IN A night that capped a year of countless projects and student leadership for the members of 47 orgs in the Ateneo, two orgs—Entablado and the Ateneo Student Catholic Action (AtSCa)—stood out from the pack.
The Council of Organizations of the Ateneo (COA) awarded the two orgs in an “Alice in Wonderland”-themed culminating ceremony on March 6 at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Commissioned Officers Club Restaurant at Camp Aguinaldo.
As a part of the Loyola Schools Awards for Leadership and Service, the event is held annually in recognition of orgs, and their officers who have exemplified the Ignatian ideals of service and excellence.
Winners
To recognize exceptional projects and excellent leadership, COA gave four awards to deserving organizations and officers, namely:
Project of the Year
Ban Aerial Spraying Campaign by the Ateneo Student Catholic Action (AtSCa)
Executive Board of the Year
Enterteynment para sa Tao Bayan Lansangan at Diyos (Entablado)
Leader of the Year
Michelle Aquino Roque (AtSCA President)
Organization of the Year
Entablado
COA President Miggy Zaballero said that it was difficult to deliberate since many orgs deserved to win. He added, however, that their choices really deserved the awards.
His successor, Jemika Soledad agreed. “We took hours of deliberation but nonetheless, we know [that all of them], being [part of] the shortlist, [were good],” she said in a mix of Filipino and English.
Reactions and
dedications
Roque was very grateful for the awards that she and her org (AtSCa) received. “We are not entitled to anything at all and it’s not a bragging right. All is [a] gift, [that’s why I’m very] thankful to Him,” she said.
She dedicated her award to the org. “[AtSCa] formed us all, including me and all the members and the people we served in the urban poor areas,” she added.
Likewise, Entablado President Kris Gem Danica Pasia was overwhelmed by the two major awards her org obtained.
“Ang pinoproblema ko ay kung papaano ko sasabihin na ang galing-galing nila. Itong pagpaparangal na ito ay paraan para mas maenganyo pa silang gumawa ng mabuti. (What I worry about is how I am going to tell [Entablado officers] how great they are. This recognition is a way of encouraging them to do continue doing [well]),” she said.
She said that the award was for people who contributed to the success of Entablado. “The award is for our members, our advisers, and of course, for our audiences who believe in our advocacies,” she said in Filipino.
Promoting collaboration
Awards were also given to the council’s members in order to provide models of excellence and service, and to acknowledge the efforts made by people who usually worked with the council.
Angeli Diamante and Justin Jove Sinco of the Organization Research and Development Department both received the Most Outstanding Executive Team Director Awards.
“I feel happy [that] all my hard work has been recognized,” Diamante said.
Diamante and Sinco won the award because of their outstanding performance in interviewing different org officers about problems where COA can provide assistance.
Members of the Special Projects Executive Team were also given recognition.
Lawreanne Sanico and Louise Ingrid Salud, both part of the said team, did not expect the awards but were thankful, nonetheless.
“I’m really happy about my award because we’ve been working really hard throughout the sem. Crunch time, cram time. With that award, it all paid off,” Sanico said.
