By Anjelika Gentugaya

By Gilli Aquino

Here, you see it again. 

Whether it be from a sudden news report or a post whilst you scroll through your feeds, instances of bagyos, earthquakes, or other natural disasters have recently become a common occurrence in the Philippine climate. Yet what is perceived as another common post to us is something that is utterly and irrevocably life-changing for the millions of Filipinos who are affected by these disasters. While we may only get to see the mere statistics of these disasters — these numbers reflect real people and real experiences that cannot be captured by simple digits.

Every preparedness drill here in the senior high is an effort to ensure that each student and teacher in the ASHS has the power to brace for any impact. However, unbeknownst to most, readiness goes beyond mere drills and demonstrations — it is a skill rooted in resilience; one that can be learnt through the help of those with the heart to teach it. 

Ready in Resilience

In line with cultivating a culture of resilience amongst the student body, Sandigan Kanlaon is the disaster readiness and risk reduction (DRRR) organization of the ASHS. Through the dissemination of critical information about hazards and disasters, organizing community drills, generating emergency plans for the school, and aiding calamity-inflicted areas, Kanlaon aims to foster an environment of awareness and responsibility. 

At the heart of Sandigan Kanlaon is a core that is willing to help develop this awareness amongst the student body — with their dedication to the advocacy evidently seen in every action and initiative they enact. Zena Conel, the overall head of the organization, is one of those individuals with the passion to imprint a value for disaster preparedness that extends beyond the ASHS. To her, the committee strives to instill disaster literacy in line with the spirit of preparedness and alertness that the Ateneo has always upheld. 

With every project, event, or initiative that the committee conducts is one step forward to a disaster-resilient community. One of the most vital capstone projects of the Sandigan this school year is the Basic Life Support Training initiative.“In partnership with an external medical organization, the ASHS community can learn life-saving knowledge, skills, and techniques,” Conel describes on the purpose behind the project — aiming to reach a wider range of student participants for this. Additionally, the committee plans to start its own tradition through the release of reviewers and mock quizzes for the DRRR subject, guiding students in their pursuit of disaster knowledge. 

When unpredictability seems to strike at every corner, each preparation, training, and mere effort of awareness can unknowingly save lives. DRRR is undoubtedly more than an advocacy — it is a crucial skill that must be practiced and developed by every single Filipino.

A Noble Advocacy

“Overall, through our initiatives, our committee wants to help the ASHS community become aware and ready for the different disasters they may face.”

The pursuit of any advocacy is not an easy task; it requires an unfaltering commitment to keep going and fighting for the values you so strongly believe in.

According to Conel, the organization faces its fair share of obstacles in promoting DRRR awareness. “I’ve always noticed how our committee is not really something that sparks the interest of the majority of the student body,” she explains on her observations of the ASHS.“Oftentimes, I do feel sad that we are only known as the ‘committee about disasters’ while our initiatives remain unseen to a lot of people.” For the core, this lack of interest and participation often affects the success of their projects — forcing them to put a lot more effort into promotions as compared to other organizations. 

While this indifference may be disheartening at times, the heart of Sandigan Kanlaon continues to beat with fiery passion — making itself known in any way that it can. In the words of Conel, “The committee still works hard to accomplish our projects and make ourselves known to the ASHS. We believe that no matter how small our reach is, we are still making a difference, little by little, and doing our

duty as a Sandigan committee.”

Beyond the commonly known evacuation drills of the committee, Sandigan Kanlaon continues to strive for projects and initiatives that will further spark a newfound interest in risk reduction amongst the student body. With every new student who is willing to participate in these projects is one small step forward to an environment where everyone is ready and prepared for whatever is to come. 

Prepared For Others

It is commonly known that the Philippines has a long history of calamities and disasters. Whether it be through unpredictable eruptions or newly entered typhoons, there is no telling when the next catastrophe may strike. It is this reason that Sandigan Kanlaon continues to work with such fervor — with a resolve to protect the community from what is unknown. 

Conel emphasizes the importance of awareness, especially amongst the youth of today. “As youth, we need to stay informed because awareness leads to preparedness. By simply being updated about

the risks and hazards that could affect us, as well as our coping capacities, whether within ourselves, family, or community, this could make a difference in how we prepare to keep ourselves and the people around us safe.” A simple watch of the news or a look at PAGASA each day can do wonders for our own individual preparedness; these little actions go a long way in the large-scale impacts of each calamity. 

As a committee in the Ateneo, Sandigan Kanlaon truly embodies the value of cura personalis — an unfaltering care for the whole person that extends beyond just those who are near us. The core hopes to extend their projects to outreaches in different communities with the goal of instilling the same values of DRRR as they do here. “Our committee would also like to hold an outreach program. Although there are no specific plans yet, we hope to help a community often challenged by disasters to further extend our advocacy and help outside the ASHS.” In a country so vulnerable to the disastrous damages of each calamity, we severely need those individuals who are willing to use their privilege for those in need. 

As we wander through the voyage of advocacies this CSC week, let us remember that beyond each aesthetically pleasing booth is a noble purpose that extends way beyond the Ateneo. This sentiment holds most especially true for Sandigan Kanlaon — a committee that strives to ensure that every single Filipino is ready to brace for impact.