Living with Intention—AdNU Graduate School capped the second semester of SY 2025 – 2026 with an enrichment session, with Ms. Maria Ardelia Delos Santos, Guidance Counselor as the moderator via Zoom Platform on April 26, 2025. The activity, dubbed “Living with Intention: The Power of Discernment in Daily Action,” featured guest speaker Ms. Mary Anne L. Deduque, a mother, educator, and early childhood and special education practitioner. The session commenced with impactful remarks from the Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Malu C. Barcillano, who highlighted the importance of discernment for aligning personal and professional decisions with core values and life objectives instead of drifting passively through life.

Ms. Deduque, who has a background in special and early childhood education and is a distinguished educator, focused her talk on looking at life as one piece of art created through choices and the governing power of discernment. She guided participants in viewing their journey and seeing the heaviness of choice, commenting on the key involvement of faith and spirituality throughout the process.

She zeroed in her talk on three points: seeing life as a canvas, determining the decisions that count, and comprehending discernment as a spiritual guide. A powerful poem was used as an encouragement to be slower within the whirlwind of contemporary living, thereby nurturing mindfulness in living purposefully. In her presentation, she expressed personal stories and metaphors that depicted how discernment differs from mere decision-making. Although decision-making tends to be a mental process, discernment was given as a more profound, spiritual ability that entails consideration of intentions and congruence with one’s values.

The conversation emphasized the necessity of reflective practices, bringing to light the Jesuit’s “examination of consciousness” as an instrument of moment-to-moment awareness of the presence of God and the direction of decisions. She reminded the participants that including faith supports and assists one in constructing a life that respects one’s values. Key takeaways highlighted that discernment is about recognizing the complexities and uncertainties of life, taking responsibility for personal choices that affect oneself and others, and acknowledging the importance of community support, such as mentors, educators, and spiritual directors, in this reflective process.

The enrichment session reiterated that intentional living and discernment are habitual practices. Ms. Deduque’s insights provided a valuable template, challenging participants to write their own life stories with consideration, admire their own “artworks,” and decide in ways that build thoughtfully toward their future and legacy—encouraging Atenians to go beyond decision-making to a deeper, more spiritually aware state in their everyday lives.

Prepared by:

Bryan B. Amaranto
Graduate Student – M Ed – CI (ECED)