by Filbert Aaron Tiu (H4B), Magis Awardee

The speech that follows was delivered by Filbert Aaron Tiu, Magis awardee, during the HS Graduation Ceremonies held last March 26, 2008 at Fr. Rafael Cortina, S.J. Sports Center.

Imagine the first star appearing on a clear night sky… its majesty casts in us a magic spell that blinds us from wondering how it even came to be. Rising from vast nothingness, enormous clouds of gas and dust many light-years across are gathered together to form a colossal mass. A wondrous event occurs… as it begins to glow, we behold divine beauty personified—a new star is born.

欢迎你们大家！Rev. Fr. Johnny Go of the Society of Jesus, our School Director; Rev. Fr. Ismael Zuloaga of the Society of Jesus, our Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Mrs. Jane Cacacho, our High School Principal; Honorable Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., our guest speaker for today; our teachers, mentors, administrators, and most especially our dear parents and loved ones; On behalf of the Xavier High School Graduating Class of 2008, a pleasant good afternoon to all of you!

It’s truly a mystery how formless gas and dust ignite the crystals of dreams and folklore and unlock the hidden gems of our imagination. This metamorphosis of darkness miraculously transforming into a blaze of infinite light forever captivates the human individual to dream and aspire for the impossible. Their dazzling brilliance never fails to stand out and shine across unimaginable distances for myriads of years. This secret of the heavens, unfolding light-years away, never ceases to color our eyes with the sparks of red, blue and yellow each night. It is because of them that we marvel with awe at the phenomenon of the cosmos.

But more than the mystery and the light the star possess, the secret of all lies in the force that draws the nothingness of space to form a masterpiece and allow it to radiate for millennia. It is this same force which causes a star to grow and mature as time passes, before it finally meets its destiny. When the star reaches the pinnacle of its being, it prepares itself for one of the most tremendous events to ever unfold—a massive explosion which will culminate the long span of its existence.

However, this “ending” of sorts is merely the ignition of a new beginning, for it is a star’s destiny to continue the compelling cycle of shaping our universe. The supernova may shatter the majestic star into billions of shards across the far depths of space, but it also unleashes the very mysterious force which spearheads the formation of new stars across galaxies. This reality enlightens us with the promise of the future, for did you know that the glistening speck of light we see when we look up at the night sky is actually light coming from a dead star? Yes, this only proves how far these celestial bodies are, yet despite the enormous gap of time and space, we still behold their splendor and beauty.

Our journey here in Xavier School resembles that of a star as it slowly develops out of the emptiness of space. Thirteen years ago, we started off as cute chubby kids brought together by the same mysterious force. It is this very force which inspired our parents to enroll us here in Xavier. It is this same force which made us into one batch. Looking back, the quest we ventured into was never easy. Entering High School brought about many challenges, including that feeling of having to be more mature and responsible. We all suddenly felt the power to make our own choices—crucial decisions which we know will affect our lives. From choosing the clubs and committees we wanted to be involved in to selecting our desired course and the right college, no doubt the pressures of stress, problems and expectations dominated our path to graduation. Nevertheless, the heavy demands of rigorous academics, never-ending piles of taxing requirements, and inevitable influences of modern society, were all necessary elements for us to reach this very day. Who would have known that those adorable round kids years ago would bloom into each one of us here today and form a mesmerizing star overflowing with life, passion and energy, waiting to explore the vast horizons beyond our own orbit?

我们已经走完了/光启学校这一程。/就像多年前/刚刚踏入/光启学校相聚的那一刻/一样，/今天，/在这临别之际，/我们再次聚首。/这是值得庆祝的一天，/它/不但意味着我们/在光启学校的生活/将/画下句点，/同时/也预示着/下一段旅程的开始。/愿/我们能像天空的星星一样，/把在光启学校/学到的一切，/在人生的下一段/旅程中/发光发热。

We have all gone full circle. Just as we gathered together on the first day of school many years ago, we likewise gather as one body today, graduation day. Today is a day of celebration. It may mark the end of our Xavier days, but beyond this, graduation celebrates our destiny; like a star, we have reached the pinnacle of our journey as we prepare ourselves to charter our own paths.

Therefore, let us not forget that though this may seem like an ending, it is actually a new beginning as we now carry in each of us the mysterious force—the capacity and power to be co-creators in forming new stars with others and for others wherever we may go. Remember that our eminence as a group, akin to a star, will radiate across distances after today for the whole world to witness, reassuring us that the phenomenal trail that we blazed together will live forever.

As we proudly rejoice upon reaching this precious milestone in our lives, may we incite our minds and hearts for the boundless possibilities that await us. As we look back on the memorable moments that led us to this day and celebrate the progressing highlight of our graduation, let us yield and respond to the enigmatic force calling all of us to gather and unite as one body for one last time in His presence. Yes, that unfathomable force, which has persistently been puzzling us, is none other than God, for it is He who began His masterpiece thirteen years ago by bringing each of us together, leading to the formation of a newborn star—the class of 2008.

Thank you very much! 谢谢！