VICE PRESIDENT and Education Secretary Sara Duterte urged college graduates to focus on their dreams and to stay away from negative influences that could destroy their future.

“Huwag na kayong magpa-distract sa mga bagay na hindi naman makakatulong sa buhay ninyo o sa pamilya ninyo tulad ng mga bisyo, droga, mga illegal na gawain, recruitment sa NPA, recruitment sa terorismo o kung ano pa man ‘yung alam na natin lahat na makakasama sa buhay ninyo. Just focus on your dreams,” Duterte said during the third commencement exercises of the Mindoro State University on Wednesday.

She said that an optimistic perspective will give them more opportunities.

“Paalala ko lang sa inyo — hindi magiging madali ang buhay. Pero kahit hindi ito magiging madali, maraming mga oportunidad ang para sa inyo if you only learn to look at the brighter side of things,” she said.

The Vice President urged the graduates to “have the courage to pursue your dreams, even if they seem hard, unconventional, or impossible.”

“Walang makakatalo sa apoy diyan sa puso ninyo, sa dibdib ninyo, sa kagustuhan ninyong magtagumpay,” she said.

“We should never diminish the value of dreams — no matter how, later in life, we may find ourselves in situations that might break our hearts and spirits,” she said.