FRESHMEN AND transferees were welcomed into the Ateneo community on August 1 and 2 through the annual Orientation Seminar (OrSem), which featured interactive activities while emphasizing student volunteers’ well-being.
Themed “Sigla,” this year’s OrSem acknowledged “each person’s light” by embracing their energy and passion. Notably, one of the O-Chairs, Henri To, shared that both O-Chairs hoped to bring out the energy of the new Ateneans through the event.
“We really wanted to spark that joy [and] enthusiasm that we can bring through their first day here in the Ateneo,” To said.
Fellow O-Chair Cheska Sto. Domingo added that while college would bring unfamiliar challenges, she hopes that the OrSem experience would help students “find the sigla within themselves.”
Behind the Sigla
Apart from the performances, To mentioned that this year’s OrSem promoted “human sustainability” through the use of human resource functions and data-driven approaches that monitor the wellness and key performance indicators of volunteers.
To maintain the energy throughout the two-day event, Talks N’ Tours (TNT) Deputy Sofia Amiel Legaspi explained that the TNT Top 4 encouraged their volunteers to be proud of who they are and reminded them that “it’s fine to make mistakes.”
Meanwhile, Entertainment Head Sophia Bacareza stated that the entertainment committee took a more interactive approach in this year’s OrSem through its street interviews and crowd interactions, adding to the event’s dynamic atmosphere.
Sigla in motion
As OrSem 2025: Sigla featured high-energy performances and crowd-wide cheers, attendees expressed how the event left a call to carry the enthusiasm into the college years ahead.
Sharing how she felt welcome throughout OrSem, Maia Arguelles (1 AB COM) looked forward to experiencing more of the Ateneo community and the energy she felt during the welcoming orientation.
On the other hand, Julia Estrada (1 BS LEARN) expressed excitement in learning more about herself through the student organizations, while Julio Abanador (1 BS CTM) conveyed his hopes of experiencing the Ateneo education that many take pride in.
For Johann Manulat (1 BS CS-DGDD), the essence of sigla was captured during the O-Night performance of Ateneo-born band Itchyworms. “[The band’s performance] really showed to me […] that Ateneans can make it big and can be successful in any field that they choose to be in,” Manulat explained.
To conclude the two-day event, the freshmen and transferees gathered together for OrSem’s annual culminating concert, O-Night, which featured performances by Itchyworms, Jason Dhakal, the cast of Barefoot Theatre Collaborative’s Bar Boys: The Musical, and the Company of Ateneo Dancers.
