10/07/2025
| In Triumph, Tears, and 'Mazel's Tov’: A heartfelt send-off for CTU’s Class of 2025
| Trixia Nicole Bajo and Ginalyn Chavez
The scent of fortitude lingered in the gym as the graduating students slowly filled its once-empty space. In the wee hours of the morning, the Kalampusan Gym— intricately fashioned for this day—transformed into a sea of black caps and gowns with hoods of white, red, and gold. Finally, the long awaited moment had arrived. The long-overdue rewards for all the sleepless nights, shed tears, and quiet perseverance were about to be paid.
“Mazel’s Tov!”— the traditional Hebrew blessing meaning “good fortune” or “congratulations”— rang through the gymnasium as CTU AC’s 79 Commencement Exercises began. More than mere praise, the praise carried the weight of journey, a wish that these graduates’ perseverance would bloom into a lifelong success. And seated before the stage were 1,108 stories of grit, hope, and becoming—each one dressed in a robe and ready to rise.
For the Class of 2025, the words were especially fitting. Like the stars in the “mazel” (which traces back to celestial luck), they had navigated for years of uncertainty— pandemic disruptions, blurred work-study boundaries, and the quiet heroism of showing up. Now, under the gym’s lights they shimmered with the same brightness they’d forged in the dark.
“Diploma is not the end. Stay curious. The future belongs to those who keep learning." This is what Dr. Maria Elena C. Arbon, former director of DTI Region 7 and NRI as she inspired the audience with her powerful quote. Her words resonated deeply, reminding graduates that the journey of learning does not conclude with a diploma. Instead, it opens doors to new possibilities, encouraging them to pursue knowledge with unyielding curiosity.
As the morning sun climbed higher, warming the gym's polished floors, the ceremony paused for a moment of collective reckoning. Graduation day had lurked in the corners of every all-nighter, every borrowed textbook, every panicked email to professors - but now, its arrival revealed an undeniable truth: these caps and gowns were woven from more than individual effort.
Josh Erick Albarico, a Magna Cum Laude graduate from the Bachelor of Arts in English Language, stepped to the podium, his white-trimmed hood catching the light as he gave voice to what hundreds felt: "The truth is, it wasn't just us. We are here today not only because of our own efforts but because of the nurturing environment that shaped and challenged us. And that environment was this university."
A ripple of nods passed through the crowd as graduates discreetly wiped their eyes. Albarico continued, gesturing to the sea of faces: "Take a moment to look around. None of us got this far alone. This was never going to be a one-shot effort or a one-man journey. We are the consequence of every interaction, every second chance, and every hand that helped us - and many of those came from this institution."
His words hung in the air, crystallizing the day’s deeper meaning. In that instant, the gym became a living mosaic – every tassel representing late-night library mentors, cafeteria workers, janitors and security guards. The Class of 2025 hadn’t just earned degrees. They’d become embodiments of CTU collective heart.
As the ceremony nears its close, the echoes of applause, proud smiles, and sighs of relief lingered in the air like the final note of a cherished song. Their voices weaved together as they sang the last CTU hymn on the campus.
One of the graduates we interviewed, Geraldine Ytang, who completed her Master of Education degree, shared her heartfelt reflections on her journey: "It's a privilege and also a chance to have my dream. I'm feeling so blessed and happy. Though the journey has been a bit of a struggle with many setbacks, all those highs and lows have made me a better person." Her words encapsulate the resilience and determination that many graduates feel as they celebrate their achievements.
In another interview, Ariane Quiroga, the sister of a graduate, expressed her emotions about the occasion: "I'm very grateful and blessed. This is the most awaited part of college, and at the same time, I am so proud of my sister." Her pride and joy highlight the significance of this milestone not just for the graduates, but for their families as well.
The graduation, marked as an end— but also to a new beginning. A new adventure awaits with each graduate chasing their own “mazel tov”, their own fortune, and their own definition of success.
The scent of fortitude may fade from the gym, but it will live on— in every step they take beyond the gates of Cebu Technological University.
