By Julia Mangmang, Naomi Tamayo, Earl Valenzuela

With the theme, “STEM, it’s time to go home”, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) seniors from 12-Oldcorne, 12-Pantalia, 12-Pro, and 12-Sullivan gathered on April 29, 2022 to mark the end of the Ateneo de Manila Senior High School (ASHS)’s five-week Strand Day event.

The plenary session began with the Blue Babble Battalion hyping the crowd up and raising the volume, the Dulaang Sibol leading the National Anthem, and Patrick Diloy reciting the Panatang Makabayan. 

After the morning examen led by Elly Fevidal of 12-Pantalia, hosts Clara Ontalan, Thirdy Ylanan of 12-Sullivan, and Ced Tolentino of 12-Walpole were introduced to the stage. They raised energy on stage by shouting “STEM, game ka na ba?” to which the crowd replied, “Slay!”

Afterward, Assistant Principal for Formation Mrs. Jen Concepcion gave her opening speech where she stated that although STEM focuses on Mathematics and Science, she knows that its students are also talented in other areas, adding that as they spend the day on campus, “You will know why win or lose, Ateneo is the place where you belong.” 

She ended her speech by saying that although preparing for five strand days was difficult for her and the strand coordinators, it was all worth it because students finally came home to Ateneo.

Her speech was then followed by Principal Noel Miranda’s spiel where he mentioned how he hopes that going to school for Strand Day not only serves as a celebration of brilliant minds and talents, but also a celebration of generosity and magnanimity of heart. 

Mr. Miranda emphasized that being part of STEM is a gift and being STEM for others is the student’s true calling, ending with “This is the place where you belong. Ateneans, welcome home.”

Then, the four participating classes were each given the opportunity to show their class mascot, banner, and cheer with the use of props.

The class cheer was soon followed by a performance of the Indayog ng Atenistang Kabataan (IndAK), where the students consisted of juniors and seniors of the organization alike danced to a myriad of choreographies. 

After IndAK’s presentation, STEM Chairperson Yana Sarmiento addressed the crowd, saying that despite all the challenges the past two years, today, the students are finally home, “Nakauwi na tayo sa Ateneo.” 

Subsequently, a few members of the Ateneo Music Industry Organization who referred to themselves as ‘Afternoon Delight’ performed their own renditions of two musical numbers before the crowd of STEM-B seniors, “Yakap sa Dilim” by Orange and Lemons, and “Habang Buhay” by Zack Tabudlo.

Last but not the least, members of the ASHS faculty danced to a remix of traditional songs and, for the fifth time in a row, the TikTok trend “Paro Paro G”.

After a strand blessing by Fr. Ro Atilano, the plenary session concluded with the Blue Babble Battalion leading the singing of the Song for Mary.

Following the plenary session, students were then escorted to their respective formation sessions and alternative classes where they were able to bond and strengthen their core values as Ateneans. 

The alternative on-site and online classes for the day were as follows: 

Onsite 

• Pocket Pauses: Making Small Spaces in our Day for Breathwork hosted by Arriene Lambo
• Basic K-Pop Dance Class hosted by Riki Bilog 
• Radio Speech hosted by Yani Arguelles 
• Red Alert!: Identifying Red Flags in Teenage Romantic Relationships hosted by Aina Martin 
• A Green Thumb Session: Plant Care Tips for Beginners hosted by Jan Henry Choa 
• Pwede Yarn for Beginners hosted by Remy Magbiray 
• Guitar Music during the Pandemic for Mental Health hosted by John Bilog 
• ASHS Campus Ride hosted by Luisa Catalig-Reyes
• Sustainable Campus Tour: A Walk Around Ateneo hosted by Richard Sagun

Online and Onsite

• The Art of Tarot Card Reading: Is it Really Evil? hosted by RJ Carvajal 
• Online Movies and Shows – An Emerging Art? hosted by Chinggoy Hidalgo 

Online 

• Magsasakang Pinoy hosted by Pino Panotes
• Physical Fitness at Home hosted by Tony Ramos

This wraps up the ASHS Strand Days for S.Y. 2021-2022. Again, welcome home, seniors!

Photo Source: Hi-Lites