Because people don't have wings, we look for ways to fly.

June 19, 2024. One Grand Pavillion. 7th commencement exercises. Picture the graduation ceremony not as a bittersweet ending, but as a metamorphosis. Picture a stage not just for past achievements but also for igniting passion and fire for the future. In the hushed air of the venue, a voice echoes out.

Precious Sabine Pinto — valedictorian of senior high school batch 2023 - 2024, Centro Escolar Integrated School - Malolos — wasn’t just a typical graduation speaker. Her words of gratitude soared beyond awards and plans for the future. It was woven with threads: gratitude, kindness, and a call to action.

Pinto’s journey wasn’t an easy path that led her straight to the top of the class. “I realized that true fulfillment lies beyond merit. I came to understand that the path meant for you will always be yours to walk,” she declared. It colored a painting of a student who, at first, dived headfirst to grab the golden star of academic achievement. Along the way, she discovered a richer treasure at the peak of the mountain: the value of personal growth. She shared how she learned to embrace challenges as a guide, not as roadblocks that prevented her from reaching the summit. 

There was one golden, but priceless thread that ran throughout her speech. She had no hesitation in naming those who stood alongside her. She spoke of the influence of her teachers and mentors, of family and friends who were the wind beneath her wings. She spoke of The Escolarian, that the student publication wasn’t just about journalism; it was about finding her voice and fueling her drive to pursue journalistic excellence during her two-year stay in the organization. As she mentioned specific individuals, one thought should come to mind: the acknowledgment of the village it takes to raise a successful student.

Pinto’s vision, however, expanded beyond the bounds of academics. “As we approach adulthood, our perspectives have matured. We are no longer wide-eyed freshmen but discerning young adults.” It was a powerful call to arms, urging her fellow graduates to have a social responsibility, challenging them to become the voices and ears of the unheard. Her words were heavy with the weight of the ongoing struggles in Palestine, Congo, Sudan, and Yemen. The silence that engulfed the air underscored the gravity of her message: this was a commencement not just for academic excellence, not just for academia, but a tool for the world that needs compassion and action.

The final thread Pinto had woven into her speech was kindness. “Knowledge can open doors, but only kindness unlocks hearts. Always be gentle and remember that kindness goes a long way, for with understanding comes compassion in carrying unseen burdens,” she spoke with confidence. It was a simple yet earnest message, a memorandum that genuine success goes beyond academic recognition. 

Pinto finished her remarks with a flourish and a lighthearted metaphor. With a nod toward her past experiences, she said that leaving CEIS felt like leaving a scorpion’s lair. But now, she was flying into Ateneo's blue nest - a knowledge and opportunity haven. Pinto took a more solemn turn, pledging her loyalty to the principles of science and virtue, ready to stretch her wings and achieve greatness wherever fate takes her. There was a strong sense of purpose in the last few words she spoke. She declared, “Everything I do, I do Pro amor omnibus, Deo, et patria – for love of everything, God, and country."

Despite their time in this beloved institution coming to an end, wherever their path takes them — the future is not something to wait for, it’s something one should create. With wings outstretched and hearts ablaze, they are ready to take flight.