A celebration and thanksgiving: Benefactors, 2024 graduating college scholars gather in annual get-together

Scholars of Ateneo de Manila University's graduating batch of 2024 got the chance to finally meet and give thanks to their benefactors on the evening of 16 June 2024. The event, called "Get-together of Benefactors and Class 2024 Scholars," was organized by the Ateneo College Office of Admission and Aid (OAA) and took place at the Hyundai Theater in Areté.

The event was preceded by a thanksgiving mass at the Hyundai Theater, officiated by Fr Jose Ramon Villarin SJ, former President of Ateneo de Manila, with Fr Norberto Bautista SJ, Director of Ateneo's Office of University Development and Alumni Affairs, as the concelebrant. 

The event itself began with the singing of the National Anthem by Ms Catherine Bernice P Amoyo (BS Psychology '24) and the invocation by Ms Lorraine Joy Z Bales (BS Psychology '24), both scholars. They were followed by Dr Jose Maria Edito K Tirol, Director of the OAA, who gave the opening remarks.

In his address, Dr Tirol noted not only the size of the graduating batch of scholars, representing 26% of the graduating class of 2024 – 605 out of 2,320 students – but also their academic achievements. Out of the 605 graduating scholars, 421 are graduating with honors – 93 honorable mentions, 168 cum laude, 124 manga cum laude, and 36 summa cum laude.

In addition, Dr Tirol also acknowledged the gamble that the benefactors are taking when choosing to help scholars – not knowing if the scholars they help will actually make something of themselves in the future – but they choose to help anyway.

"In fact, the reality is that many of our own graduating scholars don't know, despite the diploma they receive in their hands, what to make of themselves, whether it be in a year, or five years, or a decade later," Dr Tirol admitted.

"But we do know they have gotten this far," he added. "So we choose to believe in them."

Dr Tirol also brought up that the scholars of the class of 2024 would be establishing their own scholarship fund.

"From this year onwards, as a demonstration of what they have learned from their Ateneo education, each graduating class of scholars will establish a scholarship fund," stated Dr Tirol. "We asked them to raise either an 8,000,000 pesos Endowment Fund in 6 to 7 years or raise 250,000 pesos per year for a Scholarship Award to give hope to at least one deserving young Filipino, by providing the gift of an Ateneo education. In this manner, our graduating scholars, acting together, will pay forward the generosity given to all of them during their stay at the university."

Following Dr Tirol, the Class Valedictorian of Batch 2024, Ms Karen Joy A Perez, herself a scholar, gave the thanksgiving address to the benefactors.

"Thank you for illuminating our path amidst the darkness caused by our hopelessness and dejection when we thought our Ateneo dream would remain far-fetched," Ms Perez said to the benefactors. "Just like a lighthouse, you have guided our small boats to shore through the tumultuous waters of life's difficulties."

"We share this achievement with you who believed in us before you even met us, even when we didn't believe in ourselves."

The guest speaker for the evening was Mr Amando M Tetangco, Jr, former Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Himself a scholar, Gov Tetangco graduated cum laude from Ateneo de Manila University with an AB Economics degree in 1973 before obtaining his Masters in Public Policy and Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has consistently supported Ateneo's scholarship programs through the Ateneo Alumni Scholars Association's (AASA) Scholarship Fund. In 2019, the Governor Amando M Tetangco, Jr Endowment was established by the Ateneo Scholarship Foundation, Inc (ASF) in his honor.

In his address, Gov Tetangco acknowledged the challenges that the scholars of Batch 2024 faced, with the scholars starting their college journey in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic. From this, he urged the graduating scholars to do the same in the future when faced with whatever challenges life outside Ateneo brings.

"When faced with a difficult project, remember how you managed to complete your assignments during the pandemic, often under less than ideal circumstances." Gov Tetangco stated. "Use the same problem-solving skills to find creative solutions."

"And when you encounter setbacks, whether in your career or personal life, remember that resilience is more than just about getting through the tough times," he added. "It's about using those experiences to grow and improve."

After Gov Tetangco's address, the scholars finally got to meet their respective benefactors and take group photos with them.

The photo session was then followed by the awarding of the Paghandog ng Sarili award. This year's awards were given to Ms Carmen "Gigi" Abaya Carlos, the Ateneo Schools Parents Council (ASPAC), and the Ateneo Scholarship Foundation, Inc (ASFI).

Next up were the 2024 St Ignatius Awards for Most Outstanding Scholar. This year's awardees were Mr Christian Sarabia (BS ComSci '24), Ms Lorraine Joy Z Bales (BS Psychology '24), Mr Ryan Gabriel B Suarez (AB Developmental Studies '24), and Ms Karen Joy A Perez (AB Sociology '24).

Following the awards, the graduating scholars of Batch 2024 were inducted as members of the Ateneo Alumni Scholars Association (AASA), with their swearing-in led by AASA president Ms Lorna Datiles-Fabian(BS Business Management '80).

Finally, Ateneo de Manila University President Fr Roberto C Yap SJ came up on stage to deliver his closing remarks.

"To our benefactors, your support has been the cornerstone of our scholars' achievements," Fr Yap stated to the benefactors. "Your dedication to supporting a college education, especially during a pandemic, is not just a testament to your belief in the transformative power of education, it is testament to your faith in our scholars."

"I extend my heartfelt gratitude, your goodness, generosity, and belief in the value of an Ateneo de Manila education have been instrumental in our journey," he added. "We are profoundly grateful for your trust and faith in the strength of a Jesuit education."

"With your continued support, we will fight to continue to carry on our mission to educate and shape young individuals into the leaders that our country and world need."

Following the event, the scholars, benefactors, as well as the Ateneo administrators and staff present were served dinner at the Loft and the Leong Hall Roof deck.

Ateneo de Manila University congratulates the graduating scholars of Class 2024 and wishes them the best on their future endeavours.