by AJ Alarcon

The Intercultural Relations District (IRD) of the Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS) spearheaded the celebration of United Nations Week from October 21 through “U ‘N I: United in IRD,” promoting cultural appreciation and collaboration amid cultural diversity. 

The event formally commenced with a performance from the ASHS Music Industry Organization (MIO) during recess at the main building staircase.

Additionally, Nihongo Dantai, the Japanese organization of ASHS, hosted the haiku writing competition Haiku Horizons during dismissal.

Following the four days of class suspension brought by severe tropical storm Kristine and the weeklong wellness break, U ‘N I proceeded on November 7 with a K-pop random dance challenge during recess hosted by Hanmuneon, the Korean organization of ASHS, featuring a K-pop dance performance by Indayog ng Atenistang Kabataan (IndAK).

Furthermore, the Model United Nations (MUN) Organization held the first Mx. United Nations pageant in the ASHS; the contestants each represented a UN body. 

Unibooths were also set up along the second-floor foyer of the main building for the duration of the festival, where Zoom and Sandigan Alunsina set up a photo booth and a Filipino games booth, respectively.

Kent Co, head of the IRD, stated that U ‘N I was primarily conducted to commemorate the foundation of the UN. 

“The UN is one of humanity’s greatest efforts toward world peace, and I think it’s just as important to celebrate its founding as it is to understand and spread awareness about its goals,” he shared.

Advocacies in Pageantry

The Mx. United Nations pageant served as a platform for representatives of various organizations and committees to speak out about their advocacies, focusing on the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

“So [many] individuals here [are] fighting for their different advocacies,” said Andi Bondoc, winner of Mx. United Nations, on why she decided to join the pageant. 

“I feel [like] this is not the first and last [Mx. UN pageant], but [there are] more pageants to come since this is a wonderful event where everyone has the chance to represent an advocacy and to raise awareness on that advocacy,” she added.

Bondoc represented the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) during the pageant. 

Community Connection

Aside from organizations under IRD that showcased Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and French cultures, U ‘N I was celebrated in collaboration with Sandigan Alunsina, Zoom, MIO, IndAK, MUN, Ateneo Film Organization, and Ateneo Publicity and Communication Organization.

Co expressed that these collaborations unite the community, and he hopes that the event taught the students to be more open-minded and inclusive.

“The United Nations is a great example of how countries with different beliefs, traditions, and perspectives can come together to work toward a shared goal. We wanted to bring that same idea to ASHS by collaborating with other organizations,” Co stated.

“By learning to appreciate different perspectives, we can build a stronger, more united community where everyone feels welcome and understood,” he added.