We all at least graduate from school three times: elementary, high school, and college carrying with the same ambivalent feeling- you're excited and happy, "you feel you can fly". Yet you feel awful you are ending some kind of relationships with some people who have been great friends and counselors or even bullies you hated at first but who became a part of your victory over growing pains and you'll dearly miss them. Or you hesitate to terminate this stage of your life you have enjoyed so much to go to the next level. Yet you desire to progress, not to be left behind.

In March of every year, AUP celebrates its Graduation Festival, two week-ends for high school and college while a day for the elementary. Each day of the weekend exercises is distinct in its purpose and meaning: Friday is for the Consecration Service, a time when graduates receive in sacred silence the affirmation of God's blessing and love and that in return, they wish to dedicate their future in His service but also, to continually commit themselves and their lives in His hands. To parents, consecration is most solemn and significant in the commencement exercises. From AUP to its non-SDA graduates, this solemn service is its gift of love. The University which will forever be in dire want of financial wealth could only share God's richest graces and blessings through the Rite of Consecration.

Sabbath is for the Baccalaureate, the eve of the graduation. On this particular day, graduates will have to ponder, "Shall I keep coming on Sabbaths?" There shall be no more church rules and requirements after graduation but the University on this special Sabbath wishes to impress on their minds that after all, its a welcome part of a lifestyle! Baccalaureate Sabbath afternoon is a cheery time for the graduating people; they usually prepare funny yet delightful Tribute to Parents. They may give their parents a surprise of their creativity and talents. To most graduates, this afternoon is pretty cool.

Sunday is the day when they receive their diplomas or at least the note that they could get it on a certain day. It means the same thing across cultures and countries. The program on this day is done without much fanfare really except when names of famous or infamous students are called that their "cohorts"or"allies"cheer for them. This saves the audience from boredom and sets the graduates awake all the time. No cause for panic if you haven't attended any of AUP commencements; the University has successfully transformed these ladies and gentlemen into "loving, wonderful beasts"who even when they holler and pick at someone and on a graduation day, they remain cute and gentle! Parents can only smile feeling young once again.

When and where does madness begin? Right! It begins at home when daughters and sons beg for three-four sets of new clothes. Why in the world will they need one new dress each day? ( It includes Recognition Day) It does not matter whether they are cheap or expensive, they have to wear different dresses. For the ladies, this is perhaps their chance to show how beautiful they have become which deserve some kind of attention for the last time. Not so much for the gentlemen because whether they change or not, they seem to look the same. So, this dress madness is especially for the ladies.

Then the madness continues at each graduate's banquet or reception party. Some graduates combine forces while others go on with their individual celebrations. Faculty and visitors begin their "eat and run"trips in houses or places where their gifts or presence are expected, and end up in houses where their presence is appreciated. By the time they finish going around, they realize they are moving so slowly because they are too stuffed they want to go home and sleep. Well, they'd promise themselves only to oblige those with printed invitations but on second thoughts, why not see all and wish them, "God bless."

This is real madness yet on a positive note; this is us and our Filipino brand of happiness, our taste of success, our way of thanksgiving, our kind of generosity. This is AUP and its legacy of the "Never Die Spirit". It shall live on and on because this is God's University no less.