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There's no manual to going down the hill for Tricia Colayco

Renzo Guevara

While many are familiar with being charitable, selfless, and compassionate, Atenean education takes a more proactive approach in imparting these values to its students, focusing on a well-rounded development that graduates can take with them beyond their school years. 

For Tricia Colayco, an AB Psychology graduate from batch 2022, Ateneo's Ignatian values have always been a core part of who she was long before she stepped on campus. If there was one thing her stay at Ateneo de Manila University showed her, she was always on the right path. To this day, Tricia's vocation continues to be a driving force for her to continue walking down the hill with nothing but a passion to help those in need. 

Ateneo's integration of character formation with basic education was no surprise to Tricia in her first year. Her father was already working in the university as a professor for over a decade. This meant that from an early age, Tricia was already being taught the various Ignatian values that Atenean graduates are all too familiar with. The idea of being a "man for others" was something she was immediately receptive to. 

"At the very least, Ateneans would graduate with the idea that their university values the practice of going down from the hill. It may have mixed results for others, but for me, it means stepping out of the bubble you just so happen to be in," Tricia said, attributing her upbringing as one of the main reasons why Atenean values resonated with her. 

Tricia's passion for human stories and her genuine desire to connect with people on a deeper level became evident during her time as an AB Communication student. The power of film and its ability to convey emotions and narratives fascinated her. However, as she delved deeper into her studies, Tricia realized that her interest in understanding the complexities of human behavior and the underlying motivations behind these stories extended beyond the realm of cinema. It wasn't long before she shifted her focus and pursued AB Psychology instead.

Tricia wanted to reach out more. Whatever form that may take, she wasn't sure of yet. It wasn't until a friend who's a part of Christ's Youth in Action (CYA), a Catholic organization, reached out to her in her sophomore year. This encounter became a turning point in Tricia's life, setting her on a clear path that she has since embraced wholeheartedly.

"As a person who has had some innate drive to grow since I was young, there was a sense of fulfillment being around people who experience life differently than I have. Learning through them and listening to their stories. I'm just genuinely interested in discovering how people experience life," Tricia said. 

Today, Tricia keeps herself busy as a Youth Worker for CYA, where she goes to different universities to connect with individuals to help them navigate life through faith and spirituality. "It's a bit like being a life coach, teacher, and facilitator all in one. I do one-on-one with my students, but I also help plan events for the organization. The job has many hats, but it's an intersection of everything I wanted to do, so I decided to go for it."

It has only been a year since Tricia stepped into the role of a staffer for CYA. Aside from the value formation of being a "man for others," Tricia wouldn't be in the position she is today without the concept of discerment. "My Jesuit education helped me decide where to go after graduation. If it weren't for that, I probably would've been more impulsive in going for a more traditional career. It was a lot of consideration for life outside of my own."

Jesuit discernment asks, "What does the world need?" and how one's desires align with the answer. This was heavily prominent in Tricia's mind before becoming a staffer. 

Ateneans, known for their academic excellence and drive for success, are often quick to seek financially stable career paths after graduation. This pursuit is fueled by the desire to secure their future and uphold the reputation of their prestigious institution. However, amidst this prevailing norm, exceptional individuals like Tricia choose to defy the conventional route.

Tricia's decision to become a service worker focused on spirituality and wellness exemplifies her compassionate and selfless nature. By dedicating herself to helping people around her, she seeks to positively impact their lives, even if it means forgoing the allure of a financially secure profession.

When asked about her biggest challenges in her current position, Tricia had a straightforward answer: The world. "I think that's the whole point of going down the hill, right? You're going out of your comfort zone to be present elsewhere. It's choosing to engage with many things that people don't normally want to confront. I make enough to get by, but this 'job' is not for someone who wants to live a more lavish life."

Tricia believes that, eventually, everyone will face reality in all of its flaws. There are a lot of challenges when it comes to how people have become because of their experience with a very imperfect world. 

In Tricia's experience, she met a lot of students who struggle with their mental health, families, or their own academic lives because the world taught them things that aren't necessarily true. A lot of them are anxious about a lot of things. "If my goal as a Staffer is to bring them closer to God, then a major challenge to that is how do I help overcome the way the world has formed them?" 

"There's no manual to this," Tricia says. Being a Staffer is a job that involves a lot of nuance and a strong sense of presence. Each of Tricia's students has a different story to tell. Each one necessitates a different approach. 

Despite unpredictable roadblocks, Tricia is firm that she chose the right path. She claims that the best part of her job is something she doesn't even experience. Knowing where students began and seeing them flourish in their ways today is an irreplaceable achievement. 

Tricia's job is to pay attention to her students' differences and meet them where they need to be. It's not just her doing the work. She can only do as much, but it's up to the students to do most of the heavy lifting at the end of the day. 

The highlight for Tricia is realizing that it's not about her. "I may be a part of it, but I see more and more that I'm given the privilege of witnessing it all unfold. I'm just someone who's on the front row, cheering them on as best as I can." Tricia says. Her career choice serves as an inspiring reminder that success can be measured by the difference one makes in the lives of others rather than just their monetary achievements.