17 June 2023, Ateneo de Naga University — The 9th Student Organizations Awards Rites or SOAR, back from its 3-year hiatus, recognizes student leaders, organizations, moderators, and groups which, despite the challenges brought by the global health crisis, shone through in the last two school years.

The awards ceremony, with the theme “Ad Astra Per Aspera” (to the stars through difficulties) first recalls the struggles every one faced: from the K12 transition, the calamities, and the pandemic that hit the community. Director of Student Affairs Rodolfo Virtus Jr., commends all student organizations for continuing to thrive, this time in the “now normal,” with the OSA recording a total number of 745 student organization-led activities in the last two school years.

Stars of the Night

The Association of Bicol Business Students (ABBS) took home the highest SOAR award, the Fr. Raul Bonoan, S.J. Most Outstanding Student Organization of the Year, in the form of a golden Ignatius statuette. ABBS was also given the Achievement Award in Social Involvement, as well as the recognition of being the outstanding co-curricular group in the co-curricular category. Coming from the same organization was the Jesse M. Robredo Most Outstanding Student Leader of the Year, ABBS President Leslie Andrea Daluro.

This year’s Outstanding Extracurricular Organization was Christ’s Youth in Action (CYA), who received, aside from the bronze Ignatius statuette, the Achievement Award in Spiritual Formation in the Activity Category. They were also named as the Most Improved Student Organization, making it their second consecutive year of winning the special award.

Gabay Scholars Organization was also one of the big three of the night, winning the Outstanding Volunteer Group in the volunteer organizations cluster, as well as both an Achievement Award in Spiritual Development and in Social Involvement. In the individual category, GABAY bagged two medals, with GABAY President Cesar Furio being one of the Outstanding Student Leaders of the year, and GABAY Moderator Evelyn Amaro receiving a Fr. John “Jack” J. Phelan, S.J. Outstanding Moderator of the Year Award.

The Achievement Award in Skills Development was given to three organizations this year which exceptionally facilitated the development of talents and skills of their members: Tourismo Ateneo, Remontados Debate Society (REMON), and the Media Studies Society (MSS).

The board of judges also decided to award three winners for the Best Special Project. One was Anduyog Junior Eagles (ANJE)’s relaunch of Tindahan ni Aling ANJE, where the group raises funds to buy school supplies and sell them for a far cheaper price, aiming to provide access to high-quality, durable, low-cost school supplies to elementary students and parents in remote areas to lessen their financial distress. Another best project was “Solidaridad: The Philippine Media and the 2022 Elections Outreach Program” by the Media Studies Society (MSS), which raised the awareness of the students on the issue of disinformation and the importance of media ethics through distribution of election manuals to voters in far-flung and marginalized areas in Camarines Sur. Lastly, the Association of Psychology Students of Ateneo (APSA) was also given the award for their Christmas Party Outreach for AdNU Janitors and Security Guards, in which they have given attention to our own community.

Ateneo Junior Marketing Association (AJMA) and Legal Management Institute of Ateneo de Naga University Students (LMIANS) have both collected individual awards, with AJMA President Patrick Marc Nacario and LMIANS President Zharina Bianca Asuncion taking silver medals for being Outstanding Student Leaders, as well as AJMA Moderator Dr. Kristabelle Julianne Jingco and LMIANS Moderator Ayla Marie Lunar both being given Phelan Medals as Outstanding Moderators of the Year.

Elena Bechayda-Gogola, Junior Ateneo Business Managers’ Association (JABMA) Moderator, and Emmanuel P. Cuadro, Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants – Ateneo de Naga University Chapter (JPIA-ADNU) Moderator, also received Phelan Medals. Jackieline Rose B. Cel, President of Peer Coaches, Student and Kaabay Volunteers (PCSKV) was also named one of the Outstanding Student Leaders of the Year.

The SOAR 2023 was hosted by Dr. Marshal Murillo and Allysa Frances Salvino. The University Band, Teatro Aliento de Ateneo, Ateneo Dance Club, and dance sport duo John Carlo Delorino and Mae Lou Abarientos provided entertainment inspired by the theme of overcoming and shining through difficulties.

Complete List of Winners, Student Organizations’ Awards Rites (SOAR) 2023

Student Organization Category

Fr. Raul Bonoan, SJ. Most Outstanding Student Organization of the Year: Association of Bicol Business Students (ABBS)
Outstanding Extra -Curricular Organization: Christ’s Youth in Action (CYA)
Outstanding Extra-Curricular Organization, First Runner-Up: Anduyog Junior Eagles Club (ANJE)
Outstanding Co-Curricular Organization: Association of Bicol Business Students (ABBS)
Outstanding Co-Curricular Organization, First Runner-Up: Tourismo Ateneo (TA)
Outstanding Co-Curricular Organization, Second Runner-Up: Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants – Ateneo de Naga University (JPIA-ADNU)
Outstanding Volunteer Group: Gabay Scholars Organization (GABAY)
Outstanding Volunteer Organization, First Runner-Up: Peer Coaches, Student and Kaabay Volunteers (PCSKV)
Student Organization in the Pandemic Award: Association of Psychology Students of Ateneo (APSA)
Most Improved Student Organization: Christ’s Youth in Action (CYA)

Individual Category

– Most Outstanding Student Leader
Leslie Andrea A. Daluro, President, Association of Bicol Business Students (ABBS)

– Outstanding Student Leaders (in alphabetical order)
Jackieline Rose B. Cel, President, Peer Coaches, Student and Kaabay Volunteers (PCSKV)
Cesar I. Furio, President, Gabay Scholars Organization
Zharina Bianca A. Asuncion, President, Legal Management Institute of Ateneo de Naga University Students (LMIANS)
Patrick Marc F. Nacario, President, Ateneo Junior Marketing Association (AJMA)

– Outstanding Moderators (in alphabetical order)
Evelyn B. Amaro, Gabay Scholars Organization
Ayla Marie A. Lunar, Legal Management Institute of Ateneo de Naga University Students (LMIANS)
Emmanuel P. Cuadro, Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants – Ateneo de Naga University (JPIA-ADNU)
Dr. Kristabelle Julianne P. Jingco, Ateneo Junior Marketing Association (AJMA)
Elena Bechayda-Gogola, Junior Ateneo Business Managers’ Association (JABMA)

Activity Category

– Achievement Award in Spiritual Formation:
Christ’s Youth in Action (CYA)
Gabay Scholars Organization (GABAY)
– Achievement Award in Skills Development:
Media Studies Society (MSS)
Remontados Debate Society (REMON)
Tourismo Ateneo (TA)
– Achievement Award in Social Involvement:
Association of Bicol Business Students (ABBS)
Gabay Scholars Organization (GABAY)
– Best Special Project:
Tindahan ni Aling AnJE: Anduyog Junior Eagles (ANJE)
Christmas Party Outreach for ADNU Janitors and Security Guards: Association of Psychology Students of Ateneo (APSA)
Solidaridad: The Philippine Media and the 2022 Elections Outreach Program – Election Manual Education and Distribution: Media Studies Society (MSS)

OSA Service Awards

Al Florence V. Albo
Jech Ivan D. Audal
Jackie Louwen A. Cestina
Jericho Jubert C. Guevara
Mary Jenica L. Robles
Rique Angelo V. Magalona
Ateneo de Naga University Choir and Mr. Joseph Reburiano