. Deocampo,
To the Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Merle Lorca-Junsay,
To the Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Esther Rose A. Romarate,
To the Vice President for Finance and Enterprises, Dr. Florence P. Bogacia,
To the Vice President for Administration, Engr. Dany M. Molina,
To the Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension, Dr. Aries Roda D. Romallosa,
To BGen. Ezra James E. Enriquez (Ret.) of the CPU Alumni Association Incorporated,
To our Principal, Prof. Charlett B. Dianala,
To our Assistant Principal, Mrs. Lilian Rose J. Assesor,
along with our esteemed faculty and staff, proud families, and my fellow Junior High School completers, a pleasant afternoon.

We are gathered here today to celebrate the rewards of our tireless efforts, unwavering dedication, deep passion, and strong faith. Behind this day are countless early mornings, late nights, and silent battles we chose not to give up on. Today, we pause not just to celebrate the end, but everything it took to reach it.

As I look back on the years that shaped me in this school, I remember the countless cramming sessions with friends and classmates, the “bahala na, wala man ta may mahimo, YOLO” mindset we sometimes held onto, the “may quiz ta? Wala ko nagtuon,” and even the moments we feared, “hala, basi mataktak na kita sa honors” — yet somehow, we still made it to the list in the end.

Every school event, every activity, and even the simplest days in our classrooms have left a lasting impact on me. Each memory we created is something I hold close to my heart, wishing I could relive it just a little longer.

In the middle of pressure, deadlines, and expectations, it was the people beside us who reminded us that we were never alone. Because of them, this journey became lighter, warmer, and more meaningful.

Along the way, I learned that growth does not always come easily.

There were moments when I pressured myself to study harder, believing that giving more would always lead me closer to my goals. But instead, I found myself facing academic burnout. It was in those moments of exhaustion and doubt — when I felt at my lowest — that I learned one of the most important lessons of all: that strength does not come from doing everything alone, but from knowing when to pause, to breathe, and to seek help.

In those times, I turned to God, asking if life could be a little less heavy. Through that, I realized that faith does not always remove our struggles, but it gives us the strength to endure them and the hope to keep moving forward.

As we step into a new chapter of our lives, we carry with us not only our achievements, but also the people, lessons, and faith that brought us to this very moment.

As we leave this place, we once called home, we will no longer be the same students who once walked its halls. We will grow, we will change, and we will become different versions of ourselves — shaped by everything we have experienced here.

May we find the courage to pursue our dreams, even when the road is unclear, and the strength to rise every time we fall.

I would like to take this moment to express my deepest gratitude to the people who have walked beside me throughout this journey.

To the Lord, thank You for Your guidance, Your strength, and for always being present in every moment — especially during times when I felt lost, tired, and unseen. You were my constant reminder that I was never alone.

To my parents and brother — Ma, Pa, To — thank you for your sacrifices, your patience, and for believing in me even when I struggled to believe in myself.

To my teachers, thank you for your guidance, your wisdom, and for shaping not only our minds, but also our character.

And to my friends and classmates — Thyra, Zaijan, Laurence, Jasmine, Arthea, Chloe, Kristine, Ashley, Dadan, Isadem, Frenea, Janine, Fidi, AJ, Angel, Mary, and Charles — those who stayed, who supported, and who grew with me, thank you for being my strength in moments of doubt and my joy in moments of success.

Everything I have achieved is not mine alone; it is a reflection of all the people who helped me get here. Standing before you today as your valedictory speaker is not just my achievement — it is ours.

And as we move forward, may we never forget — Deus videt, Deus audit, Deus scit. God sees our dreams, hears our prayers, and walks with us on every step of the path ahead.

We came here as strangers; we leave as family — and no matter where life takes us, we will always carry this home within us. Congratulations, CPU Junior High School Completers Batch 2026.

Thank you, and God bless!