AJHS hosts world’s largest online and on-air digital Scouting event

Ateneo de Manila Junior High School, together with the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) Quezon City Council, recently hosted “Jamboree On The Air, Jamboree On The Internet,” a.k.a. JOTA-JOTI 2023. The event was held in Ateneo de Manila Junior High School’s Math, Science and Technology (MST) Center on 20-22 October 2023. Ateneo de Manila Senior Scouts participated in the activity together with scouts and scouters from Balara High School, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo High School, Krus na Ligas High School, Dr. Josefa Jara Martinez High School, Quirino Elementary School and Quirino High School as special guest participants. A total of 93 Scouts attended the jamboree.

JOTA-JOTI is described as “the world’s largest digital Scout event taking place online and over the air.” It an annual educational event held every October that brings together more than two million Scouts from more than 174 countries, allowing the AJHS hub’s participants to use amateur radio to connect with fellow scouts from all over the globe. The JOTA component taught participants skills such as radio detection and direction-finding, while the JOTI allowed them to join the online worldwide scouting chatroom and to video call fellow scouts in other countries.

Aside from promoting friendship and global citizenship among Scouts, JOTA-JOTI also equips Senior Scouts with traditional and 21st-century skills, all of which are guided by the timeless values of Scouting and pertinent to their growth and advancement to the next rank. For their advancement, our Scouts were oriented by the DX1ARM Amateur Radio Movement, Inc., led by Mr. Jan Estrella and Mr. Myke Dizon. They taught the scouts not only how to use amateur radio to connect with fellow scouts around the world, but other skills such as radio detection and direction-finding as well. 

Here’s what some of our AJHS scouts had to say about their JOTA-JOTI experience:

“In the past few years I had only been able to experience the JOTI part of the event but now I was able to engage in the radio activities and deepen my understanding of radio laws, restrictions, and proficiency levels. Interacting with participants in the JOTI aspect provided insights into diverse cultures and shared experiences, fostering a sense of camaraderie. Overall, JOTA/JOTI 2023 expanded my knowledge and facilitated meaningful connections within the global scouting community.” -JR Viray (10-Realino), Senior Crew Leader

“The JOTA-JOTI experience was new for me. During JOTA, I got to interact with someone far away through a radio! And I tried my hardest to earn all the badges for JOTI 2023, which I did, as well as talking to a different troop. All in all, it was a fun experience being with other scouts in my first Jamboree!” -Troy Macaraeg (10-Nagashima)

“It was my first Jamboree ever. I was very glad that scouts from other schools enjoyed our venue in the AJHS. I'm sure that everyone enjoyed doing the activities on the JOTA-JOTI website and hopefully learned many new things. It was very exciting to interact with scouts all around the world using ham radio and the internet, but most importantly, I got a certificate of participation and plenty of memories that I shall treasure.” -Christian Rana (8-Corby)

“As someone who participated in JOTA, I felt the theme of JOTA which revolved around the SDGs. For me, this year's JOTA gave the importance of the SDGs and protecting our environment and community as scouts. The activities were very engaging, interesting, and fun, and I hope that I will be able to participate in similar scouting events in the future. 🙂-JC Daug (10-Realino)

“JOTA/JOTI 2023 at Ateneo de Manila Junior High School was fun for me because of a trifecta of events. Learning to use a radio was more than simply a technical ability; it turned the event into an interesting study of communication. Earning all of the JOTI platform badges provided a sense of success, transforming each achievement into a source of pride and drive. Beyond the Ateneo scouting troop, the real thrill came from establishing friendships with scouts not just from other schools in the Quezon City council, but also with scouts across the world. The cultural interaction and friendship that arose from these newfound ties provided a deep dimension of delight to the whole JOTA/JOTI experience at AJHS.” -Ethan Rivadelo (9-Ireland)

The JOTA-JOTI 2023 culminated in the Awarding and Closing Ceremonies, during which the participation of the organizers, scouts and senior scouters was recognized. In his closing remarks, Vice President for Basic Education Fr. Jonjee Sumpaico SJ - who also heads the Ateneo Scouting Committee- reminded attendees to share what they have learned and to continue to live the ideals of Scouting in their daily lives.

Organized through the Ateneo Scouting-Senior Scouting Section, the JOTA-JOTI 2023 in AJHS was spearheaded by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) Quezon City Council in coordination with Ateneo de Manila Grade School Deputy Commissioner for Program Enrico Patulan, Senior Scout Commissioner Ariel Tamayo, Boy Scout Commissioner Mark Catarroja, AJHS Deputy Commissioner for Administration Punch San Jose, and AJHS Deputy Commissioner for Programs Ron Querijero. They were aided by Ateneo Scouting Committee Outfit Advisor Sctr. Jimilette Fernandez through the Ateneo Scouting-Senior Scouting Section.

The Ateneo Scouting Committee truly appreciates the support of the BSP Quezon City Council, led by Council Scout Executive Errol Garcia and the AJHS administrators led by Principal Genalyn S. Sanvictores, Asst Principal for Formation Ronan B. Capinding, Asst Principal for Academics Ma. Lourdes B. Antonio, Asst Principal for Administration Perfecto R. Guerrero III, and Student Activities Coordinator Bernie C. Santos. The Committee looks forward to more such noble scouting endeavors for the rest of this School Year and beyond.

(JOTA-JOTI 2024 will be held on 18-20 October 2024.)