By Lia Atienza

The Humanities and Social Sciences (HumSS) and General Academic (GA) strands spearheaded HumSS Sa Akin Ka Nalang (HSAKNL) and GAlentines from Monday, February 10, to Friday, February 14, at the Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS).

Featuring booths from different Organizations, Sports Clubs, and Committees (OSCCs), the Valentine’s Day fundraising initiative aims to garner funds for jeepney drivers and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

For Love, With Love

The collaborative Valentine’s initiative opened with a performance by Indayog ng Atenistang Kabataan (IndAK) at the first floor foyer of the ASHS.

Booths from different OSCCs—Mapulon, Matanglawin, Pugad Literary Folio, Art Guild, Blue Kitchen, Pre-Medical Society of Ateneo (PMSA), Psyche, Idiyanale, Zoom, and Grafiction; and Whimsy and Edelweiss Treasures, a small business, were stationed along the first and second floor foyers of the Ateneo Senior High School building, immersing students in different activities and merchandise throughout the week.

“Love is found in many aspects of life, yet it is often overlooked. Events like this serve as a reminder of its presence,” said Margaux Dy, Assistant Vice President for Finance and Logistics of Psyche, when asked about the importance of this event for her.

The Ateneo Publicity and Communications Organization (APCO) also featured “Love is On-Air,” during recess throughout the week, entertaining the ASHS community with love songs, dedications, and poetry through the P.A. system.

Initiatives by the different strand councils, like Puso’t Puhunan and Haranista by the HumSS Council, Kind Cookie by the GA Council, and Tie the Knot by the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Council gave students chances to showcase their talents, love, and appreciation to their fellow students in the ASHS.

HumSS Strand Vice Chairperson, Lexi Inocencio emphasized, “HumSS Sa Akin Ka Nalang is quite literally the epitome of love and gratification for others, by others.”

Additionally, the Ateneo Film Organization and Grade 12 Batch Project Committee (BPC 12) presented “Sa Bawat Linya,” a short film featured during BPC 12’s block screening last Saturday, February 15.

Love for the Community

The Valentine’s Day initiative extends far beyond spreading love within the ASHS, with projects like “Send A Succulent,” by Sandigan Matanglawin, which incorporates sharing love for others while caring for the environment.

“Two in one purpose yung pagka-send mo ng succulent [to someone], to show your love and to be steward nga nung creation of God,” said Wyne Caliguiran, Projects Head of Sandigan Matanglawin.

The funds raised throughout the week-long event directly go to the Grade 11 Tulong Dunong (TD) jeepney drivers, for HSAKNL; and PWDs, for GAlentines, further emphasizing the aim for this initiative to share love with the community.

“We are fostering love as well as we are fostering gratification through empowering those people that need it the most,” said Inocencio.