Ateneo celebrates achievements of Student Organizations
Last June 21, over 400 members of the student activities community composed of both outgoing and incoming student leaders, organization moderators, and administrators gathered at the Leong Hall Auditorium for Hinirang: The SOAR Recognition Gala. Hinirang served as the culmination of the newly-launched Student Organizations Assessment and Review or SOAR where accredited student organizations and their new set of leaders were officially recognized and inducted into office.
The Ateneo Musicians’ Pool (AMP) opened the afternoon with a pre-show performance by one of their most talented members. Afterwhich, the program officially began with the singing of the national anthem led by the Ateneo College Glee Club (ACGC) followed by an invocation through contemporary dance by the Company of Ateneo Dancers (CADs).
Mr. Ralph Jacinto Quiblat, OSA Director, gave the welcome remarks. In his message, he emphasized how student organizations are OSA’s partners in formation, and that “accreditation, while providing for logistical assistance and access to resources, is a commitment to this mission.” Following Mr. Quiblat’s welcome remarks was a message from the new Associate Dean for Student Formation, Dr. Leland Dela Cruz. He likened the story of SOAR to the story of student leaders wherein there will surely be difficult moments, but at the same time glorious days to celebrate such as Hinirang. An audio-visual presentation showing highlights of the school year that was followed the speeches.
The recognition of accredited organizations served as the main event of the evening. Mr. Aeron Syliongtay, SOAR Coordinator, announced the names of the 56 accredited student organizations as Mr. Tats Quiblat, Dr. Leland Dela Cruz, and Dr. Marlu Vilchez, Vice President for the Loyola Schools, awarded the organizations their certificates of accreditation. These 56 accredited student organizations were recommended for accreditation by the Loyola Schools Student Organizations Accreditation Committee or LS-SOAC, composed of administrators, student representatives, and professionals, and confirmed by the OSA Director. Among these 56 organizations, fifty-two (52) were re-accredited and four (4) were newly-accredited organizations. The four newly-accredited organizations are the Ateneo Blue Consulting Group (BCG), Ateneo Hinomoto, Barefoot Philippines, and the Institute of Skin Divers of Ateneo (ISDA).
After the recognition ceremony, the Ateneo Blue Repertory (Blue Rep) serenaded the audience as a slideshow showing different photos of organization events and casual bonding moments of student leaders played in the background.
Mr. Quiblat was called on stage once again to announce the recipients of the 2019 SOAR Model Organization Award. This distinction was given to four student organizations who embodied the four central elements of SOAR (i.e. wholehearted leadership and membership formation, excellent organization capacity, genuine organization motivation, and positive external environment impact) in a most exemplary way, as proven by their performance in the entire process of SOAR. The four recipients of the award were the Ateneo Management Economics Organization (MEcO), Company of Ateneo Dancers (CADs), Ateneo Consultants for Organization Development and Empowerment (CODE), and Ateneo Debate Society (ADS).
Mikaela Gabrielle Go Tiong, OrSem 2018: Taya Chairperson and Ateneo CODE Finance and Logistics Head, gave a response to the student leaders and emphasized how “accreditation is more than just a status to maintain or even getting half an MVP room.” Accreditation, according to Mika, is “an invitation towards constant discernment, an impetus to reengineer our efforts towards the fulfillment of our advocacies.”
The induction of the new set of student leaders was conducted afterwards. Philip Ventigan, President of the Council of Organizations of Ateneo (COA) for S.Y. 2019-2020 led the oath-taking while Fr. Kit Bautista, SJ led the prayer and blessing of student leaders. The induction ceremony included a ceremony where the former heads of organizations put on a presidential sash to their successors. The sash was colored white and blue---white as a symbol of goodness and purity of heart, and blue as a symbolic reminder that student leaders are sons and daughters of St. Ignatius who have been instructed to uphold his teachings, especially magis, cura personalis, and Ignatian Discernment.
As the highest elected official of the student body, Sanggunian President Quiel Quiwa gave a message to the newly-inducted student leaders. His speech dwelled on the implications of the word “Hinirang.” According to Quiel, “Hinirang ka, hindi lang dahil sa sarili mong kakayahan, kung hindi dahil sa tiwalang ipinagkaloob sa’yo ng iyong mga kasamahan. Kapag may hinirang, may kilos din ng paghirang mula sa iba.”
Dr. Marlu Vilches, Vice President for the Loyola Schools, delivered the closing remarks for the program. She expressed her joy and gratitude for the student organizations because it is through them that Ateneans thrive and develop their skills, talents, and character. Dr. Vilches mentioned how “it takes a lot of creativity, talent, and guts to be part of an organization.” Indeed, a student who is not part of an organization misses a lot.
To cap off the program, ACGC led everyone in singing the school hymn, Song for Mary. The night ended with a simple dinner reception at the Leong Hall Roofdeck with student leaders representing different organizations serenading the crowd with some light music.
With its inspiring messages, heartwarming performances, and meaningful ceremonies, Hinirang truly was the perfect way to both culminate the Ateneo leadership journey of our former organization heads and start the new and exciting year of our new set of student leaders.
