“Thank you, universe, for recognizing someone who is a ‘no name’.” —Dolly de Leon

T here comes a point in each of our lives where we reach a crossroad; the path before us diverges into separate destinations, and we must choose to walk forward without any real certainty of where we are going. Sometimes these roads may be plagued by fear, but often, with a strong enough support system and an inextinguishable faith in our own capabilities, we can find ourselves enjoying the journey.

My youngest daughter Athena Prieto-Valdes now finds herself at one of those crossroads, as she stands before the door to a new and exciting chapter in her life. This past week she hit a very important milestone when she graduated high school; to say I’m proud is an understatement. Athena has proven herself to be a survivor; no matter what life throws at her, she finds a way to come out of it unscathed, and still with her lovely sense of humor intact.

Along with my nephew Mitteo Aguilar Prieto, Athena and her batchmates have all experienced so much in such a short period of time. From Taal Volcano erupting during their freshman year to the global pandemic stealing away more than two years of in-person bonding with each other—they have navigated these challenges and come out closer than ever. Through Zoom classes, online exams, and even virtual PE, they have leaned on one another for love and support, and in turn have found a family in their bond.

Second home

Beacon Academy truly became a second home to these kids, and it has no doubt given them a solid foundation to skillfully navigate uncertainty, adapt to change and conquer their fears. All this will manifest in new, exciting journeys these graduates will be embarking on once the summer ends. The joys of their achievements radiated through the graduation, and were celebrated by not just the parents but also the faculty and staff who have cared for these kids throughout their time at Beacon.

Once the ceremony started, I was thrilled to see Athena go up on stage to deliver the invocation speech. At the mic, she reminisced on fond memories and laughed at inside jokes with her batch, and while she was speaking I couldn’t help but feel proud: She must have gotten that confidence to host from me!

Beacon graduations often feature highly acclaimed speakers to deliver the commencement speech, and this year was none other than the amazing Filipina actress Dolly de Leon.

Last year, De Leon impressed both international critics and audiences alike with her role in the acclaimed film, “Triangle of Sadness.” The film premiered at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival and De Leon’s performance earned her many different nominations and awards, most notably a nomination for Best Supporting Actress-Motion Picture at the Golden Globe Awards.

Inspiration

De Leon livened up the ceremony with her genuine warmth and her heartwarming speech, which was all about fear. She related to the students about the imposter syndrome she felt while acting in her very first international film production, and how she felt that it made her doubt her own capabilities as an actress.

She also spoke about her fears to return to the rowdy world of Philippine filmmaking after experiencing the ease of Western production, but said that it was her powerful position and drive to make positive change to our country that pushed her to come back.

She inspired students to help make our country the best that it can be. At the end, she left the graduates with two challenges: to embrace fear, and to find the power to be the best version of themselves. She emphasized that we are all worthy of greatness.My daughter’s batch name is “Imperium,” which means absolute power. As each of the graduates took the stage to receive their diplomas and awards, it became clear that these students have indeed gained power through their education and time at Beacon. What a bright future ahead of them—with many admissions to universities all around the world, coupled with the wonderful and loving support from both the school and their families, this is the next generation of changemakers. In breaking barriers, there will be inevitable moments of fear. But draw power from hope, and we can all reach our full potential to change the world.

We love you so much, Athena and Mitteo! We can’t wait to see all the amazing things you will discover on each of your journeys. Never forget that we are with you through it all, no matter what. INQ

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