A letter to graduates of 2025

Let me make this clear at the onset: Congratulations to the graduating class of 2025!

- TONYO CRUZ

Congratulations to you for reaffirming and renewing your generation's role even amid or despite a pandemic.

Not a few have given up on you, accusing you of laziness, weakness and "wokeness." When they look at you, they condescendingly say the world is over.

Look at yourselves: You did not give up. You did not surrender. You prevailed.

Those of you from the University of the Philippines graduate with Latin honors, I guess I could speak on behalf of the nation in thanking and applauding you for this stellar personal achievement. The "bayan" in "iskolar ng bayan" is always mighty proud of their most outstanding sons and daughters.

I'm also sure you would agree that the university and the government must reward your success.

Such reward should start with higher budgetary allocation for students, faculty, staff, facilities upgrade, and expansion of UP and other state universities and colleges. No more delays in scholarship stipends and benefits.

But perhaps the ultimate reward is to be given a chance to practice your profession in your own country. This could mean a well-compensated, regular, stable job. Or perhaps full freedom and full state support to start and build a business, join a nonprofit, and pursue revolution in any and all fields.