By Feebee Mariposa

By Gilli Aquino

The last few years of high school are designed to prepare you for the perilous hurdles of reality — a reality that most students still feel helplessly unprepared for. Most are at a loss in the face of conflicting career choices and so-called “basic” adulting skills. Unanswered questions and worries are common to every junior who is still figuring out their place in the world and to every senior preparing to step into the unknown. 

While Gonzaga Week provides us with a breath of fresh air amidst all of these responsibilities, this week also grants us the opportunity to receive a head start on our future. Ever wondered how to start the business you have always dreamed of? Or perhaps how to finally achieve the financial literacy that you need every time you eat out with your friends? Well, the wide array of alternative classes has a skill worth learning for every type of student. 

Blueprints to Business

For the more business-minded students, the class“How to Start a Business: The Life of an Entrepreneur” served as the perfect first step to those who aspire to become successful CEOs.  “I  would say that the most valuable insight from that experience was that ideas come from the most unexpected places,” explains Vj Garcia, one of the attendees of the class. 

Beyond the usual ENTREP subject, students are given a preview of what it truly takes to grow a business from scratch —with both successes and failures. Reflecting back on the class, Garcia connects the theme of renewal to his experiences as an ASHS student. In his own words: “Now, as ASHS students, we have our own periods of struggles and setbacks such as heavy workloads and other issues. In these times of struggle do we find our own capabilities. The hard work we put in helps us in the future to grow and nurture our skills.”

Aside from the basics of business, another integral skill in the world of business is the ability to market yourself. From promotional TikTok videos to fully produced commercials — there is much to be explored in the industry of advertisement. “ADeneo High School: Advertising 101” taught students the ins and outs of marketing skills and eye-catching advertisements.  

At the end of the day, every future entrepreneur must be ready to handle the stress-inducing field of finances. Whether you are a mathematical genius or a person who barely has their multiplication tables memorized — financial skills are not only integral to business but are essential life skills that every individual must learn. “Gamifying Your Finances” provided students with an avenue to develop their financial literacy skills through meaningful discussions and activities. “Being able to learn how to budget and spend your money wisely is definitely the most valuable skill that I have learned,” explained Nicolo Roxas, one of the attendees of the class. In his experience, he personally found the class unique compared to all the other options, as he was able to gain a vital skill that he’ll take with him for the rest of his life. 

 Food, Fraps, and Photos 

To those interested in a career full of delicious beverages and culinary delights — Gonzaga Week offered classes to get you started in any kind of kitchen. “Resto 101” is a class that teaches students the basics of the culinary industry. Just as the title suggests, students were given the chance to learn from Chef Edward Bugia, chef and entrepreneur of Flipside Burgers PH, Easter Coffee Club, and Bean & Yolk. For any student looking to open their own restaurant one day, the insightful lessons of Chef Bugia proved to be truly helpful for any student’s culinary journey. 

Ever wondered what it must be like to be a Starbucks barista? Well, the class “Kape Tayo! – Barista 101” thoroughly provided students with the skills to create any frappuccino of their dreams. According to Max Garchi — a senior who attended the class — rather than simply listening to discussions, students were actually able to create the coffee itself, which was a process he thoroughly enjoyed. “The main takeaway I got from the class is that even things like these need patience and care put into them,” details Garchi on his learnings from this experience. For those looking to become future baristas or who are simply coffee enthusiasts, this class provided students with the entire coffee-making experience. 

While the chefs and baristas behind the scenes are the engine of the dining industry, the story of every curated dish is often delivered through the power of food bloggers and content creators. From skills in online branding to negotiating and partnerships, the class “From Plate to Platform: Food, Storytelling, and Social Media” is a glimpse into the life of a food content creator. While the industry of influencers is often underestimated for its “surface-level” point of view, this class teaches students that there is a deeper story to each picture-perfect post. 

Illuminating Learnings

As we navigate our way through the dilemma of career paths, most students aim find passion within their profession. The class “Inside Jails and Prisons: A Career in Justice Reform” invited Dr Nick Tobia to discuss his experiences working at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. For Zoe Ribo, the class enlightened her on the Philippine criminal justice system — further informing her of how the system shapes the lives of people in prison even after they are released. 

Dr. Tobia discussed his experiences and observations as he visited Philippine prisons, sharing that without proper rehabilitation and support, many released prisoners often end up returning to the same problems that led them to incarceration in the first place. “This made me reflect on how initiatives like those connected to the New Marawi City show that prison reform is necessary not just to manage prisons, but to prevent future harm by helping people successfully reintegrate into society,” states Ribo on her reflections from the class. Through these insights, students were shown the realities of justice reform and prison in the Philippines — ultimately inspiring students to pursue a career with the goal of helping others 

In line with the theme of navigating one’s future, the class “How to (accidentally) become a UAAP Courtside Reporter” provides students with practical advice for their careers. The speaker of the class — discusses the lessons she’s learned through her growing career in sports broadcast media — emphasizing the importance of saying yes to every opportunity. Mara Del Rosario, an attendee of the class, shares that — ‘ insights reminded her that growth happens only if we give ourselves the permission to grow at our own pace. “Simply, it was learning to trust the process of becoming. I think as students we feel constantly pressured to have everything figured out, especially as we approach college,” she reflects on her realizations from the class. “The class reminded me that failures in life are just necessary steps toward discovering what we truly love.” 

As the ASHS community reflects on the core memories made throughout the fun-filled activities of Gonzaga week, we also take with us the valuable skills and lessons learned from the unique classes we have had the pleasure of taking. The senior high is truly meant to prepare us for uncertainty, teaching us to forge our own paths through the unknown.