3.25.2006 | 8:39 PM


Turnover Speech

... current music: 3 Doors Down - Be Somebody.

(Edited version ng speech... Pero wala namang nagbago sa essence.)

I have always rooted for the underdog. With the exception, perhaps, of Manny Pacquiao and Stone Cold Steve Austin, rarely have I cheered for the crowd favorite. I did not watch Samurai X because of Kenshin Himura, but because of his unbelievably strong (and in accordance with the stereotype, a bit stupid) sidekick Sanosuke Sagara. Michael Jordan could score 50 points in a game, but it was the three-pointers of Jud Buechler and Steve Kerr that made me a huge fan of the Chicago Bulls. I could go on and on with more examples, but to cut the story short, as Manu put it in his convocation speech, "I am for the ordinary man."

You might be asking yourselves, "Why root for the underdog, when it's so easy to go with the fan favorite?" The answer is simple, really. Underdogs have something to prove; favorites do not. Underdogs are easier to please and motivate. And more often than not, the underdogs are the ones who exceed expectations.

My successor before you today is an example of the people I have always rooted for. He is an underdog. And I believe that has been the trademark of our beloved committee. MemCom has always been a committee of silent workers and roleplayers. And this is what made me fall in love with this committee right from the start. Mami-miss ko most of all ang mga commeet namin na nagmumukhang lamay... Although recently nga ay nagiging parang 15-minute break na s'ya. In my 3 1/2 years sa MemCom, I have encountered, enjoyed, and loved its various personalities and characters. And I assure you, there are only two types of people in this committee: those who deserved recognition, and those who deserved recognition but did not get such. These are the people who did not quite have JPIA as their lives, but have contributed their time and effort in service for this org.

And so, from the bottom of my heart, I apologize to these unsung heroes... ang pinakamalabong MemCom co-chair na si Yhca... last sem FP people, "tanders" D-Max, Mei and Karina... veteran PEP co-chair Jacob and COMELEC chair Lynne, our latest recruits... to the oldest MemCom co-chair last semester (oo, matanda na s'ya), everyone's nanay and kid sister at the same time, Ivy... my partner in crime, former FP Log Head and MemCom co-chair, and the Logo of UP URK himself, Momon... my best friend and ka-dynamic duo sa MemCom, five-time EB plus ConstiCom Vice-Chair, former Mem Chair Germee... and one of the most talented and hardworking people I have had the privilege of working with; and most importantly, one of the kindest people I have had the honor of being friends with, former MemCom co-chair and SAG Chair Jihan. I apologize if it seemed that JPIA did not value your contribution... I apologize if it seemed that you were forgotten... I apologize to all of you, because you did not get the recognition that you deserved.

In behalf of MemCom, I apologize humbly for our shortcomings. And in behalf of JPIA, I thank you profusely for being part of this organization.

Going back to your incoming VP... I remember what former VP for Liaison, Anton Ng, told his successor, John-Drew Reyes, during their turnover ceremony. Sayang at nag-EO ka agad. Sayang ang isang taon na nakapag-EB ka sana. Mami-miss mo 'yung mga gabing nakikipag-bonding ka lang 'pag planning sem, nakiki-chismis sa iba at nakiki-intriga... Basta 'yung mga bagay na nagagawa ng EB lang at hindi ng EO (although...). Even though there is also that feeling of regret, the more overwhelming emotion is of pride. Pride that you found it in your heart to step up... Pride that I have helped, in one way or another, instill in you the passion to serve this org... And lastly, the pride that I have witnessed the birth of one of the greatest underdog stories JPIA has ever seen. And I encourage you to write that story well... So that when you look back at the end of this great journey, you can be as proud of yourself as I am of you right now.

To Richard, the incoming VP for Internal Affairs... Congratulations and God Bless.

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What they say
What they know
What they think won't ever bring me down
This life is mine and I am my own

'Cause I'm trying to be somebody
I'm not trying to be somebody else
This life is mine I'm living
Don't you know me
I won't ever let you down
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