67th Ateneo Fiesta Brochure

67th

ateneo fiesta

“Inang Maria, Gabay sa Pagbabalik-tanaw at Paglalakbay Tungo sa Pagkamit ng Kapayapaan sa Lipunan at Mindanao” EDITORIAL BOARD Le Grande Dolino EDITOR-IN-CHIEF • Steely Dhan Caballero ASSOCIATE EDITOR • Minnie Maboloc, Mary Gyle Manuba MANAGING EDITORS • Katrina Guilonsod NEWS EDITOR • Ian Derf Salvaña ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR • John Paulo Vicencio FEATURES EDITOR • Katrina Kate Dianne Punay HONORARY EDITOR WRITING STAFF Glen Basilisco, Joshua Andrei Bon Gilles, Sol Mariano, Francesca Maree Testa SENIOR WRITERS •

EDITOR’S NOTE Le Grande Dolino

The Ateneo Fiesta is a break from the seemingly repetitive rounds of schoolwork. Through activities and competition, the students, teachers and staff of AdDU build friendships and strengthen their shared identity as a university community.

To some, the Fiesta may seem to be another obligation. Some choose not to participate at all, seizing the opportunity to rest or to catch up on lessons.

Yet what the Fiesta instills to those who choose to participate is an intoxicating sense of pride and joy. We fortify bonds as we assume specific roles in the event: participants, organizers, audience, performers. In the big picture, we coagulate into one university unit as we partake in the festivities.

We celebrate history, faith, identity and character, but overall we enjoy. The memories we gathered are ours to nurture.

May this Fiesta Issue, in line with the Fiesta’s theme of looking back into history, reawaken the Fiesta spirit and reinforce the joy of being a community.

Rey Alonsagay, Julien Jame Apale, Rebekah Gail Celis, Christian Dale Espartero, Danelle Gen Flores, Froilan Michael Gandionco Jr., Avegail Gimeno, Ram Manlatican, Mikel Steven Luy, Reil Benedict Obinque, Anna Sophia Tarhata Piang, Aivy Rose Villarba JUNIOR WRITERS

CARTOONISTS Dominique Francesca Costales HEAD CARTOONIST •Renneth Ena Ode, Gerson Polino SENIOR CARTOONISTS • Maria Cyra Dealca, Raf Maurince Tacder JUNIOR CARTOONIST

PHOTOJOURNALISTS Mark Louie Balladares HEAD PHOTOJOURNALIST • Camaela Mijares, Raymond Trespeces SENIOR PHOTOJOURNALISTS • Adlin Joey Almencion, Alexis Matthew Reyes, Kent Matthew Te JUNIOR PHOTOJOURNALISTS

LAYOUT & GRAPHICS Jairah-Mae Viduya HEAD LAYOUT & GRAPHICS ARTIST • Eloisa Jean Aniñon, Myrile Cadalzo, Mark Vincent Lerio JUNIOR LAYOUT & GRAPHICS ARTISTS

WEB DEVELOPMENT & MAINTENANCE Alexis Alvarez, Jessa Daang, Joenabie Gamao JUNIOR WEB DEVELOPERS VIDEO EDITOR Joseph Nasser JUNIOR VIDEO EDTIOR Fr. Erwin Rommel Torres, S.J. MODERATOR

Fiesta. This word radiates celebration and history. It takes us back to the Philippines’ many religious festivals, honoring saints and enlivening communities. What may have been formalized by Spanish colonization, Fiestas have now become truly Filipino and have unified communities in celebration and faithful thanksgiving.

The Ateneo de Davao community has been celebrating its foundation through the Ateneo Fiesta for 67 years; it is the youngest Ateneo university in the Philippines. But instead of placing an emphasis on the establishment of our school, the Ateneo Fiesta concerns itself mostly as devotion to the Virgin Mary, the patroness of Ateneo.

67 years of celebration The Ateneo Fiesta, history, and the Virgin Mary Le Grande Dolino

Many thanks to Fr. Renato Ocampo, S.J.

It is no coincidence that the Fiesta is celebrated near the Feast of the Assumption. Father Joel Tabora, S.J. said in a homily in 2011 that here in Ateneo de Davao, we venerate Mary as Our Lady of the Assumption. Other Ateneo schools have festivities near the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8. It is clear then that in our celebrations of the Ateneo Fiesta, the Virgin Mary is always the star of the show, and Ateneans are called to reflect on the Assumption of Mary into heaven.

Why the Blessed Mother holds a special place in the heart of Ateneo is due to her influence on the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola and that of the Philippine Catholic Church. For the former, Mary is said to have protected St. Ignatius in battle while he was still a soldier. For the latter, the Philippines

as a whole has shown great devotion to Mary. These are the reasons why there are many images of Mary across the Jacinto and Matina campuses. This also explains why our uniforms are blue and white; both are the colors of Mary.

Thus, in every celebration of the Ateneo Fiesta, Mary is often seen as a mother in the theme. We see her in the banners, the parade, and the installation arts outputs. We see her in the rosary and prayer offerings. Every year, the members of Ateneo de Davao get to put their lives in perspective as the simplicity and faith in the life of Mary get showcased.

Perhaps that is simply how the university chooses to fulfill its role as a formator; every year, instead of highlighting the age of the school, the Assumption narrative is showcased to the community and how we, too, could have a place in heaven.

Still, there is a strong historical undertone for the Fiesta, which is why we still count the years. Like other fiestas, we as a university community are called to celebrate and give thanks for the 67 years of our school.

The Ateneo Fiesta is a time to strengthen our identity as Ateneans, as well as a time to build friendships and to relax from schoolwork. All of these are for our veneration to the Virgin Mary, as well as for thanksgiving to God for the Ateneo de Davao. That is a celebration that has continued for 67 years.

FIESTA MASS

Scores were in attendance at the San Pedro Cathedral to witness the ceremonial grand opening of the 67th AdDU school fiesta. Even during the mass, the energy and competitive spirit were already palpable, as students flocked together wearing their respective division fiesta shirts to make way for the upcoming festivities.

STORY BY Mikel Steven Luy / PHOTOS BY Camaela Mijares

A sea of colors, masks, cheers, warflags and models filled the streets of San Pedro in celebration of the first day of the 67th Ateneo de Davao Fiesta. The different divisions, representing the different cultural festivals of the Philippines, marched and danced with pride.

STORY BY Avegail Gimeno / PHOTOS BY Adlin Almencion, Camaela Mijares, Kent Te

PARADE

banner releasing & Ribbon cutting

Students cheered as Academic Vice President Fr. Gabriel Jose Gonzales, S.J., Student Affairs Director Theresa Salaver-Eliab, and SAMAHAN Central Board President Michael Zachary Leyson officially opened the 67th Ateneo Fiesta. The divisions’ respective banners were unveiled after the ribbon-cutting ceremony, enriching the festive ambience of the Martin Hall.

STORY BY Rebekah Celis / PHOTOS BY Adlin Almencion, Camaela Mijares, Kent Te

This year’s Group Dance Showdown made Martin Hall reverberate with loud yells and colorful banners as the nine participating divisions cheered restlessly for their representatives.

Group Dance Showdown 2015 featured social issues as the central theme.

STORY BY Ram Manlatican / PHOTOS BY Adlin Almencion, Camaela Mijares, Kent Te

group dance showdown

IGNATIAN CUP DEBATE AND EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING DIALOGUE

Ideas clashed and questions were raised during the 2015 Ignatian Debate and Extemporaneous Dialogue Cup. Debaters and speakers argued neck-in-neck to convince the judges and the spectators that their respective cases and sides were better than the competition.

STORY BY Anna Sophia Piang / PHOTOS BY Adlin Almencion

Colorful and exciting booths were on display at various locations across the University for the CCO Gimikan. Students and fiesta-goers enjoyed the different gimmicks organized by the different clubs under the Campus Clubs Organization (CCO) .

STORY BY Rey Alongsay / PHOTOS BY Mark Balladares, Alexis Matthew Reyes

gimikan

musikahan

Various Atenean bands showcased their different shades of forever through music in Martin Hall on the first night of the Fiesta. This year’s Musikahan featured “Mga Kwentong Forever” with the bands rendering studentpassed letters, each representing a category, to heartfelt songs. The event featured lots of surprises ranging from love knots to live proposals.

STORY BY John Paulo Vicencio / PHOTOS BY Mark Balladares, Alexis Reyes

Magnificent artworks shining with ingenuity, creativity and imagination adorned Arrupe Hall during the Installation Art contest. Students, teachers and non-teaching staff utilized recyclable materials to imbibe this year’s theme to their entries.

STORY BY Glen Basilisco / PHOTOS BY Mark Balladares, Camaela Mijares

installation

art

children’s hour

Fifty kids from the Paginhawaan Dropping Center were entertained with games, goodies, and surprises during this year’s Children’s Hour. Organized by the Samahan Welfare team, the event saw the participation of different organizations. Student volunteers also gave their time and effort to make the experience truly memorable for the kids and for all those involved.

STORY BY Christian Espartero / PHOTOS BY Mark Balladares, Kent Te

Bonggang Gameshow 2015 offered different ‘bonggang’ challenges such as Atenista Kwarta o Kahon, Hula Wars, and Bet Bet Ang Reps At Faculty Members last August 14, 2015 at the Martin Hall. Cash prizes, gift certificates from the major sponsors, and Palaro t-shirts were given away. The event was facilitated and assisted by the SAMAHAN Task Force, the Office of the Buklod Ambassador, and the SAMAHAN Productions.

STORY BY Danelle Gen Flores / PHOTOS BY Mark Balladares

bonggang gameshow

palarong pinoy

Ateneans brought out their inner child as they participated in this year’s Palarong Pinoy. The nine participating divisions cheered and screamed for their respective teams in their quest for victory. The teams showcased Filipino pride and camaraderie, motivating their members to push on despite the struggles and hardship.

STORY BY Francesca Testa / PHOTOS BY Adlin Almencion, Mark Balladares, Camaela Mijares

Representatives of the nine divisions wowed the audience with their stellar performances during Star Search 2015: Across the Decades. Students filled the Finster Auditorium on the night of the second day of the 67th AdDU Fiesta as they rooted for the contestants from their respective divisions.

STORY BY Reil Benedict Obinque / PHOTOS BY Mark Balladares, Alexis Matthew Reyes

star search

karaoke challenge

Loud hoots and laughter echoed through the Arrupe Hall as seven contestants competed for this year’s Karaoke Challenge. The theme for the event was a take on the popular television show, Your Face Sounds Familiar. The contestants belted out hit songs from popular international artists while completing the craziest and wildest challenges.

STORY BY Sol Mariano / PHOTOS BY Mark Balladares

Students and faculty members carried the light of candles during the processional prayer and prayed in another celebration the following day for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Both spiritual programs aimed to foster everyone’s devotion to the Mother of God. The first Boodle for Peace was also conducted to promote unity and solidarity.

STORY BY Glen Basilisco / PHOTOS BY Mark Balladares, SAMAHAN Creative Team

rosary and walk

with mary boodlefight

sayawtenista

Sayawtenista 2015 was a book of nine different tales told through nine different performances. The performers aimed and achieved in successfully highlighting the wonders of Philippine culture. No other way to conclude the 67th Ateneo de Davao Fiesta was better than the Sayawtenista.

STORY BY Julien Apale / PHOTOS BY A. Almencion, M. Balladares, A. M. Reyes, K. Te

awards night

Over three thousand students witnessed the awarding ceremony in Martin Hall on the last night of the 67th Ateneo de Davao Fiesta. The respective participants from the different divisions were hyped up and restless for the results of their hard work and efforts. The Accountancy Griffins reigned supreme once again and held on to their crown as they win another year’s overall championship.

STORY BY Froilan Michael Gandionco Jr. / PHOTOS BY Mark Balladares