By: Kiel Fajardo

Former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque inspired students at Pasay City West High School to pursue their dreams during the school’s Career Guidance and Counseling Program on March 21, 2023. Roque encouraged the students to have a clear vision of what they want to achieve in life and to have the determination to attain it. He assured them that with strong willpower, they can overcome any obstacles and accomplish their goals. The event aimed to provide the students with guidance and advice as they prepare to embark on their future careers.

Harry Roque’s message:
“Kung alam ninyo ang gusto ninyong gawin sa inyong mga buhay, at kayo’y buo ang loob na makamit ang lahat ng gusto nyo sa mundong ito, kakayanin n’yo yan. (If you know what you want in your life, and you have strong will to achieve all that you aspire to in this world, you can carry on.)” These were the words of Former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque during the Pasay City West High School (PCWHS) Career Guidance and Counseling Program held in the PCWHS Gym on March 21, 2023.

Attended by Grade 12 students of PCWHS, the program aimed to help and guide the students on their desired future career. Roque explained how anyone can achieve their desires no matter how difficult their lives are. The former lawmaker stressed, “Dapat alam mo ang gagawin mo sa iyong sarili. Dapat nagpupursige ka kahit ano man ang pagsubok. (You must be decided on what you will do on your life. You must work hard no matter the obstacles are.) ” He emphasized that it is really difficult to live in this world hence we celebrate every milestone that we achieved.

Roque also acknowledged the desire for some of the unfortunate students to raise their lives in order to live a comfortable life with their loved ones. He advised these students “Kung gustong yumaman, kinakailangang magsimula ng maaga. Kung gusto niyong maging mayaman magbenta kayo (If you want to become rich, you need to start early. If you want to become wealthy, sell something)”. He then shared how he rose from poverty saying that he used to sell samalamig in Baclaran during his younger days and continued during his growing up years while becoming a door-to-door encyclopedia salesman in college.

The former Spox quipped, “Lahat po sa tunay na mundo ay pagbebenta, kasama na ang pagbebenta ng sarili para maging matagumpay sa kahit anong piniling karera. (Everything in the real world is selling, including selling of one’s self to become successful in the chosen career.)” He asserted that every youth, no matter how poor he or she maybe, has an opportunity to serve in the highest office of the government. Finally, the human rights defender said, “Kahit anong estado nyo sa buhay ngayon, basta kayo merong ambisyon, basta malinaw ang nais nyong mangyari sa inyong mga sarili at basta kayo buo ang loob na harapin ang lahat ng pagsubok, makakamit ng kabataan ang lahat ng kanilang ambisyon, lalung-lalo na ang kabataan ng Pasay City. (Whatever your economic status is, for as long as you have ambition, and you have clear vision of what you want to be, you are fully confident of yourself, youths will achieve their ambition, especially the youths of Pasay City.)”

The program was organized by the PCWHS Guidance and Counseling Office, led by Mr. Rodolfo C. Ching, head of Values Education department, and the guidance teachers Hannah Ruth David, Juliet Boncales, Janice Bergonia, and Gina Mendoza, with Ms. Daylyn C. Gomez serving as the emcee of the event.