By Heather Pascua

Photo by Zyle Cadiz

Last October 27 and 28, students from Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS) attended the Leadership Seminar (LeadSem) themed “SIKLAYA: Alab ng Pagtindig” on the 2nd floor of the Formation Learning Center (FLC).

The term, “SIKLAYA,” was rooted from the words “siklab” and “malaya,” in line with the Ignatian Maxim, “Ite Inflamate Omnia,” which was meant to ignite the student leaders’ will to serve. 

The two-day leadership comprised of different activities and talks by the invited speakers, namely, Atty. Danielito Jimenez and Mr. Atom Araullo. 

Atty. Jimenez, who was recently awarded the “Natatanging Manileño sa Larangan ng Karanasan sa Batas” during the Gawad Manileño 2023, is still pursuing his law expertise and a candidate for Doctor of Laws at the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School of Law.

On the other hand, Atom Araullo is a multidisciplinary journalist and documentarist. He currently anchors GMA Network’s “The Atom Araullo Specials”, “Stand for Truth”, and has participated in hosting “I-Witness”.

The sign-ups for “SIKLAYA” were open to all ASHS students, with walk-ins for the event also being accepted. 

October 27: Commencement of “SIKLAYA”

Participants in their respective groups, together with their student facilitators, began the LeadSem 2023 program with a simple icebreaker activity.

Subsequently, Atty. Danielito Jimenez, also known as the “Pinoy Street Lawyer,” delivered a speech for aspiring student leaders. Surrounding his speech on the topic, “Transformational leadership: Engaging in Advocacy and Social Actionable,” he prefaced it with a video documentary of his advocacy as a lawyer and a cyclist. 

In his speech, Atty. Jimenez said, “Whether you’re in school or even outside the school, you must be able to have that advocacy, that vision, that particular reason that you exist.”

“In order to have a better world, bawat isa sa atin should be able to help one another through the advocacies and values that we share,” he added.

Afterward, the attendees played a team-building activity entitled “May I Know Your Number?”

Participants were left in awe as Mx. Ino Maxino, the Sanggunian President, unveiled the true purpose of the game, which was the vitality of trust in leadership. 

“I’ve learned from this event that we cannot foster a society without having the capability to trust the people in it,” JV Trinidad, a HumSS student, stated in an interview. 

“Being a leader is not about the position but actually what you do with it. And it is about how you can utilize the position to improve not just yourself but the people with you,” he concluded. 

An inspirational video message from Ms. Risa Hontiveros was presented as they brought the day to a close. 

October 28: 2nd Day of “SIKLAYA”

In continuation of the LeadSem 2023, the student-leaders of the ASHS gathered once more at the FLC building for the 2nd day of the event.

The day started with a mini team-building activity wherein the participants were asked to build a one-foot building at minimum with only two pieces of paper and 12-inches of long tape.

This game was explained by Council of Student Committees Vice President Mx. Millie Salita, who cited that it reflected the processes of project proposal planning and creation. 

Students were then given a short period of time to start brainstorming about the projects they could propose, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals assigned to their respective groups.

Thereafter, the awaited speaker, Mr. Atom Araullo, shared a few words regarding his topic, “From the Roots: Upholding Your Advocacies in Service,” which preceded a short question and answer portion. 

“I want to encourage all of you to think of your own ambitions and careers, with a view of ensuring that you can make a positive environment,” Mr. Araullo said in his speech. 

The groups, along with their student facilitators, were then assigned to different breakout rooms to create a mini A01 for their project proposals for the team-building activity. 

Equipped with their learnings and ideas, the groups brainstormed for project ideas and proceeded to the defense with the other members of the Sanggunian Core as the panelists.

Subsequently, Mx. Hazel Medina, the Vice President of the Council of Student Organizations, held a short summary and reflection of the purpose of the activities held throughout the event.

To wrap the day up, all the participants groups with outstanding performances, including the best presenters from the previous activity, were recognized and awarded.

With this year’s LeadSem theme of “SIKLAYA,” students were taught to find their true purpose in life and to channel this passion as they become persons for-and-with others. 

“It’s an important time of your lives kasi your student life is when you crystallize your principles, your beliefs, and I think that the youth really has a big power to change the world,” Mr. Araullo stated in an interview.