Society for a Cause
Photography by Dan Samson, Ardee Salegonn and Tiffany Santos
“Ink searched and looked into a few of Enderun Colleges’ outstanding individuals, through their exceptional involvement in personal enthusiasms. While it may never be able to exhaust the possible candidates, the few whom Ink has chosen represent the capability of the college’s students to achieve excellence.”
Elliza Dawn Aurelio, a senior Culinary Arts [CA] major student helped organize a fashion show as well as a photo exhibit to raise funds for Childhaus.
In early 2012, she organized a fashion show as well as a photo exhibit to raise funds for Childhaus. Since then, her dynamic involvement with the organization has been continuous. On November 2012, she arranged an outing in Tagaytay for the children, in an effort to make them experience life outside their homes and hospital living.
Her connection with Childhaus, she claims, is not an attempt to project a good character, but because “you care and love those kids.” She values seeing the children smile in spite of their trials; they appreciate the people who support them and cherish the fact that they are alive.
The organization conducts countless activities for the children, including sessions of basic reading and art. There are also annual activities such as Childhaus’s “birthday”, an celebration of its foundation. Moreover, by November each year, different groups arrange Christmas parties for them, and grant them Christmas wishes. Some volunteers also visit the children to motivate them to be strong and to continue to fight against their sicknesses.
Taking part in Childhaus’s advocacy helped Elliza understand the value of living. Prior to joining the organization, she claims of her relentless dissatisfaction over things of which her mother told tell her to appreciate her luxuries that other people cannot enjoy.
In spiteof their sicknesses, the children have kept from complaining, and continue to exhibit hope. Upon realizing this, Elliza understood the affluence of her lifestyle, and decided to share it with them.
Inspiring the children to have a positive outlook on life gratifies Elliza. Childhaus helped her view life on a more modest perspective; that it is worth more than material things. She is very thankful to Ate K for encouraging her to join the organization. According to Elliza, helping people shouldn’t be done for displaying a desirable character, or for garnering something in return, but solely for the committed willingness to make others happy.
Stefano Marcelo has a generous disposition when it comes to participating in Gawad Kalinga and Habitat for Humanity events with his friends.
Everyone relishes an advocacy; whether consciously or otherwise, we all feel a need to attach ourselves to a certain commitment. This sense of dedication can come in many forms.We can perhaps be focused on a cause that would benefit the community, or a personal hobby
that simply inspires us to get up in the morning.
In Stefano Marcelo’s case, he has been known to possess the “need for speed”. His glorified feats in the world of racing are amazing to witness. Dubbed as the “Prince of Philippine Racing” and “Asia’s Karting King” at the age of 18, he has proven that karting gushes in his blood.
Stefano’s talent and love for his craft, although
not guaranteed, may be considered hereditary, descending from a family of notable professional drivers. His late uncle, Jovy Marcelo, is a testimony to the remarkable lineage of racers. The racing legend was known to be the first Filipino to participate in the prestigious Indianapolis 500, in 1992. However, a tragic accident met Jovy’s fate, which consequently spurred the prohibition of racing within the family since.
Even with the encouraged elusion to the hobby, Stefano nevertheless was eager to give it a try. Since his first time behind the wheel at age 11, the exhilaration of the initial experience ignited his passion for the sport.
He claimed to have literally begged on his knees, asking his grandmother to allow him to keep doing what he loves. In his favor, the then novice to the sport was allowed to train and join competitions.
“One must keep practicing, and be prepared to learn how to lose”, Stefano recommends addressing others who might be interested to venture into racing. His early losses during the first years of his career irrefutably did not stop him from losing track of his goals.
He considered it fun, and continued it because of the love he developed for the sport. The idea of constantly learning and seeing himself progress as a racer delighted him. His efforts were subsequently rewarded when he won his first competition back in 2007, which prompted numerous achievements in later years.
Stefano swears by balance through time management and discipline, especially since he is already a college-level student. He does not let his professional career interfere with his academics, and he always ensures to spend time with his family, friends, and other personal priorities.
At present, Stefano is looking forward to participating in more big league events, such as the NASCAR competition in March 2013. It is said that he will be the first Filipino to ever be part of the tournament’s history. Moreover, his ultimate dream is to be the first Filipino racer to participate, and hopefully, win Formula1 races.
Stefano is undoubtedly an exceptional trailblazer for his age. His humility, positivity and determination may bring him to greater heights as his career progresses. The young sportsman mentions that he is grateful for his family, and for their support and help in keeping him grounded.
The young professional also has a generous disposition when it comes to participating in Gawad Kalinga and Habitat for Humanity events with his friends. Although he has never been asked to drive for a charity event, he would be more than willing to do so if given the opportunity.
On an end note, the young Marcelo strongly believes that he still has a lot of work to do in terms of his career, bringing to mind the quote by Steve Jobs: “Stay hungry. Stay foolish.”
Moises aguinsada believes that as others would say, a person has his or her own identity as an artist.
Moises Aguisanda is one of the many musically inclined individuals of Enderun Colleges. During, his Elementary education, he joined his church choir. He sang during Saturday and Sunday masses, joined the Novena and learned how to play the guitar. Since then, his fascination for music was cultivated.
Time suddenly took a turn on his favor when Moises applied for The Juilliard School, a world-renowned conservatory institution. The range of its educational offerings includes dancing, theatre, and instrumental and vocal arts.
“I enjoy playing [the guitar], since I find it comfortable and easy. I usually use it to create a ‘second voice’, whenever I sing, since the chords are easy to manipulate while finding the correct pattern of the notes.” Although he claims of his lack of dexterity on the guitar, he is still familiar with the basics of chords, strumming and plucking.
While he remained behind identified recognition, the technicalities of music were nevertheless instilled in his knowledge. “Every time we had practices before the mass our music teacher would always shout, ‘LISTEN!’” Because of this, Moises developed the ability to identify the proper notes when harmonizing, and the difference between a sharp and a flat.
In spite of his deep involvement with music, it took time before he found confidence in his talent. When he joined his high school’s Glee Club, he began to doubt his skills, being surrounded by many other talented individuals. “I felt the insecurity because there were many excellent singers. Whenever we had solo performances for mass, I was never chosen.”
Many people argue that Juilliard is the best conservatory school in the world. The members of its alumni include notable musical prodigies such as cellist YoYo Ma, and jazz trumpeter Miles Davis. Nevertheless, Moises never saw this as an opportunity to be ostentatious. In fact, he embraced the idea quite due to his personal doubts. When he finally received the acceptance letter, his disposition changed, and he suddenly developed a firm conviction toward with himself. “If those people from Juilliard saw potential in me, then why should I doubt myself, that I couldn’t do this?”
He admitted that he was shocked when he realized that he passed the initial examination. This only meant that the school may have seen potential in him, which they wanted to mold or develop.
Moises believes that music is the reflection of the soul. He says, “As others would say, a person has his or her own identity as an artist.” According to him, it is not easy, because it takes a lot of experience to discover one’s true character. Nevertheless, he claims that as long as he is happy with his work, he feels accomplished.
