The Ateneo de Naga University hosted the traveling photo gallery of Istorya ng Pag-asa (INP), a project of Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, the Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines.

The VP was present during the closing ceremony of the exhibit on 3 February 2018. In her speech, she shared that her office launched the INP project in 2016 to “change the conversation” from anger and divisiveness toward positivity, and to give inspiration and hope to people.

Exhibited at ADNU’s Student Center, the Xavier Hall, the INP featured success stories of 22 personalities in Camarines Sur, or the so called INP champions.

One of them is Ray Nobleza, an alumnus of Ateneo de Naga High School and a student activist in his college years. During the program, he shared his eight-year struggle with drug addiction, and life-changing decision to undergo rehabilitation, with the help of a Jesuit novice. When he was sober, he returned to school, and eventually worked in the academe. He founded the Exceptional Children’s Educational Center, a progressive preparatory and elementary school in Cebu.

After ADNU, the INP photo gallery will continue traveling to other schools, malls, and other public places so that its stories would reach and inspire more people. VP Robredo also announced that her office is now soliciting entries from amateur filmmakers for a film festival of new stories of hope, an offshoot of the exhibit.

The Office of Student Affairs, with the Center for Community Development Volunteers (CCD Voltz) and the Office of the University President, organized the ceremony.