Prepians are, above all, remarkably well-rounded. A Prepian dies fighting a dictatorship; a Prepian heals patients across the globe; a Prepian inspires through the visual and performing arts; and, perhaps most importantly, a Prepian passes those exceptional genes on to a new generation of even sharper minds.

Preparing students for college was, after all, the school’s core raison d’être. Consequently, administrators selected only those applicants with the mental, psychological, and physical aptitude for rigorous academic work. This standard extended to the faculty, requiring highly competent teachers, many holding postgraduate degrees.

I couldn't help but feel the weight of what that family was carrying. Tensions can run high for immigrant families navigating unfamiliar surroundings, and the fear of trouble with the law—compounded by domestic friction—was palpable in the woman's desperate apologies.

I was never fashion-conscious. I wore clothes, mostly dresses, that my mother had custom-made for me. She did not consult me about my preferred color, material, or style. My clothes arrived at my college dorm ready to be worn, and I didn't feel the need to question her choices.

In my youth, my contribution to our community had been creative energy—crafting culture and arts policies, educating through exhibits, organizing performances, and showcasing Phillipine culture to international audiences. Decades later, as time brought physical vulnerability, I discovered the other half of that same bond: the humbling, beautiful experience of allowing the community we built together to hold me up.