Drawing from our strengths, proceeding with our mission

Read the speech of Danikka Rose Fabela DMin ('24), the graduate students' representative at the 2024 University Commencement last Friday, 21 June 2024.

His Eminence Luis Antonio G Cardinal Tagle, Fr Xavier L Olin SJ, Provincial Superior, Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus, Ms Bernadine T Siy, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Fr Roberto C Yap SJ, University President, members of the Board of Trustees, Dr Maria Luz C Vilches, Vice President for Higher Education, vice presidents, deans, administrators, faculty, staff, graduates of batch 2024, good morning.

As we gather to celebrate today’s milestone in our academic journey, we are drawn to reflect on the extraordinary path that has brought us to this moment. The past few years have been packed with different emotions, experiences, and challenges that none of us could have anticipated.

The pandemic was a global challenge that forced us to navigate uncharted waters. It left us grappling with uncertainty about the future, questioning if there even was a future to look forward to. We found ourselves confused, fearful, and fundamentally changed as individuals and as a community.

But let us not forget that the pandemic was merely one of the many hurdles we encountered. In my journey as a graduate student, one of the most grueling challenges was completing the final two chapters of my dissertation. For someone like me from Mindanao, studying at the Ateneo was a dream realized through a government scholarship. This scholarship, however, covered only three full years, with an option to extend for just one semester. Yet, here I was in my fifth year, far beyond the contract’s terms.

The stakes were high. If I gave up and failed to complete the Doctor of Ministry program, I would be wasting taxpayers’ money. Without the scholarship, my financial situation would be dire. I had to find a place in Manila to stay for five months, one that fit within my meager savings. The return to Manila was really expensive, but with the support from friends and a paid study leave from Xavier University, I managed to make it back.

Challenges

With the financial burden temporarily lifted, I thought my path was clear, but fate had other plans. My original mentor, due to scheduling conflicts, could no longer guide me. The search for a new mentor was long and filled with uncertainty. Before coming back to Manila, I had a promising lead, but it fell through.  When I arrived in Manila at the start of my study leave, I was still without a mentor. A few weeks went by in uncertainty, filled with self-doubt and looming questions: would I find a new mentor? What if he or she insisted I start from scratch and disregard my first three chapters?

But then, a beacon of hope appeared. Suzanne Alvarez, a fellow Doctor of Ministry student, introduced me to Fr Jojo Fung SJ. I shared my plight with him. After a long conversation, Fr Jojo looked at me and said, “I believe in you, let’s finish this together.” With Fr Jojo’s guidance, I completed the remaining two chapters and submitted my work for second reading and final defense.

My story is but one among the colorful tales of all the graduate students gathered here today. Some carry even heavier burdens than mine. Beyond fulfilling institutional requirements, many of us juggle jobs and familial responsibilities. Take Michelle, for instance—she’s a friend who recently had her final defense. As a mother of three and a full-time religious educator, she couldn’t enroll as a full-time student due to her numerous responsibilities. Minsan, pag may common activity kami doon sa Loyola School of Theology, hahanapin ko siya, but she would reply na gustuhin man niya mag-attend, hindi pwede kasi mahirap umalis sa work. Many times, she would send me a message asking for prayers. She was having doubts about proceeding with her enrollment kasi due na siya for comprehensive exams, baka daw hindi niya kayanin ang demands. But with God’s grace, nakayanan at natapos niya, at gagraduate na din next year.

Kagaya ni Michelle, lahat kaming mga graduate students ay may pagsubok na pinagdaanan, obstacles that often felt like insurmountable walls blocking our paths. Each day presented a new battle to be fought and a new reason to doubt our ability to persevere.

And yet, here we are.

I firmly believe that in those pressure-packed moments, there was something – or perhaps someone – that we held onto. Whether it was the support of family and friends, the guidance of teachers and mentors, or an inner strength we never knew we possessed, there was a steady force that kept us moving forward.

Driving force

That steady force varies for each of us. Kanya-kanya po tayo ng pinanghuhugutan. For me, the driving force would be my passion for youth formation. Amidst the ebb and flow of momentum, it is the passion I have for youth ministry that serves as my guiding light.

However, it is important to recognize that passion doesn’t consistently blaze brightly every day, especially in youth ministry, a less commonly chosen path. When asked about my doctoral studies, I often see puzzled expressions about the impact of spiritual formation on young people. Anong magagawa ng recollection o retreat sa buhay ng mga kabataan ngayon? It makes me question whether I am genuinely making an impact on the lives of the students I minister to. Youth ministry also operates away from the spotlight, with the fruits of our labor remaining hidden and intangible. We can only hope that through patient nurturing, seeds of compassion take root in young hearts. This leads me to ponder, in a world overly-preoccupied with fame and immediate results, would people still be willing to do good for others even when their efforts go unrecognized and the outcomes are shrouded in intangibility. Sa isang mundong labis na nakaayon sa kasikatan at agarang resulta, magiging handa ka pa rin bang magpakabuti sa kapwa kahit walang nakakakita sa iyong gawa?

Saying yes to that question has proven to be immensely fulfilling.

One striking moment during my research was when I asked a group of 4th year college students from Cagayan de Oro to describe themselves and their peers. One student articulated that the youth of today are actively engaged in serving the community. Your voices are not only heard but also valued by local government leaders, and you help shape policies that impact society. This anecdote is just one of many that showcase how you boldly advocate for causes close to your hearts. Fearlessly embracing risks and standing up for those whose voices are often silenced, you embody courage and profound strength in today’s world. Saludo ako sa mga kabataan ngayon.

And because of that, you continue to give all of us hope. You provide youth ministers, like me, with the inspiration and optimism needed to continue the important work of accompaniment.

Speaking of accompaniment, another powerful driving force for many of us here today is our family and loved ones. We have come to where we are because of the generosity and faith of others. I was able to study here because of a scholarship, and that may be true for many of you as well. We are here because someone believed in us, someone accompanied us and stood by us through thick and thin. Sa aking mama at papa, who only just discovered last night that I am one of the speakers today, thank you for giving it everything you have to provide me with the opportunity to study. Sa lahat po ng mga magulang, asawa, anak, kapamilya, kaibigan, kaklase, guardians, mentors, teachers, staff, mga opisina at administrators dito sa Ateneo na paborito nating puntahan kung may kailangan tayong tulong, sa Office of the Vice President for Graduate Education, daghan kaayong salamat sa inyo. Thank you to all of you. You have empowered us to reach for our dreams. Today, as we celebrate our achievements, we also celebrate you. Kayo ang hugot namin. Sa inyo din po galing ang lakas na meron kami upang patuloy na magpatuloy.

Fixing a broken world

And now, as we step into the dawn of our new journey, let us not overlook the profound gift that we have received as graduate students: the gift of Jesuit education. Ateneo has equipped us with knowledge, skills, and enduring values like cura personalis, magis, and being persons for and with others. These are not just lofty ideals but living principles that we carry into the world, ang panghuhugutan natin ng lakas habang tatahak sa mas malawak na mundo.

Jesuit education has taught me to have a balanced view of the world. It taught me that our world is charged with the grandeur of God. But at the same time, this beautiful world is also broken. We can all help in trying to fix it.

In the intricate fabric of our varied experiences in this institution, Jesuit education has been the golden thread that allowed us to see the world not just through the lens of intellect, but with the heart of compassion. We have been guided to strive for excellence, to find God in all things, and to use our talents and education for the service of humanity.

I am committed to continue the mission of accompanying young seminarians in Bukidnon, which is my modest contribution to the Church in Mindanao. But I am also deeply humbled by the ripple effect created by everyone’s commitment to using what we have learned to uplift our communities, champion the cause of the marginalized, and craft innovative solutions for pressing social issues. In fields as diverse as management, social sciences, education, humanities, science and engineering, we can infuse our endeavors with the values instilled in us by our Jesuit education. We can be lux in Domino, a beacon for the voiceless, and the hands that help build a better future.

As I reflect on our graduate studies journey and the forces that propelled us forward – our passions, our loved ones, and our Jesuit education – I am reminded of how these influences have shaped and equipped us for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Let us carry forward the principles we have embraced and the commitment to effect meaningful change. This is not a matter of simple charity, but rather a conscious choice to elevate our actions beyond mere duty and transform them into profound expressions of our resolve to help forge a better Philippines, a better world.  

On behalf of all the graduate students of this batch, daghang salamat. Thank you very much, congratulations, ug padayon batch 2024.