INVITED TO realize their aspirations, freshmen and transferees were welcomed last August 5 to 6 with Ateneo Orientation Seminar (OrSem): Mithi. One of this year’s O-Chairs Andre Dalwin Tan shared that the theme, which can be translated to an earnest wish, serves as a reminder that University life is an opportunity for freshmen and transferees to go after their dreams and ambitions.
Making OrSem a week-long celebration this year, OrCom introduced MOREsem, a three-day initiative open to all undergraduates. The extended affair featured onsite talks, as well as food and merchandise concessionaires in Zen Garden and along Red Brick Road.
Adjusting systems
In an effort to implement sustainable practices in their operations, OrCom encouraged the use of reusable materials and implemented its Secretariat committee’s Waste Audit Report to examine activities that generated the most waste. O-Chair Katrina Tan further expounded on the initiative, hoping that the data derived from it could be incorporated into future OrSem iterations.
She deemed the annual event as “one of the first touchpoints” for the new students, thus stressing the importance of adapting to their needs to effectively integrate them into the University culture.
Expanding on this, Talks ‘N Tours (TNT) Head Kleid Pedraja noted that TNT volunteers were encouraged to promote an inclusive atmosphere by being their most genuine selves in welcoming freshmen and transferees.
University President Roberto C. Yap, SJ also introduced the new students to the Ignatian values during the Holy Mass, which was recently added back into the event’s onsite program.
Beating the blues
Amid OrCom’s “smooth handling” of its operations, OrSem was disrupted by heavy rain that resulted in the cancellation of campus tours for the second onsite day. In lieu of the tours, blocks went back to their designated classrooms to conduct group dynamics and icebreaker sessions.
Expressing his sentiments on the matter, Jed Go (1 BS ME) shared his eagerness to learn about “school life” through the campus tours before these were cancelled. He added that, despite the rain, his block adapted by doing a “narrative tour” instead.
Despite the adjustment, Alexa Cruz (1 BS ITE) described the two-day event as fun and energetic, though admittedly exhausting. Similarly, Annika Abellar (1 BS CTM) found OrSem to be an “impactful” experience, serving as a heartfelt introduction to Atenean life and culture.
To culminate the entire event, OrSem: Mithi ended with O-Night performances from the Company of Ateneo Dancers, DEMI, syd hartha and The Ridleys.
