Becoming a woman in action: How my Ateneo journey has shaped me today

In recognition of the release of Ateneo college application decisions today, we wanted to take a trip down memory lane. We asked some Ateneans to complete this sentence: “When I got accepted to Ateneo, I...” This is what athlete, newcaster, host, entrepreneur and social ambassador Gretchen Ho (BS ME 2012, AB Com 2013) had to say.

When I got accepted to Ateneo, I felt overwhelmed. Coming from a Chinese family, I always heard about Management Engineering being the top course in Ateneo, which is how the school became one of my top choices for college. But back when I was still in high school, I felt intimidated by the ACET because of all the things I heard about it.  It’s a good thing I had the best math teachers at that time who gave me the confidence to do well in the entrance exam.

I remember going to the classrooms in Ateneo High School to take the exam and during the exam itself, I remember answering the essay portion, which is the unique part of the ACET. I don’t remember much more from that day, but I do remember coming away happy after taking it because I knew I gave my best.

On the day of the results, I think I was doing Days with the Lord at that time. When I went to the Blue Eagle Gym and saw my name on the board, and saw that I even got accepted in Management Engineering, it was surreal. I cried happy tears because it really was my dream course. I never felt like I was at the top of my batch when it comes to academics. I do get honors, it’s just that there were many other smart people in my batch. That result really was an affirmation that I could do it—that I could also keep in step with them. I went straight to the chapel after that to thank God because it really was my dream come true.

After that, I had a discernment period of choosing between Ateneo and the University of the Philippines. My sibling went to both schools. He asked me why I would choose UP over Ateneo and I replied that it is because I wanted to learn how to be more independent. My sibling countered that I could do that even if I chose to go to Ateneo. According to him, Ateneo had a good system in place, a beautiful campus and a strong volleyball program. Practically speaking, in terms of the course I wanted to take and also my desire to develop my volleyball career, going to Ateneo seemed to be the right decision.

Looking back, choosing Ateneo really was the right decision because I got to experience student life and all the different sides to it that make collegiate life colorful such as varsity, student organizations, and the people that I met from different walks of life. Ateneo really gave me the best college experience in five years. I got to graduate in BS Management Engineering and AB Communication with a minor in Development Communication, so the experience was really worth it. 

The thing that is unique about the Ateneo education is that we have the humanities subjects such as philosophy, theology, and social sciences. Some people may not find these subjects that important, but for me they are very valuable because that’s my base, my core, my purpose, and that’s where I operate from even after graduating from Ateneo. It helps me understand and be grounded in my why to be able to get to the hows.

My Ateneo education also gave me the training and discipline I needed for my career. I know that in Ateneo, you won’t make it if you just “wing it” all the time. You need to research, to read a lot, to be curious, to ask questions, and to ask for help. Those were the skills that I applied to my work as a newscaster, as a host, and as an anchor. It helped me to have the confidence to be more entrepreneurial with the way I approached media and digital production, and to not just be a follower, but also to be a leader in my own space and platform.