STANDING TALL and firm in their designated posts, the Ateneo’s security guards assume the significant role of protecting the University’s students and staff. Four security guards share pieces of their everyday experiences on campus.

Along the parking lots

A familiar face in the One Big Parking Lot, Kuya Jayson is a witness to the Ateneo’s infamous, endless car show. He deals with the frantic flow of traffic with a calm disposition and often reminds the pasaways (offenders) to obey the rules. “Hindi naman maiiwasan ‘yan, trabaho ‘yan eh (That’s inevitable, it’s part of the job),” he says.

Around the residence halls

Some dormers are no strangers to Ate Lyn, who had served the dormitories for four years before she was transferred to the Covered Courts. She thinks that the students are very friendly and kind. Apart from that, an unforgettable experience for her was when she technically became a dormer herself during the COVID-19 quarantine period. “Parang kami [the guards] talaga ‘yung nakatira doon noon (It was as if we [the guards] were the ones occupying the dorms),” she says.

Across the Bellarmine Field

Xavier Hall and the MVP building have been under the keen eyes of Kuya Manny for 13 years. “Ang best memory ko ay tuwing binabati ako ng mga estudyante at tinatawag nila akong Kuya (My best memory is whenever students greet me and call me Kuya),” he says. Other than that, he is particularly fond of breathing in fresh air and gazing at the trees.

From the highway overpass

Kuya Mark is the first face pedestrians see when they enter the campus via Gate 3. He works on access control and identity verification, among others. He considers the students he meets everyday a daily source of learning. “Over nine to 10 years na akong security guard, pero iba itong school na ito kasi napaka-active. Para sa akin, napakasaya (I’ve been a security guard for over nine to ten years but the environment here is different because it’s very active. It’s a source of joy to me),” he says.