November 15, 2024
by Jon Lorence Panelo
AISAT’s first mission is to foster critical thinking imbued with Christian values among its students, enabling them to arrive at technologically driven solutions and make sound, moral, and ethical judgments. In line with this, AISAT conducts a yearly powwow activity for students as a mental health break. This year’s powwow is on gadget detoxification, which aims to promote better relationships through face-to-face socialization. The powwow activity held on November 12, 2024, day 2 of AISAT Aerolympics, at Homitori Mais Hall, was required for AISAT students across all courses. Present during the event as facilitators are the AISAT Guidance Facilitator, Ms. Maria Cecilia Santander; School Chaplain, Ptr. Marck David Felipe; Marketing and Admissions Officer, Ms. Viktorria Villamor; Campus Ministry Coordinator, Mr. Lorence Marimon; Asst. Guidance Facilitator, Ms. Kreisler Fritz Antor; Part-Time Aviation Management Instructor, Mr. Jon Lorence Panelo; and the AISAT Marshalls.
The activity started with a game entitled Hey Buddy, which asked students to form pairs with fellow students they were familiar with. The students in pairs were then asked if they knew each other’s interests, such as their favorite color or favorite TV series. Through the game, the students realized they spend more time on gadgets than building personal relationships and were encouraged to know people more to create better relationships. Afterward, a mindfulness and meditation session titled five, four, three, two, one was conducted. During the session, students were asked to meditate while considering five things they can see, four things they can feel, three things they can hear, two scents they can smell, release their stress, cleanse away their screens, detoxify, and finally connect with themselves.
For the first talk, Guidance Facilitator Ms. Maria Cecilia Santander discussed the need for a detox for better physical, mental, and relationships. She also presented the signs that a person needs a detox, which include having difficulty focusing, feeling anxious, and having less time for hobbies. After this, Ma’am Cess provided some steps to do a gadget detox: setting time limits on gadgets, establishing technology-free zones, using do not disturb, and revisiting one’s purpose. Moreover, she talked about the benefits of having a gadget detox, such as better sleep, improved concentration, and more free time. To conclude her talk, Ms. Santander told everyone that it is not about avoiding gadgets entirely but taking control so one will not be overwhelmed.
In addition, the Campus Ministry Coordinator, Mr. Lorence Marimon, gave a second talk on the spiritual aspect of whether gadgets are evil. He then presented the harmful effects of gadgets, including distraction and lack of focus, sleep disturbances, reduction in physical activity, poor academic performance, cyberbullying, and social isolation. For the highlight of his talk, Sir Lorence emphasized that the love of gadgets is the root of all evil, highlighting that it is the people who are evil and not the gadget itself. Mr. Marimon then ended his talk with a question:
“Are you controlling your gadget? Or are you being controlled by your gadget?”
To wrap up the powwow activity, a slogan and dress-up game were conducted, and students were formed into groups and provided with materials such as manila paper, newsprints, crayons, and tape. The game aimed to bring out the creativity in the students as they were tasked to dress up a fellow student and come up with a slogan on gadget detoxification. The dressed-up students then walked the stage with a group presentation explaining their outfits and slogans. The powwow activity ended with the AISAT students smiling despite being away from their screens for a few hours.
To the AISAT community,
Are you in control of your gadgets? Or…
Are you being controlled by your gadgets?