MANILA, Philippines — A video is making rounds online showing a high school salutatorian being stopped by school officials while delivering her speech during the graduation rites of Sto. Niño Parochial School in Quezon City last Saturday.
In her salutatory speech, Krisel Mallari, narrated her experiences as she criticized the policies of the school.
“With each year that passed by, I studied so hard in school, I believed in fair competition. Towards the end of this school year, I was just a step away from the finish line, but the red lace that will symbolize my success was gone—or was it intentionally taken?” Mallari said.
She was interrupted by one of the officials of the school, thanking her and indirectly telling her to stop. Mallari did not mind the official and continued her speech.
“A lot of people kept a blind eye on a system that is dirty and dubious. But I did not adhere to this. I fought for what I think was right. I stood up as a Filipino…,” Mallari added. The official stopped her anew.
Mallari tried to continue her speech but the official grabbed the microphone from her.
The lady official also called on the principal of the school to stop Mallari.
She asked Mallari to return to her seat but the high school salutatorian decided to stay on the stage.
Other officials also approached Mallari forcing her to leave the stage.
As of posting, the video has been viewed 394,436 times on YouTube.