DUE TO the reimposition of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region, Ateneo AEGIS announced the postponement of in-studio photoshoots that were meant to take place from July 31 to August 21.

According to Office of Student Services Director Cholo Mallillin, the pandemic has severely affected Batch 2021 because of the delayed yearbook photoshoots. Aside from this, Ateneo AEGIS also faced backlash from the graduating students due to the prices listed in the initial photoshoots primer posted on July 17.

That said, Ateneo AEGIS Editor-in-Chief Lorenzo Pisig stated that the concerns were taken into account in the updated policies released on July 23.

Feedback from Batch 2021

After Ateneo AEGIS conducted the Senior’s Pulse for the batch in February, Pisig noted that a majority of the graduating batch wanted to have toga photos in the yearbook. 

With this knowledge, the AEGIS board offered students an at-home, do-it-yourself (DIY) option and a physical, in-studio option. Pisig shared that the board prioritized finding a way for students to get a toga photo safely and accessibly.

According to Mallillin, Tinoley Digital Photography was the only studio that offered digitally altered toga shots among the possible suppliers. He said this was one of the deciding factors in choosing that studio as the AEGIS board had already anticipated that digitally altered photos would be necessary for most students given lockdown restrictions.

Pisig also stated that the AEGIS board chose Tinoley Digital Photography because it provided the lowest cost for its services which includes the services of the photographer, the wallet-sized prints, and a 10×12 inch glass-framed print.

However, many students on social media felt that the pricing for the photoshoots was still “unfair” despite AEGIS’ considerations. Notably, Batch 2021 student Jt Valiente enumerated the pricing issues in a Facebook post on July 18.

According to Valiente, Php 1,800 was pricey for a service that could be done at home or “outsourced for much cheaper.” Along with this, he pointed out that financial aid scholars were given a discount for the in-studio photoshoots, but not the DIY photoshoots.

“​​Meaning to say you’re actually incentivizing people who may be financially challenged at this time to leave their homes, and risk their health? If that is the case, then I’m even more disappointed,” he wrote.

Five days later, Ateneo AEGIS addressed these concerns by re-negotiating prices with the studio and updating the primer to include more affordable packages, and offer discounts for DIY photoshoots to financial aid scholars.

Mallillin added that the AEGIS board was understanding of the original poster’s intent when addressing these concerns.

“We actually saw naman point per point where he was coming from. It sort of necessitated a change in perspective [for] us,” he said.

External and internal processes

After resolving the concerns raised by Batch 2021 and gaining approval from the Vice President’s council, Ateneo AEGIS was scheduled to carry out in-studio photoshoots from July to August.

Mallillin explained that AEGIS board members have to present comprehensive plans to the council before any on-site activities could be approved. This was first accomplished in April when the council allowed students to register and attend in-studio photoshoots.

However, after these initial plans were postponed due to the ECQ in April, the AEGIS board was required to present their proposal to the council once more for in-studio photoshoots to be allowed. While these plans were approved, they were eventually canceled again due to the ECQ’s reimposition in August.

As of writing, in-studio photoshoots have been postponed until further notice. However, students that availed of the DIY packages have been allowed to proceed with their photoshoots at home.

With the yearbook still incomplete, Pisig mentioned that the transition in leadership has also been an issue.

“​​A lot more people are really tired, a lot more people have been exhausted of org work. It’s been a bit challenging to really pass this on,” he said.

Mallillin echoed this sentiment, saying that under regular circumstances, the succeeding AEGIS team would have already taken over and begun preparations for the next batch’s yearbook at this point.

He further said that the next AEGIS team may be hesitant to step up given the difficulties the current AEGIS team faced.

“​​People are already mindful na it’s a very difficult job. […] People get the impression na walang ginagawa yung AEGIS. Actually, on the contrary, they’re working really, really hard. It’s really [because] external circumstances are working against them. As much as they are pushing for their batch to have these photos taken, ang hirap talaga from a safety perspective,” he said.

Strength in adversity

Despite the delays in yearbook operations, Mallillin praised this year’s AEGIS team. He mentioned that despite the adversities, including delays that were not fully within their control, the team “kept their spirits up.”

In anticipation for the next batch’s yearbook operations, Mallillin mentioned he still wants to “prepare for the worst” despite his optimism in vaccination advancements.

“If it’s going to be a DIY photo again, then maybe very early on, whatever comes out of this year, that will probably still be our mode for next year,” he said.

While no official plans have been made yet for Batch 2022’s yearbook operations, Pisig said that 2022 will “be in good hands.”

Mallillin noted that since Batch 2020 was able to proceed with their photoshoot before the lockdown was implemented, Batch 2021’s AEGIS board was the first AEGIS board to experience handling yearbook operations online. Because of this, Pisig said that Batch 2022’s AEGIS board may learn from their experiences.

“We never really expected everything that was going on. Last year’s batch naman, photoshoots were done before COVID hit, so they weren’t as affected. Kami talaga yung una, and I think we helped din naman because of that,” he said.

Mallillin emphasized that when working on yearbook procedures, resilience is key.

“I’m very grateful that this particular AEGIS team was on board when this happened. Kasi nga, sobra ang pinagdaanan nila (Because what they went through was too much). It’s really very frustrating,” he said.

Updates on the Class of 2021 yearbook may be accessed through Ateneo AEGIS’ official Facebook page.