UST RECTOR Very Rev. Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. told graduating Thomasians that “saying goodbye is part of the journey” in this year’s Baccalaureate Mass held Friday.
“Masakit, pero may kahalong tamis. Sabi nga ng isang poster, ‘Ang pinakamasakit sa goodbye ay ‘yung hindi pa naririnig ng tainga mo, nararamdaman na ng puso mo,’” he said.
Fr. Dagohoy noted that words like “I love you 3000” from blockbuster film “Avengers: Endgame” are the most memorable ones not only because of the “pain of leaving,” but also because of “a fervent desire for a good beginning.”
“The parting words that you have written on the tees and blouses of your friends and classmates are no different. You might have written there without cinematic effects, but nonetheless convey the said message of pain and sorrow, love and hope,” the rector said.
He added that Christians are known for their love for one another, in the same way that Jesus commanded in yesterday’s gospel that His disciples love one another.
“So when you encounter a dark force that is like Thanos in your life that says he is inevitable, you would simply say with humility and confidence: ‘I am a Thomasian.’ I have become what I love. I am a friend of God,’” Fr. Dagohoy concluded.
A total of 1,529 candidates for graduation from the Faculty of Arts and Letters (AB) out of 10,186 graduating Thomasians passed through the historic Arch of the Centuries to mark the end of their journeys in the University.
AB will be sending out more graduates this year compared to last year’s 1,187 Artlets out of 8,794 Thomasian candidates for graduation. F CRIS EUGENE T. GIANAN
