Atenista, sino ka?

150 years - Ateneo de Manila. 

100 years - Ateneo de Zamboanga. 

79 years - Ateneo de Cagayan. 

76 years - Ateneo de Naga. 

64 years - Ateneo de Davao. 

Matagal na rin nga talagang namamayagpag ang Ateneo sa buong bansa. Sikat ito hindi lang dahil sa magagaling, magaganda at pogi ang mga nag-aaral dito, kundi lahat ng Atenista ay tinatawag na "men and women for others" at hindi lang yan, lahat rin sila ay buong-buong yinayakap ang "cura personalis". Bago ako magsulat nito, tinangka ko pang mag-compute kung ilang libong tao na ang nakatapos ng pagsusunog ng kilay sa Ateneo, ngunit nung nakita ko ang mga taon simula ng naipanganak si Ateneo sa buong bansa, isa lang ang pumasok sa isip ko - marami na kaming men and women for others - dapat. 

Marami nga ba?

Hindi na trivia sa lahat ng tao na ang ilan sa mga namumuno o namuno ng bansa ay mga Atenista. Marami rin naman talagang nagtagumpay ngunit marami rin ang bumigo sa mga kanya-kanyang tungkulin. At ito yung pinaka-masaklap, mukhang mas marami yung bumibigo. 

Sa daang taon ng Ateneo sa bansa, ilang Atenista na nga ba ang tunay na nag-alay ng sarili sa bayan? Ilang Atenista na nga ba ang naging tunay sa misyong maging "men and women for others"? 

Naging saksi at parte ako ng gigil ng Ateneo na makatulong sa ibang tao, noon, high na high rin ako kapag nasa mahihirap akong lugar at nagtuturo ng kung ano-ano sa mga bata, nagbibigay ng training sa mga nanay at tatay, o naglilinis ng mga maduduming dalampasigan. High na high rin ako kapag namumuno ako ng mga activities na feeling ko babago sa ikot ng mundo. Akala ko noon, yun na yung pagiging "man for others" ko. Mali pala ako.

Totoong buhay.

Hindi joke time ang pagiging Atenista. Mahirap talagang i-balance ang academics at lovelife - ooopppsss, I mean, extra-curricular activities, kasabay na rin ang expectation ng mga magulang at friends. Hindi rin madaling magmukha at magpanggap na mayaman kahit 7 pesos na lang ang nasa bulsa mo. Totoong totoo ang buhay sa loob ng Ateneo, totoong totoo ang Buhay Atenista, pero ang Buhay Atenista ay napakalayo sa Buhay Pilipino. 

Akala ko noon, pwede na akong hiranging National Hero dahil sa mga kalokohang pinaggagawa ko bilang isang student leader, ang alam ko lang noon, kailangang tulungan ang Bicol kasi, nasa contract yun sa scholarship namin at according sa mga studies, isa raw ang Bicol sa pinaka mahirap na rehiyon sa bansa. Oha!

Bagong Buhay.

Pero nagbago ang lahat ng unti-unti akong bumalik sa mga lugar na dati kong pinupuntahan, hindi bilang isang Atenistang Turista at feeling-magaling-na-magbabago-ng-bansa kundi bilang isang Atenistang Misionaryo. 

Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin ma gets ng mga magulang ko kung bakit kailangan kong talikuran ang mga offers ng malalaking kumpanya sa Maynila at mas piliing bumyahe sa kung saan-saan sa Bicol, walang dalang pera ngunit may isang bote ng tubig naman. Hindi rin nila ma gets kung bakit pag-uwi ko ng bahay, kadalasan mas amoy lupa ako o amoy putik, dati kasi, mas madalas ang amoy alak at yosi. 

Ito ang buhay na aking pinili. Malayo man sa expectation ng mga magulang at friends, malayo man sa expectation ng mga tao bilang Atenista ako, malayo man sa rangya ng opisina sa Makati pero masaya ako - sobrang saya ko. 

 

Challenge!

Hindi ko sinasabing ito ang noblest job in the world kasi hindi naman trabaho ang mahalin ang bayan - para saakin, responsibilidad ng bawat Pilipino na gawin ito, ngunit gusto kong i-challenge ang lahat ng Atenista sa mundo na pagisipan at dasalan ang misyon ng bawa't isa para sa Pilipinas. Hindi lang pagiging community organizer ang cool, cool rin ang mga social entrepreneurs, doctors sa baryo, lawyers na hindi nagsisingil ng bongga, tourism specialist na nag popromote ng ganda Pinas, nurses sa community, pulitikong tapat, at Atenistang patuloy na hinuhubog at nagpapahubog para maging tunay na "man/woman for others". 

Daang taon na ang lumipas. Marami ng Atenista ang grumadweyt ng Ateneo ngunit mahirap pa rin ang Pilipinas. Ilang taon pa ang kailangan nating hintayin? Sinong martir pa ba ang kailangan patayin? Ikaw? Handa ka na bang baguhin ang Pilipinas? Handa ka na bang isabuhay ang pagiging man o woman for others?

 

 

Maraming Salamat, Ateneo.

As I start counting my lasts at the Ateneo, I could not help but look at the past with utmost joy and gratitude. For almost four years (8 including high school), I’ve been exposed to a lot of life changing events, quarrels, friendships, arguments, reconciliation and conversations from the different members of the Ateneo community. The 4 long, challenging and memorable years have been very dynamic.

And tonight, I would like to personally dedicate this award to the people who touched me and contributed to what and who I am today. First, to Fr. Joel – I met Fr. Joel when I was still at the Ateneo High. Just like what he has been defined during his farewell party, indeed, he is the personification of friendship. He’s been very supportive and understanding, compassionate and giving, trustful and loving. He inspired me to love and to love more. From my most corny stories to the heaviest struggles he would tirelessly listen, from minutes of conversation to more than an hour of laughter and tears he would standby. With Fr. Joel, I found a father. As I fondly call him, Dad has been one of the few who courageously lifted me up when I was falling.

Second is to the College Guidance Center. This center gave a face to a true family. I volunteered to this center with a very big head saying – ma-shine ako sa center na ini. Yes, they let me shine not only to the Ateneo community - kahit na sa labas. They let me hone my skills in facilitating, organizing, peer counseling, motivating, encouraging, shouting, loving and crying. The center let me shine together with individuals – brave enough and very open to be hurt and to bleed in the name of service. This center changed my perspective in shining to loving – from leading to volunteering. In this center, I fully embraced my calling – to become a volunteer of life for life.

Third is to the Supreme Student Government. This family has been the one who is fond of letting me cry. Aside from giving me numerous connections to different and beautiful people – it also opened me to a lot of realistic happenings.  Beyond the criticisms and misunderstanding about the people who are in the government, I hope that the community could see future leaders who are in need of aid and help. I also hope that the members of this government both incoming and outgoing fully embrace this need of aid from people who are learned so that they could fully grow as leaders. The SSG is not just limited to the fight against Tuition Fee Increase, nor being fully engrossed with socio-political issues of our society. The SSG is an opportunity for student leaders to touch lives for them to touch the lives of others too. SSG is about leadership deeply rooted to our Ignatian spirituality. May this community be filled with depth. SSG isn’t about bangayan, kung sino ang magaling o kung sino ang tama. SSG is an avenue for student leaders to collaborate - to form a very powerful alliance to make positive changes to the Ateneo community and beyond. May our hearts be filled with activism to love, to understand, to comprehend, to trust, to be open, to be mature, to be independent, to form. As I tirelessly remind our students – we are not politicians, we are leaders.

Sooner or later, I will be graduating (hopefully this October). With the few remaining months of my stay, I would like to go back to the first day of my stay at the Ateneo (during my ORSEM days). Ateneo is  a community with an overwhelming number of great men and women. From the most influential and moving leaders like Maam Becky, Maam Janet, Kuya Ruffy, Atty. Rose, Maam Belen etc. to the most humble and touching staff and janitors like Kuya Migz and Mang Jason.

I know I am not a good example of a student who could really balance academics and extra-curricular activities. I am also not the one who could really show an excellent transcript of records. But when I leave the Ateneo, I will be proud to show everyone that beyond my grades, I felt that I am with people who are passionate and well rounded. That during the times when I’m being tested and challenged there are people who understand and who cared to show their love and support. May this remind the Ateneo that there are students who may not be excelling academically but is worth the recognition of touching the hand of our Fr. President. There are students who need support and guidance.

Eventually, I know Ateneo would understand why I have to leave. Ateneo gave me a lot not to pay forward these to the society. Eventually, I might take up Masters in Social Psychology, be a JVP or accept the offers of a number of NGOs to become a social worker. More than these opportunities, one thing is clear, I might be stepping out of the Ateneo but I’m bringing a bag full of learning, motivation and passion to share to a lot of people who will eventually do the same.

Katulad nga ng sinasabi ko, patuloy na magmahal at magtaya. Thanks for the very exciting ride, Ateneo. Thanks for the recognition, Ateneo de Naga University – Supreme Student Government.

Gawad Natataning Student Volunteer

Gawad SSG

  

SIGE lang

Started my life at the Ateneo as a volunteer at the College Guidance Center. It was a crazy ride of fun yet very challenging activities and tasks. Just like what I've been sharing to everyone; the who, what and where I am now at this very moment is because of the CGC. It is in this center where I would usually hear the words "Sige lang". At first I was a bit pissed when I hear those words from my mentors. Everytime I would share something which is happy - they would say: "Sige lang", whenever I would share something which is sad - they would say" "Sige lang". 

Sige lang (GO! Gora! Go on!). Recently, I realized that these words entered into my system already. These words became my source of inner strength and confidence. Sige lang, for me, is like saying - Go! I'm just hear! 200% trust on you beybi! 

4 years passed and I found my self saying those words to my fellow volunteers. I hope they will soon find the meaning of the words "Sige lang" in their volunteer life. :)

 Sige lang! Because you're...

Know that there is something very special in you. HUMBLY share it to your fellow volunteers. 

Inspire them to be more than you so that they would also be more to others.

spread HAPPINESS

Many people would ask me: Where do you get your energy? You always look energetic, passionate, alive. Hindi ka ba napapagod? Hindi ka ba nagsasawa?

Every time I hear these questions, I could not help but SMILE.

You know guys and gals, I'm not superman. I get tired, get lost, get busted (OUCH - ito yung pinakamasakit eh). I also feel emptiness, loneliness, hopelessness. Just like anyone of you - I also cry. Nothing is so special in me that I should be considered as someone who is "extra"ordinary. 

There are some things that I want to share with you so that you would look HAPPY everyday.

Find HAPPINESS in everything that you do. 

People might not always understand why you have to do this thing and that thing. Don't mind them. Let criticism build a better you. You have your friends and most importantly your self who trust you! Bring it on!

Being PASSIONATE takes a lot of PAIN.

I may have a lot of success stories in leadership but together with those joys are tons of pains too. I have organized a movement which led to nothing, collaborated with a government official who left me hanging, loved someone who eventually killed my inner soul and being (Yun oh).

These painful stories could not stop me to improve my self so that I could be a better volunteer and advocate. 

Don't stop TRYING.

Sabi nga nila, if plan A failed you - don't worry - you still have 25 letters left. If one man failed you - don't worry - you still have God (Syeeet. Ito yung masaklap).

We found LOVE in a hopeless place (Rihanna, 2011)

Since that love is my favorite topic, hindi pwedeng hindi masali ang love. You know, love keeps us alive. And diba, sabi pa sa isang kanta, love is all we need. I may be everywhere but it doesn't mean na salawahan ako ah. My heart is madly and deeply in love with VOLUNTEERISM and YOU. (Ay, may ganun talaga). I make sure that I love the cause that I advocate. Hindi pwedeng kung ano-ano lang. 

Life sometimes writes a very tragic test. Minsan, papaikut-ikutin ka talaga. Yung akala mong multiple choice, identification pala, yung akala mong simpleng true or false, modified pala. Life will surprise us everyday. Take everything lightly and happily. Live and share yourself with others!

Enjoy life! :) 

YSAGE Power

Last year, I was invited by a friend to attend a seminar about Gender at Batangas. I was hesitant to join at first because I was then elected as the External Vice President of ADNU-SSG, I'm planning for a trip somewhere, I'm busy with a project... basta, a lot of excuses, my own way of saying that I'm not ready to discuss the science of gender. HAHAHA. Para namang hindi ako sana'y. I guess, hindi lang ako ready na i-advocate ang gender since that I'm into Child's Rights and Education. Sa hindi ko malamang chance, I found myself inside a room full of future gender advocates.

The "seminar" was a camp pala. We were housed in a very nice resort at Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas. The camp was participated by promising student leaders from Manila, ako lang yung probinsyano at si Kate. 

Just like any other camps, sabi ko, sige go-with-the-flow na lang. While hours pass, I realized that this camp is one of its kind. Mali ako sa unang akala ko. Talks were moving and heartfelt. Sharing were intense and memorable. 

New friendships were formed. Aside from building relationships with sabi ko nga, promising student leaders (NAKS!), lifetime companionship was also embraced. Dumadrama! Seryoso, ibang klase talaga silang kasama. 

In the end, the three-day camp seems to be KULANG - if only I could spend more time with them - with YOU. HAHAHA. (Issue?) Pero hindi naman pwedeng ganon. HEHEHE. After the camp, we all went home (Oooops. Kumain pala somewhere, then nag-meet uli) and tried our best to share what we've learned, experienced and felt in the camp.  

YSAGE power continues to touch and move us - to be more sensitive, to be more open. Dahil sa YSAGE mas nakilala ko pa ang sarili ko at ang iba.

Now, I'm with ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. - Save Palawan Movement. This is my contribution to tell the world that we should stop exploiting women - kasama na dun si Mother Earth. Nakakalungkot isipin that even Mother Earth is being raped by a lot of people - miners, illegal loggers, etc. (Siningit ko talaga) HEHE. Seriously, I hope everyone is doing their own share as well. YSAGE is a very promising organization. We were even named as one of the groups that shine in 2011. Yun, we should not stop there, we still have 2012 to conquer and a lot of prostituted and exploited women to save. 

Let's all be one in this fight! Missing everyone and YOU. <3 (Kung sino si YOU - 

hindi ko rin alam) HEHEHE. :)

Gender Week - Ateneo

Mom and I were invited to share our thoughts and feelings on LGBT. At first I was hesitant to give the letter of invitation to Mom because we never really discussed my gender when we're together. (Hindi na rin naman kasi siguro kailangan. Alam na ng buong mundo kung ano ang sexual preference kom imposibleng hindi yun alam ng nanay ko). Some facts that she knew: I had a partner (same sex) before and that I once had a girlfriend when I was in Ateneo high (she's now an instructor here at Ateneo). Since that this is my last second semester in school, I finally decided to give the letter to Mom. She said yes instantaneously. PAK! 

Mom and I before the talk.

The questions revolved around the joys and pains of being a bisexual, lovelife, etc. 

Mom on stage. OHA! Mom is also into training. Before I would usually watch her talk or she would join me as I give talk, now, join na kaming dalawa! Diba masaya?  :) On a serious note, I'm really touched and moved by the fact that Mom is openly sharing her thoughts and feelings on me being a bisexual. I never imagined nor dreamed that this day would come. I consider this one extra big bonus from God. I hope a lot of parents and kids were inspired. I guess we should do this often. I think Mom and I have good chemistry on stage. Isama ko kaya siya sa talks ko madalas? (Scary!) :))

After a week, I was once again invited to share my thoughts about being part of the LGBT community. The focused group discussion was dubbed: It's Beautiful Outside: Stories Outside the Closet. Mr. Adrian Remodo, Chairperson of Philosophy Department opened the afternoon with a lecture on storytelling. The FGD was participated by invited students and teachers of Ateneo. 

It's an awesome privilege to share my life to this group. Indeed, it's beautiful outside. We pray that more and more LGBT would share their stories outside the 

closet! ♥

Let's all paint the world with LOVE. 

Hugs,

TagaPinta (@raffymagno) 

Via Crucis sa Ateneo

Join us as we commemorate Jesus' journey to Calvary. Via Crucis sa Ateneo will be on March 2, 2012, Friday, 3:00PM. 

feb-IBIG

Mukhang super delayed ang reaction ko sa Valentine's Day. Keri na - ang importante, tinatamaan pa rin ako. HAHAHA. February has been very very very very - UHM (insert word here) - hindi ko alam kung ano yung tamang term - chaotic, baliw, mahirap, masaya - lahat na. February 2012 offered me a lot. One thing about this month - I got to talk to a lot of students and syemps, I got to forward our cause to protect our beloved Mother Earth. PAK!

feb-IBIG highlights:

1. Realized that I'm not ready for COMMITMENT. (Yung about sa puso ah)

    Nasaktan lang talaga siguro ako. Pero naghihilom na rin naman. Yun oh! Kasi naman, love is so unpredictable.

2. It's nice to HOHOL someone who is really young, (yung tipong pwede ka ng makasuhan ng child abuse) but its kinda complicated din pala once emotions surface. Nakakatakot. I don't know how to handle this one. A lot of what ifs - bahala na. Natatakot lang talaga akong mahulog ulit - kasi baka wala namang sumalo saakin. (Gumaganon? HAHAHA)

3. Re-affirmed that I'm loved. Finally, Mama and I had the opportunity to give a talk about LGBT. Overwhelming to hear my mom talk about my sexuality without regrets. 

4. Up Dharma Down Concert! Oh I love them! :)

5. It's been a year since I met this guy who made my life miserably awesome. Whenever I utter the word pagtataya - siya agad pumapasok sa isip ko. It was a crazy ride with him - but it was all worth it!

6. Thanks to ADNU-SSG for the recognition. 'Twas my secong Gawad SSG. Privileged to share my self to everyone! It has been an awesome year. Keep on changing reality my dear student leaders! :)

7. YES! I got to sing again! Thanks to Ateneo H/S PISTAYM Committee for inviting us! :)

8. Thanks to Starbucks planner for making my life organized.

 

9. Still forwarding our advocacy to stop mining activities in the Philippines. Hope you signed the petition. Visit www.no2mininginpalawan.com.