"Have Hope. Give Hope. Be Hope." (ASHS Class of 2025 Commencement Speech for ABM and STEM strands)

This was the speech delivered by Lt Gen Allen T Paredes PAF (Ret), the 37th Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force, during the commencement exercises for the Senior High School Class of 2025 on 24 May 2025. 

Last week, I received an invitation to be your guest speaker. I showed it to my wife, Jewel, who said, “Wow. That’s an honor. Accept it.” Like a good soldier, I did. Then I asked her, “What am I going to say?” She replied, “Aba bahala ka na diyan.” (Nang-iwan!!!)

Now, I don’t remember who the speaker was during my graduation. I certainly don’t recall a word he or she said. So, today I just hope you remember something – perhaps a word, a line, a moment that might help you in the world you’re about to enter.

Have Hope, Give Hope, Be Hope. Class of 2025, in your loudest voice, please repeat after me: HAVE HOPE…GIVE HOPE…BE HOPE. 

One more time until it reverberates in the gym! Until you feel it inside you: HAVE HOPE…GIVE HOPE…BE HOPE. Now we are talking! 

HAVE HOPE
My first stint in wearing the White Duck uniform was when I was around 4 years old as a ring bearer in a military wedding. Feeling handsome, I marched toward the altar. However, when the priest tried to get the ring, I ran away with it thinking it was mine to keep. There was chaos as they chased me inside the church. Suffice it to say, that was the end of my military ring bearer career.

I grew up watching the Blue Angels perform aerobatic maneuvers. I was starstruck seeing pilots in their blue flight suits. I wanted to be like them someday. 

But I had doubts. You see, I was not an exceptional student. My classmates had medals. I had none. But my mother, Emmie, always made me a special medal - a sampaguita lei. Her quiet way of saying, “Anak, may pag-asa ka pa.” That ignited an unfaltering hopefulness in me, carrying me through the hard-as-hell plebehood at PMA and the dangers of being an attack pilot. I would not have made it to 3-star general…and to Wikipedia, if I did not have hope.

LESSON 1: When life gets hard- and it will- have hope. Believe in yourself; never give up; stand up when you fall. As we’re in the Jubilee Year 2025 declared by Pope Francis, remember: you are not just graduates, you are Pilgrims of Hope.

GIVE HOPE
This second semester was extra challenging for us. Our daughter, Aly, was in and out of the hospital. In anxious moments, we thought she wouldn’t be able to complete requirements, pass exams and graduate. But she had grit and determination and hoped for the best! We thank God for sending His angels through the formators of Ateneo Senior High School, who acknowledged her hard work, witnessed how she aced exams, believed in her and gave hope in her ONE BIG FIGHT (she’s amongst you, today). That’s Ateneo giving hope. 

Giving hope is a choice. It’s compassion in action. St Thomas Aquinas said, “To will good to others.” That’s what it means to give hope. 

LESSON 2: Hope is not just for keeping. It’s for sharing. Give hope to fellowmen. Talking about people, here’s a tip: Nurture Friendships. You know one key factor why we were able to acquire many aircraft? Networks of friends. Friendship is key in life with God and others. Build good relations with your friends: they can help you chase your dreams and maybe build dreams with you. So, encourage than poke fun; empathize than gaslight; help than ghost; love than hate. 

BE HOPE
I was Commanding General of the 19,000-strong Air Force during the pandemic. Jewel’s friend said, “What a terrible time to be Commanding General.” Jewel said, “No, it is the best time.” 

During the pandemic, your air force transported life-saving masks, vaccines, medicines and equipment. Furthermore, Taal volcano erupted like an angry god casting heavens with ash. Your air force seized the Golden Hour. Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses left provinces along their wake as much kindling and twisted metal. Your air force came to the rescue. Landslides and earthquakes swallowed towns in mud. Your air force brought in aid. My airmen and airwomen were not superheroes. They knew fear, but served anyway. During those times, CNN News called us “Heroes in the Sky”.

LESSON 3: There is hope and goodness in us. Wherever you are, be hope. We are pilgrims, not tourists. We believe that transformation begins not in palaces but in our hearts. As you chart your destiny as doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, teachers, or civil servants, be hope…for your family, our nation, the world: work for what you are hoping for; make a difference. 

Let’s be real: Life will be tough. As you take off from this runway called Senior High School, hand-carry hope. Hope:
• That God has better things ahead
• That will get you through the toughest times
• That there are multiple pathways to dreams
• That you are where you are meant to be 

Your pilgrimage is not only toward a career but toward your life mission, so bring others especially the last, the least, the lost.
Let this be your mission: to become, in all things, a glimmer of hope. You don’t need to shine like the sun. A glimmer is enough. And maybe that’s all the world needs right now. When in doubt? Connect to God, more than your Wi-Fi.

Congratulations, Class of 2025. Soar high. Be that glimmer of hope!