Graduation Blues
Lauren gave me a couple of her yearbook photos.
Tomorrow is her graduation day. All week long, she has been wailing…
“I can’t believe I am graduating!” I assure her that we are just as shocked. Shocked that another milestone marks her parent’s lives. Shocked that we are getting older.
The other day, Butch turned to me as he drove the car “can you believe ? our daughter is graduating?”
I can believe it.
Tomorrow is the Commencement Exercise at 4:00 PM for the School of Humanities and School of Social Sciences. She will have a long day. Her day will start with a Baccalaureate Mass at 7:30 AM then a graduation rehearsal at 11:00 AM.
What a disappointment that after paying such a huge sum of tuition averaging 55,000 pesos a semester or a total of more than half a million pesos for Lauren’s college years, we , the parents have to endure the tropical heat at the high school covered courts, the venue of the commencement exercise.
Other universities lease an airconditioned facility just to make the ceremony as memorable and comfortable as possible. Should I be complaining? Yes! I believe that at this time of the year, the heat is just very unbearable. Imagine these kids will be wearing a toga !
As my daughter finally bids farewell to her school, I too will say goodbye to the Ateneo Parents’ School Council ASPAC) of which I was an active parent member for the past 4 years. I had no idea on what the Ateneo education was all about so I joined ASPAC. Instead of complaining about this and that, I took active part in academic forums for parents. It was quite a learning experience for me. I developed the ASPAC website and Helpdesk feature as part of my projects. What happens to the ASPAC website when I leave? I hope it continues on.
I feel like I am graduating too now that I have to bid farewell to the other ASPAC parents who still have kids in Ateneo.
But my work is done. I have a daughter who will spread her wings and soar high to attain her goals.
As I read the dedication behind her yearbook photos, I hug and thank her. I can’t believe my little girl is so grown up now.
EDIT
View Lauren’s Graduation Day
Technorati Tags: yearbook photos, graduation day
Filipina mom) and my journey to a "new normal" after the death of 
Congrats to Lauren, congrats to Noemi and Butch. I know how that feels. Parang you also graduated all over again di ba? Iba ang high ano. Ang dami ko nang pinagdaanang graduation. Pero may isa pa … fourth year na sa med school. And incredible — yung pang pinakawalang study habits. haha
@annamanila- hah congrats din to your past graduates. Galing. Med School. That is so near already.
Congratulations to Lauren and to you and tito butch. While I cant relate Im sure my parents can. It took me 5 years to graduate from college and some summers just to graduate.Naiyak nga ata yung tatay ko sa graduation ko kasi daw akala nila di na mangyayari.
Congratulations to Lauren and to you! I remember when I graduated in Ateneo… it was the first time I saw my dad shed a tear. There is a bit of emotional high coming with that.
awww… how sweet.. Congrats to Lauren and to you! ^_^
Congrats to Lauren, and also to the parents.
Her third photo is very interesting. And such a sweet dedication.
My oldest son will be starting university in September and I just don’t know what to expect, in regards to everything, esp. the cost.
Congratulations to you and your hubby for raising a daughter like Lauren. Happy Graduation!
No A/C in Manila heat? I agree that parents and graduates(who paid alot of money)should be treated better. You need to wear waterproof make-up.
@leira- it must be the most touching experience for parents
@Jozzua- you must made your parents really proud for you
@mae- thanks.
@niceheart- in their yearbook, they are supposed to have a fun photo. She chose that “barbarian” look
Oh you are just starting college. Luckily, my other daughter is in the state university
@KK- the heat was bearable this morning during the mass. I pray the afternoon heat is merciful
congratulations to the whole family! it takes the full support of parents and siblings to hurdle college. savor the triumph!
Wow congrats to you, Butch & to the graduate!!
Congrats to you and your hubby and siempre kay Lauren. But your daughter is right, she could have not made it without you and ur hubby. Sarap ng feelings talaga.
congratulations to Lauren and to you and your husband. what a milestone and such an indescribable feeling!
Congratulations to Lauren!
My sister graduated yesterday too! Too bad I didn’t get to stay too long at the family after-dinner because I scooted off to the Blog Awards afterwards and made it just in time for the iPod raffle (which i didn’t win)
i love those pictures. it’s soooo Her :).
Congrats again to her and you and Butch.