By AJ Alarcon, Caeley Basa, Lianna Roc

The annual Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS) Fair, with its theme, “Tadhana,” commenced on Friday, February 21, at the Formation and Learning Center (FLC) grounds, field, and Senior High Building. 

The day began with an opening mass presided over by chaplin Fr. Weng Bava, SJ, with the beneficiaries of the Salilong Home for the Elderly, and sponsored by the Fair Committee.

Through his Homily, Fr. Weng ties in the theme of tadhana—asserting that we must embrace our destiny to be children of God, to reject despair and destruction and instead return to a sense of child-like innocence. 

With this, Fr. Weng related the Tower of Babel with this generation’s inclination to social media, wherein both were originally created for the purpose of connection and unity, but later served as a catalyst for malicious intent and selfish ambitions. 

Thus, he reminded the ASHS community on what the fair should be all about. With the carnival rides in which identities are suspended, students should use this opportunity to remember that “we were once friends, and brothers and sisters forever.”

Following the mass, the Fair Committee held an opening program with performances from student-formed bands Don’t Start and No ID No Entry, and opening remarks from the committee overall head Ava Tan.

“The ASHS Fair has and always will be more than just an event. It’s a tradition, a celebration of our community, and a break from the usual rigor and stress of our academics,” Tan remarked.

“It’s when we come together as a community to create memories that will last more than just our stay of two years here [in the ASHS].” she added, looking back at the preparations leading up to the fair and the people behind its execution. 

Finally, concluding the opening program was a short cheer performance from the Blue Babble Battalion at the Red Brick Road, as well as the blessing of all the rides, booths, and other attractions by Fr. Weng Bava, SJ.

Thrills of Tadhana

This year’s fair featured various rides, inflatables, concessionaires, and mini-events booths headed by various organizations, committees, and councils.

The Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM) Council spearheaded the “Feel It, Say It!” dedication booth at the second-floor FLC, while the Council of Student Committees (CSC), General Academic (GA) and Humanities and Social Sciences (HumSS) strand councils held their annual “Soakfest,” by the roundabout, where students had a chance to splash their nominated faculty members. 

The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strand council hosted a marriage booth, “Knot to Forever,” at the main building, where most of the other mini-events booths were located.

In particular, Sandigan Alunsina opened their karaoke booth “AlunSing Na!,” while the Athletes’ Council and Performing Arts District (PAD) held an arcade-styled booth, “Retrocade.” 

Moreover, the Analysis and Discourse District (ADD) and Health and Environment District (HED) collaborated for the jail booth named, “Rizz Me If You Can,” while the STEM District and International Relations District (IRD) collaborated for an escape room booth, “Takipsilim.”

Additionally, a street food booth, “Ball for Juan & Juan for All,” was prepared by the Grade 12 Batch Project Committee (BPC), serving as a sub-project that aimed to raise funds for their Batch Legacy Project. 

Aside from these, several concessionaires from Tadhana partner brands were sprawled around the FLC driveway and field, offering a variety of food and merchandise. 

Fairgoers also flocked to the Solana Market located at the second-floor of the FLC, selling a variety of curated clothing and trinkets.

Martin Mañaol of 11-Wright shared his experience with the various events at the fair, stating, “I’m enjoying it [the fair] [because] I was able to spend most of my time with my friends.” 

Talents of Tadhana

In collaboration with the ASHS Music Industry Organization (MIO), the fair also featured Bluelapalooza, a showcase of performances from student bands Alitaptap, The Semi Circles, Marty and the Martyrs, Winnie and the Bees, The Blind Spot, Basement Beretta, and Deep Sea Pizza, along with the Glee Club, Dulaang Sibol, and the Broadway Theater Troupe of Ateneo (BTTA).

In an interview with student band Alitaptap, they shared that it had been a tradition for them to join the Bluelapalooza ever since junior high, and that it had always been a “special gig” for the band.

“Fair only happens once a year malamang, and Bluelapalooza is always one of our favorite events sa fair so we take every opportunity to join,” Jamie Linco, one of the singers of the band expressed.

“Importante rin na sumali kami this year, kasi first year namin sa senior high school,” he added.

On the other hand, the MIO Head Yggy Jacalan and Vice President Mykie Digiya said that it was a “huge honor” to work on the annual Bluelapalooza, which had been a highly-awaited event in the ASHS Fair.

Fairgoers reentered the fairgrounds for the Students’ Night, “Seraya,” which was hosted by Rica Salomon and Gela Macalalad.

Seraya Day One kicked off with a performance from the Indayog ng Atenistang Kabataan (IndAK), followed by the introduction of the contestants of “Eksaherada: Raise Your Flag,” a beauty pageant headed by the Fair Committee and Sandigan Lakambini.

Moreover, Filipino drag queen Your Tita Baby showcased a lip sync performance while the Assumption Antipolo Dance Crew and St. Paul College Pasig (SPCP) Terpsichore Street both delivered a dance performance.

The first day of Tadhana concluded with a rave hosted by DJ Marxx and DJ Martie.