Hello there, Madlang Hivers! It’s me, 
”The Day I Won’t Forget”
July 18, 2025 , Friday a date I’ll never ever forget. This was the day we the graduates of CTU Naga Extension Campus gathered for our 8th Commencement Exercises and you know the best part it was held at SM Seaside City Cebu, right inside the beautiful Sky Hall. The moment I entered the mall I felt a different kind of excitement almost like the whole place could sense that something special happen.
You know what made that day even more meaningful? It wasn’t just the graduation program, the stage or the applause. It was the simple fact that I was with my family. My parents, my ever supportive mama and papa were right there beside me and honestly that already felt like the biggest gift of all.
While I was walking around SM Seaside in my toga. I kept glancing at them. My father with his quiet pride pretending not to be emotional and my mother who kept fixing my sash even if it was already perfectly fine. They didn’t say much but their presence said everything. It felt like every sacrifice they made, every long day, every moment they pushed me to keep going all of it was standing there with me.
I realized I wouldn’t have reached this moment without them not even close. Every step I took that day from the entrance of the venue up to the moment I walked on stage felt like a whispered “thank you” for everything they’ve done.
Before going inside, my co-batchmates and I, scholars of the City of Naga, stopped to take a photo. We laughed as we adjusted our togas, tried to fit everyone in the frame and shared little jokes to calm our nerves. That simple photo wasn’t just a picture. It showed how happy we were after all the hard work and challenges.
We may not have finished with Latin honors, but being part of the mayor’s scholarship program filled us with happiness and gratitude. It showed that our hard work mattered.
That One Moment When Everything Became Real
My parents were somewhere in the crowd were watching. My name was about to be called. And this chapter of my life this long, messy, beautiful chapter was about to close.
Then they called my name.
I felt nervous, excited and stay calm at the same time. Walking at the stage made me remember all of college every struggle and every laugh with friends. When I got my diploma I almost cried because everything finally felt real. I looked toward the audience and saw my parents smiling. That moment alone could’ve made me cry on the spot a little.
After the ceremony, all of us from Section 4-B gathered on stage to take pictures. It was a fun and messy moment. Everyone was smiling, fixing their togas and trying to take one last group photo.
We weren’t just taking pictures we were holding on to our last moments together as classmates. It felt bittersweet knowing things would change after this day but standing there with them, I felt proud. That simple group photo became one of my favorite memories.
After the ceremony, my classmates, friends and I took random pictures outside. We made funny poses and just enjoyed the moment. It wasn’t perfect but it was real and fun a memory of our graduation day we’ll never forget.
A new chapter is beginning full of unknowns, but also filled with hope and excitement. Above all, I feel truly and deeply grateful.
JUVYLYN C. SUMABAT
City of Naga Scholar
Batch 8
is now officially signing off! 🎓👩🏻🎓