The evening began as the clubhouse opened its doors to its arriving guests. People of different ages streamed inside the venue as anticipation built up for the night to come. Songs played in preparation for the upcoming performances also seeped out of the venue welcoming all those that heard it. People found their seats and chatter began to mesh with the music. Mixed expressions and emotions could be found on faces as the conversations grew in volume. Some looked anxious and timid while others brimmed with energy and excitement, nevertheless, conversational exchanges brought about laughs and served to liven up the atmosphere further. Night crept over the sky and the various chatter started to die down. Two individuals took to the stage and stood in front of the crowd. At the peak of the silence, their voices burst forth with energy echoing throughout the room sending excited shivers to the audience, signalling that the night for Splendour had begun.

The annual prom-type event held by the Ateneo Special Education Society (SPEED) was held last March 9 in the Valle Verde 6 Clubhouse. SPEED members and non-SPEED members alike joined the PWSNs from the organization’s partner areas to spend a fun-filled “Starry Night” with games and performances.

The night kicked off with the icebreaker “Make A Spaceship”, a game similar to “The Boat is Sinking” where the dates had to form groups of members based on the number called out by the hosts when the music stops. The five remaining guests on the dancefloor were given a prize.

Another game the guests were able to play was “Blast Off”, which is a variation of the game “Bring Me”. To accommodate all the PWSNs part of the event, instead of bringing the said item to the hosts, the first person who raised the item was the one who got the prize. Each winner got two prizes -- one for them and one for their date.

Last but definitely not the least, what’s a party without a game of Newspaper Dance? Dates were tasked to dance around a piece of newspaper and make sure both of them are able to step on the newspaper when the music stops. The piece of newspaper gets folded each round, and it was fun to see each date come up with creative ways to step on the newspaper as it became smaller and smaller. Those who lasted in the game were able to do so with a common strategy, which was carrying their dates on their backs.

The first performer was Deivid Encarnacion, who serenaded the guests with his powerful vocals. Once a member of Ateneo High School’s Dulaang Sibol, this freshman student showcased his renditions of songs such as “Halo” by Beyonce and “E.T.” by Katy Perry to which the audience applauded.

The next performer, who is known as the “suki” performer of SPEED, was Dino Robles. Since this event fell on the same day as the famous music festival Wanderland, the former SPEED member “brought Wanderland” to the guests with his versions of “Mundo” by IV of Spades as well as “Lovebug” by the Jonas Brothers to commemorate the popular band’s comeback.

The acoustic duo Jerry Violago and Austin Chai performed next. The two, who have been friends since the ninth grade, continued the mellowness and intimacy of the performances with songs such as “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran.

Armed with her ukulele, Corinne Tandoc lightened the atmosphere with her renditions of “Best Part” by Daniel Caesar and “Sunday Morning” by Maroon 5. She also sang an original love song which a lot of the guests seemed to relate to, judging from the cheers during her performance.

The next performers were Limerence, composed of a group of friends. After opening their set with their version of “Hanggang Kailan” by Orange & Lemons, they mostly sang their own compositions. At that point of the night, everyone must have grown comfortable with each other’s company as they started to flood the dance floor to sway to the band’s songs.

CASA concluded the night’s performances with their covers of “Attention” by Rihanna and “Lucky” by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. The newborn group of Atenean acapella singers impressed the guests with their vocal prowess that invited the guests once more to the dance floor.

Any initial apprehension was thrown out the window as the night went on. Games were conducted and many participants lost themselves in their own dance. There was shared laughter and amusement amongst the audience which only served to spur the participants further. The buffet opened up to accommodate the enlivened crowd, and the guests were treated to savory meals as one table after another lined up for their share of the night’s delicacies. People found themselves regaled by the music of some very talented Atenean singers who were able to string them along with their melodious voice and even enticed them to clap and chant the lyrics to the song as well.

This sense of normalcy that we often take for granted is unbelievably precious to people who don’t always have it. The experiences that one misses out on because of their “difference” causes them not only to resent others, but also to resent themselves. Splendour is the first of many steps to create an inclusive society.