LET IT GO. LET IT GO. LET IT GO.

UST BACCALAUREATE MASS 2014

"Our dear graduates, it's time for us to let you go."- Rev. Fr. Dagohoy, O.P. 

LET IT GO. LET IT GO. LET IT GO.

Why is it so hard to say good bye, to let go of the things and to the special people we used to cling on? To those people who imparted a huge part in our lives? To our usual habits and practices, memorable places and turfs we've been so familiar to? Why do we have to feel this emptiness all over again? Four years ago, I first entered the Arch of the Centuries, I was sixteen back then. Fresh grad from my High School, and "almost" empty. Emptiness of the mind, body and soul. I was, literally a girl then. Four years... It has been four years, I waited for this magical event to arrive. Hence, I didn't know, it'll come this fast. Or maybe because, four years would be really fast once you immerse and allow yourself to belong, to fit in, to blend in with your community.

To my family, my homies, my second home- University of Santo Tomas. I have no idea how to thank you, enough to express my deepest and sincerest gratitude. You've opened me to a lot of possibilities, to a lot of realizations and to a whole lot of learning experiences. I'm so sorry if it took me so long to realize that I love you, and that I acknowledge you just by now. But I hope you know, how grateful and blessed I am to have you as my humble second home. Soon, I'll be calling you my Alma Mater, but take note that I'm not leaving you. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. You may have broke my heart yesterday, for you ended my journey as a College student, but that doesn't mean you're leaving me "empty" again. 

I may be feeling "empty", right at that very moment I stepped my feet out of the Arch of the Centuries, but made me go back. To rekindle, and remember. It has been four years of joy, tribulations, challenges, heart aches, troubles, tears and a whole lot more. I felt empty for a while, but now? It sank it. I am FILLED with such LOVE. Although I felt really emotional due to the Pyromusical display themed, the rise of the Snow Queen- Frozen, I wasn't able to keep it. It froze my heart. Right at that very moment. That happening. I watched the explosion of those colorful and brilliant fireworks, on top of me. Under the sky, under the moon and the stars. I was gazing with joy. I was FILLED with light. The whole university suddenly lightened up. 

BATCH 2014, we all lighted our candles together and pledged that we would always bring our learning and pride embarked to us by UST, indeed, we were all blessed. We are all blessed. Notice that last night, it was about to pour. The sky "almost" cried with us. Yet, it suddenly stopped. I just felt like, even the sky's crying out of happiness. And I felt it. I'm running out of words to say, I didn't even capture a lot of photos of yesterday, for I wanted to feel, I wanted to experience. And no regrets. I FELT IT. I EXPERIENCED IT. AND I AM HAPPY FOR WHAT I'VE BECOME AFTER I STEPPED OUT OF THE ARCH OF THE CENTURIES.

I know how the bragging rights to call myself a legitimate THOMASIAN. Thank you, my beloved, Pontifical, Royal and Catholic, University of Santo Tomas. I'm sure I wouldn't be FILLED WITH JOY, like this if I didn't chose you. I might not be able to find the "missing" pieces of me, when I didn't pick you to shape me. I've grown such a full lady with you, from a girl, to a lady, to a woman. And I owe you, a lot. If not everything, at least my youth!!! I won't be tired of saying this, because I do really mean it. I LOVE YOU, UST. I LOVE YOU.