Photo by Xarah Yap

by Maxine Agno and Alexia Bangayan

The Ateneo de Manila Senior High School (ASHS) juniors witnessed their first campus liturgy during the closing program of Senior High Orientation Seminar (SHOrSem) 2026, entitled ”Tuklas,” on Friday, July 17, at the third floor of the Formation and Learning Center (FLC).

The Mass was presided over by Fr. Joaquin Sumpaico III, SJ, Vice President of Basic Education, along with ASHS Chaplain Fr. Weng Bava and Assistant Chaplain Fr. Steven Pem.

Reflecting on the Gospel reading from Matthew 12: 1-8 and the first reading from the Book of Isaiah, the homily emphasized the transitions of student life by finding deeper meaning in the process.

Addressing the new members of the ASHS community, Fr. Joaquin urged them, ”That in all things, we may love and serve the Lord. Kung ano ang natutunan sa kabataan, iyon ang dadalhin sa iyong pagkatanda.”

He challenged the juniors to look back at moments of inferiority and use their shared experiences to grow deeper and to let these collective memories serve as the building blocks of their stay in the ASHS.

The students were also encouraged to step forward, be a force for good, and share it with the community and the country.

The Mass also included prayers for the late Ateneo men’s basketball players Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia as part of their 40th-day memorial.

To conclude the mass, Mr. Vincent Galileo L. Loiz acknowledged and expressed his gratitude to the various organizations that made the event possible.

The celebration was followed by the SHOrSem 2026 closing program, which officially concluded the three-day orientation for the juniors.