FR. JETT TELLS ATENEO SENIORS TO “BE TRUE TO WHO YOU ARE”
“It’s very important to stand your ground,” he said, “and to come home to the Ateneo every so often. Be true to who you are to yourself and let the Ateneo help you. Come home to tell your stories because we also need to hear them.”
These were the parting words of University President Fr. Jett Villarin, SJ during the Seniors’ Pabaon 2016 held on May 17 at the Henry Lee Irwin Theater. A tradition of the Ateneo, the Pabaon is a ceremonial ritual that helps seniors reflect on their 4 years in college and how the university has developed them into persons-for-and-with-others. It is also part of the Loyola Schools Integrated Ateneo Formation (INAF) Senior Integration Program (SIP).
The Pabaon started out with a nostalgic theme as the graduating students watched slideshows of their pictures in college. Writing letters to their teachers and “formators” also gave the seniors a sense of gratitude and appreciation.
Fr. Jett, on the other hand, gave the students 3 pointers to reflect on and remember.
“Always be grateful, that’s my 1stpabaon,” he said. “It is the cure to depression—being thankful even if you think there is nothing to be thankful for.”
His next pabaon was AMDG and he continued to share some of the meanings of AMDG, such as “ang matakot di gagalaw.”
“You freeze when you’re afraid,” he explained. “You’re paralyzed. But you have to keep walking. Be prepared. ‘Wag kayong manigas. Mabigo man kayo, don’t say ‘this is it’ because life is not a dead end.”
Fr. Jett also said that the world outside Ateneo was not pretty and one can lose heart, so he encouraged the seniors to visit every now and then. He then reminded the students to stay humble despite wanting to let their lights shine.
“Don’t be afraid to muddy your feet, to dirty your hands because that’s part of humility.”
Finally, he shared the true meaning of AMDG.
“Ad majorem Dei gloriam, the key word there is majorem, which means greater,” Fr. Jett said. “Say the comparative and not the superlative. Yes, you did your best, but tomorrow will be better.”
He said that sometimes the challenge was to do the better thing, the greater and more difficult one. He also warned them that pushing themselves harder was not magis but selfishness, if they were only concerned about themselves.
In closing, Fr. Jett told the students that graduation was not entirely about them, rather it was a gift that they received which they will give to those who have loved them and those they loved.
“Love is never mediocre, love always desires the greater thing,” he said.
As part of the Pabaon, Fr. Jett also blessed the graduating students after a Gospel reading and after reciting the Prayer for Generosity.
The seniors’ graduation will be on June 25, 2016 (SOH and JGSOM) and June 26, 2016 (SOSS and SOSE).
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