AEuSS Model UN varsity dominates international and national MUN arenas

Highlights from AEuSS-AMUN Varsity at the Singapore and Philippine Model United Nations

The Ateneo Model United Nations (AMUN) Varsity has once again brought immense pride to the university, securing the title of Most Awarded Delegation at the Singapore Model United Nations (SMUN) and earning Most Outstanding Delegation at the Philippine International Model United Nations (PHIMUN). These distinctions stand as a testament to the relentless work ethic and discipline of both the delegates and their trainers, whose commitment and preparation made this success possible.

The AMUN Varsity is the flagship team under the Ateneo Association of European Studies Students (AEuSS). These awards were earned through participation in Model United Nations conferences—academic simulations of the United Nations where students represent assigned countries in various councils to debate and negotiate solutions to today’s most pressing global issues. The SMUN and PHIMUN conferences were held at the National University of Singapore and the University of the Philippines Diliman, respectively, offering dynamic and globally competitive platforms for excellence.

Singapore Model United Nations (June 2–5, 2025 | National University of Singapore, University Town)

Hailed as the Most Awarded Delegation, the Ateneo Model United Nations (AMUN) delegation won eight (8) awards in the recent Singapore Model United Nations (SMUN) Conference held from June 2–5, 2025 at the National University of Singapore. The twelve (12) AMUN delegates competed in seven committees: the United Nations Security Council (UNSC, Double Delegation), the Group of 20 (G20, Double Delegation), the UN Office of Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), the European Council (EUCO), the House of Commons (HOC), the House of Representatives of Japan (HRJ), and a Historical Crisis Committee (HCC).

Matti David Valencia (4 AB European Studies) led the AMUN delegation as Head Delegate and Coach. Matti received both the Outstanding Delegate and Best Position Paper awards in EUCO. James Tolosa (Candidate, MA Political Science) also served as Co-Coach and Revalida Head of the delegation, earning an Honorable Mention award along with co-delegate Mari Macasaet (4 AB Political Science).

Other awardees include Eunice Aruta (2 AB EU) and Ericka Cruz (2 AB EU), who received an Honorable Mention award in G20; Joan San Agustin (2 AB HIS), who won the Outstanding Delegate award in HRJ; and Jasmine Heler (2 AB DipIR), who received the Best Delegate award in HOC. Other AMUN delegates included Gabriel Geda (2 AB EU), Nadinne Aro (2 AB DipIR), Matthew Ambion (2 AB DipIR), Kirby Foo (2 AB POS), and Alvin Ocampo (2 AB POS).

When asked in person about the delegation's performance, Jason Ong Han Meng, Deputy Secretary-General for Academics of SMUN 2025, praised AMUN, stating: “AMUN performed very well.”

The AMUN delegation underwent weekly training sessions to hone their policy creation, debate, speaking, and negotiation skills from March to May 2025. They culminated their training with MUN simulations and Revalidas, where they defended their solutions before an eight-member panel of veteran MUNers from across the Asian circuit.

Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations system, wherein students act as delegates to discuss and address pressing global issues in their assigned councils and countries. With the theme “Building a New Era of Diplomacy,” SMUN 2025 convened over 300 delegates from across the Asia-Pacific region to debate, negotiate, and craft resolutions to steer global affairs. The AMUN delegation’s victories at SMUN 2025 reaffirm the university’s vision and mission to nurture future youth leaders who can develop innovative responses to global challenges in pursuit of social transformation that uplifts Filipinos and other citizens worldwide.

The delegation would like to thank the European Studies Department, Office for Student Activities, and the Ateneo Association of European Studies Students (AEuSS) for financial and administrative support, led by Faculty Moderator Javier Tionloc. The delegation also extends gratitude for the mentorship of Introduction to SMUN Guest Speaker Gillian Lam (Nanyang Technological University), three (3) guest trainers—Ada Villalon (3 AB-MA POS), Theodore Alberto (Penn State School of International Affairs), and Jan Christian Uy (De La Salle University)—as well as the eight (8) Revalida panelists: Alberto, Lam, Uy, Jerome Tan (2 AB DipIR), Marcus Flores (University of the Philippines Diliman), Ken Eguchi (Kyushu University), Linh Vu (Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam), and Chu Trang Anh (Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam).

Philippine International Model United Nations (June 20–22, 2025 | University of the Philippines Diliman)

The Ateneo Model United Nations Varsity defended its title as back-to-back Most Outstanding Delegation at the Philippine International Model United Nations (PHIMUN) Conference in 2024 and 2025, garnering nine (9) individual awards. All Best Delegate awards in the conference were won by Ateneo delegates. The event was held last June 20–22, 2025, at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

The Albert del Rosario Memorial Award, given in honor of the late DFA Secretary to the best delegate across all committees, was proudly received by Jerome Samuel Tan (2 AB DipIR, Minor in EC), who also received the Best Delegate and Best Position Paper awards in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) committee. Likewise, Angelo Comendador (2 AB DipIR) was awarded Best Delegate and Best Position Paper in the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). In an all-female committee, Nadinne Aro (2 AB DipIR) also earned a Best Delegate award.

Furthermore, Joan San Agustin (2 AB HIS) received an Honorable Mention award in the ICJ. Additionally, Mariae Elyja Komicho (3 AB EU) was recognized for the Best Position Paper in the UN General Assembly, while the double delegation of Kirby Foo (2 AB POS) and Nacho Gan (2 AB EC) received a verbal commendation in the United Nations Security Council.

The delegation was led and managed by Maja Santos (2 AB DipIR) and composed of other delegates: Matthew Ambion (2 AB DipIR), Alvin Ocampo (2 AB POS), Annika Orig (2 AB EU), and Wesley Elizade (3 AB EU)—all of whom performed remarkably well. Lastly, Matti David Valencia (4 AB EU) served as Auxiliary Dais for the various committees in the conference.