Balikatang Bughaw: glorifying God through acts of service

As part of our leadership journey in the Grade 5 Ateneo Grade School Class Officers Movement (AGSCOM) last school year, we officers were encouraged to share ideas and projects that can benefit others. Thanks to the excellent teamwork of the AGSCOM moderators and elected officers, we developed a simple project aligned with the principles of Laudato Si', which we named “Project Blue Box.” This AGSCOM-initiated project aimed to support the Dumagat families in Mount Purro Nature Reserve, and it began in School Year 2023-2024 under the outreach program Balikatang Bughaw. In this project, we student leaders proposed assembling hygiene kits in recycled shoe boxes which will be distributed to our beneficiaries. This initiative reflected our commitment to show love and care for others while instilling a spirit of service and giving back to the community. I was (and am) very grateful to be part of the Balikatang Bughaw Outreach Program (BBOP) last year.

In response to the University's call to cultivate a spirit of service and promote the principles of "Laudato Si'," the AGSCOM continued its efforts to serve our beloved Dumagat community in the program’s second year last Saturday, March 29, 2025. I am grateful to have met and bonded with our friends, the Dumagat children, at Mount Purro Nature Reserve in Rizal for the second time. The Ateneo Grade School (AGS) organizes numerous engaging activities as part of the BBOP to spread love and kindness to our beneficiaries. One of the highlights of the program is our “BLUE,” an acronym for Basa, Laro, Usap, at Engkwentro. This storytelling activity deepened our engagement with learning, play, and meaningful conversations with our Dumagat friends, fostering social connections between Ateneo students and children in the Rizal community, building friendships, and promoting understanding. We ate, read storybooks with them, and chatted about their simple life on Mount Purro. We also enjoyed a wonderful bonding experience while participating in the Dumagat’s Traditional Cooking Program. We also played games alongside our teachers and fellow AGSCOM officers. 

“The Tree-Potting Activity” is also an integral part of the BBOP. It promotes environmental awareness among students and encourages us to adopt sustainable practices through tree-potting. I am amazed to learn that the trees we potted last year are thriving in the Ateneo Friendship Garden. This experience has been quite memorable, allowing us to connect with nature and contribute to our environment by planting trees. Aside from Project Blue Box, the BBOP also distributes sacks of rice and grocery packs to our Dumagat community. This initiative inspires us to make a positive impact on others and underscores the importance of service.

Being a servant leader in AGS has transformed me into a better person. I have learned the value of leadership, which has strengthened my faith in God and inspired me to lead, love, and serve with respect and responsibility. I have also discovered the importance of helping those around me and supporting our school's charitable projects. As a graduating Grade 6 student, I consider the Balikatang Bughaw Outreach Program as one of my most memorable, standout experiences in school. I hope we can continue to support the AGS’ other charitable projects so that we can keep serving all our beneficiaries - particularly the Dumagat community - in the years to come. Life becomes more fulfilling through leadership, love, service, and a commitment to glorifying God.