AdZU High Holds Character Day

By Regine Miren D. Cabato

Reality and fiction collided last Friday, September 16, 2011 at the Fr. William H. Kreutz SJ Campus when the high school celebrated its first ever Character Day with the theme Blast from the Past. The program proper started at approximately 8:00 a.m. and ended at around 9:00 a.m., with Ms. Michelle Rosello, Ms. Hannah Osario, and Mr. Ronnie Garganera as the emcees.

In line with the celebration of Literacy Month and sponsored by the English department, Character Day is the first of its kind, the birth of a possibly new tradition for the Ateneo de Zamboanga High School. It was aimed to promote a sense of literacy and literary appreciation through creative expression as well as fun and interactive learning. Students were required to portray their favorite fictional and non-fictional characters, wearing their costumes the whole day in line with a presentation of their characters during their Literature and Composition classes.

Among the most popular costumes included those of the Disney Princesses and anime characters, members of the Harry Potter cast, and figures of mythology. The more resourceful students came up with quick, get-go, pocket-friendly group costumes, such as Alvin and the Chipmunks, the F4, and even the Three Blind Mice.

However, not all the reviews for Character Day have been positive. Apart from opinions that it was ‘rushed’, an anonymous senior said that although it was fun, it was “quite a hassle to prepare a costume and it was quite warm… it drove the learning enthusiasm from me because we were too busy worrying how we looked and cooling ourselves.” Nonetheless, most of the reactions have been more upbeat; it was even a “Facebook Primary Photo Day” for some. Ayeem Igasan, a junior, said she found students participative. “It was fun and funny,” she added in a testimonial, “fun because we saw people dress up as their favorite character and funny because there were weird costumes and all.”

Then again, there are also weird characters in literature – and they help make it every bit as rich as it is.

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