Aurelia: A Golden Expression of Gratitude
High School Class of 2025 Redefines Celebration with Purpose and Love
By the time the Assumption High School Class of 2025 walked across the stage last 4 June 2025, they had already left behind more than just memories. They had etched a legacy.
They could have chosen to wear glittering gowns and have a night of fanfare. Beyond the color of gold, which is not only their batch color, the brilliance of the color became the batch’s selfless act: Giving their celebration to the people who had quietly stood beside them all these years — the guards, TDEVs, and AC Caritas staff.
Anchored by their batch motto, “Driven by love, we transform,” the Class of 2025 chose to celebrate their final high school milestone not with a traditional graduation ball, but with a transformative act of gratitude. On 31 May 2025, just days before graduation, they hosted “Aurelia: A Golden Expression of Gratitude” at the Biyaya Hall of the Henry Sy Building — a ball not for themselves, but for those who had quietly supported them every step of the way.
A Different Kind of Ball
Instead of preparing for a night of self-celebration, the students poured their hearts into planning a thanksgiving ball for their beloved auxiliary personnel: the guards, the TDEVs, and the AC Caritas staff — affectionately called “manongs” and “manangs” by the community.
The idea was sparked by a simple yet heartfelt conversation. One of the students, who had helped organize the junior prom the year prior, recalled speaking with several personnel members. They shared, with gentle wistfulness, that they never experienced a prom of their own. That one exchange became the seed of a movement — an opportunity to honor the unsung heroes of their Assumption journey.
Love in Action
What followed was nothing short of extraordinary. The students became the crew — handling every detail themselves. From hair and makeup, to the décor, set-up, hosting, and even cleaning up after — they took on the very roles the auxiliary staff typically filled. In a poetic role reversal, the girls served those who had served them.
We asked a few girls from Class 2025, who were part of the organizing committee of this auspicious event, a couple of questions. What made them want to be part of the organizing committee? How does this event reflect your batch motto, “Driven by love, we transform”?
More than the planning and organizing, what they did was purposeful and very meaningful. It was a personal journey for them, as they equipped themselves for the next chapters of their lives.
What made you want to be part of the organizing committee?
I wanted to be part of organizing Aurelia because the idea had been close to my heart from the very beginning. It all began with a moment I never forgot—while hosting the Batch 2026 prom, a TDEV shared how she wished they, too, could experience something as special as what the students were enjoying. I promised her then that someday, I’d make that happen. That small exchange planted the seed for what Aurelia would become.
It struck me how often our guards, Caritas, and TDEVs work behind the scenes to make our milestones meaningful—yet they’re rarely part of the joy they help create. I wanted to change that, even just for a night. Legacy, to me, isn’t always loud. It can be an act of gratitude, a quiet way of saying thank you to those who give so much without asking for anything in return.
My role in Aurelia was to lead logistics and oversee hair and makeup for the female staff. Simple tasks on paper—but deeply meaningful when I saw how each woman lit up after being styled, smiling, laughing, walking with newfound confidence. It reminded me that dignity can be found in the smallest gestures, when done with care and love. Planning wasn’t easy. We fundraised, sourced materials, and handled every detail. But through every challenge, the thought of what this night would mean kept us going. When I finally saw the room—full of joy, beauty, and gratitude—I knew we had created something that truly mattered.
Ever since Grade 6, I’ve dreamed of creating a legacy project before graduation, something meaningful to leave behind as we close this chapter. When the opportunity to be part of Aurelia came up, I felt called to be involved. During our discernment period, I found myself reflecting deeply on the people who’ve supported us throughout our time in Assumption: our dedicated AC TVDES staff, guards, and Caritas team. That reflection made me want to give back and help make this dream a reality. I reached out to our grade level president and offered to co-spearhead the project with her.
What made me want to be part of organizing Aurelia was the desire to give thanks, to express our appreciation in a way that was tangible, heartfelt, and joyful. For me, the event was a golden expression of our collective gratitude. It meant creating a moment where those who are always working in the background could be seen, celebrated, and served. They’re the first to arrive, the last to leave, and they do it all with kindness and unwavering positivity. Personally, Aurelia was my way of saying: We see you. We remember. And now, it’s your turn to be honored.
How does it event reflect your batch motto, “Driven by LOVE, we TRANSFORM”?
Our batch motto, “Driven by love, we transform,” captures the heart of our journey—as individuals and as a community. One moment that truly embodied this was the Legacy Ball we organized for our TDEVs and guards. It wasn’t just an event; it was a love letter to the people who had quietly supported us throughout our years at AC.
As Batch / Grade Level President, I had the privilege of helping lead this initiative. We could’ve chosen the traditional path, but our batch was moved by something greater—a desire to give back meaningfully.
This wasn’t just about planning a celebration; it was about reflecting the values that shaped us: compassion, gratitude, and service.
The transformation wasn’t only in what we gave, but in how we gave—through reflection, collaboration, and love. And in giving, we were changed too. We grew into women more attuned to the needs of others, more grounded in purpose. “Driven by love, we transform” isn’t just a motto—it’s who we’ve become. And it’s the spirit we carry forward, wherever God leads us next.
I think Aurelia was a beautiful expression of our batch motto in action. We were all moved by the quiet love and daily care the AC staff showed us— through the way they looked after us, supported us, and made school feel like a second home.
Their presence was constant, their service wholehearted. Because of that, we felt a sincere desire to give back. What made this initiative even more meaningful was that it never felt like a duty. There was no need to convince anyone to help—many were immediately ready, not out of obligation, but because we genuinely cared. We wanted to create a night that would make our dear manongs and manangs, ates and kuyas feel seen, honored, and celebrated.
It was a night that reflected just how much they mean to us. Aurelia reminded us of the power of unity and purpose. When we act out of love, we’re capable of creating something far greater than ourselves. And in doing so, we are transformed—together.
We also asked one of the many Aurelia golden stars, how they felt when they were invited to be part of the event? From here, we wanted to know what’s the most memorable moment about that night.
One of the security guards (Ate Estrella De Vera) said this, with much heart and gratitude.
“Grabe, sobrang saya ko talaga nung gabing ‘yon. Sa totoo lang, first time naming ma-experience ‘yung ganun. Lahat ng detalye—yung ayos ng venue, pagkain, music, pati na rin ‘yung buhok at make-up—ramdam na ramdam namin na pinaghandaan niyo talaga.
Pero ang pinaka tumatak sa akin, ‘yung pakiramdam na pinagsilbihan kami. Sanay kasi kami na kami ‘yung laging nakaalalay, laging nasa gilid. Pero nung gabing ‘yon, kami naman ‘yung nasa spotlight. Nakakahiya man, kasi hindi kami sanay sa ganun, pero sobra naming na-appreciate. Ang sarap pala sa pakiramdam na may mga batang tulad niyo na marunong tumingin at magpasalamat.
Hindi lang ‘to simpleng event para sa amin—para siyang yakap. Parang sinasabi niyo, ‘Salamat po sa lahat.’ At gusto ko rin kayong pasalamatan. Kasi sa simpleng ginawa niyo, ramdam namin na parte kami ng pamilyang ito. Hindi lang basta staff, hindi lang basta taga-bantay. Kundi tunay na parte ng komunidad. Kaya salamat talaga, mula sa aming puso.”
Living the Teachings of St. Marie Eugenie
St. Marie Eugenie once said: “Education is not meant to make us admirable human beings, but to make us strong and just persons who work for the transformation of the world.”
The Class of 2025 took those words to heart — choosing not to be the center of attention, but to give attention to those at the margins. Their golden gesture shone far brighter than any spotlight could.
A Lasting Legacy.
“Aurelia” was not simply an event. It was a golden turning point, a powerful declaration that love can indeed transform. It transformed an ordinary hall into a place of honor. It transformed a simple act of thanksgiving into a legacy. Most importantly, it transformed a graduating class into women of faith and action, ready to lead lives of purpose.
The Class of 2025 leaves Assumption not just with diplomas, but with a deeper sense of mission — a mission to see the overlooked, to serve without counting the cost, and to love, always, as the foundation of transformation.
In this golden act of love and purpose, the girls reveal the very heart of what it means to be Women of Faith and Women of Action.
Author’s Note: Warm thanks to Angel Nacino, one of the parents of the girls and from College 1999, for graciously helping us bring the girls together and reaching out to the AC personnel on our behalf.