Patrick John N. Furia

Exhille Ann A. Valmoria

Juliana Marie T. Micabalo

- Shay V. Galvez <3

Dominic Andrew S. Lips

This was Sulleita Mercury's quote from Gundam. For me, in the perspective of an Ateneo student, this line encapsulates the essence of progress and perseverance. It suggests that moving forward with determination yields greater rewards compared to merely running or escaping from challenges. It's a reminder to embrace challenges and keep pushing forward, even when the path ahead seems daunting.

"Every one suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known." - F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Reflection doesn't happen overnight; it takes time. Starting senior high, I've spent a lot of time reflecting on my own strengths and limitations, and throughout the years of this process, I've come to understand myself better than anyone else ever could.

I know in myself that I can be a person of honesty and integrity, and I have the capability to positively impact those around me. Likewise, I urge you to acknowledge your unique self-awareness.

Embrace your strengths and virtues! Understand that you also possess the ability to create a change in both your life and the lives of those nearby.

Let your spirit soar, reaching for skies unknown, while your determination ignites a fire, burning bright, guiding you through the darkest night.

It’s the climb”

To be human is to embrace life and all its avenues. Our goals are the celebration of our journey, but it is our journey that makes us who we are. So explore, laugh, and struggle because that is how we grow; that is the magis of life.

- Thea Gregorio:)

-Vivian Greene

We always want it easy, who wouldn’t? It saves time and expends less energy. Unfortunately, in the grand scheme of things, we dont make the call but I agree with Henry Ford when he said, “You are the master of your fate, the captain of your soul.” Creating your own fate does not imply having control over what life throws at you, rather it’s having control on how you cope with it. This very much applies to how I manage my college life because we don’t get to choose the easier tasks, subjects, and instructors but I find control and comfort as I structure a system that works for me. From hustling and relying on discipline rather than pints of motivation to slowing down and finding solace in the art of noticing the little things in life have all pushed me to get through it day by day. This is how I dance in the rain and I intend to do so indefinitely.

Peachy C. Pagapong

Youth are those young people who love to break the norm. More so, those who are fond of being unorthodox.

Growing up, it is hard to fathom the things that we wanted to do because they say that, we are young. We know nothing. On the contrary, we know what we really want. We are just hindered by the opinion of the people surrounding us, or most of the time the environment we grew up in.

Living the island life for almost all my life, I saw the variety of talents right before my eyes. Some were fostered, and others were left behind. Being on this island made the young people think in a limited kind of way. Whenever they wanted to say things they always hesitate to speak up. The reason for that is, the elders always say,” You’re too young, you have to wait for your time. You don’t know what you are talking about.”

We can’t vote unless we reach the legal age, we can’t suggest things because we’re too young, and we can’t decide for ourselves because we are still living under the roof of our parents. Being caged in the norm suffocates us as well as the hidden gems underneath. Our burning passion will always be extinguished because we are not old enough.

The norm caused a lot of talents to be put to waste. Society is not realizing what solutions they are losing by neglecting the potential of the youth.

A little bit of motivation and a lot of hard work is what I am doing as of late. To be able to provide a platform for the youth to voice out their opinions and ideals. In hopes that someday, youth are going to be put on the pedestal as a group of people that can provide solutions. A group of capable people who knows what they are doing regardless of how young they are.

At first glance, the contrast of joy and confusion, independence and loneliness, may appear odd at first. How can one be both content and lonely at the same time? How can confusion and freedom coexist?

To feel joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment in moments is to be happy. It is to take in the comforting glow of love, laughter, and life experiences shared. A common relationship between happiness and connection is with friends, family, and the community. Yet, even in the middle of the laughs and friendship, there may be a hint of bewilderment—a nagging doubt about the future, a questioning of one's identity or purpose.

It's simple to forget who we really are in the midst of the bustle of daily existence. We get caught in the storm of obligations, demands, and diversions, and eventually we wake up to find ourselves very far from where we once were. I know I am not actually someone who overthink things but I can't help but ponder how will I truly know and identify what I truly feel and what I really am?

As I always try to come up with senses to know one self, I came to understand that we uncover undiscovered facts about the world and ourselves when we are doubting oneself.  We discover clarity in these moments of uncertainty. Through connecting with ourselves and trying to understand why we feel things we don't expect to feel, we become closer to our souls during times of loneliness and realize how interconnected we are all.

So, let us welcome differences that life presents to us since it is only by accepting these aspects of ourselves that we may discover true fulfillment, harmony, and purpose. We may be "happy, free, confused, and lonely," as Taylor Swift tells us, yet these contrasts all come together to build the beautiful tapestry of our humanity in the larger scheme of things.

"When you're gone, who remembers your name? Who keeps your flame? Who tells your story?"

A line that kept on repeating inside my head whenever I got a moment of silence. The first year of college has never been easy on me. As an architecture student, I had to keep up with all the plates and lectures and still be in touch with the world. It was never easy. I know that if I do not do my best, my efforts will be forgotten and will just fade in time. As the semesters pass, I want to make sure that I do everything to the best that I can so that in the future, when I look back, I can proudly tell my story to the younger generation and inspire them. I want to be the person who could ignite the flame inside them. Inspire them that even if life seems like it wants you to give up, you should take it and make it your inspiration to do better and be better. So take that leap of faith because sooner or later, you will be looking back to where you started and realize how far you've already come.

In my life, a saying is like a magic spell: "Do what you love." It is something I really believe in, it serves as the answer to all my uncertainties. Whenever I feel lost, I simply remind myself to "Do what you love," suddenly, everything becomes clear.

It means finding what makes me happy and doing more of it, diving into things that make me feel alive, whether filming, acting, or writing stories. These are the things that light up my day and make me excited to get out of bed. This way of living has shown me that happiness isn't just about having stuff or following societal norms. It's about feeling good inside because I am doing things that matter to me. When I am doing what I love, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. I am in my own world, doing my thing. There are times when it feels like everything is against me, but I find the strength to keep going because I am following my heart. I have learned that success is about feeling fulfilled, being true to myself, and finding joy in the little things.

I want to invite you to join me on this journey. Find what makes your heart smile and go after it with all you've got. You only live once; do not ever betray yourself by doing something you don't like just because the people around you are not okay with it. It's your life to live, not theirs. When you do what you love, you bring a little bit of magic into the world, and that's something truly special.

A leader should not only be a good follower but also have a mindset of an Ateneo Sui Generis Leader. An Ateneo sui generis leader embodies a unique combination of characteristics that distinguish them in their approach and style of leadership. Defined by a strong sense of social responsibility and dedication to service, all of which are rooted in the Jesuit tradition of education.

With this, I will do my best to become the best version of myself rather than being better than other people. I should be understanding, forgiving, and somehow selfless in order to do a better job of becoming a leader in any community, class, or even an organization in school if necessary. It would help me develop not only as a better student here in Ateneo but also as a better citizen and an adaptive leader.

However, focusing on myself and the things that I control allowed me to evolve and become a better person. It made me see parts of myself that I appreciate the most and even things I want to improve.

I felt so small before, and it made me feel anxious. After all, being anxious about something according to neuroscientists is the brain sending signals to take action which is what I'm doing now, for the better.

-Leila Jane A. Llaban

One of my biggest fear would be, when I grew older and I already have my own family I will still have my should’ve, could’ve, would’ve. That would be a heartbreak that I will bring my entire life.

That is until one day, the fire did went out, not because of the wind or rain, but because candle melted to nothingness. I was exhausted myself, trying to keep that candle from blowing out, never really noticing that the candle itself was slowly melting away.

I relate myself to the candle I was holding. I tried my best to keep my passion for Accounting. I sacrificed a lot to stay in the program, but alas, despite giving out my all and exhausting myself, I was never really able to retain it. I was so fixated on keeping my grades up that I never noticed that I was slowly destroying myself. I was about to melt away from the heat of the fire.

I began to wonder, if this is my true calling, why is it destroying myself? I wondered, why do I need to do my best to keep the passion burning? Because if it really is my passion, maintaining the flame should be easy. Unless… this isn’t my passion.

I go back to before my college years, where I was so happy to hold a microscope. Where I was excited to use a computer. Where I was enthusiastic to do laboratory activities. But I had to sacrifice my happiness for practicality. My initial college course choice was never practical, financially and career-wise. So here I am in Accountancy, trying to keep the fire burning, which I failed to do.

There’s a good side to this though. Through my journey, I was able to make some self-realizations. I was able to reflect on my path and get a clear view of my goals. Ateneo has given me an opportunity to find my true calling, to find that true passion that will continue burning with little to no effort.

Until now, I am still uncertain whether this new venture will work out or if it really is the one for me, but I will never forget that grades will be all for nought if I am deteriorating. I must find a passion that would make me both happy and successful.

John Carlo Molinar

-Taylor Swift

Maxene Anjelie B. Carascal

goal or conviction and acting on it, whether popular or not. A crucial component is confronting, rather than avoiding, fears.