VICE President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Friday urged graduates of the Aurora National High School to follow their dreams and keep reaching for the brightest star.

“While you are young, always reach for the brightest star and never give up — not even if it is impossibly within your reach,” she told the 203 graduates of the Maria Aurora National High School during the school’s 48th Commencement Exercises and 6th Senior High School Graduation Ceremony.

Amid the heavy rain, Duterte urged the graduates to have the courage to pursue their dreams, ‘even if they seem hard, unconventional, or impossible.’

“Seek opportunities that align with your values and allow you to contribute to something greater than yourself,” she said.

“Never let go of your dreams,” she added.

Duterte, however, reminded the graduates that dreams may or may not be achieved despite their hard work, sacrifices, and persistence.

“But there are times that even with hard work, even with determination, a dream slips through one’s fingers, causing disappointment and despair,” she said.

“Grieve if you must. But never lose hope. And while you cling to hope, do not give up. Do not surrender. Cultivate another garden of dreams. You should, and you must. Why because it is your life that is at stake here,” she added.

She told the graduates not to be afraid to fail as “the light inside of you is stronger than your failure.”

“I hope that you will soon recognize the incredible potential and power that you possess,” she said.

She also paid tribute to the parents, guardians and teachers.

“But this journey would have been unimaginably impossible if not for your parents, whose unconditional love for you they may have been shown in a thousand different ways — one of which was the unbelievable amount of sacrifice they had to make to give you the best kind of life,” she said.

“We also recognize the role of your teachers and the entire Maria Aurora National High School community in the fulfilment of your future success,” she added.