Further attesting to the existence of cura personalis within every Atenean, the Samahan Community Rights and Welfare Department (CRAW) hosted the annual Children’s Day last August 14, at F213.

Children’s Day, a long-running Ateneo Fiesta tradition, has been present for seven years now. Originally Children’s Hour, the department decided to stretch the event to a whole-day last year to provide the chosen beneficiary ample time to experience what an Ateneo Fiesta is like.

“Bitin kasi pag one-hour lang ilaan mo for children, ‘di talaga nila ma-enjoy, ‘di talaga nila ma-experience ang gusto nating ipa-experience from an Atenean point-of-view of what Fiesta is,” Samahan CRAW Director Tara Gayta told Atenews.

Twenty-seven children, ranging from six to 14, of Family Care and Development Initiative, Inc.were the main beneficiaries of this year’s Children Day.

With also 27 Atenean student-volunteers from different programs and organizations, they managed to create an intimate bond between the child beneficiary and student-volunteer.

“The ratio of children to volunteers is one is to one, para maalagaan talaga nila ‘yung bata. So, ‘yung volunteer and ‘yung bata, parang sila ang magkasama whole event, for the movie, the games,” Gayta shared.

When asked about the original intent of Children’s Day, the CRAW director mentioned putting into practice the instilled value of cura personalis.

“’Diba Fiesta is about celebrating the Mother Perpetual Help, ‘diba? So, in relation to those values that were instilled sa ating mga Ateneans, parang as men and women for others, we showed them that by doing these kinds of activities. By giving back to the community through Children’s Day.”

Gayta also shared the Samahan CRAW Department’s plans with regards to these kinds of activities.

“More activities will surround this kind of thing, especially next sem. We have aligned numerous intents – community service. We also have [plans] to also build something in relation sa beneficiary namin ng Children’s Day.”