By Alex Lauricio and Arabella Balderama

Starting off with a bang, the Council of Student Organization (CSO) launched its hallmark project, “Byahe”, last March 17 on the second floor of the FLC. Featuring a mini-concert full of band and solo performances from the ASHS community, Byahe continued on the next two weeks with a myriad of other events.

CSO: A Quick Briefer

CSO comprises eight districts, representing a diverse community of student organizations, colloquially called ‘involvements’ within Ateneo. These districts tackle different areas of the academe, from the natural sciences, humanities, sports, and more – reflecting Ateneo’s commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and making each Atenean feel that this really is the “place where we belong.”

These eight districts are the Analysis and Discourse District (ADD), the Business District (BD), Faith Formation District (FFD), Intercultural Relations District (IRD), Media and Creative Arts District (MCAD), Performing Arts District (PAD), Sector-Based District (SBD), and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and MathematicsDistrict (STEMD).

Each district is further composed of individual student organizations that cater to an even more niche audience, ensuring that the ASHS community’s interests are diverse and accounted for. To date, the CSO is made up of at least 31 student involvements, excluding sports-sponsored organizations from AthC.

Involvements are a large part of the Atenean lifestyle – prompting each student to have holistic development and equipping them with the skills necessary to balance academics with extracurriculars.

The Districts: A Crossroads

The halls of the first floor foyer were filled with many booths – decorated panel boards parade the lobby, greeting students as they enter the walls of the ASHS. These booths are designed to be interactive in nature, inviting the rest of the Atenean community – especially those unfamiliar with them – to know more about what each district represents and offers.

With gavel in hand, the ADD featured mini-debate sessions at the entrance of the FLC and held an online webinar to promote healthy and critical discussions within the Atenean community.

Meanwhile, PAD gave a chance for the student populace to experience what it means to be on the stage – holding workshops in the FLC for the different areas of visual arts – dance, music, and theater, inviting beginners and veterans of the performing scene alike.

The FFD, on the other hand, helped arrange a performance during CSO’s opening week.

For the business-minded, BD might be for you! Tackling the complexities of money and finances down to the more creative aspects of business, such as marketing, BD helps its students get equipped with financial knowledge.

Spearheading the creative minds of Ateneo, MCAD hosted a sticker-selling booth in the foyer, with its component organizations launching a series of events and collaborations with one another, tapping into the writers, artists, and chefs of the Atenean community. This extensive collaboration is known as Midnights, which includes Grafiction’s Polaris Art Fair, APCO’s Radio Play, MCAD’s Canvas, and Hi-Lites’ Citizen’s Arm.

There was also a collaboration between IRD and ADD, which was a freedom wall located in the first floor foyer, allowing Ateneans to express their thoughts on a publicly accessible panel board.

STEMD is at the forefront of all STEM-related activities within ASHS. They cater to most of the students who exhibit an interest in 4 major fields in STEM – from biology, programming, mathematics, and robotics. They held onsite seminars and workshops, promoting Ateneans to further their love for STEM.

Lastly, dedicating themselves to service, SBD is the premiere district that caters to the scholars of the ASHS. In celebration of Byahe, their interactive exhibit featured a panel board revolving around raising awareness and empowerment for the SOGIE and for women – which ties into the celebration of Women’s Month this March. This also includes their online exhibits centered around raising awareness of other issues, such as ones for the indigenous peoples.

While journeys may come to an end – much like CSO’s Byahe – the experiences and lessons acquired are there to stay. Needless to say, the organizations have left their mark on the students who participated in their respective events, which is one clear and concrete manifestation of the very words located just outside the ASHS building:

“This is the place where we belong.”