BIDA CHANGE!

The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) and other Formation and Student Support Offices under the Deputy Academic Vice President for Formation successfully conducted this year's Summer Ateneo Workshop on Ignatian Leadership for Life (Summer A-Will) last 19-22 May 2009 at the Arrupe Retreat Center.

Attended by over 38 young student leaders, this year's theme is BIDA CHANGE! - Becoming Ignatian-Directed Ateneans for Change. This year's workshop aims to introduce  the students to the concepts and principles of leadership rooted in Ignatian Spirituality, to gain deeper appreciation for their potentials and capabilities as authentic human persons who live up to the Atenean way, to inspire and motivate them to use their leadership for development, and to strengthen collaboration among organizations and formation offices.

The event started with the opening remarks from Dr. Rebecca Torres (AdNU Academic Vice-President) followed by a General Orientation and Expectation Setting with Atty. Jo Cabiles (Director of Student Affairs) then by a presentation of A-Will Conceptual Framework care of Ms. Janet Badong-Badilla (Deputy Academic Vice-President for Formation).

A series of sessions and activities on leadership and formation comprised the bulk of the four-day workshop. A special gathering event was also held on the third day with Social's Night: Gabi ng mga Bida, which was composed of team presentations and intermission numbers by the University Choir and Teatro Dignos. There was also an awarding and games during the event. The final highlight was held on the fourth day with the Pulling-Together Commitment where the young student leaders get to enlist on a number of activities by the different formation offices. Handprints were used as “signatures” for the activity.

This year's A-WILL was a success thanks to the efforts of the 15 volunteers, composed of students and staff, coordinated by Ms. Trish Penelope Araña (Program Officer) under the supervision of Atty. Jo Cabiles (Director of Student Affairs).