Bittersweet ang tagumpay ni Rey Matthew James D. Volante, 22.
Summa cum laude siya sa kursong BS Biology major in Medical Biology sa Far Eastern University (FEU) Batch 2022.
Siya rin ang hinirang na FEU Batch 2022 valedictorian.
Inalay ni Matthew ang kanyang tagumpay sa mga magulang na parehong pumanaw sa panahon ng pandemya.
Testimonya rin ang kuwento ni Matthew na hindi hadlang ang kahirapan sa tagumpay.
Post niya noong July 1, 2022, “Bilang laki sa hirap, ginawa kong wika ang pagsusumikap at pagtatiyaga. Buong buhay ko, nangangarap ako.
“My story is the story of the children who have dreams but were deprived of opportunities because of poverty.
“My story is the story of families who were victims of a failing justice system that jails people because they are poor.
“My story is the story of those who have lost their loved ones during the pandemic because they cannot afford premium access to quality and proactive health care systems.”
“Four years ago, I chose to dream. Two years ago, I chose to be brave. And today, I chose to move forward with my head held high."
VALEDICTORY ADDRESS
Sa kanyang valedictory address sa FEU Batch 2022 commencement exercises noong June 30, 2022, inilarawan ni Matthew kung paano lumaki sa hirap.
Naranasan niyang may mga kumakatok sa kanilang pinto at sinisingil ang kanilang utang.
Naranasan nilang magkakapatid na suyurin ang mga tindahan at mangutang para magkalaman ang tiyan.
Nabigyan lang daw siya ng pag-asa nang maging scholar ng Department of Science and Technology at ng FEU.
Pero kakabit noon ay trahedya sa kanyang pamilya. Inalala niya ito sa kanyang graduation speech.
“Just when I thought everything was according to my plans, things started to fall apart. Roughly two years ago, it killed me twice.
“The first time was when my twin brother had fallen victim to a broken justice system.
“He was unfairly detained for a crime he was in no position to commit.”
Hindi na nagdetalye si Matthew sa sinapit ng kambal.
Patuloy niya, “The second time was when both of my parents died during the pandemic.
“Opo inulila po ako ng pandemya. Pinatay ng pandemya ang aking mga magulang.”
Namatay raw ang kanyang ina dahil sa COVID “shortly after my twin brother’s court victory.
“A month after, it was my father. He died of a heart attack.
“My parents died alone. They both died without me being able to see or have them for one last time.”
Iyon daw ang pinakamadilim na sandali ng kanyang buhay.
Pero dugtong niya, “These are also the moments where I shine the brightest.
“I chose to turn my pain into power. I chose to wear it as a brand of armor and shape me to become who I am today.
“Hindi choice ng kapatid to be accused of a crime. It was not my parents’ choice to die.
“But it was my choice to continue with life."
Pagtatapos ni Matthew sa kanyang speech, “Always make your choice matter and be someone who can proudly say, ‘I am the person I am today because of the choices I made yesterday.’”
Tinanong ng PEP.ph si Matthew via direct messaging nitong July 4, 2022, kung ano ang susunod niyang plano, .
Mensahe niya, “Regarding my plans, I am more inclined to work muna for a year and continue being active in the NGOs I am affiliated with.
“But if there is a chance that I will be given an opportunity to have a scholarship and study for free in med school or law school without worrying for my tuition and living expenses, I'll gladly take them.
“At the moment, since there is none, I am taking my time thinking things through moving forward and find a lucrative employment if walang mahanap o ma-offer na opportunity.”
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