by Lia Atienza

Students and teachers flocked to the Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS) foyers as the ABM Council launched “ABMamahagi,” on Monday, January 20 until Friday, January 24, 2025.

ABMamahagi is a fundraising initiative by the ABM Council, aiming to raise funds supporting the Haribon Foundation, Good Neighbors, and Project PEARLS. 

“ABMamahagi is already a cemented project for [the] council. We’ve been doing it every year,” ABM Strand Secretary, Heather Pascua, shared, further stating that this event was a meaningful way for the strand to give back and make a positive impact through business. 

Collaborating with the Business District, Ateneo Investment Group (AIG), Ateneo Senior High — Junior Marketing Association (ASH-JMA), and Zoom, ABMamahagi featured donation drives, photo booths, and other activities, all aiming to gather support for the partnered beneficiaries. 

The Business District also invited local businesses to participate in the fundraising event and sell their products to the people of the ASHS. 

“By collaborating with them [the businesses], we’re not just raising funds; we’re also supporting these entrepreneurs, which ties into ABM’s values,” said Pascua.

ASHS Initiatives

Aside from booths from different businesses, ABMamahagi featured varying activities from the ABM Council, AIG, ASH-JMA, and Zoom. 

Fill in the Bank and the Clothing Donation Drive, organized by the ABM Council, aimed to gather funds and donations for organizations like the Haribon Foundation, which focuses on environmental conservation, and Project PEARLS, a non-government organization that aids less fortunate children. 

In collaboration with the Ateneo Investment Group (AIG), Mystery Scoop, an activity to gain different prizes situated on the second floor foyer; and Bank Shot, a basketball booth, situated in the first floor foyer of the ASHS were conducted.

“Beyond just the business aspect, this org’s stance in joining this event was to foster charitable efforts and follow the call of conscience by making our own contributions to the greater good,” shared AIG Undersecretary, Javi Francisco. 

Aside from AIG, the strand council, along with ASH-JMA and Zoom displayed a photo booth at the second floor foyer, allowing the ASHS to capture even more memories.   

Supporting Local Businesses

Following the strand’s core values, the ABM Council partnered with the Business District Core and held Kapiraso, an initiative supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs, as part of ABMamahagi. 

“This collaboration enriches the fundraising event, enabling it to make a broader impact while reinforcing ABM’s values of support and advocacy for the community,” shared the ABM Strand Secretary. 

Food, clothing, and other businesses alike were present along the 1st and 2nd floor foyers of the ASHS.

The partnered businesses, namely Tinyay’s Sisig and Shawarma, Brew & Co., 20-21, Bedratt, Zoppi, Conieho Studio, Crocheted by Nini, Isla Marikit, peaches, Tatsuke Arts, and Thrift Manila, sold a variety of food, clothes, and trinkets, allowing the community to enjoy the week-long event.

“As local businesses, our main target market has always been people of a younger demographic, so being able to come to schools and having an event there has been pretty helpful,” said the business owner of Tatsuke Arts on what makes ABMamahagi important for them.