The School of Liberal Arts (SLA) Days is an annual event that has long been anticipated by the SLA Dragons since the beginning of the school year. The event, which was held from September 8 to 9, 2018 at the MPCC and backfield of Salvador Campus, was an effective space given to the students where they could interact through community-building activities and contests, and in the process, build a strong united front as the body of SLA.
The theme, creatively designed after the concept of dragons by the officers of the Liberal Arts Academic Organization (LAAO), inspired the non-sports team names and games. The four teams were Red Targaryen, Green Rhaegal, Yellow Vicerion and Black Drogon, all of which were derived from the timely fantasy drama Game of Thrones. Games were held during the first day like Catch the Dragon’s Tail and Dragon’s Egg Hunt, all of which aimed to promote sportsmanship and camaraderie among the players. Aside from the non-sports activities, there were also sports activities such as basketball, softball, futsal, volleyball, and badminton.
On the second day, the Dragons feasted at a boodle fight and celebrated the Back to the 90s Acquaintance Party. The acquaintance party was held at the Acacia Hall of LM Metro Hotel where more than a hundred students from LAAO and other academic organizations attended.
Feliz Emmanuelle Marcos, the project manager of the event, recalls: “It took us weeks to prepare for this special event. We encountered problems, criticisms, and breakdowns along the way, but that didn’t stop us from doing our job – to make this event the best one we possible could…”
Indeed, all the LAAO officers and the event organizers did not disappoint. With the 90s as the theme of the party, the whole venue was sensibly adorned with vibrant colors and designs that featured iconic elements of the 90s. The main highlight of the party, which was the pageant for the muses and escorts of the respective non-sports teams, entertained the party goers with the candidates’ bright array of clothing and fun responses. Over all, the night was filled with nostalgic music, good food, and laughter.
“As a student, I always hoped for better days for LAAO, but as governor, it was my responsibility to make it happen. SLA Days 2018 was all about reviving the Dragon within us. It was a reminder that we are a community and are bound to create better days together,” Fatimatuzzahra Abdulmajid, LAAO Governor, says when asked about the significance of SLA Dats. Truly, the SLA Days transcends a mere two-day activity. It was a venue for the student body of the SLA to come together and ignite the Dragon spirit within them. Oftentimes, it is difficult for a department to solidify when it consists of individuals with such varied courses. Successfully however, the 2018 SLA Days bridged the gap between these Dragons and has given them a newfound hope of a more unified LAAO.
