Miriam’s pick-up lines

Sen Miriam Defensor Santiago delivering her message at the University of the Philippines Cebu campus 77th Commencement Exercises.(CDN PHOO/TONEE DESPOJO)

‘Password ka ba?’

Having Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago as the guest speaker of a graduation ceremony will surely spice up the event.

At yesterday’s 77th commencement exercises of the University of the Philippines (UP) – Cebu, the senator delivered a speech that captivated the attention of graduates, parents and the faculty.

She opened her speech with a “pick-up line”, something that she has become famous for.

“Kapag nag break na kayo ng boyfriend at girlfriend mo, tanungin mo siya, ‘Password ka ba?”
Then the crowd replied, “Bakit?”

She replied, “Hinding-hindi kita malilimutan pero kayang-kaya kitang palitan.”
This drew cheers and laughter from the crowd.

Then, she went on, “Puwede mo ring tanungin sa jowa mo nang: ‘Bachelors degree ka ba? Kasi tapos na ako sayo eh!’”

Another one was “Summer ka ba? “Kasi wala kang class!”

The senator also reminded the graduates to thank their parents for their hard work in sending them to school.

She told them to look for a job where they can prove their worth.

“We are the creator of our own values. You make your own meaning of your life. Life is not a set of calculus or a formula,” Santiago said.

She also told the graduates to stop grumbling and if they have done something wrong in the past, do something to make it right.

After her speech, the program had to be suspended for a while as students took advantage of the opportunity to have pictures taken with the senator.

In an interview, Santiago said that she was overwhelmed by the warm welcome from students, parents, and professors yesterday.

She recalled the during her college days in UP Diliman, she used to boo guest speakers.

“It’s part of UP tradition but with my experience here, it was sort of teasing,” Santiago said.