Delegates from Sanggunian and COA-M attend the 40th Buklod Atenista National Leaders Summit

"One Buklod, one Ateneo!"

This resounding chant echoed among the delegates from five Ateneo schools, namely Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU), Ateneo de Manila University, Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU), Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan (XU), and the host school Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU) as they convened for this year's Buklod Atenista National Leaders Summit (BANLS) from February 22 to 27, 2024.

Buklod Atenista stands as the alliance of all student governments from the Jesuit Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the Philippines. The primary goal of Buklod Atenista is to facilitate inter-institutional cooperation among Jesuit higher education institutions in the Philippines, emphasizing the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, justice, and service while fostering patriotism and humanism.

This year, the alliance comprised student councils from five (5) Jesuit Higher Education Institutions: The Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Pamantasang (SAMAHAN) of Ateneo de Davao, The Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng mga Paaralang Loyola (SANGGU) of Ateneo de Manila, The Supreme Student Government of Ateneo de Naga University (SSG), El Consejo Atenista of Ateneo de Zamboanga, and the Central Student Government (CSG) of Xavier University, Ateneo de Cagayan.

Representing Ateneo de Manila University were delegates from the Sanggunian and the Council of Organizations of Ateneo - Manila (COA-M), who have been active participants in multiple renditions of the event over the past 40 years. The student leaders who represented Ateneo de Manila University during the summit were as follows:

• Bernice Amanda A Mendoza (4 AB COM) - Sanggunian President
• Anna Czarina B de Marcaida (4 BS PSY) - Sanggunian Vice President
• Reno Rossel A Valdehueza (3 BS CH-MSE) - Sanggunian Buklod Ambassador
• April Angela L Urbano (3 BS LM) - Sanggunian Deputy Buklod Ambassador
• Ralf Michael G Borja (4 BS COMTECH) - COA-M President
• Sofia Maxene P Que (3 AB EC-H) - COA-M Finance Officer

Accompanied by Mr Gino Cecilio N Flores from the Office of Student Activities (OSA), the delegates participated in various events throughout different locations in the city during their 6-day stay. Activities included formal Buklod Atenista Congress sessions held within the Ateneo de Naga campus, visits to the Naga City Hall and the Museo ni Jesse Robredo, and thanksgiving gatherings with the entire delegation. With the overarching aim of strengthening connections among the Ateneo schools, honing leadership skills, and crafting resolutions for the future of Buklod Atenista, the 40th BANLS marked a significant milestone for the Ateneo de Manila delegates, who now begin preparations to host the 41st rendition of the event in the upcoming school year.