Senior High School students gather at the Martin Hall during the first day of the 6th Ateneo Fiesta. Photo by Ralph Lavapie.
By Mikhaela Doce
The Ateneo de Davao University Senior High School celebrated the 69th Ateneo Fiesta last August 11-13.
The fiesta started with a mass presided by Fr. Jessel Gerard Gonzales, SJ, Assistant Director for Formation at the Martin Hall.
Day 2
The Performing Arts and Sports highlighted the second day of celebration, with art exhibits, cultural and literary presentations, and a volleyball exhibition game as main attractions for Senior High School students.
In the field of arts, the Sabayang Pagbigkas Competition declared Montserrat Cluster the champion, with Rome and Paris as 1st and 2nd runners up respectively. Rome made a comeback as they impressed in the Komikal Skit Competition, leaving Jerusalem and Salamanca as 1st and 2nd runners up.
Rome once again eclipsed over the others in the Pagsulat ng Sanaysay, an essay writing contest on this year’s theme, followed by Paris and Jerusalem as 1st and 2nd runners up.
Also centered on this year’s theme is Perspectives. Located in the Old Bookstore is an art exhibit of all entries of 93 sections of Senior High regarding this Fiesta’s theme. This time, the Jerusalem Cluster outshone the others, keeping Rome and Barcelona as 1st and 2nd runners up.
Ateneo Superstar, a showcase of dancing, singing, and acting talents, aptly capped the performing arts competitions. The ethnic-themed performance of Rome captivated the audience and judges enough to land them the top spot. Salamanca and Montserrat settled for 1st and 2nd runners up.
For sports, the Ateneo Senior High School Volleyball Team fought off the University of the Immaculate Conception Volleyball Team in their home turf at the 7th Floor of Martin Hall. They domineered the Men’s Volleyball in 2 sets, 25-18, and 26-24. They repeated their feat in the Women’s Volleyball with three sets, 25-27, 25-16, and 25-14.
On another note, this year’s Fiesta showed the heart of the students in “Paghahandog,” an event dedicated to help out and serve the families of a chosen community in Davao City. Pulsong Ateneo, with the class presidents, brought games and a joint lunch celebration inside the F711 and F712 rooms of the Finster Building. Ang Teatro ng Ateneo also entertained with their presentations.
“I felt happy and grateful. It was quite overwhelming but in a good way. To be able to see the smiles on the children’s faces and knowing that smile was because of us made me feel great,” said Hanna Afable, one of the class presidents.
Day 3
Around 4,000 students jumped and swayed to the beat during the Zumba Fest led by the Senior High School Director, Mr. Rikki Enriquez, and the P.E and Health teachers of SHS right after the religious services, rightly beginning the final day of the celebration with a prayerful but festive spirit.
More students crowded the Thibault and Finster hallways as the Cluster Boodle Fight featured unique food accompanied by performances of each cluster. The Salamanca Cluster proved to be the most creative along with Barcelona and Rome as 1st and 2nd runners up.
Tugtog Bughaw, a showdown of bands, concluded the festivities as representatives of the different clusters performed their renditions of songs from the iconic band, Eraserheads. Rome Cluster rose above the rest, while Salamanca and Barcelona remained fixed at 1st and 2nd runners up respectively.
With their clinching of the last gold, Rome garnered this year’s overall champion title. Montserrat, Barcelona, and Salamanca all tied for 1st runner up, while Jerusalem settled for 2nd Runner Up.
The Fiesta celebration ended with a shindig prepared for the students at the 4/F Martin Hall.
For photos during the Ateneo Senior High School Fiesta celebration, visit the Ateneo de Davao University Gallery.