By Janela Bañanola |
Photo by Carmel Deligos
The Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strand of Ateneo de Davao University Senior High School (AdDU-SHS) held its annual symposium with the theme of Empowering Communities, Environmental Preservation, and Education at the campus gymnasium in the morning of March 20th, attended by both the grade 11 and 12 learners of the HUMSS community.
Grade 12 HUMS learners and teachers collaborated with the Specialized Social Sciences, Leadership Development Program (LDP), and the Aruppe Office of Social Formation to make the event possible, spending the last three months in preparation for the Symposium per their strand's curriculum and culminating activity.
The symposium is tied with the advocacies that the seven sections of grade 12 HUMSS presented in their fundraising activity last March 6-7, 2024, during IGNITE; as such, the symposium focuses on social issues related to the event's theme and education's part in promoting positive change in society.
Ma'am Aujefel Amor Lee, the Assistant Director for Academics, opened the event, stating that the symposium provides an "Opportunity for each and everyone to gain insight and appreciate the role of HUMSS in the societal complex."
For the opening salvo, a contemporary dance performance by sections Bobola, Briant, and Carvalho, the winners of the HUMSS Got Talent competition hosted last January 23, 2024.
Hosted by Jaliah Abosama, Cyandra Jand Candia, Salma Khalil, and Jethro Miles Ngolab of the Ateneo Society of Speakers (A-Speak), the program proper then began through the introduction of the speakers: Atty: Jhopee Salvador Avanceña, the first female prosecutor of Davao City, and Mrs. Cylle Marie Nadonza-Cleofe, a Communications Development Officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group as well as the Protected Area Management Office.
Both speakers highlighted the importance and role of their respective works in society. They gave pointers to the learners on how to better protect themselves and their environment as they face the realities of society and the demands of the professional world.
Both speakers highlighted in their respective speeches their experiences with gender-based discrimination as they both began their careers in male-dominated offices.
"Despite women's academic achievement, we have to assert our worth,” said the first speaker, Atty. Avanceña said, as the Chief Prosecutor of Davao City, Atty. Avanceña handles cases about violence against women and children, reinstating the message that teenagers, particularly women, need to learn how to defend themselves and get themselves out of dangerous situations.
Ma'am Cleofe, the second speaker of the day, accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation, informed the learners on the environmental laws acted by the DENR under the United Nation's (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to bring forth awareness of the realities of the climate and the environment; going forth to state that the world is in a climate crisis.
Cleofe emphasized that the Philippines is listed within the top 4 countries most vulnerable to climate change, as the country does not have sufficient systems to counter its effects on the environment and people, thus encouraging students to rethink their daily consuming habits, calling them to "boast and advocate for the environment."
After each speaker's speech, an open forum was held in which HUMSS learners could further clarify and ask said speakers questions about their work, causes, and challenges experienced as women in their fields.
At the end of the forum, the Awarding of the fundraising booths conducted during IGNITE, presented by Ms. Chesly Cuevas, the Social Science Cluster Head, Ma'am Aujefel Amor Lee,
the Assistant Director for the Academics, Sir Rodolfo Daguio Jr., Director for Administration, Ms. Marjorie Belida, Assistant, the HUMSS grade 12 Chairperson, and Mr. Apolonio Wacan the Coordinator of Arrupe Office of Social Formation.
The Awarding are as follows:
BEST BOOTH DESIGN
3rd - Campion
2nd - Bobola
1st - Borgia
BEST STILT DESGIN
3rd - Canisus
2nd - Bobola
1st - Campion
BEST ZINES
3rd - Canisus & Bobola
2nd - Borgia
1st - Campion
BOOTH WITH THE MOST REVENUE
3rd - Bobola
2nd - Campion
1st - Borgia
LAUDATU SI BOOTH AWARDEE
3rd - Bobola & Borgia
2nd - Canisus
1st - Campion
All sections were given certificates of participation for their efforts in the HUMSS Fundraising activity; Sir Rodolfo Daguio proceeded with the closing remarks, acknowledging all the committees and individuals who participated in the symposium preparation.
The event ended with the HUMSS community singing to the Ateneo Blue Band's "Ritmo Sa Panaghiusa."
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