By Joey Gabieta

TACLOBAN CITY – This year’s graduates remain optimistic that despite of the crisis engulfing the country and the rest of the world, jobs still await for them.

Take the case of Christopher Rojas, 22 and Zyrah Cadagong, 20, who both graduated yesterday at the Eastern Visayas State University.

The two new graduates said that they are still confident that they could still find employment despite of the economic crisis and eventually help their respective families.

“I know I can still find a job. I have to look for one,” says Rojas, who finished a degree on engineering.

He, however, said that he would take a “rest” to ready him for the board examination. But eventually, he would look around to find a decent employment, Rojas stressed.

For her part, Cadagong, who finished food and technology course, said that she really have to find work to help her parents send her two younger siblings finished their studies.

“This is my motivation why I want to have job- would like to help my parents and my two younger siblings,” the La Paz town native said.

The two were among the more than 1,200 graduates of the EVSU that would be competing with millions of people in the country who have yet to land a job amid the financial crisis engulfing the country and the rest of the world.

In the region, estimates of graduates on a yearly basis reaches as high as 10,000 with about less than five percent landing employment.

Senator Manny Villar, who was the commencement speaker, urged the graduates “never to lose hope.”

“The 2009 graduates are the most challenging and unforgettable batch considering that we are facing a serious global financial crisis. But my dear graduates, never lose hope and don’t get discouraged,” Villar said before the graduates.

The crisis may just turn out to be a big opportunity for them.

The former Senate president encouraged the graduates to take the lead in what he called as “entrepreneurial revolution” wherein they would engage in small business which they can enrich.

“We have been into various revolutions. But at this time of economic difficulties, we need a new and different revolution which is the entrepreneurial revolution which can radically change your future and even that of the country,” Villar said.

In his short talks with the graduates, Villar narrated his “humble beginning” which he used as his inspiration to rise above poverty.

Villar, who entered politics in 1992, is considered to be among the country’s richest men who made his billions on real estate development.