Alyansa Atenista

8 at the 28th

It was a simple annual gathering of leaders .

The "Alas Otso sa Baynte Otso 07 " as it was called gathered together movers and shakers of the past, present and future.

In a relatively big room, after eating a very generous dinner with 3 gallons of ice cream, we arranged ourselves in a circle ( an ellipse to be exact) to hear each other speak. And it is in this ellipse that history came to life. It was like village elders passing stories through word of mouth around a fire preserving the story's essence, its purpose, it's the stuff where future heroes are inspired. Elders speak of their experience and how Alyansa tapped hidden potentials and unleashed their tremendous human energy to effect change.

Alyansa and campus politics

Alyansa Atenista is seen by some as an elite group of overinflated egotistic know-it-all students whose only aim is to fortify their power in the highest positions. Maybe, there is some truth to it. But surely, a party which lasted 21 years and is the only remaining political party has outgrown much from the negative label and emerged as a party to be reckon with, as a party who in one way or anther moved the students' perspective for the better. Alyansa, an alliance of college parties has long been an instrument for moderate ignatian ideals and it continues to strive to be one. Alyansa is still far from having an identity crisis because it clearly defines itself as a party which opposes radicalism, and advocates peaceful activism. Since 1986, the trend seems uncannily familiar. It was a political fight between centrist and leftist ideologies. The moderate and the extreme. Then, there comes a time when the left got exhausted and the call for extreme change simply wasn't a need anymore. Campus politics in the mid 1990s went uncontested.

Then the "independents" phenomenon came in the arena. They are labeled as "pro-admin". I only find the label negative when "pro-admin" equates them as simply mouth pieces or puppets of the admin. Alyansa countered this by advocated for a student centered platform emphasizing the need for dialogue and mediation between students and admin. These two forces must meet at a point and Alyansa provides a moderate communication mechanism to facilitate this convergence.

In the present times, Alyansa has animated the word "synergy" as an organizational and political mantra. Alyansa which is now in the highest position has reinforced "synergy" by creating strong linkages and networks laterally, up and down the chart. They take pride in their collaborative efforts. Major programs are even built upon this "synergy" such as tutorials, talent expos and awareness campaigns. There is no longer the buzz to passionately stand in one side of the line while opposing everything from the other. What we don't need is to create an atmosphere of animosity between two sides.

Alyansa and the future.

Alyansa has taken its identity into a new level. It is not anymore solely a political party per se but a "socio-political" party and a leadership support group. With this new identity it strives to be actively engaged in social issues outside and inside the school and also designs itself as a formation agent for students who seek to enhance their leadership skills in the context of Ignatian spirituality. Alyansa has become an equal option along side other formation oriented units for students who are willing to apply what they learned. The great difference is that it is manned by students themselves which is more intimate, personal and equal.

Tao, Estudyante, Bayan, Diyos!