Photo by Miguel R Santiago
ENTITLED “SINAG,” this year’s Freshmen Orientation Seminar (OrSem) is all about the freshmen being the “light in the Lord,” according to OrSem Committee Head Daryl Ibasco.
The theme is reflective of the Atenean motto Lux in Domino. “We want the freshmen to be the Ateneans that Ateneo expects them to be,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino.
“The center of the sun is some powerful being, while the rays of the sun are the freshmen who are doing acts of goodness that make them the rays,” she said, referencing the sun logo used for Sinag. “Collectively, we’ll form one whole sun. [Through that, we can] enlighten the world.”
OrSem Deputy Zack Tioseco said that the OrSem Committee (OrCom) also wanted to remind the freshmen that Ateneans “are not the center” through the theme. “[The freshmen] need to acknowledge a greater core,” he said.
OrSem is the Loyola School’s traditional three-day welcome for the freshmen. This year, it was held mostly at the College Covered Courts from June 7 to 9.
It featured campus tours, course and departmental talks, group dynamic sessions, the annual OrSem Idol, school nights and live performances during the OrSem Night.
“MOB-ing”
According to Ibasco, one of the major problems during OrSem is the freshmen’s complaints about the need to run from one destination to the next. “We tried to adjust the mobilization time so we could address that issue,” she said.
Tioseco said that the OrSem program has already been perfected throughout the years, but they made changes to the schedule this year so more allowance for mobilization and contingency plans could be made.
Two-time Security and Mobilization (SecMob) member Benjie Agustin said that the freshmen were asked to pass paved roads during the campus tours. “There was still running [for the freshmen], but there were [specific] places that were strictly walking zones only,” he said.
These were done to ensure the safety of the freshmen. Aside from this, the OrSem program flow remained the same.
“Passion for OrSem”
OrCom members also had their own reasons to make OrSem Sinag memorable for the freshmen.
“All of us have a passion for OrSem,” said Tioseco. “I really wanted to leave a legacy… and [OrSem] is one of the best legacies you can leave.”
Meanwhile, Talks and Tours (TNT) Head Jaime Constantino explained that he was inspired by his block’s TNT during his freshman year to leave his own legacy as the TNT Head this year. “But it’s all for the freshies,” he said.
“Last year, Lipad was already so good,” Ibasco said. “We wanted to level up on it.” She added that preparations were smooth-sailing for the members of OrCom because they were well-bonded.
Tioseco and Constantino noted that there were members of OrCom this year who were part of the same committee last year.
Constantino said, “Transition is key. Whoever were volunteers from last year, it’s really pertinent [for them] to step up this year.”
The OrSem experience
Tioseco said that the OrSem shows how much the Ateneo community loves the freshmen. “I hope they feel welcomed because that’s what we envisioned also,” he said.
Both Constantino and Hardcore TNT Lorenz Revillas stress that attending OrSem is worth one’s time.
“It’s an experience you will never forget… This is the time when you make friendships that last. Take the time. Take the opportunity,” Constantino said.
Revillas said, “As a TNT, you don’t only share information [to the freshmen], but you also provide them with a caring environment. You make them feel that they belong here in the Ateneo.”
Psychology freshman Peter Manaligod affirmed the efforts made by the OrSem crew. “Ateneo’s motto is being ‘men and women for others.’ So, for fulfilling that role, OrSem has managed to [do] that for us,” he says.
* Updated 1:44PM, July 17, 2012: Benjie Agustin was mistakenly identified as the Security and Mobilization (SecMob) Head. He is, in fact, a member of the said committee.
