He is not an ordinary college student – he is an STIer, one who wills change. He told me he wanted to learn English more so he could talk to foreigners easier. He also told me that he makes websites and “other stuff” for a price, and that he would like to enhance his skills for a better future. I was enthralled by how he communicated with me. He was like selling his product to me, the buyer who wanted to buy his market. Little did I know that I would be more enthralled to this genius’s mind and passion today.

Last August 20, I was suddenly called by my supervisor on an immediate business trip to accompany this 19-year old student, Allan Jay “Atom” Dumanhug of BT702A to The Podium in Ortigas Center, Quezon City to an awarding ceremony of an event handled by Google and the National Youth Commission. At first I was puzzled, but I complied.

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When we were in the train going to the south, Atom enthusiastically started talking about this event by Google. Apparently, this is the second one he attended with Google Philippines. So I didn’t let this boring time in the MRT pass us by – I asked him questions.

The first one was the Google Student Leaders Summit. He joined the free one-day training on February 28, 2015 at the University of Asia & The Pacific. He listened to talks by known people from Google Philippines. Some of which are Mr. Kenneth Lingan, the Country Manager of Google Philippines, and Ms. Gail Tan, the Country Communications Manager of Google Philippines. He grouped with other students from prestigious schools such as Ateneo de Manila, University of the Philippines, and De La Salle University, and learned how to handle different situations and people as leaders.

The event we went to last August 20 is the awarding ceremony of another event under Google, in cooperation with the National Youth Commission. Atom was one of the 65 students chosen out of more than 300 who sent their intentions of joining the said event. They had the training last July 18, 2015 at Fully Booked, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig to be Web Rangers. Web Rangers is the term used by Google for ordinary students who could perform extraordinary things to do something against bullying.

Atom was grouped with students from College of St. Benilde, De Las Salle University, University of the Philippines Integrated School, and University of the Philipines – Diliman. All 13 groups were tasked to create a video presentation using their own concept, as to how they could rise against bullying and the troubles it causes in today’s generation. Atom’s group was not so lucky to win the first prize and get an all-expense-paid trip to Singapore, but Atom said he’s more than happy to join the event. Not only did he learn new things, meet new friends and get freebies, but he also felt that he did what he could do to combat bullying. Atom willed something for a positive change – a change for the society and for himself.

Atom, with his power to persuade, market, and communicate, can be an ambassador for this change. The answer to the question “How did he manage to learn about all these?” comes from him: “I looked for ways on how I could enhance my skills and feed my passion. Sana ganun din ang gawin ng bawat STIer.”

By: Erika Ilagan