By Xarah Yap

By Noriko Yamamoto and Rhianna Ramos

The Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS) community celebrated Duffy-Delaney Day (D3) on Tuesday, October 7, at the third-floor Formation and Learning Center (FLC) to honor and express gratitude to the school’s formators.  

Duffy-Delaney Day is celebrated annually at the ASHS, honoring the legacy of late guidance counselor and formator, Fr. Charles G. Duffy, SJ, and Ateneo’s former Dean of Studies Fr. John P. Delaney, SJ.

The annual celebration recognizes the school formators’ role in guiding and leading the students, grounded in the Duffy-Delaney legacy of service and love.

The program began with the Mass for the Memorial of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, presided over by Fr. Erwin F. Arandia, SJ, where the rites of blessing for all the ASHS formators were led by ASHS Chaplain Fr. Noel “Weng” Bava, SJ.

Following the Mass, Athletes’ Council (AthC) and Assembly of Class Officers (ACO) representatives Nathan Chupungco and Maja Samper introduced Cura Personalis Week, which was elaborated by AthC Vice President Alexis Javier Santos and ACO Vice President Kriztine Joyce Estillore.

Cheska Jovellanos and Redmond Ong from the Student Ambassadors Program (SAP) officially opened the D3 program as the hosts.

Opening the celebration, the ASHS Glee Club delivered an a cappella performance of “Liwanag sa Dilim,” by Rivermaya and “Handog,” by Florante, dedicated to the school’s formators.

Afterwards, the faculty members of each subject area were honored during the Teachers’ Parade, as well as the Guidance Office, Office of the Campus Ministry (OCM), Health Services Office, ASHS Personnel, Formation Coordinators, and the A-Team.

Dulaang Sibol then delivered their rendition of the song “Araw-Araw,” by Ben&Ben and the theater company’s original song, “Ako’Ng Bahala Sa’Yo.”

Science teacher Sir Xavier Fernando, who experienced his first D3 this school year, shared that reading the students’ letters helped him reflect on his role as a formator. 

“I’m not just teaching physics or DRRR — I’m also helping form my students’ values and guiding them to live out what the school stands for,” he said, noting that the experience reminded him of the deeper meaning of being a formator beyond academics.

Students Jaerica Acedera from 11-Fontoura and Giana Bacorado from 11-Owen also reflected on the event, expressing their appreciation for the celebration.

Acedera stated, “One thing I learned from an ASHS teacher is to be helpful to others because you never know what they’re going through.” 

She also explained that the event reminded her of how teachers shape students not only academically but also personally.

Meanwhile, Bacorado expressed, “Another thing I learned is that some subjects are inherently hard, and no matter what, we need to have grit and push through it,” adding that seeing their teachers celebrated on stage inspired her to persevere in her studies.

During recess, sorbetes carts were available from the first to third floors of the ASHS Main Building, offering free ice-cream to both formators and students. 

A group photo was then taken onstage including all ASHS formators, marking the conclusion of the celebration.