‘All shall be well’ for LS Class of 2022

Dr Maria Luz Vilches laid it out succinctly: "A pabaon detects affection, closeness—an expression of oneness of an anticipated longing for the presence of the person being sent off. It is a way of saying all shall be well. All these depict the spirit of the pabaon’s tradition that we hold dear here in the Ateneo de Manila for our seniors and graduating students.”

Vilches, the Vice President for the Loyola Schools, was one of the school’s administrators who shared their pabaon or inspiring messages to the graduating class of 2022. Held at Leong Hall Auditorium on 22 June, Pabaon 2022: A Senior’s Send-off was an afternoon filled with love, hope, and courage for the graduating seniors as they embark on their post-college journeys.

“When all is said and done, at the bottom of things, my wish is that you remember that the only lasting connection in life is love,” she said. “Let the sun in you warm the cold-hearted; shake-up to action those that stay in the fringes; and conquer the darkness of despair.”

An annual activity organized by the Office of the Associate Dean for Student Formation and Senior’s Alliance 2021-2022, the event, which was also live-streamed for the benefit of those unable to attend onsite, featured speeches  from school administrators, including University President Fr Roberto C Yap SJ.

Yap said, "Life after college is unpredictable, chaotic, messy, full of disappointments, and heartbreaks. Yet, it is also full of success, happy surprises, and discoveries. And I firmly believe that with your Ateneo education and formation, you are well prepared for the bumpy road ahead. I am sure that you will be able to face tomorrow confidently and bravely.”

In video messages, the deans of the John Gokongwei School of Management (JGSOM), School of Social Sciences (SOSS), School of Science and Engineering (SOSE), and the School of Humanities (SOH) shared their pabaon to the Class of 2022.

Dr Luis Dumlao, JGSOM dean: "Reconnect, listen, and empathize.”

Dr Czarina Saloma-Akpedonu, SOSS dean: "May you be blessed with many opportunities to combine magis and a problem-solving mode in the social sciences. And may your parkour experiences outside the university be an opportunity to solve deeper, form relationships with others deeper, analyze deeper, and offer solutions that work. All the best and parkour well!” 

Dr Rafael Guerrero, SOSE dean: "You have been shaped into a particular version of yourself by your experiences and choices. You are all anomalies in the grand scheme of the universe. And in science, an anomaly is a good thing. An anomaly leads to the development of knowledge. Please choose to be anomalies amidst the inertia and indifference around you. You have the courage to make your mark in the world but be sure to change it for the better. Go forth, anomalies of the universe, and may your future transitions help shape  a new and  better normal for our country.”

Dr Jonathan Chua, SOH dean: "The privilege of a liberal education which you received makes that almost an obligation. A world fragmented by historical grievances and contesting rationalities needs ambassadors. Let those ambassadors be you.” 

This year's pabaon speakers were Dr Carmel Abao (chair, Department of Political Science) and Mr Louie Julian (Department of Theology). 

Abao spoke of apathy and disempowerment.

“Please don’t be apathetic no matter how frustrating things are. Don’t allow yourself to be disempowered, and never disempower others. Bawal ang pumangit.”

Julian talked about courage.

“Readiness is about the courage to face life come what may. So that even when your plans do not succeed, you can learn to adapt, adjust, and, when you’re ready, to hope. Let go of the myth of absolute readiness. To be courageous is to have the heart even when you have all the reasons to be disheartened.”

Ms Devi Paez (Department of English) served as the event host.