Prioritizing experience over competition, this year’s Ateneo UFest: Kadaugan sa Kalipay (KADSIPAY) aims to convey the joy of embracing the moments throughout the journey more than the final outcome.

In an interview with Atenews, UFest 2024 Overall Head and SAMAHAN Secretary General Aliya Medida, emphasized that KADSIPAY defines victory as the ability to process and take in the moments that come within the journey and not just the destination.

“KADSIPAY has the hidden meaning of what it takes to really win, and that is Kadaugan sa Kalipay and it is joy. You are winning if you are enjoy[ing],” Medida said.

Another key highlight of this year’s UFest was the newly introduced mass dance competition, where the nine clusters came together at the Martin Hall to dance along Maan Chua’s “Sayaw.”

Medida explained that the mass dance was added as an inclusive event to maximize student participation and showcase the togetherness among clusters..

“The mass dance was agreed by the reps so that we could have an event that would celebrate, or that would open the UFest in a way that we can ensure that their participants can really join in the event; it would be an inclusive type of event.” 

The opening ceremony kicked off with a grand parade featuring the nine clusters, marching from Rizal Park to Martin Hall followed by the unveiling of the banners from each cluster. 

The opening ceremony took place at the 4th Floor Martin Hall on September 26.