CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — Vice President Sara Duterte urged college graduates to focus on “nurturing their garden of dreams” and not be distracted by negative influences that could destroy their future.

“Huwag na kayong magpa-distract sa mga bagay na hindi naman makakatulong sa buhay ninyo o sa pamilya ninyo tulad ng mga bisyo, droga, mga illegal na gawain, recruitment sa NPA, recruitment sa terorismo o kung ano pa man yung alam na natin lahat na makakasama sa buhay ninyo. Just focus on your dreams,” the Vice President said during the third commencement exercises of the Mindoro State University on Wednesday.

But Duterte also said navigating life will surely not be easy but an optimistic perspective will see more opportunities amidst the challenges.

“Paalala ko lang sa inyo — hindi magiging madali ang buhay. Pero kahit hindi ito magiging madali, maraming mga oportunidad ang para sa inyo if you only learn to look at the brighter side of things,” she told the graduates.

She added that the graduates should not be afraid of failures and detours as “the light inside of you is stronger than your failure.”

“Meron talagang mga tao na pinanganak madali para sa kanila ang buhay. Pero marami ang pinanganak na hindi magiging madali ang buhay nila. Pero kahit ganyan ang buhay, tandaan ninyo — walang makakatalo sa apoy diyan sa puso ninyo, sa dibdib ninyo, sa kagustuhan ninyong magtagumpay,” she said.

The Vice President also urged the graduates to “have the courage to pursue your dreams, even if they seem hard, unconventional, or impossible,”

“We should never diminish the value of dreams — no matter how, later in life, we may find ourselves in situations that might break our hearts and spirits,” she said.

OVP MEDIA