Being an AFYOP Facilitator

Being an AFYOP Facilitator is not easy. It entails a lot of hardwork, knowledge and patience to teach the first years about the basics of the school, its rules and policies and of course the life of being an Atenean. But more than the difficult job is the wonderful overall experience you get while interacting with new set of people, from your co-AFYOP Facilitators to the first year students.

My AFYOP experience started in the practice of the dance that the facilitators will present in the culminating activity of the orientation. It was there that I met my new acquaintance, who was also coincidentally my partner, Mariel. Well, I could best describe her as a beautiful and jolly 4^th year AB Mass Communication student. Together with Gerwin, a 4^th year BS Biology student, we formed a team and became the facilitators of section V1 and M12.

Ate Mariel, Kuya Gerwin, Ate Wendie :)

V1 is a section of BS Mechanical Engineering students. Naturally, kasi nga engineering (at mechanical pa talaga), halos lahat ng students ay mga lalaki. There are only two roses among the thorns. Medyo mahiyain ang section V1 and we understood them kasi ganun din kami nung first year pa kami (that was way back in 2009…hahaha). We made them introduce themselves and state the reason why they chose their course. The most common reason is that they want to follow the footsteps of their father. One student had a different answer and said that he wanted to create his own footsteps. Oo nga naman. Bakit ka mag-fofollow kung pwede naming gumawa ka ng sarili mong path? Anyway, bumilib ako sa student nay ‘yun and I sincerely hope makagawa talaga siya ng sarili niyang path.

Section V1

After knowing the names of the student, we started the orientation proper; discussed the VMG of Ateneo, shared the history of the school through its former presidents, and many more things in between. Marami kaming group activities designed to strengthen the bond between the students and para mas makilala pa nila ang isa’t-isa. Magkakasama sila for five years in their college life so it’s better to have a good start and know each other early. On the last part of the orientation, we did the traditional “pabaon” where the students get to write whatever they want to say to their classmate in a piece of paper posted at the back of each student. Siyempre, nakisali kaming mga facilitators. Nagkahiyaan pa talaga ang V1 at konti lang ang naisulat sa papel. Well, they have five years pa naman to say whatever they want to say so I will leave it at that.

Overall, I was happy with the experience I get to share with the students of V1. Although hindi sila masyadong active, I felt naman their attention while we discussed the various school policies and they were enthusiastic enough to participate in our activities. I want to thank the students of section V1 for making my very first AFYOP experience worth remembering. Worth it talaga siya kasi maraming gwapong first years (hahahaha….). But seriously, I won’t forget the very first section I got to orient. J

V1. wacky. daw? :)

On the second day, section M12 was assigned to us. I wasn’t expecting energetic and active students but there they were, making the orientation day more exciting and fun. Well, from the introduction part, the students were already opening themselves to the others and I was very happy because they started their bond early in their college life. The introduction process ended with everyone being a bit comfortable na with each other. I noticed the different personalities of the students and I hope these characters would not clash in the future. Syempre, five years din silang magkakasama so I hoped na magiging friends sila all the way.

the beautiful and bubbly students of section  M12

During the orientation proper, M12 was so participative and active that we facilitators had an easy time explaining what needs to be explained. They were also very energetic during the games and I enjoyed their section so much that I developed fondness in them that reached to the point where I wished I could go back to first year and be one of them (haha..).

kani ang wacky! haha. :)

Overall, section M12 gave me a feeling that I belong to them. Our purpose was to welcome them into the university but we also feel welcomed by their section. They never let us feel that they were not interested and that we are just their facilitators. They made us feel that we belong. I can say that M12 is truly a group full of talents, skills and abilities. In the near future, when these students became successful CPAs and businessmen, I will be proud to say that once in their life and in mine, I met them. Once in their journey through college life, I was able to inspire some of them. And once in my life, I get to know these young wonderful people.

To section M12, thank you very much for everything. Thank you for greeting me along the corridors of the school. I may not know all of you by names but I sure know you in my heart (char! Haha..). Godbless on your college life and be strong.

Overall, the experience was really worth it. At first, I doubted this AFYOP experience would be any different but it was unexpectedly fun. Even though I don’t know all my co-facilitators, at least I experienced being with a different set of people (and mind you, these are all bright people being in the Dean’s list and all that). J

Some pictures...

(note: these pictures were not mine. got it from FB pages of my co-facilitators.)

P.S

First time kong magsulat ng Taglish na post. Haha.. Kakaiba. Pero understandable naman diba? 

P.S.S
Sorry kung naay mga wrong grammar or wrong verb tenses. Pasagdi nalang ha? :) 


May 28 and 30, 2013
Ateneo First Year Orientation Program