More than 175 student leaders, volunteers, and moderators were gathered in the Student Organizations’ Awards Rites (SOAR) last June 04, 2026, in celebration of the remarkable projects, leaders, and mentors of School Year 2025-2026. The annual event, held on its 12th year at the Ateneo de Naga University Gymnasium, carried the theme, “IGNIS: A Heart Kindled for Service,” affirming the University’s commitment to forming effective and conscientious leaders – equipping them not only with knowledge and skills, but also instilling social responsibility at their core, ensuring that their ignis – the Latin word for fire – for service is not just a fleeting spark, but a flame that keeps burning from within.
The Heart, the Kindling, the Service
Tanging Yaman Foundation (TYF) Senior Manager for Programs and Communications Herold E. Pelonio delivered a keynote address during the event. TYF, a non-profit organization whose mission is to link donors to those in need, has consistently supported Ateneo de Naga University on its community outreach initiatives led by units such as the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) and the Center for Community Development (CCD) in collaboration with student groups and volunteers. In his speech, Pelonio dissected SOAR’s theme for this year’s young leaders, and highlighted three keywords: puso, pagniningas, paglilingkod.
An alumnus and once a student leader at AdNU himself, Pelonio recounted his days as a College of Admissions and Aid Office (CAAO) volunteer where he has joined trips to AdNU scholarship applicants’ homes, going through the farthest and most difficult roads, which started a fire in his heart to serve those in the peripheries. As a member of the University Social Involvement Council (USIC) Governance Cluster and the Legal Management Institute of Ateneo de Naga Students (LMIANS), his service was also extended to local government units, the groups having conducted capacity building programs for barangay officials. He further narrated his days as a Jesuit novice, where he found that the heart of service is volunteering one’s self – for the sick, for the Lumads, for the laborers – for others.
While service is a call to fully love others, Pelonio pointed out that to keep the fire in one’s heart burning, one must learn the concept of “huminga at mag-pahinga.” He explained that it is still necessary for one to establish boundaries, to rest when needed, and to surrender things to God through prayer.
He ended with an invitation for leaders to always revisit the reason why they are in service – the people. “Hindi dahilan ang pagod para tumigil,” he added, urging the student leaders to remember that no matter how tiresome it could get, genuine service is about not giving up on these people.
Systematic Change Starts from Within
After more than a decade, a historic transformation had begun in SOAR’s existing system, allowing not only recognition of what organizations achieved, but how they have advanced meaningful causes.
Former OSA Director Sonny Virtus discussed the reforms SOAR has undergone, and its direction in the coming year. Among these are: the significant weight now placed on programs that truly demonstrate sustained commitment to formation and service rather than a number of one-time activities; the thorough evaluation of leaders and their mentors not only on the basis of their competence but of character, responsibility, conscience, and compassion; and the deliberate steps taken to do away with the culture of competition invoked by rankings and distinctions such as “most outstanding” or “best”. Virtus stressed that the Ignatian ideal of magis is not about standing above others, but about standing with others.
Further, the first batch of new awards made their debut in SOAR, aimed to honor the legacy of the persons they were named after, and to recognize the University’s mission to form conscientious men and women for others who continue to fight for the advocacies these people once stood for.
The Dr. Emelina Regis Award for Climate Awareness and Action is named in honor of the late Ma’am Lina, who established the Institute for Environmental Conservation and Research (INECAR) in 1990. She served as an educator, mentor, and moderator to generations of student advocates, guiding groups like the EAGLEs for Environment, the Ateneo de Naga Biology Majors (ANBioM), and the Ateneo de Naga Nature Crusaders. She led the region’s critical research on forest protection, biodiversity, and marine ecology, and was on the front lines as an activist leading scientific and relentless opposition against destructive environmental practices, notably illegal mining in fragile ecosystems like Rapu-Rapu Island. Her work lives on through the Emelina Regis Sanctuary of Native Trees, the REGIS Hub at INECAR, and now, through the student leaders who continue to protect our common home.
This year, the award is given to Gabay Scholars’ Organization’s Galaw Gabay: Tree Planting and Tree Nurturing program, for their continued environmental outreach at Pacol, instilling environmental awareness that translates into action in each AdNU scholar. The project contributes to SDGs 15 and 13, protecting terrestrial ecosystems from land degradation, and combatting climate change.
The Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ for Social Justice and Nation Building is named in honor of Fr. Arrupe who coined the term “being men [and women] for others” and identified so as the prime objective of Jesuit Education in his address to the Tenth International Congress of Jesuit Alumni of Europe. Fr. Arrupe, who was then the superior general of the Society of Jesus, called for Jesuit educators to produce graduates who embody Christ’s love, actively resist the systems of privilege, and work to dismantle unjust structures that exploit the marginalized. In this award, Fr. Arrupe’s challenge to transform society through forming agents of faith that does justice remains alive.
This year, three programs that responded to this challenge stood out. One of them is Samahang Tagapagtaguyod ng Edukasyong Pilipino’s LiteraSaya Caravan, which held a series of collaborative lectures at partner communities for literacy, numeracy, and digital responsibility. STEP’s LiteraSaya contributes to SDGs 4 and 10, promoting inclusive and quality learning opportunities for all, and reducing inequality in the country. Another program-awardee was the Legal Management Institute of Ateneo de Naga Students’ LegMalasakit Series, which held a number of legal education seminars at partner institutions and local units. LMIANS’ LegMalasakit contributes to SDG 16, promoting peaceful and inclusive societies through providing access to justice for all. Lastly, the Ateneo Junior Marketing Association’s Healthy Kita was also recognized, as the program became a regular installment of a trade fair on the Ateneo campus that centered on farmer-merchants and their agricultural products. The project contributes to SDGs 3 and 2, fostering health and well-being, and improving nutrition as well as promotion of sustainable agriculture.
Aside from the two new awards, Virtus has mentioned the plans for SOAR to recognize community efforts that come in other forms, such as the preservation and promotion of the culture and the arts, as well as impactful collaborative engagements among student organizations and their partners.
Honoring Depth and Dedication
SOAR further honored individuals and organizations whose commitment in forwarding the University’s mission made a lasting mark. Exemplary Service Awardee was Dr. Rosario Felix, for having served in the Disciplinary Board for more than two decades. Also given Service Awards were Mr. Wilbur Almoneda, Mr. Leo Borras, and the AdNU Parent-Teachers’ Association (PTA) for their significant support and consistent representation in student services. Aside from these individuals, student volunteers and student groups who have been partners of the OSA in its programs were recognized for their contributions, such as the B Project Volunteers, College of Nursing, Dulaang Agabaab, Ateneo Student Ambassadors, and Ateneo Hosting Association, among others.
The Jesse M. Robredo Student Leaders of the Year are conferred to student organization leaders whose work ethics, personality and interpersonal skills, and leadership impact and initiatives were attested by fellow student leaders, organization members, and moderators. The SOAR Board of Judges deliberated on this year’s student leaders’ academic standing for the school year, the qualitative evaluations they received, as well as their respective organization’s active participation and involvement in formative programs and projects. The JMR awardees were Juliana Eunice Fuentes of the Council of Organizations in Ateneo – Naga (COA-N), Sophia Marfega of the Legal Management Institute of Ateneo de Naga Students (LMIANS), Leticia Julia Bance of Samahang Tagapagtaguyod ng Edukasyong Pilipino (STEP), Gil Jose Penaflor of The Ateneo Consortium of Technological Information and Computing Sciences (TACTICS), Shania Alexis Neo of Ateneo Film Society, and Aila Mae Velan of Association of Bicol Business Students – ADNU Chapter (ABBS). On behalf of the student leader-awardees, TACTICS President Gil Jose Peñaflor delivered a message of gratitude and inspiration to all student leaders present in the event.
Meanwhile, nine moderators who were able to receive nominations and an impressive quantitative and qualitative evaluation from their organizations were each awarded the Fr John Jack Phelan, SJ Moderators of the Year golden medallion. Ateneo Junior Marketing Association (AJMA)’s Ms. Kristabelle Julianne P. Jingco delivered a short message on behalf of all moderator-awardees, expressing their continued, holistic support of student and organizations’ endeavors.
Without runner ups, and rankings among the organizations, SOAR XII went ahead and ended the night by announcing the Fr Raul Bonoan, SJ Student Organizations of the Year. The SOAR Board of Judges considered the collective impact of each project conducted by the organizations, not only to its members, but also to the community it chose to serve. With this, LMIANS and STEP went home with the St. Ignatius of Loyola kneeling statuettes, a testament to the service they have offered, in alignment with their mission and the University’s.
Passing the Torch
SOAR opened the gathering to both outgoing and incoming student org officers and moderators, which allowed the Ateneo de Naga University University President Fr. Aristotle C. Dy, S.J. to express his gratitude to all organizations who continue to make AdNU’s student life meaningful. Other administrators who attended the event and were presenters of awards were Office of Mission and Identity (OMI) Executive Director Dr. Janet B. Badong-Badilla, Office of the President’s Special Projects Officer and former Vice President for Higher Education Dr. Alfredo C. Fabay, Chairperson of the ADNU CIFP & NSTP Department Judith B. Vergel de Dios, Director of Institute for Environmental Conservation and Research (INECAR) Joanaviva C. Plopenio, Director of the College Campus Ministry Office (CCMO) Thea U. Pramis, and Director of the College Guidance Center (CGC) Fe Marie Dianne B. Llupar.
With a new set of student leaders who have stepped up this school year 2026-2027, it is hoped that the ignis kindled from the previous year continues lighting their path ahead. Student organizations are also called to shift their focus from SOAR itself to the very people they create and celebrate progress with and aim not for recognition but for the inclusion of the underserved sectors in a just and more loving society before yet another term ends.
See the full list of awardees through the OSA’s Google Site.
Report by MJ Reyes
Photos by Mark Vincent Hinagpis
