Maricel Laxa highlights power of second chances

August 2 ------ Maricel Laxa delivered an inspiring keynote speech as the guest speaker for the 2025 University of the Philippines Los Baños graduation ceremony for Master’s and PhD students.

On Instagram, Maricel shared a clip from her speech, which centered around the theme of second chances, or what she fondly calls "Take 2." "Take 2! No matter what season of life, we all need and should avail of our chance for a Take 2," she wrote.

Explaining the meaning behind her "Take 2" philosophy, she said: "It is from rising up from every challenge that I have been able to overcome life's many challenges. Am truly honored to have had the chance to address the 2025 UPLB Masters and PhD Graduates as well as their families and friends."

Maricel also expressed her hope for the graduates' role in shaping the future. "My challenge to them and all the graduates then is this: What problem will you help solve? I am excited to see the outcome of our nation’s future with all the graduates having finished their degrees. To all of you, Mabuhay and All the best!" she stated.

In her heartfelt speech, the actress reminded the graduates that "perfection is not our goal. It is restoration.” She then shared a personal story that sparked the origin of her "Take 2" message. "My daughter asked me this a long time ago, she said, 'Mom, can we start all over again?' She whispered. Ito po si Hannah, she was very young then, this was maybe 20 years ago," she recounted. "I just had lost my temper and actually that moment when she whispered to me, 'Mom can we start all over again?' it gave birth to something now we call 'Take 2.'"

Maricel then reminded the graduates that failure is inevitable but recovery and resilience matter more. "So every time we find ourselves lost because we forgot to get a hold of ourselves, we say stop, cut, Take 2. I am far, I am very far from being a perfect mom but I try hard. When I fail, I'll ask for forgiveness, and then I'll try again. That's the point of life. You will fail but are you prepared to rise up again?" she said.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com