02/04/2026
๐ฅ๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ: ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฐ๐ต 2026โ๐ ๐จ๐ป๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ด๐ฒ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ-๐ข๐ณ๐ณ
By Kerstine Leigh De Jesus
Under the open space of their own school court, the 20th Commencement Exercise of EHS Batch 2026 found themselves bidding goodbye to the place they once called their second home.
At the break of day, Grade 12 candidates from different strands walked the red carpet with their parents to their assigned seats. The Entrance of Colors by the CAT Cadets made the morning feel official, with the Philippine and alma mater flags waving proudly.
The students sang the Philippine National Anthem, โTanging Yaman,โ the NCR hymn, and the Pasig City hymn, all conducted by Christian Bjorn Cunanan, with slight variations in their singing of each piece as it echoed throughout the school grounds.
Finally, it was time for the turning of the sablay. The graduating class was presented by Dr. Gilbert O. Inocencio, with Dr. Caesar S. Gonzales and Dr. Romela M. Cruz certifying and recommending the graduates, represented by Dr. Victor M. Javena. With pride, the students swiftly turned their sablay to the right, revealing the Baybayin inscription of โPAG-ASA.โ
The most awaited moment arrived. With over 500 graduates from the STEM, HUMSS, and ABM strands, each student proudly received their diploma and bowed in honor of two years of hard work and dedication.
Excitement filled the air as students welcomed Hon. Victor Ma. Regis N. Sotto, City Mayor of Pasig, spoke about the true meaning of the sablay, emphasizing that as products of Eusebio High School, they carry the hope that continues to flow throughout the city.
Shortly after, Hon. Roman T. Romulo, Congressman, shared a story from an interview about how children will always choose to be with their parents.
After the speeches, the awards ceremony began, honoring over 290 students, including the first-ranker, Jessa Mae S. Cortes, and second-ranker, Gage Francis T. Mendoza. All fell silent as Cortes delivered her words of gratitude, reminding everyone that life isnโt a race and quoting Billy Joelโs โViennaโ: โSlow down, youโre doing fine; you canโt be everything you want to be before your time.โ
And to start the beginning of the end, after the speeches, the commencement exercise transitioned into its final phase, highlighted by the singing of the yearโs graduation song, โGolden Shine,โ led by Mr. Cunanan.
Amidst the quiet tears of batchmates and teachers, the event proceeded to the Class Pledge led by Mr. Mendoza, emphasizing the values of becoming responsible Filipino citizens in the future.
To conclude, for one last time, the graduates sang the division hymn and the school hymn, honoring Eusebio High School, the place that had long felt like home to them.
Photos via Marcus Inocencio and Marcus Manligues | The Renaissance