TO HONOR the graduating Class of 2023, the Loyola Schools (LS) held its 164th Commencement Exercises last June 30 and July 1 at the Ateneo High School Covered Courts.
The event saw 2,723 graduates from the undergraduate and graduate programs of the School of Science and Engineering, School of Social Sciences, School of Humanities, John Gokongwei School of Management, and Gokongwei Brothers’ School of Education and Learning Design.
During the Commencement Rites, graduates were graced with a message of hope and invitation for action by this year’s commencement speaker, Rappler Chief Executive Officer and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria A. Ressa.
In a memo issued last April, the Ateneo de Manila Board of Trustees conferred Ressa an honorary doctorate degree in Sociology for her courage and commitment “to pursuing truth, justice, and freedom.”
Embracing fear
Upon receiving her honorary degree, Ressa imparted her commencement speech which stressed how one’s choices, environment, and values build upon their lifelong search for meaning.
Encouraging the graduates to draw the line between ethical and unethical actions, Ressa forwards the idea of choosing the values that define them in times of struggle. To her, “fear is a luxury,” prompting the graduates to build courage by embracing their fears.
“Don’t be distracted in your search for meaning. What you do today matters. You will define what our society will look like and how our democracy will evolve,” Ressa continued.
Relating to her own experiences, Ressa also cautioned about social media’s “mob,” advising graduates to think slowly and fight for themselves. However, Ressa also urges them to “aim for the empty mirror,” in which graduates must put aside their arrogance to view the reflection of the world beyond themselves.
Loving despite struggling
Citing the many struggles of his batch through the pandemic, Class Valedictorian Tristan Joseph A. Alcantara called for graduates to continue standing in solidarity by fighting for what they care about despite challenges.
“To love means to continue despite our struggles. To love means to help others with their struggles despite our own struggles,” Alcantara expressed, sharing the idea that love does not stop even in the face of exhaustion.
For Alcantara, this graduation is as much a celebration of the batch’s strength and perseverance as it is a “recognition of their woundedness and brokenness,” referencing that strength also comes in accepting one’s vulnerabilities.
For the white and blue
As each of the ceremonies came to a close, graduates were presented a tribute video themed after their batch’s freshmen Orientation Seminar, Silay, meant to showcase the achievements and challenges they faced during their college journey.
Recounting their memories after the video, some graduates detail their most valuable takeaway from their time in the Ateneo. Among them was Michelle Co (BS ITE ‘23), who highlighted the significance of taking pauses to appreciate life.
On the other hand, Andrei Narciso (BS HS ‘23) cited the song Amare Et Servire as he explained that “love and service are inherently connected,” asserting that one can find meaning for both at the same time.
Meanwhile, Mia Salvania (AB COM ‘23) and Cailey Chan (BS CTM ‘23) reflected on the commencement exercises’ title, Pagtatapos.
For Salvania, Pagtatapos—being the closing of a chapter—signifies the beginning of an individual’s transformation into a wiser version of themselves. Chan, on the other hand, believes that Pagtatapos represents “a powerful paradox,” as its ending signals a new beginning of endless possibilities.
Similarly, Office of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs Campus Life Division Head Christopher Castillo also remarks this year’s graduation as the last under the LS banner in view of the administration’s recent restructuring into the Ateneo Higher Education Cluster.
He adds that despite not knowing what lies ahead, the University has plans and, ultimately, moves through faith and grace.
