A day after Valentine’s Day, almost 200 members of choral groups from the basic and higher education department performed in a university concert held at the 4/F Martin Hall in celebration of Ateneo de Davao University’s 70th anniversary, SAFIRE.

“It was a wonderful way of celebrating our 70th anniversary in song and the fact that it came after Valentine’s Day was very nice because the theme was all about love,” University Pres. Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ said.

“It was wonderful that from the grade school, all the way up to the college, we have participants.”

With the theme, SAFIRE: All About Love, the choirs sang their own rendition of songs that depict different kinds of love – friendship, stewardship, equality, romantic, and love for God.

“Kaya SAFIRE because it’s a play on the name of a gem because the gem na sapphire can be used to signify ‘yung 70th anniversary,” Asst. to the President for University Music Fr. Charlie Cenzon, SJ said, emphasizing that AFIRE in AdDU means “better administration, better formation, better instruction, better research, and better engagement.”

Subdominant 7 Pres. Amiel Lopez felt fulfilled after reaping the fruit of several weeks of practices.

“At last, na-render namo og maayos sa audience. Maka-amaze sa feeling kay makita nimo ang audience na naga-enjoy pati pud kami [naga-enjoy],” he said.

Fr. Cenzon hinted a possibility of another university concert next year because of the success of the event.

“The talent is there and the kids are very much willing to sing – sing for God, sing for the country, and sing for themselves,” he said.