By Alexia Bangayan and Maxine Agno

On Friday, April 17, the Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS) held its Thanksgiving Mass, the last school-wide mass for the School Year (S.Y.) 2025–2026.

The mass was presided over by school chaplain Fr. Noel Y. Bava, SJ, accompanied by chaplains from the Ateneo Grade School (AGS) and  Junior High School (AJHS). 

In his homily, Fr. Bava, SJ, referenced the movie “Project Hail Mary,” connecting it to the day’s Gospel reading, John 6: 1–15, which recounts the story of the loaves and fishes. 

He also discussed the concept of “Hail Mary” in sports — a desperate pass with a very small chance of success —  and related this to the journey of being an ASHS student, emphasizing how small acts, when offered with faith, can lead to meaningful impact.

This was followed by the blessing of retiring teachers, Ms. Meng De Guia and Mr. Gabriel Mallillin, as well as a blessing for the Grade 12 students who are set to graduate on May 15 and 16.

In her words of gratitude and closing remarks, school principal Mrs. Rosanna Borja described the students as the “Hail Mary Pass” of ASHS, hoping that graduating students may carry forward the school’s values.

After the mass, the Assembly of Class Officers (ACO) presented a sign-off video featuring the graduating Grade 12 sections, which was followed by the program for the Annual Activity Awards for the S.Y.

Annual Activity Awards

The school awarded various individuals and organizations with Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards for their  “meaningful, value-driven projects and activities” that created positive impacts on the community.

These awards are meant to recognize those who “showed excellence not merely in achievement,” but also embodied the values of 5Cs and aligned with the Office of Student Activities (OSA) thrust of Diversity, Sustainability, and Nation-Building.