Binabati ko ang President’s Council sa pangunguna ni Dr. Maria Regina Lucia M. Lizares, ang High School Council sa pangunguna ni Mrs. Sofia Soledad DG. De Guzman, Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, parents, at higit sa lahat — Miriam College High School Class of 2026.
Magandang umaga!
HINDI AKO YUNG STUDENT NA IIMBITAHIN MO PARA MAG-SPEECH.
Kung sinabi mo sa MCHS Class of 1999 na babalik ako bilang keynote, tatawanan ko kayo. Ako yung “Row 4” girl. Madaldal, maingay, madalas tulog. Hindi dahil tamad ako, kundi dahil hindi ko pa alam kung saan ako lulugar. Pero mahal ko ang Miriam. Dito ako natutong makipagkaibigan sa driveway bago mag-first bell. Dito ako sumigaw sa MC Boosters. Dito ko nakuha ang 95 sa English, at 67 sa Algebra. Second year, Quarter 1: 67. Q2: 69. Q3: 70. Sabi ni Mrs. Ednaco, “Kailangan mo ng 94 sa fourth quarter para pumasa.”
Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig. Pero doon nagsimula ang tatlong desisyon na hanggang ngayon dala-dala ko.
Una, lumipat ako sa Row 1. Literal. Sa harap, walang taguan.
Pangalawa, kumuha ako ng tutor. First time in my life na humingi ako ng tulong.
Pangatlo, nagpakita ako araw-araw.
Nakuha ko 92. Sabi ni Mrs. Ednaco, “I’ll give you 2 points for effort.” Naging 94. Pero ang totoo, hindi lang grades ang binigay niya. Binigyan niya ako ng grasya. At doon ko natutunan: grace opens the door, pero ikaw ang kailangang maglakad papasok.
Akala ko tapos na ang Row 4 season ko. Hindi pa. Sa college naligaw ulit ako. Namatay ang nanay ko. May grasya ulit na nagbukas ng pinto. Pumasok ako sa showbiz na walang workshop, walang Banaag background. Ang baon ko lang, yung lesson ni Mrs. Ednaco.
Kaya kung may iiwan ako sa inyo ngayon, tatlong bagay lang. Ito ang Row 1 life.
1. MAHALIN ANG SARILI. Move to the front row for yourself.
Hindi ito yabang. Ito ay pananagutan. I spent years hating my body on camera until I learned, “Loving and accepting your own body is a continuous journey.” Self love comes from knowing yourself kaya dapat kilala at tanggap mo rin ang sarili mo. At sa trabaho ko, sa set, bago sumigaw ang director o bago ako mag shoot ng content, I breathe and I tell myself, “I am genuine / sincere, I am brilliant, I am talented. I am worthy.” You always have the power to choose for yourself. Kaya piliin mo ang upuan sa harap, kahit nanginginig ka. Doon ka matutong lumipad. LAGI Kong sinasabi sa sarili ko “in order for me to fly, I need to be challenged.”
2. MAGLINGKOD SA KOMUNIDAD. Get your daily tutor.
Walang nagtatagumpay mag-isa. Ang tutor ko noon ay teacher. Ngayon, tutor ko ay asawa ko, kaibigan, manager ko, therapist, co-founders ko sa She Talks Asia at partners sa AKTOR at mga babaeng katulad ninyo.
“Compassion for oneself and others is the key to happiness!” Hindi kahinaan ang humingi ng tulong. Skill ito. Sa Miriam, tinuruan tayo ng “integrity of creation” — na bawat tao ay patuloy na binubuo. Maging safe space ka para sa iba. Maging safe space kayo para sa isa’t isa.
3. MANINDIGAN PARA SA KAPWA AT SA BAYAN. Pay the 2 points forward.
Isang araw, ikaw si Mrs. Ednaco. May makikita kang kaklase, katrabaho, kababayan na kulang ng dalawang puntos para makapasa sa buhay. Ikaw ang mag-aabot. “Basta ako, gagawin ko lang ang trabaho ko. I would always give my best.” That is service. That is purpose. Bilang Amihan noon sa Encantadia, hawak ko ang Brilyante ng Hangin. Hangin — hininga. Sa totoong buhay, ang kapangyarihan natin ay hindi magic. Ito ay ang pagpili araw-araw na hindi maging makasarili. I have learned that I do not have to look perfect for the camera, kasi mas mahalaga ang totoo kaysa maganda. Ganoon din sa paglilingkod sa ating kapwa at sa ating bayan.
Hindi kailangang perfect. Kailangang totoo.
Class of 2026, maaaring may ilan sa inyo na nasa Row 4 pa rin ngayon. Okay lang. Nandoon din ako. Pero tandaan ninyo, ang Pilipinas ay hindi bubuuin ng mga laging nasa likod at tahimik. Bubuuin ito ng mga babaeng marunong mahalin ang sarili, mag-alaga ng kapwa, at magmahal sa bayan kahit mahirap.
27 years mula nang umalis ako sa Miriam, masasabi ko na finally, I sit in Row 1 — hindi dahil achiever na ako, kundi dahil araw-araw pa rin akong pumipili na magpakita.
Kung kinaya ng Row 4 girl na ito, kayang-kaya mo.
At pagdating ng araw na tatanungin ka kung anong gusto mong maalala sa buhay na ito, sana masabi mo rin, “the grace and love I’ve received from and given to so many people.”
Mabuhay ang Class of 2026. Mabuhay ang Miriam. Maraming salamat.
BIO NOTE
Ms. Iza Calzado is a woman whose life and work reflect excellence, purpose, and meaningful influence—values that resonate deeply with Miriam College High School’s mission as a school for and with girls. She is one of the most respected figures in Philippine cinema and television. Across decades, she has built a body of work marked not only by talent, but by depth, discipline, and integrity. Many of you may know her from powerful performances in films such as Bliss, where her portrayal earned critical acclaim, and Starting Over Again, which showcased her emotional range and connection with audiences. She also starred in Etiquette for Mistresses, a film that explored the complexities of women’s lives with honesty and courage.
Her excellence has been recognized by prestigious award-giving bodies. She received Best Actress honors at the Fantasporto International Film Festival for Bliss, affirming her global calibre as an artist. She has also been honored locally by institutions such as the FAMAS Awards and the Gawad Urian Awards, which celebrate outstanding contributions to Filipino cinema.
Beyond her achievements on screen, Ms. Calzado is a leader and advocate. As President of AKTOR, she champions the welfare and rights of actors, using her voice to uplift others in her industry. She has also served as a jury member for international platforms such as the Hanoi International Film Festival and the Asian Academy Creative Awards, contributing her expertise to the global creative community.
Her influence, however, extends far beyond the arts. She is deeply committed to causes that empower and uplift—working with organizations like SHE TALKS ASIA, World Wide Fund for Nature, and Gawad Kalinga. Through these, she continues to advocate for women’s empowerment, environmental stewardship, and nation-building—causes that align closely with the values of Miriam College. She reminds us that being a woman of influence is not just about recognition and beauty, but it is more so about having the responsibility to speak up, serve, and inspire.
Ms. Iza Calzado (MCHS Class of 1999)
