This speech was delivered by Juan Diego Raymundo during the Unitas Awards held at the Li Seng Giap Auditorium on October 17, 2026.
First and foremost, all glory goes to the Lord, Who has loved me unconditionally and sustained me endlessly throughout my twenty-two years of existence. And it is to my God-sent mother that I dedicate this award. My mom’s a single parent, and I’m very proud to say that. She’s stood as my mother and father, sister and friend, constant guide and biggest fan all my life. I remember my elementary school days…the days when we had loads of printing assignments as homework…and my mom, having been in the office since the day before, would go home at around 4 or 5 in the morning to bring home my homework for the day and then immediately go back to work just to keep making ends meet. She told me how often she would cry at the idea of me failing to pass my homework and that she once fell asleep outside our house in the wee hours of the morning out of exhaustion just so I could always have something to pass for school.
When it became tougher for her to continue sending me to a good school, she made countless sacrifices…the one that struck me the most was when she pawned so many of her most valuable pieces of jewelry, some of which she never got back…just to pay my tuition and keep me in school. By the grace of God, my mom and I now live more comfortable lives…but that never meant raising a son on her own became easy. She now faces the usual problems of any aging parent, and in fact, she’s always asked me, even when I was way younger: “Anak, were you ever mad at me for being a single mother?” And I always gave her the same answer: No. Because I grew up with twice the love and was taught to be twice as strong and twice as excellent by the very person who is herself love, strength, and excellence personified.
She’s always thought of herself as an imperfect mom…but no parent is perfect…but I know that she is the only mom I need and the only one who can make me stand here before all of you tonight. So, to my Mom…My, konti na lang… At ako na ang magiging bahala sa’yo… ako na din ang makakapag-alaga sa’yo. I thank God for a mother like you, and I also thank Him for entrusting me to be your “Juan” and only son. Here's to all the single parents out there!
As the saying goes, “I am a mosaic of everyone I’ve ever loved.” Some pieces may be dark…for the hard times and the tough lessons I’ve learned along the way. Some may be tiny…for the brief encounters I’ve shared with those whose impact still matters today. But tonight is for the biggest and brightest ones in this mosaic called me, whose individual pieces…or stars…make up its shared and enduring brilliance.
To Gabby, whose light has never dimmed, whose voice has never faltered, and whose resilience has shown me that, through every adversity, we can keep building.
To Ysa, who, to me, is like the moon. Loneliness has always only been temporary because when I look for you, I know you’re always there.
To Chi, the star whose warmth has embraced me in all my shades and amidst all my cracks. Thank you for showing me that leading isn’t always about an iron fist but a lending hand and a tight hug.
To Jansen, one of the first pieces to ever make it here. I knew you were meant for great things when I first witnessed how you commanded a room. Now look at you, serving the entire place with a smile.
To Jianna, who is painted with faith and gratitude. Thank you for dreaming with me and for me. Piece by piece, we’re now living in the prayers we’ve always dreamed of.
To Ghia, one of the strongest foundations on which this mosaic stands. You’ve taught me, among countless things, how to lead with thick skin on top of a soft heart.
To Kath, whose colors breathe life into the times this mosaic wears out. When things seem dull and grey, you show me images of new possibilities that make me keep going.
To Anne, who is my light at the end of any tunnel. Today I stand tall because of how strong you are and how you’re never afraid to show it.
To Juls, the most delicate star in this sea of strength. Through your care and company, you've helped me maintain this mosaic and make it more beautiful for myself and for others.
To Erika, whose star I know will shine brighter than mine and whose heart I know will beat stronger than mine. I can’t wait to see the beautiful images you create for yourself.
To Praise, who, through every car ride, has taken me across the stars and shown me how to be grateful for each and every one…near and far, old and new.
To Belle, who first shone for me and took care of me before I could finally take care of everyone in my village. Thank you for paving the way for me.
To Carlo, who's been by my side as we build the mosaics of others, helping them find the right pieces and carve their own paths.
To MM and Bea, who are the very reasons why this mosaic stands in the first place. From being the loudest ones in the room since third grade…to leading our own rooms today. I can’t wait for when our lights will cross paths once again.
And to the ones who’ve stood by and led alongside me the longest–Praise, Pat, Maui, Sean, Ange, Khiara, Chelsea, Jake, Coco, JC, Izza, Bene, Lolo Luke, Eara, Tyrone, Nicole, Josh, Fifi, Steph, Bea, Alex, Joey, Miggy, Kato, Yana, Miles, Amanda, Seth, Marg, and Janna–and those who came before me–Miguel, Maia, Abella, Isaac, Mickey, Rose, Ate Trisha, and Quincy–and to Ms. Concha, Ms. Marie, Ms. Au, Ms. Arianne, Ms. Karla, Ms. Patty, and Ms. Reg…thank you. I am because you all are.
And finally, to those whose stars will eventually outshine and outlast many of ours, our next generation of student leaders…three things for you: First, you may feel like the youngest, weakest, most clueless, or least deserving in the room…but the fact is…you’re in the room. You’ve earned your place here, so own it, take up space, and remember that you’re in the room because someone trusted you, opened the door for you, and let you stay.
New rooms mean new people, new experiences, and new fears…so do it scared. Do everything scared. Pitch that idea. Ask that question. Because when you never ask, the answer will always be no. So, take that leap of faith. Sometimes, you’ll rise; sometimes, you’ll fall…but in every situation you’ll be in, know that…
The only way is up. Failure is never rejection but redirection. And in every redirection, you will collect a new piece that might just be the next highlight of the mosaic that you’re building.
So, to UA&P’s next superstars, Kath, Jam, Erika, Agatha, Alexa, Soph, Gaby, Dyn, Markus, Trize, Emma, Max, Fonzie, Dom, Mari, Wayde, Maya, Ineah, Bianca, Arex, Lia, Kale, Carlos, Prince, Flores, Cassy, Elysse, Harleen, Kriseff, Chloe, Andre, Gabbie, Jose, and most especially, Cady, Ecai, Matthew, and Cheska, the room is yours. I can’t wait to see you all own it.
The past four years have been nothing short of brilliant, and it’s four years I’d do over and over again. Thank you, UA&P, for showing me what it means to Be The Change; to do everything with freedom, fairness, cleanliness, honesty, order, and peace; that there will always be a Peer in me; and that true excellence starts when you Do More Than Belong.
As someone who does nothing but read every day in graduate school, I’ve stumbled upon a quote that sums up my UA&P story. Jerry Rosiek and D. Jean Clandinin, writing about the vital role of teachers, said that “Our task is not only one of showing them [students] what is, but also to help them imagine otherwise.” From seeing the world for what it is to knowing that I have the power to shape it to what it ought to be is one of the biggest lessons this university has taught me. From only seeing others for who they are, I’m forever grateful for all the opportunities to help them realize who they could be. And from seeing myself as a clueless, insignificant freshie from a small high school and a simple family…I now stand here in front of you…as a student leader, full scholar, Kuya and friend, proud son of a single mother…someone who's still figuring things out…and your newest winner of the Unitas Award for Excellence.
Thank you! At magandang…magandang…magandang…magandang gabi sa inyong lahat