By: Alyszah Angela Beltran, Lorrah Ashley Ang
Photo courtesy of Jehoshieba Santiago | The LANCE
For one week, the Colegio felt warmer, brighter, and alive. Colegio Week transformed the school grounds into gathering places, turning the Colegio into a space where laughter, and cheer lingered a little more than usual.
For this year’s Colegio Week, the main organizer, Assoc. Prof. Jacqueline Reynoso, Dean of CEIT mentioned that they had 4 goals for this year, namely: “(1) to give thanks to our God Almighty and all our stakeholders that we have reached this far: 405th Founding Anniversary; (2) to make sure that everyone will be able to enjoy and learn from all the activities that the organizers have prepared; (3) to feel the spirit of excitement and enthusiasm of celebrating our founding anniversary together with our Letran Community; and lastly, (4) to celebrate the Spirit of Internationalization through all the activities.”
In the shared excitement, noise and warmth of the students, they were reminded of what makes Colegio Week special: the joy of experiencing it all together.
Stepping Into Colegio Week
Colegio Week opened quietly, reverently, and with a sense of togetherness that would shape the celebration of the Colegio’s 405th founding anniversary. The week began with a Mass presided over by Rev. Fr. Raymund Jose, O.P., the Colegio’s Rector and President, a moment that gathered the community not just in prayer, but in gratitude for the centuries long tradition they continue to uphold.
Jed Acosta, the President of the Letran Student Council said, “This year’s theme was inspired by the overall concept for Colegio Week 2025, which focuses on internationalization,” he added that the Council wanted to bridge being a Letranite to the ideals from the international perspective.
“The overall moment that would make this week feel all worth it, is the enjoyment of our fellow students during our Colegio Week,” Acosta said. “ In the LSC, one thing is for certain, we are in this position for the service of the student body. Seeing students smile, participate, and feel a sense of pride and belonging makes every challenge worthwhile, especially this close to the finals week. Knowing that the experiences we planned created lasting memories and strengthened the community reminds us why we committed to this work in the first place.”
The campus soon shifted into a lively celebration. The blessing of the rides, bazaars, and game booths marked the official start of festivities. Almost instantly, students filled the grounds with the kind of joy that only comes once Colegio Week arrives. It felt like everyone was taking a breath together, choosing to savor this moment of lightness before diving back into their usual routines—deadlines, and long study sessions.
Friends pulled each other towards the rides with excitement, their sounds of screams and laughter rise above the music and chatter. Some clung to the seat bars as soon as the rides started, while others cheered from below, their phones out to capture the moment— a proof of the joy they’d look back on.
At the bazaars and booths students wandered from stall to stall, buying foods and drinks, and discovering trinkets and toys they wished to take home. Colegio Week is a gathering, the heartbeat of the Colegio, and a celebration of being part of something bigger. And on the first day, the community stepped into it, together.
Stories in the Rain
Tuesday wasn’t any different. Colegio Week still carried its familiar spark— but the sky had other plans. A yellow rainfall warning was issued early in the day, and soon enough, rain began to fall over the campus. By noon, classes from preschool to senior high school were suspended. Yet even with the unexpected pause, many senior high students chose to stay, unwilling to let the rain wash away the spirit of the week.
And perhaps, the rain created the perfect backdrop for the day’s main highlight: Eyecomm Libre Lente: Institute of Communication Film Viewing 2025, a film showing by the ICOMM students. Instead of the usual outdoor hype, Tuesday unfolded in the dimly lit rooms of Quezon Hall where the screens glowed softly and stories came alive. These films were crafted within the four-walls of classrooms, and polished through late-night edits were more than academic outputs. Some had even found their way to the Metro Manila Film Festival, proof of the talent nurtured within the Colegio.
The lineup of films guided the audience through a rich tapestry of handpicked stories:
As the rain continued to patter against the windows, students watched stories of wonderfully crafted films. Even on a rainy Tuesday, Colegio Week did not lose its warmth. In fact, the rain had only made those stories shine brighter.
Unity Through Fun and Team Spirit
The competitive spirits of Letranites were awakened in the early morning as players geared up for The Diversed Meta: The Letran E-Sports League 2025, a tournament showcasing and empowering the skills and strategies of Letranites.
The event was organized by the Letran Cyberknights, College of Engineering and Information Technology (CEIT), and Information Technology Services Department (ITSD) in partnership with AcadArena and Mountain Dew. The games included Call of Duty: Mobile (CODM), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), and Valorant, held at the third-floor computer laboratories in the senior high school building.
Over the three-day tournament, Letranites clashed with one another, showcasing their individual and team skills to conquer each stage and reach the finals. In the end, one team in each category claimed the crown.
In the Valorant category, team Jeshki secured the championship despite facing challenges such as miscommunication and conflicting strategies—they fought with pride and determination.
Hakkin De Castro, a 3rd-year Information Technology student and one of Jeshki’s players, emphasized that the experience was memorable because of the clutch plays they made as a team, despite being strangers at first. “Surprisingly, nag-sync din kami agad-agad,” said De Castro, highlighting the natural bond and flexibility of the team.
Meanwhile, Cyrus Lopez, a 2nd-year Information Technology student, also one of Jeshki’s players, viewed the tournament as a fun experience rather than a competition. He said the games connected them as teammates outside the tournament. “‘Yung mga memorable moments namin yung pakay namin, hindi yung prizes,” said Lopez, valuing the memories created from this tournament.
In the MLBB category, Royce E-Sports were crowned champions, even as darkness began to cover the night sky and weary eyes reached their peak. Isaac Villamor and Eisen Sta Maria, both 2nd-year Political Science students and players of Royce E-Sports, shared their experiences from the tournament.
For Villamor, the experience was important as it would serve him strong credentials as a player. He also added that the tournament became memorable because of his teammates. “Hindi ko rin in-expect na makakasama ko sila—mga pro or high-level players kasi sila,” Villamor shared.
Sta. Maria expressed that participating in this year’s E-Sports League was significant for gaining recognition as an individual. “‘Yung significance no’n is mahighlight po ‘yung pangalan ko sa buong Letran community, tsaka makikilala and ma-expose rin ako, since naglalaro rin ako for NCAA,” Sta. Maria stated.
Hidden behind the doors of the music room were the fun game booths and activities of Arcadia, prepared by the Letran Engineering Society (LES). Inspired by arcade game machines, this event became an opportunity for engineering students to put their knowledge to the test by integrating engineering concepts into games that could be enjoyed by the Letranite community.
Zion Jared Soriano, a 3rd-year Electrical Engineering student, said that the pointing systems, sensors, and wiring provided by LES merged with the game ideas from LSC. “As an electrical engineering student, gano’n ang magiging trabaho namin in the future, so parang experience na rin po ‘to sa’min,” said Soriano.
Princess Channel Bautista, a Grade 5 elementary student, shared her favorite games which were Ring Toss and the Lightning Rod, as they required agility and they were thrilling to play. “It also practiced my brain since it involved memorization,” Bautista shared.
As the day came to an end, the night was only beginning, as Letranites, faculty, and staff gathered for the Christmas Tree Lighting, a much-awaited tradition welcoming the beginning of the Christmas season. Glimmering lights of blue, red, and yellow adorned the colegio—from its façade to the newly built Christmas tree—filling the Letran community a sense of warmth in their second home.
As the air grew colder, the excitement of participants for Run Hueknighted 2025 heated up the St. Thomas Grounds. The event was organized by the Letran Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (LJPIA) in collaboration with the Department of Student Affairs (DSA), and College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA), in partnership with different student organizations and sponsors.
Runners assembled in unity, accompanied by a blasting drumbeat performed by the Letran Band. The race commenced at the colegio’s back gate on Muralla Street, passed by Beaterio Street and General Luna Street, where race necessities were provided at each station, and finished back at Muralla Street in front of the colegio’s front gate.
Pauline Esguerra, a 3rd year Financial Management, explained the motivation for her to run for the finishing medal. “It’s a personal hobby kasi mahilig po talaga ako tumakbo, and sumasali rin talaga ako sa mga fun run,” Esguerra said. She added that she joined because it was an event organized by the colegio.
Dominic Sacristan, a participant of Run Hueknighted, described the event as a unique experience compared to other fun runs. “‘Yung simple act ng paglalagay ng mga colors sa damit namin, iba yung feeling na nabibigay sa‘min—masaya siya,” he said.
Sacristan emphasized that with the world becoming increasingly stressful, the fun run became a way for him to destress.
Built Moments in Every Beat and Groove
The annual Field Demonstration brought the St. Thomas Grounds to life as students from both Basic Education and Collegiate levels stepped onto the field, ready to showcase talents, crafted by weeks of practice and discipline. The sun shone bright, yet the heat did not stop parents, and students from gathering around, fanning themselves while cheering just as loud as the music that echoed across the open space.
The performances formed a mix of traditional Filipino culture and modernity. Moreover, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Prof. Danilo Villena, PHD, watched among the sidelines, witnessing firsthand the dedication that each level poured into their dances.
By the end of the program, one team from the collegiate level stood out: College of Education, Liberal Arts, and Sciences took home the championship title after delivering an outstanding performance that left the crowd cheering even after their routine ended. Truly, the Field Demonstration is a celebration of the Arriba Spirit.
As the Colegio Week concludes, a final yet unforgettable event Letranites had been anticipating—the Arriba Fest—a night brimming with joy and celebration. From The Muralla Project, Arthur Miguel, LILY, Five Fingers, to Calein, the once quiet campus was brought to life, filled with booming voices from performers and the lively cheers of the crowd as they sang their hearts out.
The Muralla Project opened their set with Multo by Cup of Joe as their intro, setting the tone for a lineup filled with love songs. They covered Nandito Ako by Ogie Alcasid and ended with Romcom by Rom Deniel.
The crowd was overflowing with love as Arthur Miguel performed his song Lihim and covered Taylor Swift’s Back to December, creating a heartfelt and romantic atmosphere.
Roaring cheers filled the grounds as LILY rocked the stage with covers of Baby, Ghost, and Stay by Justin Bieber. They also performed their new songs Osa and Kinakabahan, capturing emotions of comfort and the fluttering feeling of young love.
Serenading the crowd, Five Fingers performed their cover of Miss Miss by Rob Deniel and their original song Aminin Mo Na, expressing longing and yearning for love.
As the night grew deeper, Calein took the stage and performed their hit songs Umaasa and Oras, resonating with the sorrowful hearts still healing from the past.
Through the lens of freshman Gennelle Franchesca Carlos, a first-year Psychology student, she described her Colegio Week experience as ‘solid,’ implying an enjoyable time. “Ilang days lang po ako umattend pero it was really fun, super enjoy naman po since I also met new friends,” she expressed. Carlos also shared that she and her friends almost lost their voices from singing along.
Filled with joy from last year’s event, Kervin Retarino, one of the attendees, returned for this year’s Arriba Fest and shared his excitement about Arthur Miguel’s performance. “I was really looking forward to seeing Arthur Miguel. I’ve been a fan for a while, so knowing he would perform was exciting,” said Retarino.
Both Carlos and Retarino expressed their request for next year’s lineup to include Earl Agustin—not only because he is their favorite, but also because they believe he would make the experience even more enjoyable.
For Tyrese Ronald Calica, a 2nd-year Legal Management student, Calein’s performance was the one he anticipated most. “‘Yung song nila na Umaasa ang pinakainaabangan ko talaga na tugtugin nila,” he shared.
Calica looks forward to seeing Fitterkarma included in next year’s Arriba Fest lineup. He expressed admiration for their discography, highlighting Kalapastangan and Pag-Ibig ay Kanibalismo II as his top picks.
Amidst the noise and rush of life, looking back on the colegio’s humble beginnings became an opportunity to pause and rediscover joy—in small moments and in new ways. In this celebration of the 405th anniversary in honor of Letran, the Arriba spirit spread across the campus through the shared bond of Letranites, bringing smiles and laughter throughout the community.
Colegio Week was not only for Letran, but a fulfillment of a warm feeling shared beyond the walls of the colegio.