Lux in Domino

As we start another school year, we want to hear from our incoming freshies about what they’re most looking forward to in their Ateneo experience. Philippine Science High School honor student, merit scholar and incoming Life Sciences major Prince Soriano shares why Lux in Domino rings true to him.

To be honest, it’s hard to find the ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ after barely surviving a year and a half of endless quarantines.

I know, I know — we’re sick of hearing about the pandemic 24/7, everywhere we go. But the truth is, as much as we try to live normally while ignoring the rising COVID-19 cases or the global political turmoil every day, the pandemic continues to dim various aspects of our lives profoundly. For many, it has been the lack of social interaction and opportunities. For me, it’s my future college and career, too.

Let me recap: I’ve just spent my senior year entirely online, with extracurriculars canceled or scaled-down. I caught myself in a dilemma choosing between colleges, what with the increasing logistical and financial uncertainties brought by the pandemic, as well as the cancellation of college entrance exams. It didn’t help that I wasn’t quite sure what to do after college. I knew I wanted to work in the field of biology and use my skills in graphic design or performing arts, but I found a lot of the undergraduate programs in the Philippines a bit restricting. Luckily, Ateneo’s core curriculum was a good answer. I was amazed at how the Ignatian value of cura personalis reflected into a curriculum inspired by liberal arts and holistic development. The curriculum for BS Life Sciences particularly interested me, as it shed light on emerging interdisciplinary careers such as communication or management being married into science. Moreover, Ateneo offers a bright and vibrant campus life where organizations get involved in meaningful activities for personal growth and societal change. So when I knew I got a scholarship from Ateneo, I was more than happy to take the wonderful opportunity.

Now, that doesn’t mean I wasn’t eyeing Ateneo before the pandemic. In fact, I was given the opportunity to take an exam in early 2020 and join the online iteration of the Ateneo Junior Summer Seminar, which gave me a peek at Atenean student life. In the program, I got first-hand experience on what it was like to learn from excellent professors, meet upperclassmen and fellow participants from all around the country, and take part in fun and memorable activities centering on Atenean traditions and values. Most importantly, I learned about Ignatian values and principles, like how the Ateneo community cares for one another—recognizing that care for oneself is essential to caring for other people.

Raised as iskolar ng bayan during high school, I was always taught to give back to the community and not forget the marginalized or oppressed. As time went by, I realized that it’s not just because of loyalty to the country or the taxes we owe the people. As humans, it is our duty to have basic compassion to help bring others up in an otherwise cruel and unequal society. There is a hope that, through science, life is not only made more bearable but is also enriched by innovations in research and development. There is a hope that we students help break the stereotype and do more service than just the power elite. As I enter college, I look forward to maximizing my scholarship to pursue greater service to the people, regardless of private or government-funded education. Ultimately, I chose Ateneo because this is where I could best see myself honing my skills to become a better person for others in and out of academic life. 

Until the sun rises again, I’ll light a candle in this storm we are currently weathering. But, whether or not we see hope, we owe it to ourselves to try anyway: to look forward to a better time and, in the meantime, discover what we can do. As for me, I’ll welcome this new environment with a hopeful heart —that we’ll all be together in doing more for Him and others.