For those of you that don’t know or for those of you that are new to my horizon, I took a training related to medical field, It took me 6 to 7 months to complete the Nursing Assitant/Caregiver training at Nahj Al-Shifaa Training Center (NATC), a centre for learning and development of Nahj Al-Shifaa Medical Complex. My objectives in this training is to continue learning on medical aspect, how to deal with life, career enhancement, and of course, the best of them, to someday, I can take care of my aged parents. I envision to work as well at medical sector though for now it’s just a second priority until time I have to shift and join hospital and medical care companies and hospitals.

I’d been looking forward to this day for a long time! Our graduation ceremony took place at Sofitel which made it even more special last 9 June 2023 officially marked the end of our NATC journey, I became a NATC graduate! We chose “The Dreamers” song as our Graduation Song.

Preparing for Graduation

I started preparations for graduation back in February, designed my outfit, book the schedule of my Escort John Garcia and Noel De Gracia, hire for some barongs for my fellow graduate’s escort. I also made the relevant people aware that I would need support at the graduation ceremony for no reason as a back up. We are aware that this day is full of activities plus a lot of events covering the independence day, so, just in case John and Noel can’t make it, i have some back up plans.

Of course Richard Cabatit voluntarily share his photographer for everyone to cover our ceremony and graduates that something we are thanful. Venz Mula is a pro photographer who also used to be a photographer on many fashion shoot including my modeling career and I am always greatful being an object of his lenses.

In terms of an outfit, I designed my own outfir and created by Emil Besitullo, a fashion designer who roars in fashion industry. I wore many of his creation in runway and also in fashion shoots. Once my outfit was sorted I just had to wait for the day to arrive. And then on the same day of the ceremony, earlier before the ceremony rather, we do the rehearsal to make sure all are aligned with the program sequencing. and take a look a glimpse of our happiest day in preparation.

On The DAy

Time flew by and before I knew it, graduation ceremony had arrived! Everyone are all excited to march on the isle, I see happiness all over the corner of the room. Guests, escorts and visitors are all welcomed by the NATC management and the program begins. It is so meaningful for all graduates especially those given a chance to do such momentous day ever. 🙂

Hey! I recieved  the Academic Excellence award for this training. And I am proud of this milestone of my life. I can say I do deserve this as I know I did my best. It took many hours and hard working to achieve any award. So on, I have to inspire other. During the ceremony, got the chance to deliver my inspirational message, as a real leader, class officer, and academic excellence awardee. Be inspired with my speech below.

“I am honored to speak to you on this momentous day.

When I saw those employers on the stage, I remembered my previous bosses who pushed me to something better job. Not asking me to leave but asking me to learn, mentor me, encourage me, and build me while working under their management. Sometimes because of their kind heart we don’t want to leave the job or stop serving them. One of those days, I asked one of them why I have to learn about something? Was I being incompetent? Then he said no, I want to be a successful leader. And he added “You are a failure leader if you don’t develop people.” At this very moment, once again, from us graduates, our appreciation notes to all employers who is all three – great boss, good mentor, and family provider. Your guidance and advice have been invaluable to us since we joined. We can’t thank you enough for all the help that you’ve bestowed upon us. We salute all of the employers who gave a chance to my fellow graduates and a room for growth and development while working with you.

I’d like to thank the administration and faculty of NATC, for their hard work and dedication on our behalf. NATC students often take their training experience for granted, as just the step between the 9 months and the real world.

Let me share how perfect God’s ways are and guide us to the path we did not expect. One of my friends asked me about supporting NATC’s launch in 2021, by designing a leaflet to be shared on our social media, and yes, I did with just a snap. You may ask why? It’s because I am a fan of humanity advocacies, Career growth empowerment, and naturally drawn to be an educator. So, My visions are co-related with NATC’s vision and advocacies. And so on; for me to remember this, I created the #NATCme hashtag to remind me about resemblance and values of advocacies.

Most dreamers asked me this question. Why being career oriented is essential and how to be inclusive effectively? When it comes to profession, we fail by choice, nor do we fail by ignorance. We often speak up about the lack of inclusion, consideration and the tokenism that still exists.

“If a piece of art is never seen, it never exists. Isn’t it? I am talking about how far you achieved a degree to be accepted for a job. It was the wisdom or philosophy of the career world since its birth. It is the point of recruitment that makes or breaks any dreamer’s job hunt journey, and it is heartbreaking when a dreamer is rejected and loses hope because of their education achieved. We have seen this repeatedly, and it bangs the brutality of the workforce world. We never aim for something better because of self-pity against this wisdom, and at that point we conclude we that don’t deserve a job because of our level in society or degree earned, nor how far education acquired. The truth is, it is about believing, that you are on the edge of something successful and beautiful. Sometimes we are just shaken by trials that make us confused about what we should do for life. Let me remind you about trials.

Trials are like FIRE, it can burn and destroy you, depending on your character and outlook in life. BUT always remember the FIRE that melted butter, is the same fire that hardens steel.

Moreover, we stand by you in this belief. You are a unique individual offering a unique skill that someone, somewhere required for, to complete something therapeutic care that may change one’s life forever and regardless of your education level. This is why NATC exists, and we believe in you.

As the first pilot of my flight on this journey, I do not take one bit of it for granted. So, I thank everyone who has made this training center what it is, and all of you who have supported me and my fellow graduates along the way. We have received an excellent education here, making it far more than a step between the said eight months and the real world but a steppingstone to our futures.

Today, my fellow graduates, we are graduating batch 3, and in the following months, many of us will be starting at those entry-level jobs, that will be the beginning of our careers. Once again, some of us will begin INTERNESHIP on the bottom rung of the ladder. But thanks to everything we have learned so far, I am confident. We will keep climbing like we are on an endless ladder to heights we’ve never achieved. For that reason, I urge you to make sure that you are on the ladder on which you genuinely WANT to be. Remember that, it is your life.

Let me take this opportunity to personally thank the people who made this journey so meaningful and successful. To my fellow graduate who brought me here Mr. “Good Samaritan”, thank you for bringing me here. I lost a Job way back after July 2022 due to Organization re-sizing project. He asked me three times in different scenarios to join him for a training with him at NATC, and I always said no, not because I didn’t want to, but because I worried about my financial stability for this journey. The third time he asked me, I realized that this person had no guts to go to center alone, and he needed someone to boost his interest or create comfort on his first day in the school, so I accompanied him and see where it goes. But suddenly, he paid my partial tuition and paid him later, that triggered my registration, and here we are. Thank you so much, Mr. Good Samaritan, for your encouragement and for pushing me through to succeed.

Carl Jung said, “Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” So, today I remind you all to look into your hearts and be awake before you embark upon a dream that is not your own.

Up to this point in many of our lives, most things have been decided for us. From now on, it is up to us to choose. So be sure to make your choices when you are fully awake, decisions that are informed by your heart and not by what others say or think or even believe.

Our contribution to the world will not be measured by the money we make or the accolades we receive but instead, by how we share our unique gifts with the world. And the only place to find those gifts is to look within yourself.

Before I end my speech. Let me leave you this wisdom:

Find your purpose, pursue it relentlessly, passionately, and loudly. Be persistent and win. If God before you, who can be against you! No one.

Thank you and have a Great afternoon.”

The Graduation Song

Our official graduation song “The Dreamers” by Jungkook featuring Fahad Al-Kubaisi. The song inspires many dreamers around the world. The message means a lot to all of us, the beats means happiness and success. I guess we had it right! And by the way we put our images from the start up to the last day of our training.

It was so lovely to see all my friends and classmates collect sing the song, we have all worked extremely hard over the last seven and it paid off. A huge well done to the batch III!

The Escort/s

It was the best day among the days where my best friends, booked this day to be my escort or let us say parents to march with you on a very special day. Well, considering the place away from home, you only have friends to inspire you, guide you, or even taking care of you. I was so lucky to have these people Kuya Noel and John, and Aboy Bros. But unfortunately they were stuck in a heavy traffic on the costway. To make it short, they didnt make it and the show must go on. Thank God Mr. Jun Taccad brought with him a FilCom member Mr. Wilson and voluntarily march with me and represent guardian for me, we both recieve my academic excellence award. Thank you so much Sir Wilson and Sir Jun.

The Graduation Ball

After the graduation ceremony, the unforgetable moments to socialize and celebrate everyone’s success. Of course with the support of Batch I and II. A night to remember. Everyone enjoy the party and revealing their high fashioned dresses and suits. Amazing nights and a GALA be like party.

After Party

I would just like to thank everyone that has been there for me over the last 7 Months, you have helped me get to where I am today. I wish I could thank you all individually but this post is way too long already.

Thank you to my friends, fellow graduates, My Group 2 (My Second Family formed) during my NATC days and family for always believing in me, for being there for me no matter what and for always supporting me, it means more than you know.

A huge thank you to all of my readers for allowing me to share my journey with you, it means the world to me. Thank you for your constant support. I wanted to share this day with you all as you have been a part of this journey.