“𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱, 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁, 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝘁,” 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗗𝗢𝗿𝗦𝗨 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀

“If you are tired, don’t drop your dreams. Rest, but never quit.”
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This was the encouraging message of Maria Genevieve T. Francisquete, CESO VI, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent of the Department of Education, Digos City, as she addressed the graduating class of Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) during the Baccalaureate Ceremony held today, June 24, at the DOrSU Gymnasium.
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Sharing her own story of struggle and perseverance, Francisquete recalled how poverty, family responsibilities, and financial hardships forced her to drop out of school multiple times. But despite those setbacks, she never gave up on her dream of completing her education.
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“Poverty was not just a concept to me—it was my daily reality,” she shared. “But I held on, and eventually, I made it.”
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She emphasized that success is not measured solely by medals or academic distinctions but by one’s ability to stay persistent, even when life becomes overwhelming.
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As the graduates prepare to step into the real world, Francisquete reminded them that hardships are inevitable, but surrender is never the answer. “Rest if you must, but never quit. You always deserve what you work hard for,” she added.
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She also urged the graduating students to carry with them the pride of being Filipinos and Oriental Dabawenyos, to uphold integrity, embrace kindness, and always honor the sacrifices of their parents.
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“Your families are proud of you. Your communities are counting on you. You are now the potential of your communities,” she said.
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The baccalaureate ceremony served as a moment of reflection and gratitude for the graduates as they marked the final step towards their commencement exercises.