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Tia Lero (6 BFA TA) is “your super sweet—with a little bit of heat” OrSem veteran who shows no signs of slowing down. In her final year, she is gearing up to take the online stage as one of OrSem Tayo’s O-Hosts.
As her tagline suggests, Tia has a bubbly personality; she is a warm and dedicated bundle of energy that can light up any room. Always ready to bring her A game, she proves that Ateneans are not limited to their course or school when it comes to academics. On top of her Theater Arts degree, Tia is also taking three minors: Global Politics, Urban and Regional Development, and Chinese Studies.
Taking on a triple minor is no easy task, but Tia shares that Ateneo became a place where she began to figure out her passions and what she cared about. These minors are one of the products of that process. “The University, in general—I think it allows so much growth for each student,” she says. “[It’s] a place where I could experience quality education, but at the same time grow holistically in.”
Tia’s gauge for holistic growth goes beyond academics. Her extracurricular work is another indicator. When it comes to OrSem, she is as seasoned as it gets with Tayo marking her fifth year as a volunteer. The first three years saw Tia take on roles in the Tech and Entertainment SubCores. OrSem Tuloy, which marked her fourth year of volunteer work, was the year she took the helm as one of the O-Chairs.
This OrSem Tayo, Tia’s “joke slash dream” to become an O-Host is now a reality. With a charm like no other, she is ready to welcome the newest members of the Ateneo community with joy and warmth. While the setting is not ideal, she knows better than anyone that the cause for welcome is always greater. “It feels like I’m really just stuck in the OrSem community in the best way possible,” she jokes.
Recalling her own freshman year OrSem—OrSem 2016: Sibol—Tia shares that there was still a fashion show back then. To her shock, she was selected by the Entertainment Committee to be a part of the program.
Participating in the fashion show meant Tia wouldn’t be able to spend the day with her block but it actually ended up bringing her closer to them. “They were super supportive of that little fashion show in O-Night and it made me feel so welcome—not only in the block but in Ateneo in general,” she shares.
Despite her years as a volunteer, Tia admits to limited hosting experience and mentions that she was surprised at making it past the first wave of auditions. In fact, she initially wasn’t planning on returning to OrSem this year, but her passion for volunteering and welcoming the freshman batches pulled her back in. “There was something in my head telling me that it would be such a wasted opportunity, your last year volunteering and you didn’t go for it. […] So I just went for it,” she shares.
In her new role, she’s utilizing her past experiences to navigate the difficult feat of hosting in the online setting. “Only a part of you gets seen through the screen, [so] I’m trying to really practice bringing my personality to the table,” she says.
When asked about her all-around experience in the Ateneo, the barkada ate likens it to a rollercoaster. “There were times when I wanted to get off, but at the same time [there] was so much excitement, so much thrill in staying on that ride,” she explains. “I couldn’t have imagined doing anything [else] in Ateneo; as a student, as an individual.”
To the OrSem community, Tia sends out a genuine thank you for the years of trust they have given her. Meanwhile, she offers this reassuring message to the incoming freshmen: “You may feel scared, worried, confused, or even lost, pero nandito lang kami para sa inyo. In line with this year’s theme, magkakasama tayo sa bawat hakbang.”
(You may feel scared, worried, confused, or even lost, but we are here for you. In line with this year’s theme, we will be together every step of the way.)
