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Matapos ang maraming taonSa loob ng kulunganNg mga ideya’t pangaral,Lalabas ang bilanggo Sa tunay na mundo.Mamamangha siya Sa mga bagay nakaniyang masisilayan.Masasaktan ang mga mataSa ningning ng umaga.Hindi siya mapapalagay.Maraming tanong na papasok sa isipan.Ngunit may isang katiyakan.Itataya niya ang buhaySa sarili niyang Bayan.

Amiel Victor A. Asuncion

AB Philosophy

664

Christopher Jan B. Benitez

AB Philosophy

“To be is all I got to be And all that I see And all that I need this time”Benny, a hardworking studentHe spends days and nights reading book and textsCertitude drives him!Alas, knowledge needs money...Benny, a brilliant musicianBeautiful melodies and magnificent tunes blossoming from his guitarOne is mesmerized with the motion of his fingersSpeed and aggression balanced with soul and harmonyBut, above all, Benny is one of the most trustworthy friends one could ever haveThrough thick and thin, he remains loyal, ever dependent and committed, his heart shines through the darkness...

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You all but exude warmth. A rare kind of friend whom one can count on to tell you your nose needs picking. With you, the things that people say about guys with intimidating exteriors being softies inside, become true. For a person who radiates masculinity, you’re actually the one to run to when one is wacky enough to want to watch chic flicks. Impulsive, a thorough giver, temperamental at times - these qualities that most would find negative, somehow become your good points and constitute what is uniquely you. (Olegard), you’ll always be that persevering dolt who can make laughter out of tears, calm out of uncomfortable moments, butterflies out of caterpillars ̂ _^—airheadAs an athlete, he motivates his teammates and is well respected as a judo captain. As a philosophy major, he is sensitive of others’ needs and knows to correctly respond to them. He is well focused on his dream of becoming a lawyer someday but he also knows how to party and have fun. Among friends, he extends a helping hand.—Kris

Don Gabriel Oligar T. Cariño III

AB Philosophy

666

Carmela Noelle S. Castillo

AB Philosophy

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. – Mark Twain

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“Life is a desperate lack of reality.”

Nathaniel Joseph C. Casuela

AB Philosophy

668

Christopher Rieger C. Cruz

AB Philosophy

You can never be sure as to what he’s thinking. With his childish looks and little boy smile, Rieger comes across as the eternal teaser, the proverbial charmer and the mischievous guy-next-door. Though he endlessly teases you, you can never seem to get mad at him. His personality can continually amaze you and make you say, “this guy is something else!” He’s proof that you have to look beyond a person’s façade to discover wonderful things about him.

Admired by many, Rieger is gifted with thousands of friends who surround him with enormous fun and laughter; an intellectual mind with a great sense of humor that can startle and light up any conversation; and a compassionate heart that is kind to anyone. He is a perfectly well-rounded person—a combination of good physical appearance, dedicated academic attitude and notable principles and qualities. Rieger is certainly a guy who everyone loves to have as a priced and big time friend.

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The Prof. Everybody knows him thus. But it’s not a reputation to be taken lightly, although he did gain it because of rather amusing circumstances. With his skills, he can be a linguist, a lawyer, a Philosophy professor, an English professor or any intellectual professional for that matter. He’s definitely not a nerd, though. He lives up to his family name as a man of passion. He can rough it up, dance it up, sing it up, laugh it up, and even eat it up with anybody. He listens as well as he talks, and does as well as he thinks. He is a true man of philosophy—a man in the midst of the marriage of passion and reason. Look out, because once he decides his destination, be it a physical location or a life goal, there’s no stopping him. A future legend in the department? Bite your tongue. This man will be an institution in the university.

John Paul A. Dela Pasion

AB Philosophy

670

Martin Lorenzo D. de Leon

AB Philosophy

Martin de Leon—this name echoes throughout the campus with a certain reverence; and yet his true self far surpasses the legend that is his reputation. He is a walking oxymoron—a person with a boy-next-door demeanor alongside a manic disposition; someone who is timid yet never soft-spoken or scarce of opinion; a person who is plagued by the stresses of everyday adolescent life and yet still puts everyone else before himself; a person of poise and grace but still never fails to paint himself into a corner, finding himself in out-of-this-world situations time and time again; a character who walks the corridors of Ateneo with a smile on his face and a ready, uplifting greeting for anyone he passes—he will forever be remembered for that. And as he readies himself for a world of new hallways and new people armed only with hilariously, ab-crunching anecdotes and a laugh like no other, there is no doubt that he will forever exhume the very essence of why everyone loved him so… simply by being Martin.

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Red—that freakishly tall guy we see around campus—couldn’t be subtle if his life depended on it. He gets his education in a rather bizarre (and legendary) manner—forgetting finals venues, submitting papers late, acing exams almost effortlessly—all with a dimpled smile and a steady stride. His seemingly careless lifestyle betrays the depth and vastness of his persona. As his friends, we find ourselves entranced when he speaks of his passions, like music and philosophy, and we all learn something new each time. The scope of his wisdom betrays his age: so full of vibrant, revolutionary ideas, yet so eager to keep learning more. He is wise though childlike, confused yet loving, messy but irresistible. Red is one of those mysterious, hard to find, complicated people who will either inspire or frustrate you. And for those who have had the privilege of knowing him, they know they have found themselves something fiercely special yet curiously incomprehensible.

Frederick August I. Jose

AB Philosophy

672

John Paul T. Lama

AB Philosophy

Jaips is a man of a few (but worthwhile) words, just as he is a man with a few (but close) friends. He seeks to develop his body with his mind. He is currently a purple-5 belter in Karate, a high red belter in Taekwondo, and a green belter in Gasaido Penjak Silat. He compensates for his few socializing activities with other recreational activities. He watches horror and action movies on VCD, watches anime and CSI on television, reads fantasy rpgs on the internet, listens to anime mp3s on his mp3 player, and writes essays and fantasy rpgs on his computer. He has an inclination towards pessimism and fatalism, but that doesn’t mean he’s mean. Actually, he’d rather cooperate than compete with people. He also has a serious expression most of the time, but it only hides the passions underneath. However, he says he would never fall in love with anyone, not because he’s afraid of falling in love, but falling out love. Which archetype is he, you ask? Forget it. This guy writes archetypes in his stories.

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unless you feel good where you areoh, join me in my little game of youyou can finally be freekick your feet up in the airclimb up the highest mountainsunfold your powerful wingsfree your body and soul

“The most dangerous to any government is the man who is able to think things out for himself, without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably, he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane and intolerable and so, if he is romantic, he tries to change it. And even it he is not romantic personally, he is very apt to spread discontent among those who are.”

—H.L. Mecken, Smart Set Magazine (Dec. ‘99)

Michael Julian M. Maramba

AB Philosophy

674

John Henry C. Mendoza

AB Philosophy

Besides his nickname (a truncation of his name) and his height which he really hates, you can never fall short in having Jonry as a friend. This guy is a complete package all in one. He has an amazing balance of depth and brilliance. He has the ability to look at life in the most extraordinary ways and express himself in a subtle yet powerful exudation. There is definitely more to him than his ability to choose the best movies to watch, places to go, food to eat, and clothes to wear (especially his multi-colored socks). Definitely John Henry, with his depth and brilliance, his subtlety and power, has the works of a true steward of the law and a great leader of the land. But behind all these exaltations is a guy with the heart of a true friend, someone who knows how to be there when you need him and someone who knows how to treat a friend as a friend. Because of all of these, having Jonry as a best friend is one thing that will be treasured forever. That’s Jonry—a great man, a great leader, a great friend.

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This person is way too different from all the others out there simply because he makes every moment with you extraordinary just by cracking the corniest possible jokes and telling super detailed stories with matching actions! Although he can be corny and way too talkative most of the time, people ought to know that Ian is really clever. He puts his heart and soul in every little thing he does. Despite his bubbly personality, Ian could be serious when the moment and situation call for it. His reputation as a heavy drinker has been proven countless of times. Ian never misses out on out-of-town trips with his friends and believes that life’s a beach! In every instance in his life, he never fails to make the most out of any situation because for him any moment can be a “paradise”. As of now, Ian is still in quest for paradise—a moment in one’s life where true happiness lies.

Christian Immanuel B. Paz

AB Philosophy

676

Zedrick Ross A. Paz

AB Philosophy

True Blue. Pagkatapos masabi ang lahat ng masasabi, ang pinakamahalaga ay hindi masasabi.

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“Let the dying embers of creation flow; through rivets of timeless everglow; pass onto us o immortal hands.”

Wild, yet “beautiful” mind + Friedrich Nietzsche + “Steven Segal” look + anti-emo boy + brittle bones + amazing vocalist + hardworking, loyal, dedicated, responsible friend—Robert P. Quilicot III. Obe knows how to “hear you out”. More than willingly participating in conversations of any topic, he’s a perfect listener who shows interest in what you have to say. He’s always nice to have around. Besides being a songwriter-genius, he is a cultured and disciplined friend. Not only is he generous with his open-minded critique, but also with his heart. A ship at dock is safe, but that isn’t why a ship is built right? Not until one tries will one succeed—Fortus fortuna audivat.

Robert P. Quilicot III

AB Philosophy

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George Ramil C. Ramos

AB Philosophy

George Ramil Ramos or simply Ramil, may strike you as an imposing figure from afar. Do not be fooled however by his tough exterior because Ramil radiates a gentle and warm aura upon closer inspection. His infectious charisma can sweep a room full of people in seconds flat. Some say it’s his x-factor. Others would suggest it’s his pearly-white teeth. I, on the other hand, would like to believe that it’s his heart of gold that captures people’s attention. Good thing he has this because this budding public servant would surely need it in a political arena of demagoguery and treachery. In a country that is always on the verge of a collapse, Ramil’s kind heart and fervent passion would surely help him and enable him to serve his country well.

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Soft-spoken, timid and laid back; this is how most people would describe “Miggy.” But underneath that quiet and somewhat simple appearance lays a musician whose guitar skills and thorough knowledge of music makes him a cut-above-the-rest. Apart from being a “rocker,” his pleasant disposition makes him a person who is easy to get along with. A friend ‘til the end, Miggy displays compassion and the utmost concern for those he cares for. As a complement to his good heart, Miggy is also blessed with a great mind. He is a student who challenges himself to be better and seeks to make the most out of the knowledge he is gifted with. One could barely argue against this, because it shows by the way he talks and acts. That is why regardless of his introverted nature; he still commands respect and admiration from his peers. Miggy is part of a rare breed of individuals who seem to have all the tools to succeed in his endeavors; one can only expect great things from him in the future.

Miguel Antonio S. Regal

AB Philosophy

680

Valario Rereh

AB Philosophy

He never fails to see God in all things, especially in music, poetic lyrics and in nature all around him. Val has been the first Burmese Jesuit to be sent to the Philippines to study. Even though he just learned to speak in English after his high school, he always likes to share his lived experience with his friends. During his four years in Ateneo, he has faced many trials and yet braved them all. He has forever etched himself in the hearts of his friends by his compassion and has truly been an angel to those who most in need. Life, for him, is an unfinished symphony that needs to be composed, re-composed and to be sung and re-sung for the celebration of humankind. “For whom the gun tolls, for whom the prey weeps, bow before a war, and call it religion. Some wounds never heal; some tears never will dry for the unkind, and cry for mankind.”

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Many people would probably describe Myn in different ways because most of them don’t really know her completely. It’s not that she’s hard to get to know well. It’s because there’s so much about her that people don’t realize right away. She’s a person who has an inherent capacity to understand not just people but diversity in general. This is why she enjoys watching cartoons as much as she loves studying Nietzsche and other postmodern philosophers. She can analyze her friends’ problems while making them laugh their brains out. She doesn’t like eating sweets (like chocolate) but pours tons of sugar in her milk or coffee. Her habits may appear self-contradicting, yet they show how she is able to master diversity, how she is able to break boundaries without fear of being different. No wonder people cannot describe her in just one particular way: she’s her very own unique stereotype.

Normyn Cielo F. Reyes

AB Philosophy

682

Rimo M. Rico

AB Philosophy

Rimo is one of the most exceptional characters people would encounter in their existence. He never fails to entertain people with his indefatigable body and his overzealous, overjoyed and over-the-top demeanor. He obviously has too much sugar in his system for his hyperactivity would leave you exhausted just by watching him. He will dance like Justin Timberlake for hours and he’ll blow you away with his guitar virtuosity. Also, his amazing skill of re-enacting scenes from a particular movie complete with accurate facial expressions and dialogue makes you feel like you have actually seen the movie. But above these things, Rimo is defined by his down-to-earth and likeable personality. Yes, he may do weird gyrations and say strange things once in a while but these are the things that make him Rimo. He is true to himself. He doesn’t pretend to be somebody else. His sincerity and compassion to offer himself to others is proof of his unyielding honesty. Truth is: he doesn’t have to be anything else but himself.

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The only thing that stands between a man and what he wants from life is often merely the will to try it and the faith to believe that it is possible. – Richard M. DeVos

Nante R. Santamaria

AB Philosophy

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Daryll Matthew T. Santos

AB Philosophy

Dynamic, Astounding, Reliable, Yrresistible, Loving, Leader… Ever since Daryll was a child he was aware of what he wants to be when he grows up, that is, to be a lawyer. Failure is a no-no to him; he sets his mind to his goal and never stops trying to achieve it. He makes sure that from whatever responsibility is given to him only superb outcome will blossom. Also, when he speaks, his peers never cease to be stunned by his clever and amusing comments. He has his way of telling people what is really in his mind and sees to it that they get what he really means. There were never lifeless moments with him! He would always make his companions laugh by cracking a joke. However, when you need a person to talk to seriously, surely, he’s the man! Moreover, Dada is an affable person who knows how to mingle with people from all walks of life. Moreover, he also has the ability to manage his time for school, family and friends. Last but definitely not the least, who could ever forget his charming looks and his dazzling smile! Undeniably, Dada is the perfect guy anyone would want to have.

685

J. Danuel P. Soriano

AB Philosophy

It’s all a blur to me…One moment, I was reluctantly starting grade school, next I was struggling with high school life, then suddenly I’m about to finish college just like that! I can’t believe how quickly time flies!Studying in Ateneo has been one of the toughest challenges I’ve ever encountered, but it’s only fit because this is the final sprint in all the grueling years of schooling that I had to go through! Now, I feel grateful for having the chance to stay here for four eventful years. I never was the sociable type, being the eccentric, lone artist that I am. But even though I never found the incentive to approach people to make friends, it seems that everyone else around me already did that for me! All the people I’ve met here made me feel right at home! I’ve really enjoyed my stay here, and I’m gonna miss this place and all the people I’ve been with all these years.Congratulations to everyone! Hey, we all made it!

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Mel…If she’s getting a little cranky just hand her a bottle of coke and she’ll treat you more nicely.Always balances studies and fun. She knows her prioritiesKnown for her thriftiness and pretty good bargaining skillsFickle when it comes to picking out a place to eat A pretty good food critic yet the worst cook everRespects secrets, a real confidanteIs unique as her own nameIs blessed with great amounts of good sense and a heart that is always in the right place. Exceptional, that’s Mel.

Melisande Joy A. Tan

AB Philosophy

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Jared Cecilio C. Vicencio

AB Philosophy

Jared is not your typical guy. He is characteristic of a well-rounded person who relentlessly exudes passion in every undertaking. From the essentials of the family to school requirements, he sees to it that he attends to them accordingly. He sets time for studying as well as leisurely activities with family and friends. But Jared would not have been swoon-worthy if not for his passion in sports and physical well-being. He became part of the arnis varsity team as soon as he stepped into college. He also loves basketball and excels as a power-forward extraordinaire, and hits the gym at the end of the day. One cannot but seem to wonder how he can do all these and still manage to seize the day. Perhaps what accounts for this marvel is his burning passion for every venture. There is so much to say about this guy and the list goes on, but what ultimately makes the difference is his being an adamant soldier of Christian faith. With all the blessings that Jared received, no doubt his future spells out nothing but success.

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