Maharlika 2015

April 7, 2015—All of us in the car were so excited. It was graduation day, indeed! My parents and my sister were there beside me, wearing happy faces—talking about what would happen in the ceremony and laughing at some funny moments they reminisced while on the road.  I already prepared my camera for the best shots of my life.

We came later than expected. When we arrived, the would-be-graduates like me were already falling in line. Almost all were taking pictures with friends, with family, and with everyone. Then I also took pictures of and with my classmates, of course.

The ceremony had started. As we marched toward the quadrangle, I glanced around. I just loved looking us dressed in our maroon graduation togas. I felt the elegance of its color, of its façade—a signification that we were all going to graduate. There were almost two thousands of us excitedly marching.

We entered inside the hall. Our college seat was assigned at the right side facing the stage.  I looked at the back searching for my crush, but I didn’t see her.

At first, I thought the program would take six to seven hours. To my surprise, the rituals and the calling of names were so fast. I even had not noticed that it was our turn to stand up until our guide instructor called us. Because of my surname, I was the first to be called in our college—I felt blank. The excitement was too much that all I had done was to walk straight, not hearing what the officials were saying when we shook hands in the giving of diplomas.  All I understood was that I was happy that moment… very happy.

After I sat back on my chair, I felt empty again, and hungry, so I went out to fetch my snack.  I saw some going out also so I decided not to go back inside. I spent my time outside with my parents and my sister taking pictures of us. After the picture taking, I waited outside for the program to end so that I could have time taking pictures again after.  I saw a friend who then gave me garland and there we waited together.

Before the program had ended, they fired the fireworks at the back of the venue. It was beautiful, majestic, and I believe, expensive. Well, I thought it really jived our batch name, Maharlika [Royalty].

The program had ended and they fell in line out of the venue. I still searched for my friends and my crush. When I saw them, I took some pictures for the last time. After that, my family and I went home… tired but happy.