By Aliya Janeo and Aeron Montallana

Step right into the carnival of talents, ladies and gentlemen! The otherworldly set of performances ranging from various artists to remarkable swirls of maneuvers, where the real magic can be found awaits you. A whimsical journey that will bring to life all your dreams. 

This CSO Month ’25 is branded as Sidlak which means “to shine,” as this annual event brings light to the hard work, commitment, and unwavering passion that all the members put into their work in each student organizations and districts. Come, join us to celebrate this phenomenal event in pursuit of inclusivity across different multiverses of the CSO.

The greatest show has begun– let your stars shine, ASHS!

The Ringmaster: CSO

“There is fulfillment in doing what you love for yourself and others.”

Every school year, the Council of Student Organizations (CSO)  is given the opportunity to showcase the talent and potential of each district and its members. To CSO Vice President Arianne Co, Sidlak and CSO month as a whole is a stage where each organization can dazzle in its own spotlight— where passion meets expression.

Through Sidlak and its many foyer booths, formation activities, organization session swaps, and even a culminating concert, each organization under the CSO is able to stand out in their own way. The overall event was conceptualized as an opportunity for all organizations and districts to shine – Sidlak’s namesake. Not only does Sidlak aim to put an emphasis on one-of-a-kind quirks, but it aims to set the stage for all the hard work and dedication of all members of the CSO.

Similar to a circus where a variety of talents come together to put forward one big show, Sidlak is a platform for the student body to come together and celebrate the interests that make up the person they are. In the words of Co sharing her sentiments about the event: “It is a culmination of the love that everyone has for their organizations, and the ASHS Community.”

Everyone deserves a chance to show off parts of them that are integral to who they are as a person. Everyone deserves a creative outlet to fully map the stars that glow within them— their passions. Co expresses that events like Sidlak allow students to act on the things that they enjoy, and gives them the opportunity to do what they love without the worry of judgement. After all, the mixing pot of talent that is the Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS) has a place for every budding creative soul.

Like the ringmaster of a circus, the CSO and its Core has shaped Sidlak into a lasting legacy— a show full of stars, that even the sky envies it.

The Fire Breathers of Discourse: ADD

“Ultimately, as it is rooted in our truest self, having various creative outlets, hobbies, and interests makes us into happier people.” 

There is a speckle of art in everything — it just depends on how you look at it. From the inquisitive lens of the Analysis and Discourse District (ADD), the access to knowledge and skills to discern and form discussions are their paint and canvas, designed to create art in the form of productive discourse. According to ADD head, Kai Cabrera, the district’s mission is to provide a space to hone one’s critical thinking and room to grow. “ADD is not about telling people to think a certain way. It aims to be a space to process these questions, encouraging them to get to that conclusion on their own,” Cabrera states, emphasizing the goal of the district and clearing up potential misconceptions at the same time. 

To Cabrera, CSO month has always been held in the spirit of giving the student organizations various opportunities to gauge their capabilities. Part of CSO month is presenting each student the opportunity to make the most out of the artistic mediums provided, and creative platforms provide a distraction. “The mundane day to day routine can be tiring and borderline depressing sometimes. It is then important that we add color to our life through a sense of passion one only gets when they are being creative,” Cabrera details, emphasizing the light such passions bring when one is in a dark place. 

Furthermore, under the overall district Cabrera looks after are the three organizations that give it the fire it breathes in the CSO circus. Firstly is the ASHS Debate Organization and Varsity, an organization that highlights debate as a sport; communication and critical thinking skills embedded in how the organization functions. When attending a session, one would be wise to expect passionate discourse meant to train the members, and provide an understanding of social issues. ASHS Debate is an organization that strives to tackle multiple aspects of said issues, and guide its members in finding their way to apply their persuasion and argumentation skills. 

The following organization under the ADD is the ASHS MUN, an organization that brings its members together by tackling simulated issues based on real ones. Participants of weekly sessions assume the roles of ‘delegates,’ acting as if they are representatives of different countries working together to talk about various agendas, write resolutions, and even engage in debates with one another to prove authority and influence. Although these forms of discourse are simulated, the takeaways learned and relationships made along the way certainly aren’t. MUN gives its participants the chance to widen their horizons, increase their awareness of the state of the world, and at the same time leave room for connections to be made.

Last but not the least, KaTA, an organization that aims to remind the ASHS to never forget— allowing both history and contemporary issues to live in the hearts and minds of the student body. Through student and civic engagement, KaTa gets their message across, ensuring that history isn’t simply just something one learns in school; but a part of our society that was once a reality. Its mission is to mold socially aware student leaders who are historical persons, and acknowledge the importance of the past and the present. Their three pillars, “mulat, malay, at sangkot,” guide KaTa to shape these student leaders into means for a better future.

Every CSO Month, each district and the organizations under it prepare special projects to engage the student body— immersing them into their world and their art. The ADD had three different projects that kept the students both informed and entertained, namely: the Share Mo Lang Booth, Weekly Mock Elections, Student v Teacher Debate, and Capybara Holmes. 

The Share Mo Lang Booth was set up in the 1st Floor Foyer of the SHS building, and aimed to give the students a lighthearted boredom-ender that allowed them to express their opinions on a variety of topics. In the SHS building as well were the Weekly Mock Elections, where a board with “This or That,” questions were presented to students to answer — votes were casted via the use of stickers and the so-called ‘winning preference’ was announced at the end of every week. Following the foyer-based activities, is the Student v Teacher Debate that took place on March 17, 2025 within the walls of the FLC. It was a formal 3v3 debate between students and teachers on controversial topics relevant to the ASHS. Last but not the least, Capybara Holmes was a project from March 10–28 that involved a search for hidden capybara qr codes to uncover the mystery of the disappearance of Adeedee, ADD’s missing mascot. 

“People usually think of discourse as a serious endeavor. And as much as I agree that it is at times, that characterization hinders many from engaging intellectually with various topics. The thirst for knowledge becomes a chore,” Cabrera concludes, emphasizing how the ADD strived to make deep discussions less daunting and accessible to all. At the end of the day, conflict shouldn’t always be something feared, sometimes it is something worth welcoming in the interest of learning something new. 

The fire breathers of the CSO circus continue to be an example that such fierce discourse is not meant to be extinguished, but nurtured.

Juggling Cultural Diversity: IRD

“It’s through this variety that the community becomes richer and more dynamic, as students are empowered to explore their interests and share their perspectives without feeling restricted to a single mode of expression.”

As the show of Sidlak perpetuates its fiery circus, there go the jugglers of IRD balancing their multiple elements harmoniously. For IRD Head Kent Co, building connections with others helps us to acknowledge differences and work towards fostering inclusivity within the community.“IRD works for unity that isn’t about erasing differences but celebrating them, and by doing so, we create lasting bonds and open ourselves up to endless opportunities for growth.” Co states as he expresses his insights about what makes IRD stand out from other districts, and that would be embracing diversity.

With the various cultures that can be found among the students, it is indeed great to learn about different beliefs, traditions, and languages through involvement. From these organizations under the Intercultural Relations District (IRD), it plays a significant role in shaping globally aware and deeply connected individuals regardless of their identity. 

In the land of romance, fashion, and art, the French Legion brings the cultural atmosphere of France into the ASHS community. Whether you’re familiar with the language or the country itself, it is an open opportunity for everyone to be part of their organization. It hopes not only to guide young minds to see the beauty in different cultures and contexts but to purposefully celebrate and connect with the people they share their common interests with. This is made possible through language lessons and the Tarot Reading Booth that they set up for CSO Month wherein students also get the chance to learn about French culture and history while fully immersing themselves in the experience.

While K-pop and K-dramas dominate the mainstream, these awe-inspiring elements are the transcendents of Sidlak. The Korean organization of our own, Hanmuneon, aims to promote and embody cultural exchange in the student body. Aside from learning Hangul, they also showcase interactive events such as HOTB: Hanmuneon On That Beat, a vibrant and energy-filled Random Play Dance event which invites everyone to come together and groove to a medley of popular K-pop songs. This fosters collaboration and engagement among students through music while introducing them to the rich culture of Korea, perfectly capturing the spirit of CSO Month.

Let us also venture to the land of the rising sun where cherry blossoms can be found as we explore the Japanese culture in Nihongo Dantai. This is an organization which is designed for students who are passionate about the culture of Japan, especially anime and manga. At the heart of CSO Month, they are hosting a Mini Mitsuri which involves a collection of small, vibrant booths inspired by traditional Japanese festivals. It also features fun activities like Calligraphy and Origami Making that passersby can participate in. Through the blending of art, tradition, and language, Nihongo Dantai invites students to appreciate the beauty of Japan that this organization and its people could offer.

Finally, we shall now pass the spotlight to the dragons of the intercultural circus –  the marvelous Silk Road. Along with their unique traditions, this organization empowers the Filipino-Chinese community through its advocacies and projects delivered by the voices of the students. Chinese culture is influential in our country as seen in our beliefs and traditions. This shows us the importance of acknowledging our diverse roots and identity. In bridging the gap between different cultures, Silk Road is a route that serves as a flamboyant light in guiding its members to promote essential skills, such as communication, teamwork, and creativity to build a solid yet diverse foundation for future generations. 

Inclusivity goes hand and hand with a diverse community. That is what makes the ASHS a home for everyone as these student organizations serve as an avenue of expression which allows them to discover their talents and advocate for what they profoundly believe in. Across the spectrum of magnificent cultural diversity, it reminds us that each one of us is included in making up the whole paragon of IRD— with everyone having the chance to showcase their spectacular colors which signifies their individuality.

Financial Acrobatics: BD

“Despite our individual distinction, we can always find home in people who share the same interests as us.”

Under the brilliant lights of the CSO Circus, let’s bring it on for the high-stakes performance of our own acrobatics who orchestrate the show with innovation and success. Like any other corporate realms, the Business District (BD) continues to thrive for precision in handling the finances while maintaining its stability on the tightrope of calculation.

To BD Head Patricia Lee, student organizations are more than just a group of people who share the common interests and hobbies, these also serve as creative outlets of self-expression where students can freely dance in artistry and talents. “It is an opportunity to showcase the pivotal role organizations and involvements play in giving light and color to the school community,” Lee states, emphasizing the significance of CSO Month in culminating the hidden potentials that each student has to offer in our community. Through its platforms, it encourages students to find their one of a kind glow amidst the differences. In this way, we don’t have to compare ourselves but rather help one another to grow in our own ways as we twirl in a magical loop of discovery.

As the stakeholders were enthralled by the daring maneuvers shown by the Ateneo Investment Group (AIG), it bewitchingly captured the art of staying afloat amidst the fluctuation of the platform. With their organization, they aim to awaken young minds to range over the world of investment where complex deals come with a wonderful exhibition. It tells us that the festival is not limited to art and voices, it also comes with strategic minds who manage the paradigm into a worthwhile life event.

Meanwhile, we should not miss out on the people behind the promotion of the carnival, their talent cards in economic hoops never decline. The Ateneo Senior High School – Junior Marketing Association (ASH-JMA) is dedicated to sharing knowledge and cultivating entrepreneurship skills of its members, particularly in marketing aspects. Maximizing the experiences to the fullest through their mission in honing enterprising students to have a meaningful impact in our ever-changing society.

Whether it’s through business management or predicting stock markets, these organizations shape the students into future great leaders. Their acrobatic skills remain as the spectacle of the circus– dancing into the varying slope of challenges while staying unfazed towards the hope of tomorrow.

Sidlak was an event that was built on the foundation of each district’s love for their specialized fields and the art forms they embrace. It has been nothing short of a vibrant space for each individual student to show how much they care for their hobbies and interests, and there is no doubt that it will be a memorable, colorful page in the ASHS’s book of history. No matter what, Sidlak leaves behind one last reminder to each audience member of the CSO Circus:

In a galaxy full of bright stars, don’t be afraid to shine in your own unique way.