Graduation Blues
I can't believe I was able to survive these past two days; but I did, and I think I did well (except for that weird Theo presentation this Tuesday)
Graduation is almost near and I can't help but feel a bit sad. As Ken Tomas said, there's so much to lose by graduating: the school, your friends, and arguably the idealism of Ateneo. I've spent the best days of my life here but it wasn't just fun, it was an experience - a 4-year preparatory course or maybe a journey in itself.
Here, I learned about the value of hard work, the value of reason as a means to achieve happiness, the value of responsibility to others and responsibility for your actions, the rational aspect of faith, and yes, one's fundamental option in life. It has just made me think so much about my historicity and future. It made me want to strive for more, to do good and thus be happy. Yes, I sound like a typical philosophy/theology/history teacher but I can't help it. Everything I was taught makes so much sense that it's difficult to believe in anything contrary to these teachings.
Some may say I have been brainwashed but I disagree. i've spent more than 13 years of my life in an all-girls Catholic High School and yet, it has not made a profound impression on me as Ateneo had. Someday, I hope this impression will transform into an indelible mark.
Today, my teacher in History (Mr. Totanes) took a class picture with us. I think he wanted to tell us, inexplicitly, that we should do something great in our lives so that one day, we will be like those great men and women whose picture he shows in class. He can tell stories about us like he tells us stories about the students and his friends who bravely went to prison for opposing the Marcos regime. The EDSA Revolution, which he believes to be an unfinished task or an on-going process, is something that should be carried out by us young Filipinos. I was inspired; we should all definitely try to achieve something Great in our fields for our country - not for vanity's sake but for the priviledge of being called truly human because after all, goodness and greatness are at the core of us; it is what we are designed for...
Doubtless, Ateneans will head Philippine politics or major Philippine corporations one day. I hope to see a friend's face on television or in the newspapers. For each prominent face I see, I hope I will be able to take pride in saying that he is a fellow Atenean.
Graduation is almost near and I can't help but feel a bit sad. As Ken Tomas said, there's so much to lose by graduating: the school, your friends, and arguably the idealism of Ateneo. I've spent the best days of my life here but it wasn't just fun, it was an experience - a 4-year preparatory course or maybe a journey in itself.
Here, I learned about the value of hard work, the value of reason as a means to achieve happiness, the value of responsibility to others and responsibility for your actions, the rational aspect of faith, and yes, one's fundamental option in life. It has just made me think so much about my historicity and future. It made me want to strive for more, to do good and thus be happy. Yes, I sound like a typical philosophy/theology/history teacher but I can't help it. Everything I was taught makes so much sense that it's difficult to believe in anything contrary to these teachings.
Some may say I have been brainwashed but I disagree. i've spent more than 13 years of my life in an all-girls Catholic High School and yet, it has not made a profound impression on me as Ateneo had. Someday, I hope this impression will transform into an indelible mark.
Today, my teacher in History (Mr. Totanes) took a class picture with us. I think he wanted to tell us, inexplicitly, that we should do something great in our lives so that one day, we will be like those great men and women whose picture he shows in class. He can tell stories about us like he tells us stories about the students and his friends who bravely went to prison for opposing the Marcos regime. The EDSA Revolution, which he believes to be an unfinished task or an on-going process, is something that should be carried out by us young Filipinos. I was inspired; we should all definitely try to achieve something Great in our fields for our country - not for vanity's sake but for the priviledge of being called truly human because after all, goodness and greatness are at the core of us; it is what we are designed for...
Doubtless, Ateneans will head Philippine politics or major Philippine corporations one day. I hope to see a friend's face on television or in the newspapers. For each prominent face I see, I hope I will be able to take pride in saying that he is a fellow Atenean.