Blockmates by Choice
by Rica S. Facundo on September 7, 2010
Disclaimer: Reading this article may cause a sudden urge to B.B.T.F with your block.
Blockmates are the kind of package that the Ateneo signs, seals and delivers directly to your college doorstep during OrSem. But are your blockmates really your friends by choice, or is the “friendship” merely bound by circumstance?
As the first ever officially recognized Transferee Block of the Ateneo, Block TR’s answer already made history.
Building blocks of change
From a self-proclaimed geek to a super star speed racer, it isn’t only the diverse range of personalities that makes Block TR unique. Unlike the typical freshman block, transferee students all took up study in different colleges prior to coming to the Ateneo. They are a hodgepodge of students taking up different courses and programs of study, precisely the reason why they were not considered as an official block— even if their presence was duly recognized during OrSem.
At least, that was the case up until today.
For some, it’s already hard to get your blockmates to just hang out. What more getting them to unite together to fight for representation in the Ateneo Sanggunian?
“My initiative to run was all for my blockmates,” says block representative Tony Perez. “In consideration for a venue to express our collective sentiments and aspirations as bona fide students of the Loyola Schools, I requested for our representation in the Sanggunian,” he says, telling the beginnings of how his block made history.
Block TR ultimately won the case.
Their InTACT advisor JC Capuno says that Block TR paved the way for future transferee blocks to be represented in the student body. “There’s no greater joy for an adviser than to see his own students embrace that goal to form and nurture their own friendships,” he says.
Tony Perez has a heart and so does TR
When his blockmates nicknamed Tony as “Iron Man” during OrSem, they unknowingly inspired a block slogan for stickers that resembled the arc reactors found on Iron Man’s chest. Block TR wore these on their shirts during their campaign for Sanggunian representation. It said: “Tony Perez has a heart, TR 2010.”
“My blockmates and [my] TnT’s presence really boosted my confidence and morale,” Tony says of his and his block’s collective fight. “I couldn’t have made it without them.”
It takes a lot of love and passion to take on this kind of initiative—a special kind that overflowed from Tony’s heart to rest of TR’s.
JC Capuno says, “TR is a block full of heart—for what they believe in, and for each other. They have much to share to this school and to the world.”
No signs of divorce
“These guys are so tight they should get married,” says Nico Cadiz, Block TR’s TnT.
Because their schedules conflict due to their different courses, maintaining the Block TR bond takes a lot of effort. Jerene Cantos, a member of Block TR says that because their block is so big, they have been split into two InTACT classes. But they still manage to get around this one: “Sometimes, some of us sit in each other’s class—just because we love seeing everyone’s faces,” Jerene says.
Will Block TR become one of those blocks that stray from each other upon hitting sophomore year? Their other TnT, Jemika Soledad, doesn’t think so. “These TR kids have a hard time trying to get together, and yet they succeed. I’ve never seen such will in a group of people,” she says.
“The key is survival,” Keena Campos, also of Block TR, says. “Because we’re a minority and there aren’t a lot people like us. You want to be around people who understand your situation.”
So, are your blockmates your friends by choice or by circumstance? For Block TR, whose love and support for each other has gone as far as making historical mark, their answer might be something that will make you reconsider yours.
