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This is a world cafe talk with resource speakers representing single, married, and clerical / ordained life. This is my way of helping the participants discern which state of life they are called to be a more loving person.

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This was a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) conference conducted in a science high school wherein students learned about the importance of scientific discoveries in enhancing the lives of people. By helping organize the event as well as participating in it, I had the opportunity to actualize the more loving choice as a response to God's call.

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In my current situation and context, I believe that the small and most realistic thing that I can commit to having a loving response to God, is by exerting more effort and nurturing more of my relationships with others. As someone who spends a lot of time trying to grow my own self, focusing on myself, and being more of a “low maintenance person”, it takes a lot of effort and planned time for me to be more present for others around me. And I think that the small thing of checking up on my relationships, being there for people I love, making time for others, and always hearing them out ,helping them discern when they have problems and giving myself as someone who is always there is a way for me to show a more loving response to God’s call, not only doing things for myself, but for the other people in my life as well.

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To show my commitment in my own way, would be by being a better peer to my classmates, being an attentive and supportive friend, and by being a loving son. I may not be capable of many things, but I am very capable of being the best version of myself to others.
- Kevin Sornet

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What articulates my concrete plans to do the more loving choice is rooted in my TD experience back when I was in Senior High. Growing up, my mom told me to help kids in the future especially when it comes to education. This value for learning was also something that was instilled in me when I was young. Getting the opportunity to teach such hardworking and bright kids made me realize that this is indeed an advocacy I'd want to continue when I grow up in hopes that they are able to help themselves, their families, and also contribute to nation-building! :)) - Julianne Ysrael

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This photo was taken during our high school organization's garage sale with funds to be used to oragnize charity events for others. It reminds me that even through small things like choosing time to help out with events like this I can choose the more loving option and be a loving person for others. With this, a concrete action I can take is taking time by volunteering for events like these and just generally alloting time to be a person for others or to at least make someone else's day a bit better. - Bea Gan

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As I took up a coffee certification program at my work, I understood the hardwork and the vigorous process that coffee goes through. In the future I aspire to create an established community of coffee here in our country that aims to provide a greater livelihood more sustainable practices, and showcasing the potential of coffee in our region. To help out those in need and let the community flourish by helping out the farmers and inspiring people to become baristas will enhance the Philippine's coffee industry.

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This is the 3-year anniversary dinner of our organization. Here, I can honestly say that "dito ako naging mas mapagmahal, at dito rin ako patuloy na higit pang mag mamahal." I strive to offer my skills and what I can into this organization and we have been building an inclusive community that welcomes people and does not discriminate or judge for who others are and what they can offer. I continue to serve in this community of different people with their own different stories to come together as one body. In this way, I am able to choose the more loving option.

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This photo was taken last 2018 during one of my organizations (CISV) projects named "kahayag" wherein we celebrated Christmas with the GK Lorega community by making recycled parols with the children. This reminds me of how I enjoy watching kids learn especially since I too was once a child that was always so curious with the learning environment around me. Since I am gifted with the talent of playing Football, my concrete plan to do the more loving choice would be to teach the kids near my community back in Cebu how to play Football. I have the desire to grow this sport in our Basketball/Volleyball country because I believe that aside from it being an important source for exercise and happiness, Filipinos would do well since height isn't much of a factor compared to playing Basketball/Volleyball. I want to be able to see the community grow and watch as kids enjoy the beautiful sport in the hopes that one day they too continue to spread the love.
-Paolo Abalos

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This was a photo of some of the members of the organization I am part of which is centered on raising awareness on mental health and helping the community as much as we can, and as someone who was never active in joining any organizations before, I could say that being active in this org made me say na "Dito ako mas magiging mapagmahal." I believe this is one outlet I could commit to be more loving by offering my time and skills to continue our mission as an organization and create a more inclusive community. Ang pagpili ko dito ay hindi lamang para sa akin, kung hindi para na tin sa ikaaangat ng iba.

-Karl Cruz

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This is an image of the kids of the partner community our outreach program, REACH interacted with. Aside from seeing their happy smiles in the synchronous program, seeing their happy faces after receiving the food+hygiene kits made me feel contented and happy that I was able to help make an impact. Thus, I am moved to do the more loving option by taking part and or volunteering in projects that strive to lift others up. -Stephanie Julianna Galleta

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In my current context, I'm actively trying to make the more loving choice by taking care of myself mentally—seeking professional help, and doing my own research to increase my knowledge and awareness. For most of my life, I didn't bother to pay attention to myself and was a slave to my perfectionism, resulting in recurring burnout and resentment towards the work that I did, as well as neglected relationships with others. Although rest and taking time off for myself might seem counterintuitive in the quest of making the more loving choice for others, I think these are necessary to situate myself in a position where I can actually give service to others wholeheartedly.

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This is one of the online benefit concerts that my friends and I were invited to perform in during the pandemic. I was happy knowing that my music and charity can go hand-in-hand and allow me to express my passion for others while raising funds for those whose work were affected by the lockdowns. I am truly grateful for these gifts and I hope to answer God’s call by sharing it with others in the spirit of helping those in need.

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This is an image of some of my batchmates and I earlier this school year. For context, the first semester of our Junior Year (this current sem) is said to be the hardest time for ME majors. On top of that, a lot of us are still adjusting to the shift back to the onsite setting. Hence, with our batch going through a number of challenges this semester, I believe that my version of doing the more loving choice would entail helping my peers in whatever way I can. Whether it's in the form of random check-ins with friends or providing moral support during trying times, I aspire to help them thrive and achieve their respective goals.

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This photo was actually the first ever photo I have with my fellow physics major as we attended our first onsite class as a block, and with that I believe that a solid concrete plan I have to do the more loving choice is to simply be a person, friend, son, and brother that aspires to always bring out the best out of the people I interact with. Not only that, but I would always keep in mind that this journey of mine was never meant to be a "solo run", this implies that by helping or supporting one another to achieve our ambitions and dreams, I effectively come closer to my own dreams and ambitions in life. With all of this in mind, I note that "The More Loving Option" is undeniably never the easiest option, but it will always be the better option.

~ Lloyd Cho

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This photo was taken back in 2019 with some of my orgmates (in ACIL) and a few of the kids we teach catechism to. I would really want to get back to teaching and connecting with the kids in our partner areas but unfortunately, as of now we cant go visit them yet. Still I would like, with the help of my orgmates to be able to create learning materials for them and maybe even get to talk to them through video meetings when possible.

-Ria Vanessa Querido

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This photo was taken at the beginning of an event in an org wherein we would spend the day with children with disabilities and their parents. During the event, we would play games and also give them food kits and gifts. This experience has made me more understanding of how people with disabilities act and has made me more aware of their situation and how challenging it is. Here, volunteering and actively choosing to be a person for others, instead of being passive, is the more loving option.- Janelle Co

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In my current context, I would have to say that I can choose the loving option by giving my best efforts in my NSTP integration project wherein my group has the opportunity to work with our partner sector’s organization, Gawang Kamay, in helping them optimize business opportunities in line with their advocacy. Through this, I hope to meaningfully interact with the members of the sector, truly get to know their narratives on a deeper level, and integrate these to the concepts I’ve learned in class. With all this, I posit that I can better understand the realities of the communities outside my own privileged context, and from there assess how this relates to my own identity as a member of society.

- Kathrynne Yu

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Through AESS projects, I hope that I'll be able to join in on more efforts for the environment and its constituents. I want to be able to share the importance of sustainability and the power that we have as consumers and as citizens to demand climate justice.

- Mheliza Madrid

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In my organization, I am constantly humbled and inspired by the work of the people around me and learn so much from my interactions with the PWDs from our areas. As part of my commitment to do the more loving response to God's call, I plan to continue to grow towards a deeper advocacy where I contribute to sustainable efforts and am able to show my love to others by being with them and hearing them out.

- Anya Habana

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In my own personal context, I choose to do the more loving choice by trying to be a better friend to my peers. I can show my full on support in their future endeavors and as well as being more understanding towards them.  I believe that the first step in doing the more loving choice is to try our best to act in how God wants us to act -- in his image.

- Kacheena Buensuceso

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In my experience with one of Ateneo's sector-based orgs, I, together with other members of the org, have been able to work together with members of our partner community setup their own small businesses and shared community business. As a computer science major, I plan to use one of the "gifts" I have to introduce them to the Google Suite, online payment solutions, and other business-related apps. By doing so, I actualize a response that transcends theory and bridges into substantial action.

- Vaughn Fajardo

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This is an image of a publication material that we created for our social startup that focuses on providing health solutions to problems faced by those living in rural communities. My more loving response to God's call is to immerse myself more deeply in the experiences of the people I try to help to fully understand them and their situation. As I go through this journey of wanting to solve public health problems, I make myself more accountable to act towards improving the state of healthcare in rural communities in the best way that I can.

-Christian King Condez

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I took this photo at Vice President Leni Robredo's Thanksgiving Rally at the ADMU campus earlier in the year. I think that Leni really set quite the example for myself and the other people who were also moved to attend. I believe that a life of service and indeed service in general is something that everyone can embody or contribute towards. The most loving choice, in my eyes, is a choice that takes into consideration the situation of as many people as possible. I think that following the precedent set for service by VP Leni, either in a large way by volunteering and participating with NGOs, or in my own small way by continuing the premise of Angat Buhay in my own personal life and local community, is a concrete way of choosing  the more loving option.

- Luis Amatong

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Above is a in 2019 picture with the students I taught for a year during the Ateneo's TD program. I could've easily done the bear minimum just to pass my class, but I remember exerting the extra effort to make my short time with my kids worthwhile for them. With detailed lesson plans, chats outside school, and our small interactions, I was able to purposefully pick the more loving option. To this day, I still keep in touch with my past students whenever they want chat about their lives, or need help with their school. I plan to continue to make this loving effort, take the extra mile for them and the others I would be meeting in my life.

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This is a photo of my track and field team. With them we together choose the more loving option every day in training by finding support within each other and offering support for each other.

- Mari Kristoffer L. Sison

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This is a picture of me and my siblings. I was never active in their lives to point that I couldn't list a single classmate, let alone friend, they had in school. However, trying my hardest to reconnect with them, even it may lead to fights, makes each day worthwhile and loving. - Kyle Santos

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As a student-leader of an organization, I am in charge of managing my own department. My plan is to continuously serve others through leadership, whether it be through a school organization or a social enterprise. I want to be able to lead others enough that they become motivated to do the same for others as well.

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This is a picture I took a few years back of one of the farmers in Nueva Ecija heavily affected by the rice tarrification law. I would like to continue understanding, raising awareness, and taking concrete measures to ensure the well-being of the marginalized in various sectors (not limited to the agricultural sector). I can do this by making use of my talents and creativity to make programs and/ reforms for those who don’t have much capability to do so.

- Michaella De Guzman

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Coming from a small school who advocated being environmentally friendly, I used to be able to join and volunteers in activities that serve mother earth and different kinds of people. From research and school activities, our education is very much connected to serving others. However when I had to move to a school to prioritize getting into a college I found myself unable to participate in these anymore. My concrete plans as of the moment is to go beyond the requirements of school and try to get back to joining activities such as these. Applying my new found knowledge and experience in order to help and serve others.

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This was during a kind of organizational fair in my previous senior high school. I wanted to help share our advocacies with others, help others realize their passion and drive to take initiative and action to forward the advocacies they're passionate about, and empower others to become leaders who are passionate to bring about change. It was this organization in particular that helped give better clarity to my vocation and what I want to do in life.

- Añeska Rebollido

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Above is the organization that aims to foster the sport of tennis in the country. I am moved to use my talents and gifts to develop other athletes within the sport that I love and feel most at home. Through this, I hope that in the future, I do my part in making Filipino athletes recognized in the world of sports.
- Santino Vistan

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This picture of me and my friends was taken during the Pasig rally for the presidential campaign of former VP Leni Robredo held in Ortigas back in March. As a Filipino, a product of Philippine society, we have a sense of concern for the welfare and situation of our country, an essential part of us that we hold dear. Just as former VP Robredo states, we can always choose "the more loving option," and by taking action and echoing our support through participating actively in these rallies, we are, in our own way, heeding God's call to practice concern for our country, our families, our friends and loved ones, and our society as a whole.

- Migo Lumawig

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I’ve been trying to make a more loving choice by being an active member of my organization (The GUIDON). I’ve always appreciated the work journalists do to defend the truth but never got the opportunity to join a publication due to my lack of confidence in writing. When I saw that The GUIDON had departments that didn’t involve writing, I finally took the opportunity to fulfill my desire to become a student journalist. This organization has developed my appreciation for journalists working hard to air out untold stories. Through my role as a Research Manager, I hope that I’m able to serve as a pillar for the writers in my organization.

-Aga Villaroman

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This was a photo of my department in Ateneo Peers when I was still a VP. Our advocacy was all about helping others help themselves where we ensure that people understand their feelings and that of others in the lens of humanistic psychology. With this said, my department’s mission is to ensure that Ateneo students and those outside the university be reminded that mental health is an important aspect of their lives which need to be taken care of. Mental health has always been one of my advocacies in life and I try my best to be there for others when they are going through hardships. - Ryan Jethro P. Garciano

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It was 2 years ago since I started tutoring Mathematics to students who found a hard time passing their classes. Teaching will always be one of my passions because it is a heart warming moment to see people learn, and to be influenced to think that they have the potential to do complex things. I brought this aspect in the Ateneo, as I continue to touch the lives of other college students who want to pursue medicine in the future. Being a Primary Care Guide under the PMSA  for 2 years, it will always be a pleasure to encourage other people to do the more loving option for themselves and for other people — to be the doctors that this country needs.

- Jay Robin Wee

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Here’s a photo of an outreach I did in highschool. My plan to do more loving choices is basically doing what I used to do. Being a active in helping others through being part of different organizations.

- Alexa

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In my second year in Barefoot, I'm planning to be of service to our partner rural communities as much as I can. Last year, I was one of the point persons of communicating with the community heads and I was able to see what these communities really need in terms of basic needs, in the context of covid, and in the children's education. Coming from a Catholic school, I am ever since active with programs like outreach, immersions, and community engagements and being a member of Barefoot helped me continue this "responsibility" I obliged myself to do.

- Marie Kris R. Dabbay

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Recently, someone very close to me has been struggling with their mental health and as much as I tried to help them, I felt like I was lacking in experience and finding the right words to say. So, in hopes of being more educated on how to help other people, I joined Ateneo Peers this year and even applied to be a Deputy for a department since I plan on being very active in this org despite it being my first time joining. I have also been having trouble with being a more patient and loving person, especially to those close to me as I have been feeding into my anger, so to help myself grow into a better and more loving person, I have started seeking counseling in LSOGC and I plan to regularly go to track my progress.

-Kristianna Palacios

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When I think about it, there are many ways in which I can respond to God's call and many acts that that would allow me to share compassion and love to those around me. However, I noticed, through my small decisions in life involving volunteer work and joining environmental organizations, that taking care of the environment has always been a passion of mine that speaks to my soul. That is why my concrete plan will involve actions that aim to heal what has been inflicted on mother nature, as well as being a good student, daughter, neighbor, and sister through consistent small acts of kindness that bear truth and meaning.

- Flannan Concha

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Photos in this compilation were taken during the campaign season for the 2022 Presidential Elections. My parents were strongly against the idea of attending political rallies but I know in myself that this is one way to care for other people who I can't directly help. Even with the risks, I stood up and answered God's call to help and care for others in my own personal way.

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This is a photo of my family and I spending some quality time together on our first picnic a few months ago. With my siblings and I coming back to face-to-face classes and becoming more busy with academics and extracurriculars, I would say my version of choosing to do the more loving response is by ensuring that I always make time for my family and take initiative in making them feel involved and updated in my life, whether it by by sharing how my day went or inviting them to go through new adventures together.
- Angela Gayle Qui

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This is a photo taken back in 2019, when I was still in senior high school.

In my current context, I try to make a more loving choice by being active and vocal in my role as a student leader. I have always looked up to student leaders, but was too scared to be a student leader myself out of fear that I wasn't good enough. After meeting and working with so many people who shared the same goals as I did, I was inspired to take the leap and try becoming a student leader. Since then, I have been constantly serving in the student government through my personal advocacy (mental health) while striving to conduct initiatives that will benefit the community. I hope that as a student leader, my service will be able to contribute in making our community a more inclusive and safe space for all.

- Abrielle Cu

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This was taken in a coastal cleanup activity I participated in during 2019. Through deepening and enriching my knowledge of nurturing the environment, I can find ways to help sustain the earth in my own and personal ways. In doing so, I can fulfill being a steward of God's creation and make sure the future generations can enjoy a livable and sustainable earth in the future. -Poch Santos

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This is a photo back in 2021 when my neighbors and I hosted a community pantry that was able to share food good for over 200 families. Volunteerism has long been a part of me ever since high school and I would always try my best to fit into my weekend a time for volunteering, whether as a facilitator, tutor, photographer and also donating whatever I can to the community, as well as to non-profit organization. Acknowledging my resources, and skills allowed me to serve the society better because I am able to provide, not because I was pressured to, but because I want to send hope and have a sense of purpose in the things I am doing.
-Kelly Chen

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The picture above was taken from a program that I helped organize when I was in high-school. It is concerned with providing tutorials to elementary students. After going through this recollection, I believe that the option of being a teacher despite of me wanting to be an engineer has been reignited and would be considered as I further pursue my academic degree.

-Geo Daquioag

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This was me with my classmates back in Grade 11 having our Tulong Dunong Session. I would clearly remember tutoring kids in Concepcion Integrated School, a public school in Marikina, and see how much I would be able to help even through small things whether it be tutoring, complementing how weel my students have done, or even buying them snacks. I would say that this experience help me learn on doing things more for others rather than just for myself.

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This is a photo of a yoga mat that I have bought during the pandemic. I had decided to buy this yoga mat to try to start doing exercises at home in order to keep myself fit and healthy especially during a time where we cannot leave our homes for sports or walks. By obtaining this yoga mat and using it for exercise, I chose to do more self-care instead of lazing around on my computer all day. I can say that through my start of exercising using this yoga mat, it has branched out for me to start trying out new sports such as golf and more recently badminton when the pandemic has eased out for sport activities.

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I believe that the simplest and most feasible way for me to commit to having a loving response to God is to put more effort into nurturing my connections with people especially those close to me. Entering my last year in college I found myself immersed in trying to make myself better, focusing on more on myself and my future plans. Given this situation I tend to lose time or even forget about their presence. I believe that fostering my relationships with others through small actions such as making time to bond, hearing out stories and random chats, providing assistance in times of needs, and projecting myself to aid in the needs of others as God has called me to do is the best way to commit and respond to Gods call.
- Maria Elyssa Nolasco

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This is a photo I took in Marikina during one of our Tulong Dunong teaching sessions. The student is taking some time off from the sun as he waits for his companion to go home. This teaches me to never take for granted the things I have presently and I should appreciate more of what life gives me.

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This is a photo of me and my family. Everyone's busy and on their own right now so we don't have time for each other. Finding time for each other is a challenge and I choose to do the more loving option by aligning my free time with theirs in order to bond and spend more quality time together.

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Working with these girls reminds me everyday how rewarding it can be to work towards creating inclusive communities within our org. While I struggled with my role in the beginning as a student involved in extracurriculars, being able to collaborate with my team and execute projects that build safe spaces and empower people has helped me cultivate my mental health advocacy into a service that can uplift the lives of others in a meaningful way that makes me happy.

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As a junior in my course, we've already began thinking about the topics we want to do for our thesis projects for next year. I choose the more loving response by prioritizing the environment and the impact my studies could have in the future on pollution and cleanups.

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Above is a picture of my high school friend group. We've been friends for around 7 years now. We entered different universities and haven't seen each other for a long time. However, I choose to do the more loving option by being there for my friends as long as I can despite so. I will be with them through success and failures.

- Micaiah Magallanes

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I took this photo during an outreach program my mom invited my brother and myself to, wherein a group of both regular people and doctors partnered up with Assumpta Technical High School with the goal of teaching the kids and offering free medical and dental checkups. As a result of the pandemic, a lot of these kids have not been able to get their medical checkups since the pre-pandemic times. Our goal was to bring these kids together and offer them free health assistance. :)

- Juan Aruego

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Above is a picture of me with some of my college friends who I met online and got closer to as we started onsite classes. When I started college in an online setup, I planned to just not care to socialize anymore as I thought the pandemic would hinder onsite classes from happening for longer. However, as time passed, it made me believe that the best way for me to commit to having a loving response to God is by committing to myself and those around to be a better person for myself and for others as well.

- Gideon Nikolai Leyva

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This photo was taken last April 29, 2022, wherein ADMU welcomed the Sumilao Farmers to their dorm residences as a way to aid them in their profession through agriculture programs planned out by Leni Robredo. I remember going to the welcoming parade for the farmers under the scorching heat and being worried about the school requirements I had to do when I got home. However, what was on my mind that what was important was the fact that I was fighting for a bigger cause that was bigger than just me, and I helped in pushing for that cause.

- Hilario Luis C. de Leon

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Last summer, I chose the more loving option by devoting my time to actively campaign for a presidential candidate whom I believe will do great for the country I love. I joined a fight not just for myself but for everyone, especially the future generations. It was a worthwhile experience to contribute to something bigger than myself!

- Pat Abarquez

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This is a picture of the Word Rider Philippines group which my dad co-founded. They take bibles to far-flung elementary schools in the most rural areas in the country to teach kids about God. I was lucky enough to join and volunteer for rides where I interacted with these kids as they were genuinely interested in stories especially parables. I continue to be an active member and participate whenever I can to help spread love and the Word to kids around the country.

- Franco Alejandro P. Mosquera

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This image was taken during Leni Robredo's Thanksgiving Event after her presidential campaign. Her decision to continue serving the Filipino people despite not winning the elections calls me to choose the more loving option in all that I do. Doing so can be done in an act as small as listening to a friend talk or even doing acts of service for those around me.