“See you next year.”  At the end of a school year, this quote serves as a promise of a return with the same familiar faces. However, for the CEIS graduates and completers, there may not be a next time. 

April 29, 2026, marked the final gathering with their fellow graduates to celebrate the Moving Up and Graduation Ceremony, filling the Bulacan Capitol Gym venue with a sea of green and pink togas.

The ceremony honored the Grade School and Junior High School (JHS) students in the morning, followed by a proud recognition of the Senior High School (SHS) graduates in the afternoon. While held at different times, the two ceremonies both displayed the same scenery of students brimming with pride and anticipation for the future, proud parents, and the smiles and cheers of the teachers who have guided the students. 

Capturing the collective excitement and anticipation of the students, two CEIS alumni returned to their roots to impart lessons they have learned throughout their journey. Morning keynote speaker Ms. Eliz Margaret S. Del Rosario noted virtue as an essential factor to self development. Aligning with the school’s motto, science and virtue, she quoted that “You may forget lessons but your character stays with you. The character that you built is what makes you you.” 

In the afternoon ceremony, the message shifted towards a valuable lesson of individuality. Keynote speaker Mr. George Danniel T. Ablaza emphasized individuality as an inseparable component of a journey. Through his address, he highlighted that the journey every Escolarian will face will vary and not to get anxious. He quoted  “To our graduates, know that your path may be different from the person beside you, but that is nothing to be ashamed of. Life is not a race.”

As the keynote address came to a close, the highlight of the ceremony followed—the confirmation of completers and graduates. Dr. Terese R. Perez, Senior Vice President of the Academic Affairs of Centro Escolar University (CEU), led the excited students to turn their tassels left, marking the end and a beginning of a new journey. Following this, medals and certificates were awarded to the completers and graduates, recognizing the students’ efforts and talents across different fields.

Among the awardees, the top three students in Grade 6, Grade 10, and Grade 12 stood out for their outstanding performance in academics. Representing their respective batches, Grade 6 Top 1 Elisha Dominique Balog and Grade 10 Top 1 Sophia Aparecion Franco shared their insights and takeaways from their journey, both highlighting resiliency and self-improvement. For the SHS graduates, Valedictorian Santiago P. Carranza delivered a final message to his peers, voicing out the struggles he faced for choosing his dream and challenged everyone to keep pushing forward, quoting “Minsan hindi natin maiwasang magpadikta sa sinasabi ng mga taong nakapaligid sa atin…ngunit sa huli, mananaig pa rin ang ating sariling kagustuhan.”

With the inspiring messages engraved in their hearts, the students’ gaze shifted from the podium to their parents as a dedicated tribute song echoed throughout the gym. The gym was filled with the laughter and smiles of the families as the students handed their prepared roses to them. 

The event slowly came to a close as Escolarians sang their graduation song in unison, a sense of camaraderie filling the air. When the final notes faded, the phrase “See you next year” had transformed into a question of “Can we meet again?” While there may not be a next time in the same classrooms, the final lessons and inspirations in the ceremony will carry these Escolarians through the road ahead of them.