41 students of varying personalities (actually supposed to be 42, but somebody did NOT report to school at all screwing up the call slip system in the process and receiving jugs and posts for offenses he could not have possibly committed), all together in one classroom. A class? Hell no. A family. That's how close we are. United by the Doctrine of Class Unity, aided financially by our parents, guided by our teachers, kept in line by the APSA and the Law, driven intellectually by the lessons of the Ateneo, driven primarily by soireés and members of the opposite sex, fueled by Pepsi, sisig and other high-calorie food and drinks, pitted with other classes and other people in this world of ours, we stand as brothers shoulder to shoulder, defiant at the evils of modern life, and receptive to all the goods and graces, ready to aid one another, available to reach out to others.

We exercise the human intelligence with which we were endowed. Although we adapt to the environment, we do so in a fashion that is convenient. We always find a better way. Life is indeed a stage, but we do not let the stage consume us, but rather stand triumphant on this stage, free, powerful, ourselves. We make this world our own, and so indeed it is ours.

We are a class with guts. We are honest. We do things candidly, the way we want to do them, the way we would do them. It is how we express ourselves. We are not afraid of being sanctioned for being ourselves. It is a right that we have been granted, reserve to ourselves, and a right we cherish and one we exercise. We are that we are.

THE CLASS OF [O] 2002 -- How it All Began

Ah, yes... the class of [O] 2002. United, strong, admired (yah right), olats (?). Self-contradicting? Maybe. Cool? Yes.

It all started out on that fateful June day in the El Niño year of 1998. The first day of school, at least for the freshmen. You could see it in everyone's face; the effects of the bliss of summer vacation: eyebags, zits, wrinkles, drool marks, etc. Everyone was everywhere, asking what one did for vacation, asking another for any chic he may have picked up, others sharing memories of gimmicks, parties, and outings.

At the back of the Sacred Heart Hall was a classroom near the cliffside (so that flunking students could kill themselves, presumably). There was nothing special about it, actually. It was an ordinary, dusty classroom, with ordinary, dusty seats and ordinary, dusty lockers.

All around were students fresh out of the grade school, at last shedding the white-polo-khaki-pants-black-shoes look to a now more "stylish", "mature" get-up composed of a light-blue, semi-chambré polo "ala Armani Exchange", beige "ala Dockers" slacks, and brown or black shoes. "Stylish" and "mature"?

The clock was ticking. It wouldn't be very long until a new phase of life started. Then, from seemingly out of nowhere, music came. It sounded like it was coming from the old PC speakers of a 286. Nope, there was no computer, just a busted speaker playing some sucky, old-fashioned music, and students still trying to locate the source of the infernal audio. Where was "Fly High" when it was needed most?

After the "music" had ended, much to the relief of many class members, the flag ceremony commenced, this time to a new version of the national anthem, and finally, that Panunumpa Sa Watawat thing. With that, as if on cue, a group of students entered the classroom. They were not freshmen, nor sophomores. Seniors. They gave the morning reflection, an update on the NBA Championship, and then they asked the class to step out, to proceed to the covered courts.

At the covered courts, the entire batch received welcome speeches, threats (Hey, the APSA was talking about handbooks already) and a little sermon from the Director for the misconduct of two students. After an all that had passed, we returned to the classroom.

Then, this... um... individual... this individual entered the classroom. He was of average height, dressed in a white short-sleeved barong, trousers and black shoes, carried a green bag, tipped his head in 22.5º arcs from side to side as he walked, in an amusing gait. The... individual set down his bag, called all the members of the class who were still outside, and when everyone was seated, introduced himself as Brother Michael I. Pineda. He gave a short autobiography, telling us of where he came from, and what he thought of the future for the class, flattering everyone with the possibilities of pursuing everyone's "potential". He even lectured on Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam and the magis. He went on, and like any first day of school, asked the class members to introduce themselves.

There were new faces. Lasallians, a student from Lourdes School, CSA, and Kostka were added to the ranks of the Ateneans. Nothing personal really. Just new people. After all that, it was time for recess.

Everybody headed for the cafeteria, which was, in contrast to the grade school's, heaven. The food was actually edible. The softdrinks actually cold. The rice actually hot. And the staff? Actually polite.

Every one seemed to have his own group of friends, which was understandable, as few of the class members had actually dealt with each other previously. Everybody with pagers checked theirs for updates on the NBA game, those with cell phones checked either with those at home or to see if anyone had sent them a text message with an update. Recess ended, and orientation followed. The first recess in the High School.

The class was with those Seniors again. Everyone was quiet, as if the slightest sound would tear the world apart. The Seniors started forcing people to speak up, making the class more comfy with talks of girls, porn, the Internet, hobbies, and basically high school life. The class was toured around the campus, being asked to note places where one could have a smoke, take a leak, take a dump, get some food, borrow tapes and books, and other stuff. Upon return to the classroom, everyone was asked for questions regarding the High School, the system, the people. Then, the president of the student council came in.

He entered with charisma. He radiated an aura that made people listen. And the first thing he lectured was "BABAGSAK KAYO." <"YOU'RE GONNA FAIL.">. His lecture was rather... encouraging, as he taught us ways to get around our problems. He explained how one might choose to be practical and go for passing, or how one might go for honors, and try to outdo oneself. And the most important lesson? Class unity. Staying together. Teamwork. It was the first lesson we would have to learn, and among the most important we would have to cherish. It was our key to success. Our key to survival.

With that, the first day ended. It was time to go home.

THE CLASS OF [O] 2002 -- The Code of Honor

Taken from a copy of the I-O Code of Honor --

We, the class of I-O take upon ourselves

• to do things extraordinarily well;

• to compromise for each other's actions;

• to have proper respect towards fellowmen;

• to strive for the best in every endeavor and

• to reach out to all who are in need.