Despite the morning heat, Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) students represented their clusters clad in themed costumes while walking along Claveria Road from Rizal Park to AdDU Martin Hall for this year’s fiesta, Sadya 2018.

The parade’s theme was Fantasy Races. Students walked along the street with props and banners of their respective mythical creatures.

Students from the Humanities and Letters (HUMLET) cluster paraded as leprechauns while those from Business and Management (BM) dressed up as mermaids.

SAMAHAN, the official student government of AdDU, deployed security volunteers beside the parade area to ensure the safety of the students.

First year Accountancy student Carla Jane Frias described her parade experience as fun, despite the early morning heat.

“Fun masyado bisag init ug gutom kay lingaw and sabaan kaayo ang Accountancy Cluster! A great start for the first event of the school year,” she said.

Accountancy Students Executive Council (ASEC) Production Department member Emmanuelle Gabrielle Gocon praised the teamwork of her cluster in preparation for the parade.

“While preparing for the parade doon namin marealize na may mga [seniors] na [naga-OJT] na… but they would still stay late at night para lang matapos ang float… May isa kayong goal, and you will do everything para ma-achieve mo yun na goal,” she shared.

However, Gocon described her parade experience as unsuccessful.

“Personally… hindi siya successful kasi [first], di siya nagstart on time… maraming students nag-complain na matagal mag-start and grabe na kainit… parang hindi din siya clean, hindi siya on track…”

“Hindi na-achieve kung ano dapat ang goal ng parade. Pero sa cluster namin kahit ganun man nangyari na-enjoy parin namin,” she expressed.

After the parade, the students gathered at the Martin Hall for the official start of Sadya 2018.