“Sa wakas, ‘graduate’ na ako, naka-toga pa!” says the acclaimed Filipino screenwriter Ricky Lee before he started his commencement speech in front of 3000 graduates in PICC.
Ricardo Lee, now Dr. Ricky Lee, has been awarded the degree honoris causa—an honorary degree granted as a mark of esteem—by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines for his remarkable literary works and contribution to Philippine cinema last Wednesday, May 8.
He is considered to be the most-awarded scriptwriter in the country, writing 170 screenplays and bagging 70 trophies from award winning bodies including Cinemanila International Film Festival, the Gawad Urian, PMPC (Philippine Movie Press Club) Star Awards and more. He has also written three-best selling novels such as Trip to Quiapo, Para Kay B (O Kung Paano Dinevastate ng Pag-ibig ang 4 Out of 5 sa Atin) and Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata.
Although the respected writer wasn’t able to finish college before in the University of the Philippines due to Martial Law, the honoris causa surely makes up for it.
Aside from receiving the honorary degree in Humanities, he was also invited to be one of the guest speakers during the 2019 PUP Year-End Commencement Exercises.
He started off, “Nakakapanibago yung doctor, maraming maraming salamat. Akala ko hindi na ako gra-graduate, ilang dekada ko din itong hinintay. Pero ngayon masasabi ko na graduate na ako, naka-toga pa ako.”
The 71-year-old playwright composed his speech with three wonderful pieces of advice not only for the newly-graduates but also for his past self.
Watch his whole inspiring commencement speech below:
A very inspirational speech from Dr. Ricky Lee! Congratulations Dad! Labyuuuuu!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Posted by Kirby Martin Lapus on Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Congratulations, Dr. Ricardo “Ricky” Lee!
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