By Lia Atienza and Caeley Basa

Sandigan Kanlaon led the Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS) community as they implemented the first set of emergency drills for S.Y. 2024-2025 on Wednesday, October 2, in the ASHS Field.

Prioritizing safety and security, this drill aimed to educate the learners on what to do when an emergency strikes.

“Our school is located near the fault line which might be the primary cause of an earthquake in Quezon City. In this case, we hope that an earthquake drill would at least somewhat prepare us in the face of this situation. Another is the fact that there was a case of an imminent threat before which affected the security of students and even those of guests and staff,” Kanlaon Head Fiel Torres shared during an interview, noting how these drills were simulated, partly due to their relevance to the school’s history and location. 

She also noted how, despite precautionary measures being in place, students and staff cannot be fully reliant on them. “I believe we must always prepare for the worst,” she added.

The emergency drills consisted of three (3) parts— Shelter-In-Place, Earthquake, and Fire— with the class moderators and officers, Kanlaon members, and other faculty leading the ASHS students.

Shelter-In-Place Drill

The emergency drills started with a Shelter-In-Place drill. With the use of the PA system and student volunteers, Sandigan Kanlaon simulated a scenario where armed suspects infiltrated the school.

Throughout the drill, student volunteers walked along the halls and banged against the doors, mimicking an attack. Students in their respective classrooms were tasked to shut the classroom doors, close the lights, put down the window blinds, and hide in unnoticeable areas within their classrooms to avoid being seen by the threat.

When asked about his experience, Mio Mercado of 11-Hoyos said, “They really went hard on the effects, with the knocking… They really sold the fact that it’s a Shelter-In-Place.”

Earthquake Drill

The Earthquake Drill also commenced with the PA system blaring sirens and simulating noises from an actual disaster. Immediately after the Shelter-In-Place Drills, students were tasked to go below their desks, following the standard “Duck, Cover, and Hold,” method.

Soon after, the students were asked to evacuate the building and were gathered in the Senior High School field.

Fire Drill

Lastly, the Senior High School community simulated having a fire incident inside the campus. The PA system, once again, announced the emergency at hand and with this, the students performed the appropriate evacuation measures as instructed by the ASHS Sandigan Kanlaon. 

Learners from all sections were instructed to form two lines. Afterwards, the students were organized by section, and class presidents immediately started their respective headcounts. They then headed for their section’s pick-up points, making them aware of the area in which they are to be fetched by their parents in case of an emergency.

Future Drills in the ASHS

“In my opinion some instances could’ve been more serious, louder, and clearer, as there was a divide between students horsing around, those who were actively participating, and those who were just clueless,” Miggy Anonuevo of 11-Mayer stated. 

In addition, Fiel Torres, Head of Kanlaon, also noted how there was confusion in terms of exit-routes and the pick-up positions, a problem that was resolved through her and other Kanlaon members’ efforts. 

“I was going around the floors and the assembly areas, checking and constantly reminding them that they should be doing their best to protect themselves,” Torres said. 

She also mentioned that an unannounced, university-wide emergency drill will take place anytime during this month of October, where everyone in the ASHS community, including Sandigan Kanlaon members, will be unaware of its exact date, in order to further emphasize the importance of knowing and effectively performing emergency protocols.