TO SHOWCASE the University’s student organizational culture, the Council of Organizations of the Ateneo – Manila (COA-M) and the League of Independent Organizations (LIONS) joined together to hold this year’s Recruitment Week (RecWeek) last August 29 to September 8.

Inspired by popular film releases, CoA-M’s “Dreamlane” and LIONS’ “LIONS-Verse” themes both share a similar invitation of finding a home within the University’s diverse range of organizations.

A united community

Aside from complementing themes, the two coalitions also collaborated on annual RecWeek traditions such as a website and the Org Parade, making it “the biggest RecWeek” yet. COA-M RecWeek Project Head Kayla Manlapaz added that the idea of a collaboration was planted by their predecessors.

“We don’t find any sort of distinction in terms of joining orgs within LIONS and COA, it’s really all equal. We want the students to have the chance to see everything and to get to discern at that moment,” Manlapaz explained.

Likewise, LIONS RecWeek Logistics Head Shawn Tongson explained that their “good relationship” with COA-M allows students to realize that the difference between accredited and independent organizations should not stop them from joining groups they like.

The Department of Student Welfare and Services also partnered with COA-M orgs to host a Org Board Gallery competition from August 31 to September 8, in which the latter were given the opportunity to promote their respective orgs around the Zen Garden area. The Ateneo Biological Organization (BOx) was declared the winner, followed by Ateneo Gabay and Ateneo Blue Repertory as honorable mentions.

Rain on my parade

Due to class suspensions brought by heavy rains, Manlapaz cited inclement weather as their “biggest logistical concern.” To prioritize the safety of students, some initiatives and onsite events such as the Org Parade were postponed and rescheduled to later dates.

On the other hand, Tongson revealed that LIONS orgs often face the challenge of low manpower during RecWeek. To tackle this issue, he emphasized the importance of practicing empathy and showing flexibility with deadlines given that some orgs struggle with member turnovers and the return to onsite operations.

Finding your people

To cap off COA-M’s RecWeek, students were able to enjoy performances by various Ateneo organizations, including a special act from OPM artist Johnoy Danao during Joyride, the culminating org variety show concert.

When asked about her RecWeek experience, Anri Mendoza (1 AB Dip IR) stated it was memorable through the various org-led initiatives, allowing her to see what each of the orgs had to offer all at once.

With reports by Chaezie Chariz Cabel