(This isn’t exactly what I
prepared for, but these were the words that came from me as shown in the video)
From
your relatives and friends, perhaps you have heard that the great men and women
who have been leaving the portals of this institution will always tell everyone,
upon graduation, that they are proud to be products of Xavier. In Xavier,
students are proud to get quality education from noble and professional
teachers. In Xavier, students are proud of the state of the art facilities that
this campus has, including our University Wifi and the turnstile in the
entrance that speak so much of modern technology and class. In Xavier, students
are proud that we have Level 4 PAASCU accreditation in several fields of
studies which makes us one of the best, if not number one, in Mindanao.
But
this morning, I am going to tell you that choosing Xavier shall not make you
proud. You are not here to show off your Iphones and Ipads in hallways for you
to belong, but instead you are here to carry tools of hope for the poor and
marginalized. You are not here to post a status in your Facebook, telling the
world that you are enrolled in Ateneo; instead, you are here to speak with the humble
voice of an Atenan in behalf of thousands of Kagay-anons and millions of
Filipinos who are deprived of justice and equality. You are not in Xavier just
to impress your teachers with your straight A’s in your class standing, but you
are here to represent every Juan Dela Cruz who desires a brighter future amidst
poverty and hunger. Don’t be proud because you are here to be hurt, criticized,
and mocked by people who don’t understand our cause, just like what happened to
Jesus when He was betrayed by His friends and ridiculed by the many because
they didn’t believe in what He fought for. But it is by these which you will be
formed so that one day, you may be ready to lead and serve with humility and compassion.
This is what student formation and Ignatian leadership are all about; the very reason
why the Orsem volunteers, college councils, CSG, and all other student leaders
in this university continue to serve without counting the cost. This is the
reason why we are nurtured in this institution. We’re not here to impress
ourselves, our parents, or a random student that we encounter in the campus. When
you enrolled in Xavier, you answered the humbling call to lead for the greater
needs of the society.
My
dear friends, when you chose Xavier, you chose the road less travelled. And
every Atenean blazes a unique trail on that road. Your journey started today
and we are very happy to welcome you in the journey that we, student leaders of
XU, have already started. Let us continue journeying through that road together
until no Juan Dela Cruz remains unheard in our society. I am not your teacher
but today, I shall give you your first assignment; and I tell you, this
assignment cannot be completed inside the classroom alone. Just two words that
come with a simple task: Experience Xavier. Experience Xavier until you will
cry, be hurt, and be insulted. Experience Xavier until you will reach the point
that you’re about to give up, realizing in the end that the journey has been
worthwhile. Experience Xavier to the fullest until you will understand what I
am saying.
You
can forget everything that I mentioned, but I hope that as you spend 4 or 5
years in XU, you will always remember these two words. So keep calm. Don’t
cram. Just experience Xavier. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
