With the theme, “Atenean: To the peripheries!”, the fifth SOAR Awards Night at the Arrupe Convention Hall on 5 March 2016 recognized the contributions of student organizations to the social mission of the University through leadership and service for the poor and marginalized sectors in Bicol.
One of these is the Project Saranggola of extra-curricular organization Elihidos. Since last year, the project has devoted time serving young boys who were housed in the Naga City Children’s Home after having been in conflict with the law, orphaned or abandoned. The organization painted the walls of the facility with bright and colorful images, and conducted a series of arts-inspired activities with children to “give them hope and inspire them to dream” despite their conditions.
To raise funds for the project, the group organized a kite-flying event in Summer 2005, which was participated in by students and employees in the University, and sold various products during the semestral Orgs’ Festival.
Elihidos, a three-year old organization advocating creative leadership, was this year’s recipient of the Fr. Raul Bonoan, S.J. Most Outstanding Student Organization of the Year, the top SOAR award.
Aside from bagging the Bonoan golden Ignatius statuette, Elihidos also won Outstanding Extra-Curricular Organization, Achievement Award in Social Involvement (Extra-curricular Organization category) and Best Special Project. The organization’s president, Marielle Villareal, earned the Jesse M. Robredo Outstanding Student Leader (silver medal).
The gold medal for Jesse Robredo Most Outstanding Student Leader of the Year went to Bernadette Ong, the president of Ateneo Sarong Bangui junior Eagles.
The Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA) was named for the fourth straight year as Outstanding Co-Curricular Organization, Achievement Awardee in Social Involvement and Achievement Awardee in Skills Development (Co-curricular Organization category).
Media Studies Society (MSS) was also a big winner in SOAR 2016. It took home runner-up Outstanding Co-Curricular Organization and Achievement Award in Spiritual Formation. The group’s president, Edison Luna, was also recognized as one of the top five Outstanding Student Leaders, while moderator Jan Victor Agna was one of the five Outstanding Moderators.
The Center for Community Development Volunteers or CCD Voltz emerged as Outstanding Volunteer Organization, while the Peer Coaches, Student and Kaabay Volunteers of the College Guidance Center) was the runner-up in the same category.
The CCD Voltz likewise earned the Achievement Award in Skills Development and Achievement Award in Social Involvement (Volunteer Organization category), and Phelan medal for Aldrin Belmes.
Aside from giving out awards, SOAR 2016 also featured performances from the University Band, Ateneo Dance Club and Education student Mary Lynn Arriola. The program was hosted by Agna and Christine Mae Dulpina, Psychology student.
More than 200 students in their formal attire came to the event. Jesuits, administrators and officers of the Parents and Teachers Association also attended the affair. (Written by Rodolfo SB. Virtus Jr.)
Complete List of Winners, SOAR Awards Night 2016
March 5, 2016
Arrupe Convention Hall
Student Organization Category
Fr. Raul Bonoan, SJ. Most Outstanding Student Organization of the Year: Elihidos
Outstanding Extra -Curricular Organizations: Elihidos
Outstanding Extra-Curricular Organization, First Runner-Up: Uswag Junior Eagles
Outstanding Extra-Curricular Organization, Second Runner-Up: Days with the Lord – Women
Outstanding Co-Curricular Organization: Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA) – ADNU Chapter
Outstanding Co-Curricular Organization, First Runner-Up: Media Studies Society
Outstanding Co-Curricular Organization, Second Runner-Up: Ateneo Engineering Student Council
Outstanding Volunteer Group: Center for Community Development Volunteers (CCD Voltz)
Outstanding Volunteer Organization, First Runner-Up: Peer Coaches, Student and Kaabay Volunteers (PCSKV)
Top 10 Performing Student Organizations (in alphabetical order)
1. Ateneo Engineering Student Council
2. Ateneo Paradigm Eclat Xircle
3. Ateneo Sarong Bangui Junior Eagles
4. Center for Community Development Volunteers
5. Days with the Lord-Women
6. Elihidos
7. Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants – ADNU Chapter
8. Media Studies Society
9. Peer Coaches, Student and Kaabay Volunteer Group
10. Uswag Junior Eagles
Individual Category
Most Outstanding Student Leader: Bernadette Ong , President, Ateneo Sarong Bangui Junior Eagles (ASBJE)
Outstanding Student Leaders (in alphabetical order)
Karla Camille Cabangon, President, Gabay Scholars’ Organization
Edison Luna, President, MSS
Glydel Mandane, President, CCD Voltz
Marielle Villareal, President, Elihidos
Commendations:
Louie Lester Pascual, President of The Ateneo Consortium of Technological Information and Computing Sciences (TACTICS).
Glaiza Mae Paz, President, Ateneo Banking and Finance Association
Katherine Chancoco, Treasurer, Association of Bicol Business Students – ADNU Chapter
Outstanding Moderators (in alphabetical order)
Jan Victor Agna, MSS
Evelyn Amaro, Gabay Scholars Organization
Aldrin Belmes, CCD Voltz
Leonides Borras, Uswag Junior Eagles and ASBJE
Merle Palcon, Ateneo College Red Cross Youth
Activity Category
Achievement Award in Spiritual Formation:
Co-Curricular Organization: Media Studies Society
Extra-Curricular Organization: Days with the Lord Women
Volunteer Organization: Chaplaincy Student Volunteers
Achievement Award in Skills Development:
Co-Curricular Organization: JPIA – ADNU Chapter
Extra-Curricular Organization: Remontados
Volunteer Organization: CCD Voltz
Achievement Award in Social Advocacy Involvement:
Co-Curricular Organization: JPIA – ADNU Chapter
Extra-Curricular Organization: Elihidos
Volunteer Organization: CCD Voltz
Best Special Project: Project Saranggola, Elihidos
OSA Service Awards
Christian Vivero
Laurence Bien Laure
Danesius Ralph Necio
Donn Marlou Ramirez
Jobelle Marie Pascual
Media Studies Society
College of Nursing – Donor Care
