Article by Arabella Balderama

The Class of 2023 of Ateneo de Manila Senior High School (ASHS) conducted their commencement exercises in the Junior High School (JHS) covered courts last May 27 and 28 consecutively, with the Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) Strand and the General Academic (GA) Strand graduating on the first day, followed by the Humanities and Social Sciences (HumSS) Strand alongside the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Strand on the second day. This year’s graduation rites was centralized around the theme, “Dilaab”, to inspire the graduates to become agents of change by channeling their inner flame. 

Both days were first kicked off with the Baccalaureate Mass, which was presided by Fr. Bobby Yap SJ, the University President, alongside fellow Jesuit priests. Fr. Jonjee Sumpaico SJ was the homilist for the first day, whereas Fr. Bong Dahunan led the homily for the second day, both of whom implored the graduates to always seek the Lord as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. 

On May 27, ABM and GA students concluded their high school journey through a ceremony hosted by Ms. Ma. Margarita Kristina Lacdao, which began with the graduates’ processional, as well as opening remarks from Mr. Javy Fabello.

A welcoming speech was then given by the Class of 2023’s Salutatorian, Sean Henric Ortiz of STEM 12-Pantalia, allowing a short trip down memory lane for the graduates as Ortiz tackled the different struggles of their batch, such as the shift from online to face-to-face modality.

“I can’t believe we have made it this far. Nais kong bigyang pagpupugay ang pawis, puyat, sakripisyo, at hirap na dinanas ng aking mga kapwa mag-aaral sa napakahalagang okasyong ito,” Ortiz stated, adding his acknowledgements towards the exerted efforts of parents, teachers, and co-graduates.

Ortiz ended his speech by emphasizing that change is the only permanent thing in this world, and stated: “Ngayon, sa pagtatapos natin sa senior high school, nawa’y laging hamunin natin ang ating mga sarili na maging mahusay, hindi lang para sa atin kundi para sa ating kapwa, lalong lalo na sa mga nangangailangan at higit sa lahat para sa ating bayan.”

The Strand Excellence Awards were then distributed to the honorable students recognized for their exemplary performance in their respective strands, along with the Luis “Moro” Lorenzo Sportsmanship Award and the Horacio V. Dela Costa SJ Award for Distinguished Leadership.

After the presentation of awardees, the Class of 2023’s Valedictorian, Hazel Borlagdan, gave her Farewell Speech which centered on the educational challenges faced by students.

“Maraming estudyante sa probinsya ang nangangarap na makapag-aral sa malalaking unibersidad dito sa Maynila. Isa na ako sa kanila… Ngunit sa libo-libong nangangarap, masakit mang aminin, kakaunti lamang ang nabibigyan ng pagkakataon at isa itong malungkot na katotohanan,” Borlagdan said, citing that financial support is a significant factor affecting one’s quality of education.

Borlagdan then closed her meaningful speech by reminding students of the opportunity to stand back up again whenever struggles make them stumble, and emphasizing that even the smallest efforts matter in helping others.

“Sa lahat ng ating ginawa, ginagawa, at gagawin, huwag kalimutan ang pagkilos para sa ikabubuti ng iba dahil ito ang naaayon sa kalooban ng Diyos,” Borlagdan concluded.

The last speaker before the awarding of diplomas for the ABM and GA students was Jing Castañeda, an ABS-CBN anchor and PhilStar columnist, who caught the students’ attention through an introduction which tackled ChatGPT—an artificial intelligence (AI) bot. 

“Because aside from the COVID pandemic, AI is another pivotal phenomenon that will define your generation… I would like for you, the leaders of tomorrow, to consider how you can be a bright light in a digital world dominated by AI,” remarked Castañeda on why she talked about ChatGPT.

The known anchor highlighted that while AI might be helpful, it also has the potential to deprive humans of the things that make them humans, such as warmth and wisdom.

“As you walk your life’s path in and out of your digital world, it will be the well-traveled roads shared with your loved ones that will always lead you back home,” Castañeda finished.

Meanwhile, on May 28, the HumSS and STEM Strands celebrated their graduation rites in the same manner and flow, with Mr. Joshua Lorenzo Madarang as the emcee.

The guest speaker for the second day of the graduation rites was Amable Miguel Cruz Aguiluz IX, AMA University’s Vice Chairman and AMA Online Education founder, who allured the students by mentioning a few slangs, such as “situationship” and “rizz”.

Aguiluz IX narrated his high school story, which highlighted the importance of pursuing the things which would bring one genuine happiness.

“I realized that out of all the businesses I ventured into, the one that gave me true happiness was not really the business that made money or made lots of money. It was the business that brought the biggest smiles to people’s faces,” Aguiluz IX said.

His speech ended with an inspirational remark to the students, “Today is not just your graduation. It is a reminder of the difference you can make in this world. Your Northstar should be a profession that will bring a smile to people’s faces—the bigger the smile, the bigger the satisfaction. Make sure to leave this Earth better than when you found it.”

On both days, the diplomas were awarded to the graduates after the talks of each guest speaker, following the alphabetical order of distribution per strand and section. Afterwards, the fresh graduates were sworn in to the Ateneo Alumni Association through an oath-taking, which was then succeeded by the viewing of a culminating video prepared by Hi-Lites and a farewell presentation by the ASHS faculty and staff. 

The ceremonies of both days concluded with the graduates singing “A Song for Mary”, followed by the recessional and the exiting of the JHS covered courts.