LOOK: KaladKaren inspires mass communication graduates with powerful speech
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LOOK: KaladKaren inspires mass communication graduates with powerful speech
Push Team
Published Jul 29, 2024 05:47 PM PHT

KaladKaren, the renowned media personality, recently inspired the graduates of the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Mass Communication with her powerful speech as their guest speaker.
KaladKaren, the renowned media personality, recently inspired the graduates of the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Mass Communication with her powerful speech as their guest speaker.
Sharing the event on Instagram, she expressed her heartfelt gratitude, stating: "Straight from London to the University of the Philippines Diliman! ❤️💚🌻 Karangalan ng buhay ko ang maging pinakabatang guest of honor and speaker sa kasayasayan ng pagtatapos ng mga estudyante ng UP College of Mass Communication. Maraming maraming salamat po sa inyo, mga kapwa ko iskolar ng bayan! Mabuhay ang mga matatapang na alagad ng midya!”
Sharing the event on Instagram, she expressed her heartfelt gratitude, stating: "Straight from London to the University of the Philippines Diliman! ❤️💚🌻 Karangalan ng buhay ko ang maging pinakabatang guest of honor and speaker sa kasayasayan ng pagtatapos ng mga estudyante ng UP College of Mass Communication. Maraming maraming salamat po sa inyo, mga kapwa ko iskolar ng bayan! Mabuhay ang mga matatapang na alagad ng midya!”
KaladKaren, also known as Jervi Li, is an alumna of the University of the Philippines Diliman, where she graduated magna cum laude for her degree in Broadcast Communication from the College of Mass Communication.
KaladKaren, also known as Jervi Li, is an alumna of the University of the Philippines Diliman, where she graduated magna cum laude for her degree in Broadcast Communication from the College of Mass Communication.
Her post garnered praise from broadcaster Karen Davila, a fellow alumna from the same college.
Her post garnered praise from broadcaster Karen Davila, a fellow alumna from the same college.
“Kudos to you @kaladkaren 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 continue to use your voice for good!,” commented the award-winning journalist.
“Kudos to you @kaladkaren 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 continue to use your voice for good!,” commented the award-winning journalist.
“Always!!! Thank you po for inspiring me Ma’am Karen to always use my platform for good,” KaladKaren responded with gratitude. “Utak at puso! ❤️💚🌻”
“Always!!! Thank you po for inspiring me Ma’am Karen to always use my platform for good,” KaladKaren responded with gratitude. “Utak at puso! ❤️💚🌻”
In her speech, KaladKaren shared her journey and the significance of her invitation to speak:
In her speech, KaladKaren shared her journey and the significance of her invitation to speak:
“First of all, thank you very much sa inyo. Hindi ko alam kung ine-echos lang ako ni dean, pero sabi niya ako daw po ang request ninyo. Thank you so much, hindi nga po ako makapaniwala dahil iniisip ko baka may ibang taong mas deserve. Pero feeling ko, deserve ko naman din, at nandito na ‘ho tayo,” she began candidly. “Ang ganda ko po sa personal, ano? Partida, jetlag pa po ‘yan. Kakalanding ko lang po mula sa London, because of my recent second engagement. Pero seryoso na po tayo.”
“First of all, thank you very much sa inyo. Hindi ko alam kung ine-echos lang ako ni dean, pero sabi niya ako daw po ang request ninyo. Thank you so much, hindi nga po ako makapaniwala dahil iniisip ko baka may ibang taong mas deserve. Pero feeling ko, deserve ko naman din, at nandito na ‘ho tayo,” she began candidly. “Ang ganda ko po sa personal, ano? Partida, jetlag pa po ‘yan. Kakalanding ko lang po mula sa London, because of my recent second engagement. Pero seryoso na po tayo.”
KaladKaren reflected on her past and the transformation she underwent:
KaladKaren reflected on her past and the transformation she underwent:
“Alam niyo po, isang malaking karangalan ng buhay ko na maimbitahan upang magsalita sa inyong pagtatapos ngayong araw na ito. Parang kahapon lamang ang labinlimang taon nakararaan nang ako ay nakaupo riyan — maikli ang buhok, walang make-up, naka-formal black leather shoes, naka-pantalon at naka-Barong Tagalog. Lalaki po akong nagtapos dito sa kolehiyo. At noong mga panahong iyon, sinusubukan ko pong maging isang lalaki, dahil sa takot na mahusgahan ng ating malupit na lipunan,” she recalled. “Kaya naman, isa pong malaking tagumpay ang bumalik at tumayo sa inyong harapan, bilang ako, Isang babae.”
“Alam niyo po, isang malaking karangalan ng buhay ko na maimbitahan upang magsalita sa inyong pagtatapos ngayong araw na ito. Parang kahapon lamang ang labinlimang taon nakararaan nang ako ay nakaupo riyan — maikli ang buhok, walang make-up, naka-formal black leather shoes, naka-pantalon at naka-Barong Tagalog. Lalaki po akong nagtapos dito sa kolehiyo. At noong mga panahong iyon, sinusubukan ko pong maging isang lalaki, dahil sa takot na mahusgahan ng ating malupit na lipunan,” she recalled. “Kaya naman, isa pong malaking tagumpay ang bumalik at tumayo sa inyong harapan, bilang ako, Isang babae.”
She emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion.
She emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion.
“This is not only a personal triumph. By inviting a trans woman, such as myself, to address the graduating class, the UP College of Mass Communication is sending a clear message of support for diversity and inclusion. It demonstrates a commitment to honoring the experiences and perspectives of individuals regardless of gender identity or expression,” she stressed. “What a powerful symbol of recognition and affirmation of the journey of transgender women in our society.”
“This is not only a personal triumph. By inviting a trans woman, such as myself, to address the graduating class, the UP College of Mass Communication is sending a clear message of support for diversity and inclusion. It demonstrates a commitment to honoring the experiences and perspectives of individuals regardless of gender identity or expression,” she stressed. “What a powerful symbol of recognition and affirmation of the journey of transgender women in our society.”
To her alma mater, she has this to say: “Thank you for acknowledging the courage it takes to embrace one’s true self, the requisite resilience in navigating the complexities of gender transition and the strength it requires to live authentically despite societal norms and expectations. My unending gratitude, UP MASSCOM. Isang patunay lamang na ang sablay ay inklusibo at mapagpalaya.”
To her alma mater, she has this to say: “Thank you for acknowledging the courage it takes to embrace one’s true self, the requisite resilience in navigating the complexities of gender transition and the strength it requires to live authentically despite societal norms and expectations. My unending gratitude, UP MASSCOM. Isang patunay lamang na ang sablay ay inklusibo at mapagpalaya.”
To the graduates, she took the opportunity to reind them of their crucial role in society.
To the graduates, she took the opportunity to reind them of their crucial role in society.
“In a world inundated with misinformation, distortion and half-truths, it is more crucial than ever to champion the values of truth, inclusivity, and representation. In a post-truth society where falsehoods are often paraded as facts primarily to win electoral victories and wield power, and where division seems to be the norm, it is our responsibility as the torchbearers of the future, to stand firm in our commitment to authenticity, diversity, and acceptance,” she stated.
“In a world inundated with misinformation, distortion and half-truths, it is more crucial than ever to champion the values of truth, inclusivity, and representation. In a post-truth society where falsehoods are often paraded as facts primarily to win electoral victories and wield power, and where division seems to be the norm, it is our responsibility as the torchbearers of the future, to stand firm in our commitment to authenticity, diversity, and acceptance,” she stated.
She further reinforced their responsibilities as iskolars ng bayan and as individuals to speak up, make a stand, and exercise their innate power to make a difference.
She further reinforced their responsibilities as iskolars ng bayan and as individuals to speak up, make a stand, and exercise their innate power to make a difference.
“How do we do that?” she asked. “Each one of you sitting here today has a unique story, a distinctive voice, and a perspective that is entirely your own. That is your power.”
“How do we do that?” she asked. “Each one of you sitting here today has a unique story, a distinctive voice, and a perspective that is entirely your own. That is your power.”
— By Samantha Prats
— By Samantha Prats
Read More:
KaladKaren
Jervi Li
University of the Philippines
mass communications
journalism
graduation speech
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