Fr Mars P Tan, SJ, PhD

University President

Convocation

Good morning everyone, our distinguished awardees, Cardinal Pablo Ambo David, Honorary Doctorate Awardee and Class of 2026 Commencement speaker; Ms Rosie Godwina Sula, Fr Francisco Demetrio SJ, Awardee; Fr Gilbert Bagaloyos, Fr Salvador Cerbito, and Fr Benigno Flores, Jr, representing OFM, the Abp James T Hayes SJ Awardee, members of the stage party Dr. Juliet Dalagan VP for HEd, , Engr Dexter Lo, VP for Social Dev, Fr Frank Savadera, SJ VP for Mission and Ministry, Engr George Abasalo, VP for Admin, Mr Rangie Obispo, University Registrar, college/school deans, dept chairs, directors, faculty, staff, my brother Jesuits, my dear graduands, beloved parents, guardians, guests of the awardees, and friends.

Before we end this Convocation, let me once again express my warmest congratulations to each of you, graduands, and to your beloved parents!

University convocations are profoundly enriching experiences that provide us with great opportunities to hear and learn from the uplifting messages articulated by our esteemed awardees. The video presentations, which highlight important aspects of the awardees' lives and accomplishments, aim to inspire us to strive for greater and nobler achievements.

Let me directly address to you dear graduands. Today is my last chance to make this appeal to all of you; it’s like making this hard sale to you on what we want you to do with your Jesuit education. Obviously, we do not want you to use your privileged education to take advantage of others; to outsmart them, to bully them, to silence them, to steal from them, to degrade their dignity, etc. We don’t want you either to just be quiet and do nothing in the midst of societal problems. What we ask you to do is to use your education, position, and abilities to actively love and serve others, alleviate hunger, reduce poverty, educate children, care for creation, defend the weak, create opportunities, give hope, and offer reconciliation and friendship.

That is why today, this morning, we offered you these exemplary institutions and individuals, Cardinal Ambo, Rosie Sula, and OFM missionaries in Mindanao whose lives and work are sources of inspiration to us. During this most challenging time, they emerged as exemplars of love and service, bearers of hope to everyone. As you are about to leave Xavier Ateneo and face the world, that sometimes comforts us yet can be harsh to us at other times, I fervently hope that you've listened to each of them and take to heart their messages, letting it penetrate the depths of your persons. So you can make bold decisions to follow God’s desire in your hearts.

Cardinal Pablo Ambo David is widely recognized for combining intellectual leadership with compassionate advocacy for the disadvantaged and victims of injustice. He has dedicated his efforts to serving marginalized communities, having established 21 urban mission stations in underprivileged areas of Kalookan to support those affected by extrajudicial killings. He actively promotes synodality, fostering greater participation of the laity within the Church. We thank you, Cardinal Ambo for your brave leadership as a Church pastor bringing the Church closer to the people.

Ms Rosie Sula is a strong advocate for the preservation of Tboli culture through education, cultural advocacy, and community empowerment. She works to strengthen indigenous identity, advance the rights and dignity of indigenous peoples and women, and foster a broader appreciation of indigenous heritage within Philippine society. We thank you, Ms Rosie for your innovative protection of Tboli traditions and your active role in championing the prosperity of Mindanao's indigenous cultures.

The Order of Friars Minor (OFM) fulfills its mission through missionary outreach, parish service, and community-based evangelization. They stand in solidarity with marginalized communities, advocating for the rights of Indigenous Lumad people, environmental stewardship, and grassroots peacebuilding. We thank you, the OFM fathers for your dedication to fostering peace and interreligious dialogue among Christian, Muslim, and Lumad communities while adapting your ministry to local cultures through inculturation.

We deeply appreciate our awardees for graciously accepting the Xavier University Awards, and we commend them for embodying the values of love and service that Xavier Ateneo aspires for its graduates to uphold. Their contributions to humanity serve a greater purpose. Congratulations to our XU awardees and the Class of 2026. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam. Thank you everyone!

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Day 1

My warmest congratulations to all of you graduates of the School of Education, the College of Agriculture, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Computer Studies. Congratulations not only to you but also to your parents and loved ones! I am genuinely happy and proud of you all.

As you leave this institution, I am sure you carry with you numerous memories—both sad and happy—and countless stories to tell, along with a wealth of learning to share with others and to help those in need.

Be watchful, for the world outside may not always be kind. It can be harsh and unforgiving. The truth is, the world has the power to make or break you. It is not enough to be bright and knowledgeable; the world does not always operate on reason and logic. Simply following the rules isn’t sufficient, as some situations do not have clear guidelines. Additionally, having a set of skills may not always align with the needs you encounter.

My point is to always be prepared for a world that will test and challenge you. It will assess your knowledge and skills, question your beliefs and principles, and push your perseverance to its limits.

In light of this, I have three pieces of advice for you:

1. Do not fear. Trust in God, who grants us peace and confidence to navigate our challenges. Trust in yourself.

2. Do not waste your time on pursuits that do not align with your purpose in life. Seize every opportunity to do good for others.

3. Always believe in a good and merciful God. He has shaped you into who you are now and will continue to guide you toward becoming the best version of yourself.

As you leave this college tonight, you depart not just as students of Xavier Ateneo but as graduates and proud alumni of XA. Embrace this identity and uphold the values and ideals of our school!

Lastly, I invite the parents, faculty, administrators, and guests to join me in blessing our students.

My dear graduates, I offer you these blessings from God:

May the Almighty shower you with abundant blessings and inspire you to be a blessing to others.

May the Lord keep you in His love and care amid the dangers and challenges of the world.

May the Lord grant you strength and joy in your work and service to others.

May the Lord guide you to remain true to your dreams, use your gifts wisely, and step into the future with unwavering faith, vibrant hope, and great love. Amen.

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Day 2

My warmest congratulations to all of you graduates of the College of Nursing, the College of Engineering, and the School of Business and Management. I am happy for all of you and am proud of you as well. Let me also express my congratulations to your parents and loved ones!

Be happy and celebrate your victory after years of toils and sacrifices. Pat your back and congratulate one another! Relish the joy and satisfaction of being a winner over tons of past challenges.

As winners, you are now new persons different from who you were four or five years ago when you first stepped inside the XA campus. Human development acquired from years of education and formation is not only intellectual but holistic, which is the hallmark of Xavier Ateneo education.

After years in Xavier Ateneo, you have become more than what you know and you can do. In XA, you should become more than what you can and are capable of doing. We expect you to have grown in various aspects of your life, such as how to deal with friends, what to invest in a commitment, make sacrifices for others, manage your time and activities well, endure hardship, choose the right priorities in life, and love and serve others, especially those most in need.

Thus, there is really so much to celebrate on your graduation day, not just your achievements but also the gifts of your growth as a person.

But your growth and development as a person, as a son or daughter of God, does not stop after school. You are expected to grow and develop further, but this time, your direction would change from being more directed to self to being more directed to others to love and serve. Amare et servire.

To continue your journey of growth and development, I have three pabaon for you:

1. Be grateful always. Genuine gratitude will lead you to do something good for

2. Be clear with the values you hold dear. What are those values? Hold on to them at all

3. Always believe that there is a God, who good and merciful, who has made you what you are now and will continue to form you into the best possible person you can be

May I ask you graduates to stand…

My dear graduates, I direct God’s goodness to you with these blessings:

May the Lord almighty shower upon you more blessings as you leave XA to face the world. May the Lord keep you in His love and care amid the dangers and pains in the world. May the Lord make you strong and joyful in your work and your service to others.

May the Lord guide you to stay true to your dreams, use your gifts wisely, and walk into the future with unwavering faith, vibrant hope, and great love. Amen.

* * * *  Access the full speech here * * * *