In Retrospect

One’s mind once stretched by a new idea never returns to its old dimensions. – Oliver Wendell Holmes

True enough.

I rested at around 2 a.m. last night and so waking up for Huling Pabaon was such a burden. Nevertheless, I would have to admit that it was an experience worth remembering. Being just right there at Henry Lee Irwin Theater, listening to what Ateneans would have to say about their stay at the Ateneo, to the staff who made our lives easier than most of us could ever imagine, to the professors who taught us more than just enough about the course and life and love, awakened me to the truth that indeed, I am graduating. I am now becoming an official Atenean.

Looking back, passing the ACET was just a dream come true. I never really expected it to happen. I remember it clearly; someone even had to tell me that I passed the exam. I didn’t bother joining the long queu for myself. I remember saying, whatever happens I’d know the results too. You see, it was not easy to get into the Ateneo, so I guess you are entitled to feel proud of yourself if you passed the exam.

I only took three entrance exams, all of which I luckily passed. But there was something in Ateneo that brought me to decide to spend four years of my life in it. The two other, though are very great schools as well, did not shake this decision very much. From that moment on, I found myself always reading through the pages of the Ateneo brochure and the Hau’oli invitation sent to my home. I was excited to go to school and started counting the days left before the first day of Orsem.

A lot of people think Ateneans are only smart brats and elitists. Somehow, this could be true. I say somehow because there certainly are some Ateneans who are like this. But thinking about it, being an Atenean is not enough a criterion to judge the Atenean’s character. One cannot simply use this alone and say he knows much already about the person. There certainly is more to us than meets the eye.

For the soon-to-be Ateneans, I personally think it depends highly on how you choose to better yourself. If you allow yourself to embrace and be immersed in the culture that the university exemplifies, then you will learn and realize that you have a role to accomplish in this world.

As much as the Ateneo culture is diverse, so are the many people that I met. And I am very happy to say that I was able to know a few with whom I established lasting friendships, which I know will go beyond the realms of college life.

For all its worth, I loved being in the Ateneo. It was more than just the fame and prestige that caught me. Quoting my friend Kath, “[In Ateneo], expect to be brought to hell and back for not less than a hundred times. It's not all glitz and glamour here. We get stress pimples and eye luggages too. It's difficult to get in but it's more difficult to stay and having a good head on your shoulders is not enough- a tough stamina is also needed. It's not easy and the ride will be crazy but it will be the best four years of your life if you allow it to be.” I know in my heart that I would not get to learn all the things that I know now if I chose to live the past four years of my life in a different place.

With that being said, no matter how harsh other people’s words about Ateneo may be, it won’t change the way I look at this school. I guess one would never know how it is if he does not get to spend at least a part of his life in a place that could serve a big influence on establishing his character.

Dean Ang asked us to never forget how to dream big. Dreaming big does not necessarily mean being ambitious to the extent of losing yourself to attain your dream. It is being able to reach your aspirations as you continuously extend yourselves to others.

I won’t.

And I won’t forget the place that encouraged me to do so every single day.

Ad majorem dei gloriam.

A Song For Mary

We stand on a hill
Between the earth and sky
Now all is still
Where Loyola's colors fly
Our course is run
And the setting sun
Ends Ateneo's day,
Eyes are dry at the last goodbye;
This is the Ateneo way.

Mary for you!
For your white and blue!
We pray you'll keep us, Mary
Constantly true!
We pray you'll keep us, Mary
Faithful to you!

Down from the hill,
Down to the world go I;
Rememb'ring still,
How the bright Blue Eagles fly.
Through joy and tears,
Through the laughing years,
We sing our battle song:
Win or lose,
It's the school we choose;
This is the place where we belong!

Mary for you!
For your white and blue!
We pray you'll keep us, Mary
Constantly true!
We pray you'll keep us, Mary
Faithful to you!

Here are some pics taken during the first day of my last semester in the Ateneo.

From L-R: Kim, Cel, Jan, Me, Ella

From L-R: Cel, Jan, Me, Miguel

From L-R: Chal, Yet, Me

They're just some of the few real and happy people I met in Ateneo. :) Love you, guys!