“Namaste and welcome back, Ateneo Scholars!” Hearing this greeting blast through the speakers in the Multi Purpose Hall 1 of Ateneo de Zamboanga University feels surreal! It seemed like only yesterday when the last scholar’s gathering commenced in a smaller venue with only a few number of scholars. But this year seems to be jam-packed that even the number of scholars has doubled since 2019 prior to CoVID-19.
This year’s gathering, also called Namaste, centered towards the theme of looking back to the old days where innocence and excitement were cherry on top the sundae of life. Children’s parlor games such as Trip to Jerusalem, Bring Me, and Longest Breath were among the activities played and enjoyed by the Ateneo Scholars. To make these activities more exciting, the organizers of the event featured a number of twists in the rules of the respective games.
Hilariously, the Bring Me activity called for a scholar to show a sample dance move of the 2015 song hit `Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)’ by Silento. Trip to Jerusalem was not an exemption to the twist as it was played by pairs coming from the different participating groups. Longest Breath was played in relays, and even Mr. & Ms. Namaste 2022 was introduced.
In addition, this year’s Namaste also highlighted a Raffle Event which featured GetBlued Merchandises as prizes. Ateneo Scholars hailing from different courses and departments excitedly hoped for their names to be picked from the pool of raffle tickets. Special prizes were also given to the group hailed as Most Participative and special prizes were given to two Ateneo Scholars who graced the event with their presence.
But above all the excitement of getting to know other scholars, the Moderator of Society of Ateneo Scholars and the Director of Admissions and Aid Office Mr. Conrado ‘Shing’ Balatbat shared, in the early time of the event, the three (3) Gs – gratitude, grace, and grit. In his words,
“We must all embrace these 3 Gs, not only as scholars, but as the person that we are.”
Indeed, being grateful should not only be boxed within the idea of just being a scholar or for what we receive in our bare hands, but embrace its essence and the humbling experience that comes along with it.
The Namaste event ensured to not only be an avenue in bringing scholars together but to also realize the value of gratefulness amidst the quandary in the past two years.
