Remembering Still How the Bright Blue Eagles Fly

"All you Eagles, all you Tigers bless the Lord! Praise and exult him above all forever!" adopted from Daniel 3.

Congratulations to the UST Tigers for winning the UAAP Championship!

Even so, congratulations to the Ateneo Blue Eagles for putting up a good fight as in the words of St. Paul: "we have fought the good fight, we have finished the race, and we have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)

I am a Thomasian, but having stayed here in the Ateneo for more than 4 years now (more than my years of stay in UST) makes me more an Atenean I guess. When I was singing the words "win or lose, its the school we choose" after we lost the championship game I told myself that I already made a choice and I have no regrets. To my friends in UST you may not understand this, and I can't blame you. I am not turning my back on all of you. I am forever grateful to UST for making who I am now. Moreover, it was here in the Ateneo that made me realize that I am more than what I think. It was here in the Ateneo that allowed me to stand up after a bad fall with cura personalis. It was here where I have learned doing Magis for God and country. It was here in the Ateneo that I have learned to face myself, my weaknesses my strengths; and despite of all of my flaws, it was here were I felt I am accepted.

Despite the loss, I remember the season that was. Cheering for the Blue and White through joys and tears. Remembering how we started the season with an 8-0 card. The clutch shooting of Chris in dying seconds, the unforgettable under-goal stab by Doug, the running shots of Jai, the quick plays of Macky, the gustiness of Eman, and power dunks and fastbreaks of JC. And of course the magical plays of Coach Norman. All this made this season more memorable. This is the team who displayed courage and strength amidst adversaries, a team displayed what hope really means and clinging to the One up above. This is my Hail Mary team, this is our team.

When the final buzzer sounded, I knew it was the end. UST was in boisterous jubilation, while we at the Ateneo gallery were silent. I saw some of the Ateneo fans cried, the players covered thier faces with towels, and most of us are in a state of shock. But despite of the defeat, the Ateneans showed composure. It was a game, there is a winner and a loser. Even though we lost, most of us stayed. We stayed because we know that we fought a good fight. We are proud of the Ateneo team for showing heart and passion not only for the game for but for the school, a fighting heart the will never be defeated, this is what we call the triumph of the human spirit. Forever, they will be champions. As we sang theschool hymn, I felt the words came alive and I think it’s even more truer the morning after. I am proud to say that we have kept the faith. For you Mary... just for you!

Song for Mary

We stand on a hill
Between the earth and sky
Now all is still
Where Loyola’s colors fly

Our course is run
And the setting sun
Ends Ateneo's Day
Eyes are dry
At the last goodbye
This is the Ateneo Way

Mary for you
For your white and blue
We pray you'll keep us Mary
Constantly true
We pray you'll keep us Mary
Faithful to you

Down from the hill
Down to the world go I
Remembering still
How the bright blue eagles fly

Through joy and tears
Through the laughing years
We sing our battle song
Win or Lose
It's the school we choose
This is the place where we belong

Mary for you
For your white and blue
We pray you'll keep us Mary
Constantly true
We pray you'll keep us Mary
Faithful to you

THANK YOU BLUE EAGLES. GO ATENEO! ONE BIG FIGHT!