By Glaiza Salanio

The Ateneo de Manila University community gathered at the Ateneo Grade School parking lot last Friday, May 17, to celebrate the accomplishments of the athletes in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 through the Blue Eagle Bonfire 2024.

During the UAAP Season 86, the teams of Men’s Badminton, Women’s Badminton, and Men’s Swimming bagged the championship title.

Additionally, players for Men’s Chess, Women’s Swimming, Men’s Table Tennis, Women’s Table Tennis, Men’s Tennis, Boys’ Swimming, Girls’ Swimming, and Boys’ Judo placed second.

Lastly, athletes from Women’s Chess, Women’s Judo, Baseball, Boys’ Taekwondo Kyorugi, and Boys’ Fencing received the third spot in their tournaments.

“This celebration is both a fulfillment of our past successes and an affirmation that the future is always bright as long as we are able to come back home to the place where we belong, and celebrate together in joy and honor,” Patricia Yapit, a member of the ASHS girls swimming team, shared.

“It was a humbling and a rewarding event, and I will continue to be reminded that whatever we work for is not only for ourselves. To have our achievements recognized is a win we will always dedicate to our family, to our team, and to our school,” she added.

A mini-concert with performances by the members of the Ateneo Musicians’ Pool, such as MNLA, !OOH!, Lucas Pison & mayfly, Franz Guico, Indiesposable, Pookiebears, All Organic Milk Goodness, DePoll, and the Blue Babble Battalion also lightened up the night aside from the bonfire.