Ateneo de Manila hosts the 41st Buklod Atenista National Leaders Summit (BANLS)

Entering its fourth decade of uniting student governments from Jesuit Higher Education Institutions across the Philippines, Buklod Atenista celebrated this milestone with the 41st edition of the Buklod Atenista National Leaders Summit (BANLS). Hosted by Ateneo de Manila University for the first time since 2019, the summit gathered student leaders and delegates to discuss key issues and strengthen institutional cooperation.

The three-day summit, held at the Loyola Campus from 26 to 28 February 2025, brought together delegates from Buklod Atenista’s member student governments: 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 (ECA) of Ateneo de Zamboanga, and the Central Student Government (CSG) of Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan.

Guided by this year’s theme, “Arangkada,” the summit focused on addressing issues in education, youth governance, and environment and sustainability. Representatives from the Councils of Organizations of Ateneo (COAs) of each member university also took part, allowing each member university to share their student-led initiatives and best practices for the current academic year.

The summit concluded with the passage of 17 resolutions, all of which are set to be locally adapted and implemented by each member university. These resolutions reflect the alliance’s collective commitment to fostering cooperation and addressing the pressing concerns faced by their respective communities and the broader national landscape.

In addition to the sessions and congressional proceedings, the 41st BANLS also marked the revival of the Ateneo Publication Alliance, composed of Atenews (Ateneo de Davao), The GUIDON (Ateneo de Manila), The Pillars Publication (Ateneo de Naga), The BEACON Publications (Ateneo de Zamboanga), and The Crusader Publication (Xavier University). Student journalists from these publications shared strategies to promote campus press freedom and enhance collaboration across campuses.

The participants also attended a talk by National Scientist and former Ateneo de Manila President Fr Bienvenido Nebres SJ on improving youth participation in the then-upcoming 2025 National and Local Elections, an educational tour by the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability (AIS) on Ateneo de Manila’s environmental sustainability initiatives, and a framework planning workshop courtesy of Atty. Gerald John Guillermo from the Keep the Change - Youth Policy Lab.

The delegation from Ateneo de Manila University included key leaders from the Sanggunian and the Council of Organizations of Ateneo - Manila (COA-M):     

• Lean C Rosendo (4 BS PSY) - Sanggunian President
• Reno Rossel A Valdehueza (4 BS CH-MSE) - Sanggunian Buklod Ambassador
• April Angela L Urbano (4 BS LM) - Sanggunian Buklod Associate Ambassador
• Asher C Ayeras (3 BS LM) - Sanggunian Buklod Deputy
• Iver John C Delos Santos (3 AB EC-H) - Sanggunian Vice President
• Romaine James P Hubilla (3 BS LM) -  JGSOM Sanggunian Representative
• Marielle Nadine E Espejo (2 AB HUM) - SOH Sanggunian Representative
• Gian Clarke Raphael D Marquez (4 BS ES) - SOSE Sanggunian Representative
• Anton Marie C Macasaet (3 AB POS) - RGLSOSS Sanggunian Representative
• Kayla Kristen S Manlapaz (4 AB DS) - COA-M President
• Maria Ana Francesca C Saturnino (3 AB POS) - COA-M Associate Vice President   

Following the successful 41st BANLS, the National Congress is set to reconvene in August for the Buklod Atenista Mid-Year Conference (BAMYC), aiming to build upon the initiatives and momentum achieved at this summit. Until then, the alliance remains committed to strengthening ties and advancing shared goals across its member universities.

One Buklod, One Ateneo.