VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS, projects, and student leaders were recognized for their achievements in the past school year during the Council of Organizations of the Ateneo-Manila (COA-M) Awards last May 21 at the Zen Gardens.
Themed Alab, this year’s COA-M Awards aimed to celebrate the “burning passion of student organizations in forging their own paths despite all the transitional changes” of the AY 2022–2023. Namely, organizations and individuals were individually awarded based on impact, depth, and reach-oriented criteria.
Throughout the night, audiences were also serenaded by various performers, such as the Ateneo College Glee Club, Cara Gutierrez, Clara Benin, and The Cohens.
Recognition of organizational cultures
Under the Creatives and Marketing Category, “AD Expo 2024: Blooming the ADScape” of the Ateneo Collegiate Society of Advertising won the Kama’t Kultura: Project Branding of the Year Award, which recognized how their branding best captured their purpose and identity as an organization with an effective portrayal of their mission and vision.
In the same category, the Company of Ateneo Dancers secured the Kinang: Marketing Strategy of the Year Award, acknowledging their social media marketing strategy to be the most creative, engaging, and unique resulting in increased engagement and participation in their onsite events.
Meanwhile, the Kaulayaw: Inter-Organization Collaborative Project of the Year went to the Ateneo Education Geared Towards Empowerment and the Management Information Systems Association’s “Collaboration Laboratory 2024” in recognition of their joint efforts to advance both their advocacies and core competencies.
Conversely, the Pre-Medical Society of the Ateneo’s (PMSA) “Dugong Bughaw: A Blood Donation Drive” won the Sinag-Duyog: External Collaborative Project of the Year for “exemplifying remarkable camaraderie and a unified passion” between them and the National Kidney Transplant Institute, the project’s external partner.
Another PMSA project, “Community Health Series,” also received the Laguplop: Social Development Effort of the Year Award under the Project Innovations category for “demonstrating compassion and kindness.” Moreover, their project also highlights prevalent social issues in their advocacy sectors.
Additionally, the “AtSCA Babad: Rekindling the Heart of Community Apostolate” of the Ateneo Student Catholic Action achieved the Kalamboan: Member Formation Project of the Year Award in the same category. The project was recognized for creating a “stimulating environment” for its members to thrive and develop in alignment with its goals and initiatives.
Organizational excellence and celebration
The Ateneo Biological Organization (Ateneo BOx) swept the Major Organization Category, winning both the Liyab: Organization of the Year Award for their excellence in advocating its vision and mission, and Siklab: Project of the Year Award for “LoveBOx 2024: Aurora Amore” for its delivery and significance to the entire Ateneo community.
Moreover, two members of the Ateneo BOx also won awards from the Leaders of the Year category. Namely, Ateneo BOx President Andrea Peñaflor (4 BS BIO) was conferred the Tanglaw: Organization Leader of the Year Award while Mia Agudo (4 BS LfSci) received the Kislap: Unsung Hero of the Year Award.
“Receiving this award is a testament to how Ateneans can never be confined by a sole attribute—there is never a synopsis for the lives that we live,” Peñaflor said in her acceptance speech.
Finally, the titular Alab: Trailblazer Award was given to Barefoot Philippines for “not shying away from exploring unknown paths” while pursuing the empowerment and flourishing of their members, all while embodying their values, mission, and vision.
Aside from formal organization awards, members of the organization community were also nominated for different People’s Choice Awards with its winners being selected based on the Ateneo community’s votes. Similarly, by the night’s end, present organizations were also given an award specialized to their group’s specific dynamics.
