mmalabanan
Krisel Mallari was delivering a not-so-typical salutatory address during her school graduation when administrators of her school asked her to end her speech, according to a report by Local Pulse.
Mallari was given the opportunity to deliver her speech during the graduation rites of the Sto Nino Parochial School on Saturday, March 21. But after the incoming University Sto. Tomas accounting student began talking about fairness, a school administrator asked Mallari to end her speech.
“Sa bawat taon na lumipas ay puspusan ang pag-aaral na ginawa ko sa eskwela, naniwala ko sa patas na labanan. Sa pagtatapos ng school year na ito’y isang hakbang nalang ang layo ko sa finish line, ngunit sa pagdating ko rito’y naglaho ang pulang tali na sisimbolo sana sa aking tagumpay, naglaho nga ba o sadyang kinuha?”
Undaunted by the administrator’s order, Mallari continued delivering her address and even discussed about the “dirty and suspicious system”.
Still, this didn’t stop the school salutatorian from getting her message across. It was only after several staff of the school approached the platform that Mallari decided to end her speech and walk away.
The controversial video, which quickly spread like wildfire on social media, has earned criticisms particularly on the school admin’s side. With freedom of speech enshrined in our constitution particularly in Article III Section 4 of the Bill of Rights, teachers and mentors are expected to be the ones advocating for it. In the video, the school administrators used their power to hinder Mallari from expressing her opinion.
Watch Mallari’s controversial salutatorian address.
Here’s her complete graduation speech:
“A pleasant morning to my fellow batchmates, to my teachers, guests, welcome to the 13th Commencement Exercises. Sa okasyong ito ay pinipili kong magsiwalat sa wika na aking kinagisnan, ang wikang Filipino o wikang Tagalog. Taong 2004 ng una akong umapak sa silid-aralan ng eskwelahang ito, upang mag-aral. Ngayon, makalipas ang labing isang taon, ay narito ko sa inyong harapan upang ibahagi ang aking karanasan at magbigay-aral. Sa bawat taon na lumipas ay puspusan ang pag-aaral na ginawa ko sa eskwela, naniwala ko sa patas na labanan. Sa pagtatapos ng school year na ito’y isang hakbang nalang ang layo ko sa finish line, ngunit sa pagdating ko rito’y naglaho ang pulang tali na sisimbolo sana sa aking tagumpay, naglaho nga ba o sadyang kinuha? Maraming tao ang nagbulag-bulagan sa isang sistemang marumi at kaduda-duda. Ngunit di ko ito tinuluran, ipinaglaban ko ang sa tingin ko’y tama, nanindigan ako bilang isang Pilipino na palaban at may takot sa Diyos. Chismis, isang piyesta ng chismis ang inabot ko ng pinagmukha nila akong masama. Ganun talaga minsan, pag umayon ka sa kung alin ang tama, ikaw pa ang lumalabas na mali. Di na nga nila pinakinggan ang iyong hinaing, nakuha ka pa nilang laitin. Kung sinasabi niyong wala akong acceptance, marami ako niyan, pero pano kong tatanggapin ang isang bagay na di naaayon sa katotohanan. Para san pa ang aking dedikasyon sa pag-aaral at hustisya kung di ko naman ito ipaglalaban. Sa kabila ng nangyari ay masaya padin ako, tulad nga ng laging sinasabi sa teleseryeng Dream Dad, “Maganda ang buhay”, kaya bakit ako mag-aaksaya ng oras sa kanila kung mas maraming mas kapaki-pakinabang na bagay ang pwede kong gawin. Ngayon ay may piling indibidwal akong gustong pasalamatan, ito yung mga tao na sumuporta sakin sa kabila ng eskandalo na idinulot ng ipaglaban ko kung ano ang sa tingin ko ay tama. Una sa lahat, gusto kong pasalamatan ang Diyos, isa siyang ama, kapatid, kaibigan na naging sandigan ko sa lahat ng pagkakataon, sa hirap at ginhawa. Sa aking ama, dad salamat, salamat kasi ni minsan ay di mo kami sinukuan, salamat kasi naniwala ka sa kakayanan ko, salamat kasi ipinaglaban mo ko kahit pa sumama ang tingin sayo ng iba, salamat kasi ikaw si Ernesto Mallari, ang haligi ng tahanan na nakukuha paring magpatawa kahit alam ko na sa loob niya ay nahihirapan na siya. Sabi nga sa isang pelikula ni Robin Williams, “You are the world’s greatest dad”. Sa aking ina, isang napakalaking thank you, siguro nga’y madalas akong makulitan sa’yo dahil sa madalas mong pangangaral, paulit-ulit nga siguro ang mga sinasabi mo, pero ma, yan ang tunay na dahilan kung bakit the best ka, dahil di ka tumitigil na pangaralan kami pag alam mong naliligaw kami ng landas. Talaga ngang totoo yung kataga na “Mother knows best”. Sa pinakamaganda kong ate, Ate Kat, salamat kasi ikaw ang pinaka nakakaintindi sa mga hilig at pinagdadaanan ko bilang isang babae, ikaw ang aking selfie buddy, church buddy, at shopping buddy na pinagkakatiwalaan ko ng mga sikreto. Sa napakatalino kong kuya, Kuya Kerwin mainitin ang ulo mo, medyo mayabang ka nga siguro, at medyo tamad mag-aral; pero ang di alam ng marami, busilak ang puso mo, salamat kuya, sa pagturo sakin na manindigan pag alam kong ako ang nasa tama. Sa napaka-cute kong kapatid, salamat Kristine, ikaw na siguro ang pinakamatuturing kong tunay na BFF. Julia, Clang, Katrina, Faye, Dane, Nico at sa iba pa, napatunayan niyo sakin na tama ang katagang “quality over quantity”, siguro nga’y di kayo karamihan, pero alam ko na bawat isa sa inyo ay maaasahan at mapagkakatiwalaan ko, kaya salamat! Sa mga teachers na napalapit na sa aking puso, Ma’am Factora, Mam Calanoga, Mam Amil, Mam Garcia, Mam Restor, Mam Castillo, Mam Acacio at Sir Francis, nagsilbi po kayong pangalawang magulang ko, salamat po. At siyempre pa, sa mga taong bumabatikos at nagbibigay ng negatibong komento sa akin, isang napakalaking thank you, kayo ang dahilan kaya’t mas pinagbubuti ko pa ang pag-aaral, tulad nga ng sinabi ng basketbolistang si Dwyane Wade, “My belief is stronger than your doubt”. Panibagong kabanata ang aking haharapin, bilang isang accountancy student sa University of Santo Tomas. Panibagong hamon na nakangiti kong haharapin. At para sa ating lahat mga kapwa ko graduates, ito’y isang mahalagang kabanata kung saan natin gagawin ang pinakamahalagang mga desisyon sa ating buhay. Kaya naman good luck sa inyo, at good luck din para sa kinabukasan ng paaralang ito. Let me finish this in style and say my last words in the vernacular language of the world. I am Krisel Mallari, a Filipino citizen who would rather choose to fail with honor, than win by cheating. Adios!”
I’m a writer and editor. She is amazing, very down-to-earth. The best speech I ever read – from a teener.
You have to accept your defeat as a valedictorian. Graduation Speech should be encouraging to your listener and not discouraging. There is a proper forum to your grievances regarding your grades in high school. The most important in life is what you are after 30 years because it will measure your output if you really deserve as a salutatorian.
Seriously?! Have you read her speech?! You think it’s about defeat as a valedictorian? And by the way, her speech is not discouraging to the listeners, it’s an inspiration to the world.
Tama. Tanga din itong si CATHERINE LACSAMANA.
Na-accept na nga nya ang kanyang defeat kahit na itoy sadyang ninakaw. encouraging naman ang speech ng bata, di nyo lang matanggap. hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon ay masarap pakinggan ang mga speeches lalo na kung isa ka sa mga tinatamaan ng linalaman nito. mas mainam pa ang ganitong klaseng speech kaysa sa mga pang uutong speech na ginagawa ng karamihan. tama ka catherine lacsamana, may proper forum para sa mga grievances nya, pero yung sinasabi mong proper forum ay binubuo ng mga taong di naman hangdang makinig sa kanyang pinaglalaban. may nalalaman ka pang after 30 years. ngayon palang tama ang ginawa nya na ipaglaban ang kung ano ang sa tingin nya ay tama.
Biktima din ako niyan. Mahirap Lang kami dati kaya hindi kami makasipsip sa teacher na nabili ang valedictorian seat. I admire her. I wish I had her courage…but she is absolutely right…what they did to me made me even stronger..kinalawang na medal ko at wala rin naman kwenta dito sa America ang edukasyon ko diyan.
What do you mean na another forum? Baka enrollment na dipa na bigyan nang action ang problema ng bata. Saludo ako sayo Krisel Mallari, you have the guts to fight for your belief. Naparating mo ang minsahi mo with style. Adios!!
Don’t try to judge the girl. You don’t know the exact story Ma’am.
bitter much??? thats the right way to reprimand teachers who are full of sh***!
I am not quite sure ms catherine if you really understood her speech. Are you blind or so? I don’t see anything in her speech abt “discouragement”. Rather it is encouraging! Please walk me through or pinpoint it where are the discouragement?
HUH! ANO BA NAMAN TONG COMMENT MO Miss Catherine. Nasa Tama siya at karapatan ng nakaka rami na malaman ang totoo. Ang Hindi Maka tanggap Sa Speech niya ay yung mga Tao mahilig pumanig sa di tama. At mga Pakitang tao. Nag comment ka na nga wala naman saysay. Basahin Mo Maigi at dun marealized mo na very encouraging at Para sa pagbabago din ng school sa new generation.. Shake my head.
Well, it’s her right to speak the truth. Those things are not new in our ears. All students will follow the fucking rules. We can’t even contradict them. They corrupt our mind to follows this and that. Do as we said. Now it’s time to change our point of view. Nagbulag bulagan lang tayo dito. She’s an eye opener for those who want changes not only the rotten school system but to the better future of our country.
Article 13
1. The child shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child’s choice.
-Convention on the Rights of the Child
I salute you for your bavery. Kung maibabalik ko lang sana ang panahon, I should’ve delivered my speech same like yours.. hindi sana scriped na salutatory speech dineliver ko nun…
well said. never mind the so called “MANY PEOPLE” who are now going against you for they think, you did not INSPIRE them. o c’mon! you actually made them see that one must stand for what is right. that there is no honor in momentary victory out of cheating.
I’m PROUD of you Krisel. Keep it up!!! Malayo ang mararating mo. God Bless You
Wala akong nakitang masamang content sa Salutatory address ng bata. Nasa ayos ang lahat ayon sa nararamdaman niya. Pasalamat ang skwelahang eto na hindi ko anak ang Salutatorian na ‘yan. Kasi napakasakit hindi lang ang mga nararanasan ng batang eto sa pagkamit ng kanyang minimithi kundi ang pagkakabastus sa pinakahuli-huling araw niya sa institution na eto. Hey- administrators! You’re such a bitch ! I demanda na yan at mkapag-apologize in public at un damage ng pagpapahiya nila sa batang yan ay kailanma’y hndi kayang tumbasan ng ilang milyunes. Teach by examples dear teachers.. Kaya pala ganyan panghihinakit ng batang ‘yan sa school nyo kc ambabastus dn pala talaga nyo..
Acceptance is what more important rather than ranting for the things that could never be yours anymore. Use that unjust treatment to make much better person. You will get more time for yourself to prove them wrong. How? That is by continuously believe that you can excel in everything and outshine anyone. Why would waste your time for ranting that was already deliberated. Teachers don’t just pick from nowhere of who will be the valedictorian. It has a lot of factors and it takes multiple times to deliberate the result. If you believe and other people believe you are supposed to be the Valedictorian, then let them speak for yourself. Let them be the living witness to the injustice you were in.
At least she did something about it……this can help change policy in the school, checks and balances, etc. I admire her.
i admire her courage, the comment above surely doesnt have any idea what she’s talking about! she’s not lamenting about her grades but giving out facts. It’s called integrity, which is very important in a person life that you dont have to wait 30 years to realize you have it. as a kid, its amazing she already knows what it is and is not afraid to tell others its importance.
anak, ako’y isa ding guro subalit nais kong ipaalam sa iyo na kahanga hanga ang iyong ginawa. maaaring ang mundo ay sadyang makasarili. maraming tao ang umuunlad subalit walang kasiguraduhan na sila’y masaya sapagkat nakuha nila ang tagumpay na kung saan ay hindi naman dapat. Dapat kang tularan na kung saan ang mga katiwalian ay dapat mailabas upang magising ang katotohanang matagal ng naikukubli ng mga taong makasarili. Dapat ganyan ang mga pinunong ating pinipili upang tunay tayong umunlad. Saludo ako sa iyo anak….. nais kitang makilala dahil minsan din akong muntik ng makuhanan ng dapat ay sa aking subalit ipinaglaban ko din ito sa abot ng aking makakaya. Ako ay Valedictorian noong 1985 sa Kalakhang Maynila. Keep up the Good work!!!!!
Since when did we have a specific content for a graduation speech.? I would say she just vent out and that’s her right., our right to be heard.. She got the stage and even address it in Filipino.. Now why would you stop someone from talking if you don’t have anything to hide.?
Being the center of gossips isn’t that easy. I’ve been there. With the technology now, bullying and cyberbullying is imminent. She must have suffered the fear of going to school being badmouthed and still have the courage to face the people. She is one brave girl. For her speech, she must have been proud to pull that off. If what she is insinuating is true, her speech is an eye opener to everyone. The school administration should have not stopped her from delivering her speech if they were not guilty. They could have just settled the problem before the big day. Besides, from what I know, computations and ranking should be disclosed to the top students for transparency. There wouldn’t be problems like this if the persons concerned are satisfied.
Talamak na yan sa mga school lalo na pag public…pera ang katamat. Proud ako sau iha, kasi alam mo ung pamangkin ko biktima din, salutatorian sya na dapat ay first honor sya.. akalain ba naman simula pa lng kinder hanggang fifth grade first honor sya..tapos pagdating sa grade six naging second nalng. gulat na gulat ung ate ko. syempre daming tanong bat naging ganyan resulta. eh kaya pala ung first ay apo ng principal. hindi nag speech ang pamangkin ko nung time tinawag sya. syempre lahat tumingin sa kanya. nandoon pa ung mayor. lahat nagugulat sa ginawa ng pamangkin ko. after ng commencement na yun ang average ng first was 97.54 samantalang sa pamangkin ko 98.12… ang sagot ng principal dahil umano maraming activities ung first, naging champion sa volleyball, division champion sa drawing at dancer, samantalang ang pamngkin ko ay mga academic awards hindi nga lng champion. ang tanong ko, yan ba basehan na maging validictorian ang isang mag-aaral? magkano ba ibinayad sayo? hindi nakasagot ung adviser ng bata. ang ginawa namin denimanda. tapos magkaklasi sila ulit sa grade seven, alam niyo ba anung rank? wala… walang wala talaga…booba pa. ung pamngkin ko top1. nanalo kami sa korte, napaalis ung principal pati ung adviser dahil hindi lng pala isang beses nangyari, akalain ba naman kung hindi bibili ang mga mag aaral ng paninda nya walang grado?sus maryusef..bayaran pala ang systema sa paaralng un.
Walang maliliwanagan kung walang magsasalita. .. Tama yan ms.mallari. ..
God bless you
Yes Ms. Catherine, you are right, most important in life is what we become after 30 years, but, this girl or should I say young lady prepares herself to face the real world. Just how can someone at her young age to be very bold and valiant as her, we all have our Freedom of Speech as long as you know to yourself that you’re on the right track, that was taught in school. For you young lady, congratulations, keep your composure, good luck, and always keep your feet on the ground. By the way, I like your last words.
Wrong is wrong and right will always be right. I am saddened by this incident. Come to think about it, a christian school wherein it is suppose to be teaching its religious and righteous path. Now this video went viral and the truth will come out in the open and hopefully those responsible will shed light on this controversy. To Krisel – I salute you. You have the courage and right spirit to fight what is righteous and what your conscience dictates. Keep pressing on…
Dear Ms. Mallari,
This advice I can give you is plain and simple. just take this incident as a challenge. god knows how hard you study to get this education awards. just keep on studying cause its bring you to a brighter way of success in the future. god will returned things which is yours. that’s Filipino way of selecting awards if your not popular they will not give you what you deserved to be. just pray to god about this incident more important.
isang kabataan na may lakas ng loob na isiwalat ang naranasan niya. she felt cheated of what she deserves. she knows it. she feels it. with full conviction she know she was cheated! matagal na rin akong guro; 30 years in service at ang mga katulad niya na rare gem of courage and intelligence, they come like a comet that appears once in a while. hindi niya gagawin yan kung di niya alam with full knowledge and conviction na she was cheated.
The school and the teachers should be happy for nurturing a one of a kind courageous, intelligent student.
When i was at school, i was tortured by my teachers… That’s why i dont have that respect to them. They demand respect because their job is noble but they don’t respect the feelings of a child. Way to go krisel… Ipaglaban mo ang tama. Sa mga teachers, look for another job. You don’t deserve to teach.
I salute you.. That’s a good spirit of being a model youth of this generation…
That school is really embarrassing! Whoever runs that stupid institution should be ashamed of himself. Hat’s off to you Krisel Mallari for standing your ground. Now that’s what you call SPEECH! Tama lang yung ginawa mo, isiniwalat mo yung baho ng sistema ng eskwelahan niyo. This girl just taught us not to turn a blind eye on mistakes. Nakakahiya yung ginawa ng mga teachers/administrator ng Sto. Nino. Stop at all cost? Sana ipasara na yang eskwelahan na yan. They don’t deserve to continue.
I really admire your bravery in divulging the truth. You’re an icon of a true Filipino who never believes in failing without fighting. Just keep on doing what is right and just for that will always put you on the right track. To the school officials who had stopped her from expressing herself, be ashamed. Helios is absolutely right, if you have nothing to hide, then why did you stop her? It’s her prerogative to express herself because that was her moment, may it be negative or positive, you should have let her finish her speech. So sickening to know that the core values (HONESTY) that must be taught in everyone’s foundation to life (the SCHOOL) is being broken in your institution. Keep fighting for the truth Krisel Mallari!!! God bless you always!!!
its a shame for those teacher who really stopped herE,nasan na ang hustisya jan
Catherine, Krisel Mallari is not waiting for the 30 years to come. Her success is starting now. That is the way to go in this world. Be brave to stand for your right, speak your truth, when you are right, you are right, the best time to let is known is the very instant you have the chance; (the court of public opinion) better than talking behind the people who wronged you. I admire you and you parents, they taught you well. You will go far and surely you will survive this jungle that we call civilized world, starting from your school.
School Institutions are for getting educations. Philippines is one of a kind, politics and education are intertwine this is why that even school are being corrupt. But at least that this girl had the courage and right mind among the many. Hopefully that these teachers and educators of this institution will do their best to amend this corrupt behaviors. My high regards to you Krisel, God Bless!!
that is the reason why co-curricular activities shoud nt be included in choosing honor students.it should b based on their academc performance..its just so hard on d part of studnts who are deservng to received honors but bcoz of poverty dey cant have it…let us appeal to d dept of educ to change d systm. dat is to give priorities to acadmc than exta curricular actvties.it should have a separate recognition on the part of dos studnts who excel in other events like sports,scouting and others.
its a good thing she voiced it out, for there are other schools do not follow standard ruling in choosing honor students which DepEd office implements and the memorandum can be downloaded at google.com. the school should have been careful enough in handling in selecting honor students, parents should have been called for a meeting and let them see the ranking prior to the awarding. in the school where my child graduated as salutatorian.. parents were given two weeks to file for a complain or make clarification on the ranking and everything was documented with all the evidences on their outputs in academic and points in extra curricular.
Good job Krisel Mallari!…Nangyari narin sa anak ko yan noong nag graduate sya sa high school they based the ranking in co-curricular activities not in academic performance…sabi ko na lang sa daughter ko hayaan mo na lang mas maganda at mas malaki pa ang ibibigay ni Lord syo ” ang nagpapakumbaba ay tataas ng Diyos”….totoo yan dahil sa ngayon biniyayaan at binigyan sya pagkakataon na makapag aral dito sa bansang America sa UCLA….kaya remember may mas maganda pang darating syo.