The Board of Trustees; Reverend Father Karel S San Juan of the Society of Jesus, President of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University; Brother Roseller L Atilano of the Society of Jesus, our commencement speaker; Dr Rebecca V Fernandez, Academic Vice President; Members of the University administration; Members of the Faculty; Jesuit Fathers; Fellow graduates; Honored guests; Ladies and Gentlemen. Buenas Noches a todo!
Thirteen years ago, I met a boy. He was tall, dark and thin. A simple boy who has dreams not just for himself but for his family. He told me that their house was burned when he was in grade 2 and they needed to stay in a bahay kubo for more than two years. He needed to study his notes in school before sunset because they had no electricity for nearly a year.
He had to wake up early in the morning to carry water from the neighborhood for they have no water connection, at that time he was 10 years old. After all, he graduated Valedictorian in Tetuan Central School Class 2005. In High School he experienced going to school with no baon. He helped his family by selling pizza and burger every day.
When he was in College, every time the rain pours so hard, they are wide awake observing the water to rise because their roof has holes and their house is low. He had days when he needed to dress up along the road because the water in their house is knee level. There were days when his mom needed to be far from them and his dad needed to drive a tricycle to bring food to the table. These were days when he was tested more than just challenged to be strong. These were the days when most of us will say: I give up, I am done. But in these days he learned and his family taught him to say: This too shall pass. Let us move forward. That boy, after thirteen years is now standing in front of you.
Our journey in the Ateneo may not be that smooth for it has been a daily struggle and full of challenges. But Ateneo makes us feel that as we are challenged, people are behind us, to accompany us, to raise us. In the Ateneo we are inspired by the value of compassion, pag-alalay sa ating paglalakbay, and preserved knowing that we are not alone in the journey, that we have companions as we go along. Challenge, Compassion and Companionship – a story of an Atenean’s Journey.
We have daily worries, personal crosses to bear, family and personal problems that we bring every step of the way. But that should not hinder us to dream. That should not stop us to move forward. That should not let our spirits die. Those challenges even motivate us to dream bigger because you believe that there is and there could be a better and brighter tomorrow.
My life and journey has never been easy. I would even say unimaginable in a young boy’s journey. But I have shown you that your life yesterday has a reason where you are today and is not a barrier to your success tomorrow.
I stand here knowing that my journey is part of the greater journey of this batch, that it has been a challenge of how we are able to be where we are today, at this very moment, in this graduation. Some of us missed meals to be able to comply with academic requirements, some of us needed to have sleepless nights to prepare for a paper and a defense, some needed to be in a graveyard shift to take care of the patients, some of us needed to retake subjects and some extended for a year or years in college.
Jokingly they say quality education takes time but I say that quality and transformative formation in the Ateneo is a lifetime. Our pride as Ateneans is not just about the name that we bring, not just being in Ateneo, but it is anchored in our deeper formation and value that amidst darkness, we see light; amidst the challenge, we see the opportunity to grow; and amidst the sacrifice, we see the purpose of our existence. That is the true spirit of an Atenean.
Do not get me wrong. We are no superheroes to do all things for the world. We are not here to turn the world upside down. People do not expect us to be saints to do miracles. But they believe, deep within their spirit that with our values and formation, we can make a difference. But we are called to make a difference as Ateneans.
Atenean nurses who see the poor mothers and children in Mindanao dying because they do not have access to basic health services. We could be teachers instilling values to children as they grow. We could be business people who will strive for sustainable engagements in communities more than just profits. We could be engineers and system analysts who would build and create wonders for the future. Or we can simply be good examples to our siblings as they grow.
In this batch we offer that change, after this graduation we begin the journey beyond Ateneo and beyond rhetoric. That is what we are called for. That is what we are formed for. This is our mission and this is who we are as Ateneans.
After the Zamboanga Crisis or just after the fire incident in Canelar last night wherein we have friends affected like our fellow graduate, Rein Ran, who still managed to be here after that challenging time, what is it now for us to do? We are not just here to see the problem. We are not just there to extend a hand. We are there to suffer with them and assist them to rise again.
We are connected as Ateneans beyond Ateneo. Every time we see children begging outside La Purisima that matters to us even if he is not our brother or sister. If there is an IDP who cannot eat for a day and having no option at all, that should move our spirits. Every time there is someone in the Ateneo who cannot have a decent meal for a day that must push us to move and extend a helping hand. It is that fundamental belief that we are men and women for and with others that makes us as Ateneans. Recognizing that there is a problem does not solve the crisis. Seeing the problem does not restore peace. Feeling the problem does not restore dignity. Recognizing, seeing and feeling begins it, but acting on it is being an Atenean.
In the Ateneo it not just about you. It has never been a journey alone. There are people with us as we go: Benefactors who supported and believed in us that we can make it, friends who are beside us in our up and down moments, and parents who would do everything to meet our need and make us happy. These are not just ordinary people in our journey.
These are our companions who will never leave us and will always be there for us. They allow us to pursue our individual dreams, to work for our aspiration and dream bigger as tomorrow comes. The Ateneo rekindled the fire in our hearts for service and taught us that in the Ateneo it is Service Beyond Words and beyond just service, it is companionship at work.
To us Ateneans, I say, we have more work to do – More to do for the kids who have the will and drive but do not have money to go to school. These are the kids who should be formed and prepared for life as we believe that they are the future of our nation, and more to do for the internally displaced people after the Zamboanga Crisis.
This year in this graduating batch, we are called to reaffirm our values and our commitments as we say – Men and Women for Others and Pro Deo Et Patria – against a harsh reality. That they may find the sense of community again. More to do for others and less of ourselves, for in the end this is what we have committed for.
Tonight, we will start another journey of our life – a life of more challenges and struggles. Tonight we eagles will be leaving our home to be of service to others – a calling we must respond to. Tonight we will go beyond Ateneo and be men and women for others – the mission we are formed for. Tonight we will show the world who we are as Ateneans. Do not just say those magical words, live out those into action. Do not look for your mission and calling from afar, sometimes you just need to look around and listen where you are needed, where you are called.
Open your eyes so you could see, open your ears so you could listen, open your hearts so you could love and extend your arms so you could serve. Do not just be Ateneo graduates holding those diplomas, but be an Atenean – with values and character.
If we do what we must do, then I have no doubt that all over the country where there is an Atenean, and all over the world, the people will rise, the eagles will soar and will lift us from all the challenges society has to offer. This batch will take on that journey beyond Ateneo and will make a difference in the future that awaits us – a brighter tomorrow wherein eagles will soar high with stronger wings lifting people from poverty to restore dignity, lifting injustice to restore harmony and lift violence to restore peace.
Before I end, allow me to recognize my companions in my journey in the Ateneo – reasons behind who I am today.
To Sir Santi Araneta and Sir Shing Balatbat. These men allowed me to dream and not only dream but to dream the Ateneo dream. I will forever be thankful to you.
To the Jesuit Community, especially to Fr. Willy Samson, who did not just ask if there is anything they could do for me but did more than what is needed. Indeed, more than being priests and brothers, Jesuits are companions in our journey in the Ateneo.
To my El Consejo Atenista and Ogilvie 2009 Family. Thank you for reminding me that I am not alone in this journey, for being with me in my ups and downs. As I said, I am not saying goodbye but see you soon.
To all our Faculty and Staff, most especially to the A Team and the Golden Ladies (Mrs. Leonora Pena, Mrs. Elizabeth Parreno, Mrs. Brenda Molina and Mrs. Thelma Wee). You have not only taught us Accounting but you taught us to be human amidst all. Thank you for the constant inspiration. On October 2014 we will not only pass the CPA Boards Exam for ourselves, not just for our school – we will pass the boards for you.
To my mentor and tormentor, Mr. Aryx Ismael who constantly reminds me to be better, to speak not from the mind but from the heart and challenges us to show service beyond words, thank you very much.
To my parents, Mama Yeng and Papa Arnel, and siblings, Dale, Patrick, Aaron, Brian and Bituin, to whom I do not only dedicate but offer with all my heart what and who I am. For without you along the roller coaster journey, I would not be the Earl today.
To God – for all these is His will, His time, His plan – Kairos. Thank you for the constant push to persevere and never ending inspiration to keep our spirits high.
Ateneo is not just our school. It is not just a University. It is not just a place. Ateneo is our HOME.
We are not a diploma factory. We are forming leaders, men and women whose spirituality and skills compel them to work for social transformation and peace. Hundreds of graduates but few Ateneans. One Atenean can make a difference, but he cannot do it alone. Let us all be Ateneans in our ways.
Thank you and to God always be the glory.
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