AJHS holds turnover and blessing ceremony of equipment for Student Activity Rooms

The Ateneo de Manila Junior High School (AJHS) community gathered on Ash Wednesday, 18 February 2026, for the Formal Turnover and Blessing of Equipment Ceremony for the Student Activity Rooms. The event was held from 4:00–4:45 PM on the second floor of Arrupe Hall.

Present at the ceremony were AJHS administrators, led by Vice President for Basic Education Fr Jonjee Sumpaico SJ and AJHS Principal Mrs Gen Sanvictores; faculty and staff; representatives of the Parents Union for School and Home (PUSH) from the AJHS Class of 2025; members of the current Sanggu-AJHS Executive Board; several members of the former Grade 10 batch now in Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS) Grade 11; and other special guests.

The donation from the parents of the AJHS Class of 2025 included brand-new equipment for the three activity rooms: a billiard table, an air hockey table, two basketball hoops, a foosball table, arcade-style games, and various board games such as Scrabble and Monopoly. These facilities are intended to provide students with dedicated spaces for recreation, relaxation, and community-building.

Blessing of the Activity Rooms

AJHS Chaplain Fr Mamert Mañus SJ opened the ceremony with a prayer and short paraliturgy, followed by the formal blessing of the rooms. A special blessing was offered for the new facilities, asking that the spaces contribute to leisure activities that renew the spirit and strengthen both mind and body. Another prayer invoked God’s protection and peace upon the rooms, entrusting them to His care.

Fr Mamert then blessed each of the three activity rooms with holy water. A donor representative accompanied him, placing a pinch of blessed salt in each room as part of the rite. Those gathered prayerfully followed, reciting the Hail Mary as they moved from one room to another.

The first room features the new billiard table and board games. The second houses the basketball hoops, air hockey table, foosball table, cornhole boards, and other recreational equipment. The third room is equipped with two table tennis tables. After the blessing, everyone returned to the first room to pray the Our Father before the delivery of short messages.

A Gift of Gratitude and Legacy

Speaking on behalf of the PUSH representatives of AJHS Batch 2025, AJHS Executive Council Chair and Grade 10 Council Chair for SY 2024-2025 Mrs Ting Patriarca shared that even before leaving AJHS, the batch had already expressed a desire to give back to the school. When plans were announced to reconvert former classrooms into activity rooms following the completion of the new AJHS building, the parents saw an opportunity to support a project that would benefit the entire community.

She explained that the batch hopes the activity rooms will serve as spaces where students can unwind from academic pressures, build friendships, and feel a strong sense of belonging. “Even if just five students a day are positively impacted—if they feel heard, included, and renewed—then our objective has already been met,” she shared. On behalf of the parents and students of AJHS Batch 2025, she formally donated the equipment to the AJHS community.

Representing the former Grade 10 batch, current ASHS Grade 11 student Prince Zoleta reflected on his own junior high experience. He recalled spending free time playing on an old ping pong table in the OSA conference room—a simple but meaningful break from academic demands. He noted that junior high school can be among the best years of one’s life, and that balance between academics and personal well-being is essential. Through the donation, he said, the batch hopes to give younger students the same opportunity to create joyful memories and to realize that there is “more to life than academics.”

Responding on behalf of the student body, Sanggu-AJHS President Dax Ventura expressed heartfelt gratitude in Filipino. He emphasized that the donated equipment represents more than games or sports facilities—it symbolizes opportunities for growth, discipline, friendship, and community-building. He described the donation as a lasting legacy of Batch 2025, reflecting generosity, love for the institution, and a spirit of service to future Atenistas. “Binibigyan niyo rin po ang sumusunod na henerasyon ng mga Atenista ng pagkakataong matuklasan ang kanilang kakayahan at matutunan ang disiplina, makabuo ng pagkakaibigan, at maipamalas ang tunay na diwa ng pagtutulungan,” he expressed. He then assured the donors that the current students accept the gift not only with gratitude but also with responsibility—to care for the facilities and to honor the legacy by fostering a culture of service, unity, and generosity.

Supporting Wholistic Development

AJHS Principal Mrs Gen Sanvictores likewise expressed her gratitude on behalf of the school: “On behalf of the Ateneo de Manila Junior High School, especially our students, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to AJHS Batch 2025 and their very generous parents. Your donation will certainly enrich the school life of our students.

Because of these gifts, we are able to create more spaces for healthy connections, collaboration, and camaraderie. More than that, this initiative supports our goal of wholistic development. School is not just about academics—there should be balance. There is life beyond the four walls of the classroom.

We assure you that we will take good care of your donation, and that your gifts will be enjoyed not only by our current students, but by batches to come. Maraming, maraming salamat po.”

To conclude the short program, Fr Mamert and Assistant Principal for Formation (APFor) Mr Bernie Santos were invited to take the ceremonial first shot at the billiard table. At Mr Santos' request, Dr Jay Nicdao, Basic Education Finance Officer and a billiards champion, took his place. Fr Mamert opened the game and immediately sank a striped ball into a corner pocket—drawing cheers from those gathered.

Light refreshments followed, along with a “groufie” photo session with all present.

The ceremony concluded in a spirit of thanksgiving and hope. As AJHS continues its mission of forming young men and women for and with others, these newly blessed and equipped activity rooms now stand as vibrant spaces where students can renew their energy, strengthen friendships, and grow together in community.