by: Poimen Agnila || Photo Credit: Leila Sabando

The Academic Year 2022-2023 has been filled with firsts for students who never really had the chance to live their high school life on campus. But for Batch 2023, it was a school year of lasts: a last Sportsfest, a last prom (which was, sadly, also their first and only), a last SMT Week, a last Pisay Night, and one last chance to savor the bittersweet moments Pisay is only so capable of creating. Indeed, the road to where they are now has not been an easy one. It was a trek riddled with hardships, isolation, and the ever-present pitfalls of being a scholar in one of the country’s most rigorous academic institutions. However, it was also one filled with hard-earned lessons and fond memories, which the batch will surely look back on in time. Now, as the yearly profile picture blast blesses our newsfeeds with glimpses of the batch’s colorful Pisay life, let us take a look back at the experiences and insights they’ve gained in the past six years.

Challenges During the Pandemic

Having had their 9th-grade year cut short due to the onslaught of COVID-19 in the Philippines, Batch 2023 had to spend the following two grade levels isolated inside their homes and away from the company of the classmates and batchmates they have bonded with over the past three years. Zoom meetings replaced the familiarity of the classroom setting, and post-class hangouts with friends took the form of Messenger group chats. Of course, this setup came with a new set of challenges, with the consensus being that the disconnection the pandemic caused strained a few relationships within the batch. 

“For me, I think the pandemic brought the batch further apart from each other because, during the two-year online classes, a lot of relationships drifted apart due to not being able to see each other. I also think that personal problems arose during the pandemic and made it harder for many people to communicate with their friends,” Paola Comonal shared.

Favorite Things About Pisay

While there’s a lot to love about the school, few things truly make Pisay, Pisay. For Kyle Balasanos, some things he’ll miss when he goes to college are the school events (especially the rave nights) and the chika sessions with friends, which is everyone’s favorite pastime. 

“I will definitely miss the rave nights because it has always been iconic. It’s fun to party inside the school, especially when it’s a once-a-year event. I will also miss the ranting/chismisan sessions as it’s a way to vent out with others who share the same experiences, and at the same, it’s also a way to socialize,” he shared.

Advice for Younger Batches

Of course, a batch article would not be complete without a few words of wisdom from the seniors. When asked for a piece of particular advice they wish to pass on to the younger batches, Denice Carles shared, “If you are having a hard time or you just don’t enjoy math at all, please do yourself a favor by not choosing Math Level 2 for your senior years.”

Another tip from Denice for the upcoming college applicants is, “If you have plans to take medicine, but you’re still unsure, pick at least one college where med isn’t your first choice course. Sometimes, what you want for college will change, and you’ll only realize it when the results are already out.”

Friendships and Relationships in Pisay

     It is no secret that one of the deciding factors in a student’s success as a scholar is the people they choose to surround themselves with. For Gian Tongzon, it was the support system he gained that made his Pisay stay worth it. 

“Without the friendships and relationships built through the six years, my high school life wouldn’t be complete. Friendships supported me during my ups and downs. Having friends that understand my struggles and experiences gave me a sense of comfort that helped me go through the six years. My relationship with teachers also helped me as they have imparted knowledge and provided guidance, encouragement, and valuable life lessons. These connections have greatly enriched my high school journey and will continue to impact my life beyond graduation,” he shared.

Regrets and Hopes

However, like everything, regret is also inevitable. For Phem Nardo, they regret not having enough time to create more friendships within the batch. 

“Towards the end of our last year, I felt like I got a lot closer with the batch, and I can’t help but wish I had befriended many of these people earlier, so I think that’s my biggest regret. Back then, I missed so many chances to make friends and talk to people I found interesting. Pisay has some really fun people, many of whom I only got to know and be friends with recently, which is a bummer because we’re leaving in just a few days. Regardless, I wanna make the best of these last few days, but I still do regret not being open and friendly,” they shared.

A Legacy to Leave Behind

Every batch has its ups and downs; some things they would rather forget, and others they will want to immortalize in their memories. But in the grand scheme of high school, it is ultimately the legacy they will leave behind that will be forever engraved in the halls and classrooms for the batches that will come after them. When asked what she wants her batch to be remembered for, Norielle Eco shared, “I think for me, what I want them to remember about us is, no matter how chaotic and disorganized we were, we were still able to make it through.”

For Batch 2023, what distinguishes Arímo from the rest is their exceptional growth as a batch in overcoming differences, despite the numerous hurdles they faced during their stay in Pisay.

“In terms of legacy, we could not establish it fully due to the pandemic’s onset during our ninth grade. During that period, we were supposed to begin showcasing our batch’s potential and involvement in various activities. Unfortunately, the transition to online classes presented challenges, impeding us from making any substantial impact. By the time we resumed in-person schooling, we had already reached Grade 12, nearing graduation,” they shared. 

“Moreover, when it comes to distinguishing ourselves from other batches, we collectively concluded that pinpointing a specific aspect is challenging. However, if we were to describe our batch, the word that comes to mind is “chaotic.” We experienced a multitude of differing opinions and ideas, which often presented obstacles for us. Nevertheless, in retrospect, we managed to adapt and complement each other’s weaknesses—a feat we were unable to accomplish in the previous years. The growth we witnessed within our batch is something we take pride in; it is truly an achievement. Additionally, while unity may elude us most of the time, we find that we get along quite well when it comes to games, fun activities, and embracing our wild side,” they added.

Arímo, the batch’s chosen moniker, comes from a Hiligaynon word meaning to rely upon, shelter oneself behind, ask for help or recommendation, or to be backed up—reflective of their pursuit of service as scholars. Indeed, now more than ever, we need people who we can trust, who will fight for those who cannot fight for themselves, and who will choose to do what is right despite what is easy. Truly, Arímo’s chosen emoji of a sword is reminiscent of Pisay’s call to action to help those who are helpless and to use the knowledge and values its scholars have been armed with to be a weapon of good change in the greater battle that is serving the people.

     While their final school year comes to a sentimental close, moving forward is just as important as looking back. Although goodbyes are undoubtedly difficult, one can rest assured in the fact that with every ending comes an opportunity for a new beginning. Now, as the batch prepares to exit the hallways of the high school that molded them, they bring with them a new kind of hope—that the different paths and college campuses that await them might be able to benefit from the lessons they’ve discussed inside the classroom, the new perspectives they’ve gained from the friendships and relationships they’ve formed, and the experiences they’ve lived through from the unique, exhausting, beautiful, and crazy six-year adventure of being a student at PSHS – EVC.