High School Diamond 1965: Diamond Devotion, 60 Years of Faith and Friendship.
Editor’s Note:
San Lorenzo’s Magnificat and Herran’s God’s Will Has No Why shaped our youth — and six decades later, we continue to shine with joy and quiet strength. From online Velada in 2020 to this radiant homecoming, our story is one of devotion — to God, to one another, and to the AC spirit that has kept our bond unbreakable. This reflection is inspired by the words of Loretta Victoria “Lory-Vi” Valdes, whose brief yet heartfelt answers to our class reflection guide speak volumes in their simplicity. In her quiet and faithful tone lies the essence of who we are — women whose grace has deepened with time, and whose faith has never wavered.
When we gathered once more to prepare for our Diamond Velada, it felt as though time folded back on itself. The spark was immediate — that familiar joy of seeing each other again, the laughter that came so easily, the thrill of offering once more a tribute to our beloved Mother Foundress. And when Hallelujah filled the air, our hearts sang with it. It wasn’t just a song — it was the sound of gratitude, of shared history, of faith that has carried us through every season of our lives.
Through the years, our motto — “God’s will has no why” — has been our anchor and our guide. It has taught us to surrender with trust, to accept both joy and sorrow with grace. The image of Jesus on the cross, accepting His Father’s will, has given us strength to follow what God asks of us — even when we do not understand. We never questioned why things happened; we simply did what we could, the best way we knew how, always trusting that His plan was good.
Sixty years of friendship and faith — what a gift this has been. We have cherished our memories, our laughter, our prayers whispered for one another. Our weekly Rosary has become the quiet rhythm of our lives, binding our hearts together in devotion. And each Christmas, each Thanksgiving, brings with it the joy of reunion — the warmth of voices we know by heart, the sparkle of stories we never tire of telling.
Now, as we reach our seventieth milestone, our Diamond devotion gleams with even deeper meaning. We pray that the younger Assumption women may see in us a reflection of faith that endures, of friendship rooted in prayer, of purpose found in living God’s will.
And so we stand — Diamonds, steadfast and shining still. We carry the light of those who came before us, and we pass it on, unbroken, to those who will follow. Our laughter has become prayer, our prayer has become praise, and our praise — a hymn of gratitude for the grace that has carried us this far.
We are the Diamonds — radiant in faith, luminous in love, and forever reflecting the brilliance of God’s eternal light. ✨
From the stage to the story of everyday life, ACx reminds us that behind every performance is a real woman living through joy, pain, and everything in between. Mao Cardenas offers a brave reflection on loss — showing that grief doesn’t follow rules or timelines, but it can still be a place where grace blooms. Her story is a gentle reminder that healing isn’t about moving on, but moving with love.