Takeaways from shared values and experiences

In the past three weeks, I talked with batchmates about our past 4 years in college. I asked them how going through so many firsts–the K-12 program, new core curriculum, pandemic learning, among others–went for them. I also listened as they discussed their main college takeaways and challenges to overcome beyond college. This, as I began the task of writing the valedictory address for my batch–the Loyola Schools' Class of 2022.

Many shared their experiences of being exposed to different disciplines in the curriculum and pursuing different advocacies and interests in sports and student activities–both within and outside the campus. I realized how the Ateneo college experience gave my batchmates and me the flexibility to explore–getting to know ourselves and society at large in the process. 

I also saw how diverse we were–each coming from different backgrounds and doing their own thing even as we shared the same time and space. Despite this, I saw how much our values and sense of community brought us together in the most difficult or jubilant moments of our stay and the day-to-day. I hope to share how these played a role during my college stay. 

Cura personalis and developing empathy

The value of cura personalis characterizes our responsibility towards the other–to care for the entirety of their person. Going through so many changes resulted in my generation's shared sense of stress, anxiety, and burnout. In high-pressure environments, we learned to empathize with and become more understanding of other people–putting ourselves in the shoes of those we met in our classes, orgs, teams, and communities.

This, despite our struggle to be kind to ourselves. This manifested in unhealthy habits we formed over time. Personally, I lost track of the number of times I deprived myself of sleep and food to finish work. I used to glorify doing so until it hit me that these were doing me no good. In the core class SocSci11 or Understanding the Self, I learned to become more aware of my emotions and how these affected my actions. As it turns out, sleep and food deprivation may have also been aggravated by my tendency to cram and procrastinate. Being anxious has caused me to put off work and instead unhealthily rely on an adrenaline rush. 

Cura personalis also teaches us of our responsibility to ourselves. Only by having a healthy mind, heart, body, and soul can we care for other people. As has often been said, "we cannot give what we do not have."

Critical thinking and reckoning with privilege

Ateneo education has taught us the value of being holistic and critical in thought. The academic, formation, and co-curricular programs my batch went through equipped us with skills that would prepare us for the workforce and perspectives that would enable us to serve and transform differences in our communities.

One thing I needed to reckon with during my stay in Ateneo was its privilege and contradictions. On one hand, we were taught to be persons with and for others. On the other hand, however, most of us have lived and continue to live lives separate from the majority of our countrymen. As a community, we aim to work for social justice for the poor and powerless. Yet undeniably, we cater to those who come from our country's wealthy and powerful families.

Like many other issues we've encountered and needed to deal with, privilege is challenging to tackle. Despite this, being aware of and reckoning with these realities enables us to do something about it–putting critical thought into meaningful action. 

The value of discernment in going beyond one's self

All of us face crossroads that require us to make decisions that could possibly change us and impact the lives of others. Ateneo education has equipped us with the tools to weigh our options properly, recognize our motivations, and remember our why–where our "deepest gladness and the world's deepest hunger meet" (Buechner).

As a student leader, discernment helped me fully commit to responsibilities and make tough decisions. In showing me that my life and work affected others, discernment also made me realize that I am not alone in pursuing what I believed in and dreamt for. When I decided not to run for another term as Sanggu president in my senior year, I felt at ease given how spent I was at that point. My worry that no one would lead was allayed when someone younger than me–a fresher–emerged to run and won. And even as I left, Sanggu continued to serve and grow.

Discernment helps us situate ourselves in the greater scheme of things. It humbles us while setting us to achieve greater things. It makes us see that all of our lives are interconnected.

My main college takeaway

My batchmates and I started college with our OrSem entitled Tayâ–to take a chance. Our experiences in the past four years have shown me that taking a leap of faith requires us to show extraordinary courage, great sacrifice, and a deep purpose that pushes us to do so. 

Whether it be pursuing passions, joining organizations, making a stand against injustice, or carrying on amidst the pandemic, there is a reason why we choose to take a chance on ourselves and other people. My experiences in Ateneo helped me find that purpose and go beyond myself in the process. And I know for a fact that many of my batchmates can say the same.

Jamesun Bejarin is the Valedictorian of the Class of 2022. Read the announcement memo from the Office of the Vice President for the Loyola Schools.