Seeing the beauty of a 'shared, giving, and loving life'
Growing up, Jeanne Angelica Morales already had Ateneo de Manila imprinted in her heart. Her parents started their love story at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business, and her two older brothers studied at the University. So hearing stories about Ateneo and attending graduation ceremonies of her siblings where she sang ‘A Song for Mary’ together with alumni in the audience, it was inevitable for Morales to choose Ateneo for college. “I simply grew to love Ateneo because many of the people that inspired me most were from here.”
In 2017, when she finally entered college, her only wish was to graduate as an Atenean. In October this year, Morales will not only fulfill her dream of donning an Ateneo graduation toga but will have the distinct honor of addressing her classmates and batchmates as the Loyola Schools’ Valedictorian of Class 2021.
Graduating Magna cum Laude in AB Management Economics, Morales admits that the announcement caught her off-guard.
Unique Narratives and Growth Experiences
“I’ve always considered myself as a regular Ateneo student as I went through the same things that most, if not all of our batchmates went through —striving to work hard on studies while balancing extracurricular activities we find ourselves passionate about,” she shares. “In fact, as a freshman student, I had a simple goal- to graduate from this prestigious University. I never saw myself as someone who would be delivering a speech in front of my batchmates four years later. The only thing that probably makes me different from any other student, which also sets them apart from me, is our unique narratives and growth experiences.”
At Ateneo, Morales learned what it means to be ‘constantly true.’
“Throughout the four years, Ateneo has allowed me to create memories, friendships, and meaningful experiences, memories that have paved the way for me to be the person I am today. Loving and lasting friendships become sources of inspiration in my life and create meaning in the work and efforts I do. It has changed the way I see life and the work I do,” she says.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began to surge in March 2020, Morales was just getting into the groove of her life as a college student. Classes were then abruptly moved from in-person to online, and for Morales, it meant not being able to interact with people on campus.
“I miss seeing my large group of friends hunt for a huge table at Gonzaga Hall where we’d eventually laugh over ridiculous riddles or stories from the day. I also miss hearing Kuya Ryan’s (of Grilling 101) heart-warming greetings; Ate Alma’s “good morning pangga” and all her amusing stories; Kuya Dhong’s wide smile and greetings each time a student enters the MVP lobby; and being able to greet professors I randomly come across along the corridors. I also miss Saturdays with my org mates, especially the moments we would panic when it’s nearing 8 am, and we realize that we’ve forgotten something from the org room right before we ride the jeepney on the way to the area. I definitely miss these moments!”
Missing the serenity and calmness of the Church of the Gesù
Aside from missing the warmth and comfort of her friends and people on campus, Morales shares that she misses the Church of the Gesù the most.
“When I have a heavy heart filled with worries and anxieties after a long day, going to the Gesù always gives me a sense of comfort and relief. Sometimes, I‘d stay late on campus with my friends just to sit by the open area in front of the church, and we’d gaze up at the sky and talk about life. Despite our hectic schedules, the Church of the Gesù just seems to fill out with serenity and calmness constantly.”
Creating that rush of adrenaline that students feel from learning may be challenging to achieve in an online environment, especially when you’re watching a screen. Still, Morales found herself immersed in her classes, especially her TH 141 with Dr. Roberto Conrado Guevara or Sir ‘Bobby Guev’ to students.
Finding strength in tears
“More than opening our eyes to realities of life and our responsibilities as Christian-Catholics, I also got to know myself better through this course.” A self-confessed crybaby, Morales used to see this trait as a weakness, but through her TH 141 class, she finally learned to see its value.
“I learned to embrace it as a strength that grounds me to reality through the ability to feel and cry for others. And this same feeling of sadness, frustration, discomfort, and being bothered is what moves me to do something, to not be complacent with where I stand,” she says. “So thank you, Sir Bobby Guev, for allowing me to stay bothered and for pushing me to keep looking at things from outside my little bubble of comfort!”
As she starts to think of the next chapter of her life, Morales brings to mind what she sees as the most important lesson she learned in Ateneo: the importance of a “shared, giving, and loving life.”
Being men and women for others
"We are not simply made for greatness. We are made to do things with and for the sake of others. The best thing about being an Atenean is that you don't only learn to be excellent, but you learn to do so for others. To do more not for the sake of oneself, but from knowing the loving and lasting impact it can bring to the lives of the people around you, the people you serve."
To incoming Ateneo first-year students, Morales offers this advice:
"Although you're entering the university in this pandemic setup, physically distant from people I'm sure you'd love to meet and be with, the community has worked very hard in making sure you all still experience the fullness Ateneo has to offer. You will still meet unique and inspiring people - fellow students, teachers, and community members that will help you discover yourself, your faith and possibly change your life. I hope that soon you guys will be able to step foot on campus grounds, but regardless, savor it all still- the memories, experiences, opportunities, and relationships. I'm sure you will all have your unique narratives to tell after your four years.”
