KaladKaren inspires graduates with powerful speech

Push Team

<div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust:100%">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.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span> </span></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/C99-EOqybub/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fent-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A5563975.200000048%2C%22ls%22%3A5563873.8000000715%2C%22le%22%3A5563877.100000024%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1042" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span>Sharing the event on Instagram, she expressed her heartfelt gratitude, stating:</span><span> </span><span>&quot;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!”</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span>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. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><br/></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span>Her post garnered praise from broadcaster Karen Davila, a fellow alumna from the same college. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><br/></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span>“Kudos to you @kaladkaren 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 continue to use your voice for good!,” commented the award-winning journalist. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><br/></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span>“Always!!! Thank you po for inspiring me Ma’am Karen to always use my platform for good,” <span id="isPasted" style="caret-color:rgb(65, 65, 65);color:rgb(65, 65, 65);text-align:justify;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">KaladKaren responded with gratitude. “</span>Utak at puso! ❤️💚🌻”</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><br/></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2024/3/25/exclusive-kaladkaren-calls-viral-karen-davila-impersonation-video-a-life-changing-miracle-2249" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><span><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2024/3/25/exclusive-kaladkaren-calls-viral-karen-davila-impersonation-video-a-life-changing-miracle-2249" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: EXCLUSIVE: KaladKaren calls viral Karen Davila impersonation video a life-changing miracle</strong></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><br/></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span>In her speech, KaladKaren shared her journey and the significance of her invitation to speak:</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span>“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.”</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2024/7/28/look-kaladkaren-s-surprise-second-engagement-1036" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><span><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2024/7/28/look-kaladkaren-s-surprise-second-engagement-1036" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: LOOK: KaladKaren’s surprise second engagement</strong></a></span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><br/></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span>KaladKaren reflected on her past and the transformation she underwent:</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span>“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.”</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span>She emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span>“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. “</span><span>What a powerful symbol of recognition and affirmation of the journey of transgender women in our society.”</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><br/></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2022/11/11/fresh-scoops/kaladkaren-reacts-to-proposed-heterosexual-rights-203628" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: KaladKaren reacts to proposed ‘heterosexual rights’ bill</strong></a></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><br/></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span>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. </span><span>My unending gratitude, UP MASSCOM. Isang patunay lamang na ang sablay ay inklusibo at mapagpalaya.”</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span>To the graduates, she took the opportunity to reind them of their crucial role in society.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span>“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. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">She further reinforced their responsibilities as <em>iskolars ng bayan</em> and as individuals to speak up, make a stand, and exercise their innate power to make a difference. </p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><br/></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span>“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.”</span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span>— By Samantha Prats</span></div>

<p>KaladKaren’s graduation speech emphasized the importance of diversity, inclusivity, and truth in media.</p>

KaladKaren’s graduation speech emphasized the importance of diversity, inclusivity, and truth in media.

LOOK: KaladKaren inspires mass communication graduates with powerful speech | ABS-CBN

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LOOK: KaladKaren inspires mass communication graduates with powerful speech

LOOK: KaladKaren inspires mass communication graduates with powerful speech

Push Team

Published Jul 29, 2024 05:47 PM PHT

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KaladKaren

Jervi Li

University of the Philippines

mass communications

journalism

graduation speech

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