An AJHS Christmas program like no other

December 16, 2022, was the last school day of the year 2022, and what better way for the Ateneo de Manila Junior High School (AJHS) to culminate its valorous resumption of onsite operations than to hold its Christmas celebrations on a similarly courageous, pre-pandemic scale?

The energy and love which everyone contributed and brought to the event was truly edifying. Together with Fr. Ruben Reyes SJ, Fr. Ro Atilano SJ presided this long-missed, full-onsite, full-population Christmas Mass. The celebration was preluded by a Panunuluyan reenactment written by Mr. Paolo Paculan (Filipino), read by Mr. Ron Capinding (APFor), and acted by PUSH’s Class Parent Representatives (CPRs). In fact, the CPRs became the de facto sponsors of the entire Mass since they also served as the eucharistic celebration’s readers and offerors.

The evocative Panunuluyan… Fr. Ro’s engaging homily… the Faculty Ensemble’s passionate playing and singing led by Ms. Jinky Cruz (Music), Mr. Paculan and Mr. Sam Yucoco (Music)… the mesmerizing backdrop made of sustainable materials designed by Ms. Aia Carlos (Arts)… the well-known Advent and Christmas songs… all these resulted in what was perhaps the most dramatic, most moving liturgical participation of the entire studentry since AJHS re-introduced its full-population onsite masses on August 17, 2022.

After the Mass- which was also Fr. Ro’s last celebration as AJHS Chaplain- a touching video showing various members of the community thanking him and wishing him well was played.

Then came the Christmas program. To capture both the spirit of Thanksgiving and the sense of remarkable courage manifested by the AJHS community, “CeleBrave” became the program’s theme. Various groups then volunteered to come up with a number, including the students (Glee Club, Dulaang Sibol, IndAK, Sanggu-JHS), parents, administrators, office-technical-maintenance staff (who were joined by Fr. Ro), and the faculty (which eventually contributed three separate numbers!). The effort exerted during practice, the fervor exhibited during the live performance, and the warm appreciation showered by the audience- all these clearly showed that this opportunity-occasion had long-been-awaited and was much-needed. This was a Christmas program unlike any that AJHS students had ever seen or experienced before.  

Afterwards, the students, class moderators, formation partners and class parent officers proceeded to their respective classrooms for the class salu-salo, where the revelers enjoyed food, played games and applauded even more performances.

The AJHS sent off her students to their Christmas vacations with all the joy, fellowship and gratitude befitting the anticipation of our Lord’s birthday. CeleBrave, indeed.  

A very merry Christmas to all!