Bukang-liwayway: the mark of a new beginning

By: Sybrene Boaqueña (2 BS MAC) & Marc Ogalesco (4 BS ITE) | AASA Scholars

Ateneo Alumni Scholars Association Liwayway Event

(Sybrene)

A fresh start, a reminder that the earth’s cycles are one thing you can count on because they are unchanging. 

This year, the annual AASA New Year Thanksgiving Lunch was graced with the name Liwayway, a name that stays true to its meaning as it not only marks the beginning of the year, but also gives everyone with a sense of reflection: what things from yesterday that brought you here are you thankful for?

At last year’s thanksgiving lunch, I actually met my laboratory professor, Kuya Hans, who was a ‘super senior’ in AASA at the time. I guess that’s one of the many unique experiences of being an AASA scholar. It was also my first time seeing everyone in the AASA family, and  despite where I came from and who I am, I was welcomed by them with open arms.

It was also my first time meeting the Board of Directors–which always comes with an overwhelming sense of awe–that these people are not merely names on a paper that contribute to funding our studies, but rather individuals who were perhaps once stood in our place and upon reading our applications and evaluating our answers to the interview, resonated with our experiences and were touched by our stories.

Ateneo Alumni Scholars Association Board of Directors and Father Bill Kreutz Liwayway Event

This is my second AASA New Year Thanksgiving Lunch, yet I can say that the feeling that accompanies these events will always remain the same. Perhaps the only thing that changed this year was that I realized that my stay in Ateneo is shorter than I expected. I always saw seniors as already very accomplished individuals; they always seem to emanate the impression that they already found their footing and are ready to be sent off to the real world. Upon seeing the seniors’ performance this year, I cannot help but realize that indeed–like Kuya Antwa said–our 4 years in Ateneo is very short. 

I still find it hard to fathom sometimes how I managed to land a spot here. As a Financial Aid Scholar, one of the first things that they told us was that there’s someone in the OAA that believed in us–which I still find hard to believe to this day even as my acceptance to the AASA family seems to implicate the same.

At the end of Liwayway, upon being surrounded by all the stories, the love, and the gifts, I realized that I must have done something right to deserve all these and the world is not as unfair and cruel as I make it out to be. 

AASA gave me a reminder that no matter how turbulent the year goes, there’s always AASA’s Liwayway that you can look forward to.

Ateneo Alumni Scholars Association Liwayway Mass

(Marc)

Starting this year with AASA’s New Year’s Gathering: Liwayway 2025 was a great opportunity to bond with my fellow AASA scholars and BOD members. This year’s theme, Liwayway, which will be the annual new year’s gathering name, reminds us to have a fresh mindset and a better outlook of what this year will bring us. It can also be a time to try new things, learn new skills, meet new friends, and be people for others. Liwayway isn’t just about new beginnings but also about spreading light—just like how the sun rises to brighten a new day.

As a graduating senior, I want to leave a pabaon (or a final gift) to the younger AASA scholars. I want to inspire them with my story and experiences, reminding them to remain resilient in the face of challenges and to keep chasing their dreams no matter how difficult the path may seem. This gathering allowed me to reflect on the impact I want to leave behind, not just as a scholar but as someone who embraced AASA’s values of excellence, generosity, and service.

Liwayway, for me, symbolizes hope and gratitude—a chance to express appreciation to the BODs and benefactors who have supported us and to the friends who have stood by us throughout our journeys. More importantly, this gathering isn’t just a start to the year; it’s a reminder to carry the light forward, passing it on to others and making a difference in the lives of those who come after us.

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