“Geek on fleek” Rafa Chua (3 BS ME) is back with a new perspective as he gears up for his second year as O-Host, this time for OrSem 2018, Tayâ. “I feel so lucky to be back,” he says. “I didn’t expect it—I’m just so grateful that I have this opportunity to come meet the new batch of O-Hosts and [to] work with the new batch of host handlers.”
An avid reader, gamer, and graphic designer (surprise!), Rafa Chua is filled to the brim with different talents and interests. But perhaps the one activity closest to his heart is his membership in Kythe-Ateneo, an organization that provides psychosocial support for children with chronic illnesses. He says he loves doing work for sector-based organizations like Kythe because they house groups of people who work together towards a common goal. This sense of community, paired with his penchant for stand-up comedy, has definitely prepared him for hosting at OrSem, an event that requires both improvising and cooperativeness with others.
During his O-Host run in the previous year’s OrSem: Likha, Rafa wanted to show that being yourself is perfectly normal. He made sure to let the freshies know the importance of embracing your identity and loving who you are. However, in the coming year, his resolve to return stems from his desire to bring something new to the table.
“I don’t want to show up again and take a slot if I’m just gonna bring the same thing all over again,” he says. “I think I have a lot of confidence [and] new skills to bring, [and] I have a lot of experience that I can share with OrSem this year.” And he’s right. With all these new assets, Rafa has proven to himself and his co-hosts that he is worth the second watch.
This passion and desire all goes back to his love for the OrSem festivities. Rafa urges incoming freshmen to realize that the event is made to welcome them into the Ateneo. He also encourages them to enjoy the surprises that lie in wait. “You don’t really realize how much work goes into it [when you’re there],” he says. “You can’t pack that much love into something and not have it be amazing.”
In the grand scheme of it all, Rafa ultimately sees Ateneo as a hallway full of doors filled with endless opportunities. He believes that if there is anything a freshman should know coming into Ateneo, it is this: “Don’t change who you are, but rather, discover the parts of yourself that you haven’t found yet.”
