Loyola Schools - Ateneo de Manila University

Transcription

Lending a helping
hand in Bicol
JOANNA RUIZ
Professionals
for Others
pages 6 to 7
pages 6 and 7
November & December 2006
Volume II
Number 6 & 7
Get a dose of culture,
history and scholarship
JOANNA RUIZ
Get to know the people
in your neighborhood
MA. ASSUNTA C. CUYEGKENG
page 14
pages 8, 9 and 10
loyolaschoolsbulletin
we build community we nurture hope
A Message from the Vice President for the Loyola Schools
Christmas
Reflections
Ateneo
pays tribute to
Christmas in the Philippines has a way of being touched by a
sad note, whether it is an economic crisis, a memory of a natural
calamity, or power outage. Yet we have always found a way to
celebrate with food and tinsel and lights. Like the story of Christ’s
birth, we go through some tough times before experiencing the
joy. This Advent, with the memories of Reming still fresh in our
minds, with the pressures of school work building up, let us
revisit the story of Christ’s birth once more, and allow God’s
voice to touch us and put meaning in our hearts.
HENSON WONGAIHAM
Emeritus Professors
I have always found Mary’s perspective helpful, because she
is as human as we are and because we, too, are invited to carry
Christ in ourselves. We Ateneans would recognize her response
as characteristic of Ignatian Spirituality. Mary’s answer had always
one focus: God. Her response had only one stance: openness. Her
yes had only one condition: love.
Like Mary, St. Ignatius of Loyola invites us to this kind of
focus, to “see Christ more clearly, follow Him more nearly, and
love Him more dearly, day by day.” Like Mary, St. Francis Xavier
shares his passion for more possibilities of service, even if they
may be new to us or beyond our comfort zones: the spirit of
magis. Like Mary, Blessed Peter Faber reminds us that when we
say “yes” to God, we cannot but take genuine care of each other
in the spirit of love.
Reflecting with Mary and the First Companions, our
engagement in disaster relief, research, advocacy, leadership
formation, and a thousand other concerns, may yet find its place
in the Nativity story we experience again and again. This season
is an opportunity to still our hearts and to listen, that we may
know God’s love.
Mapuno nawa ang ating mga tahanan at puso ng Kapayapaan, Pagasa, at Pagmamahal ni Kristo ngayong Pasko at sa taong darating!
Ma. Assunta C. Cuyegkeng, Ph.D.
Dr. Ramon C. Reyes, Fr. Roque J. Ferriols, S.J., Dr. Modesto T. Chua, Fr. Joseph L. Roche, S.J.
L
ast November 22, 2006
Ateneo de Manila University
Loyola Schools conferred the title
of Emeritus Professor to Dr.
Modesto T. Chua of the
Department of Chemistry, Fr.
Roque J. Ferriols, S.J. of the
Department of Philosophy, Dr.
Ramon C. Reyes of the
Department of Philosophy, and
Fr. Joseph L. Roche S.J. of the
Department of Theology.
commitment to education. In
addition, Dr. Cuyegkeng
explained the tough selection
process entailed in bestowing the
honor to seasoned faculty
members.
All the honorees in their
acceptance speeches reflected on
how they were shaped by their
own teachers, many of whom
were Jesuits. By reminiscing their
formative years, the awardees
paid a powerful tribute to the role
of mentors in molding not only
excellent teachers, but excellent
persons as well.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Ma.
Assunta C. Cuyegkeng, Vice
President for the Loyola Schools,
elucidated on what the title
signifies in the institution’s long
tradition of excellence in research Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, S.J.
and teaching, explaining how the President of the Ateneo de
honor reaffirms Ateneo’s Manila University conferred the
G
roundbreaking ceremonies
for the Ricardo and Dr. Rosita
Leong Hall of the School of
Social Sciences were held on
December 4, 2006 at the Social
Sciences Garden near the
building’s future site. Present
were members of the Leong
family including Mr. Ricardo and
Dr. Rosita Leong, their children
Richard and Mimi Leong, and Jay
Leong-Gokongwei, as well as
University
trustees,
administrators, faculty, and staff,
and members of the Leong Hall
design team led by Architect Jose Social Sciences, Mr. Ricardo
Pedro “Bong” Recio of Recio + Leong on behalf of the Leong
Casas Architects.
Family, and Fr. Bienvenido F.
Nebres, SJ.
The morning was sunny as the
event began, with Fr. Aristotle C. The administrators were one in
Dy, SJ as master of ceremonies. thanking the Leong family for
The Ateneo Campus Ministry their generosity and sense of
Group provided musical mission, and in emphasizing the
numbers for the simple but n a t i o n - b u i l d i n g
heartfelt program. Brief remarks potential of the Page
were given by Dr. Ma. Assunta elegantly designed
C. Cuyegkeng, Vice President for Leong Hall. Dr. Cuyegkeng was
the Loyola Schools, Fr. Jose M. confident that the building would
Cruz, SJ, Dean of the School of be a place “where ideas for social
for more on the
Professors Emeritus
see page 2
MELENCIO GALLARDO, JR.
Leong Hall construction underway
awards and thanked the faculty
members for their support.
Acknowledgments went to
faculty members Jerry Respeto,
Gary Devilles, Richard de
Guzman, Jethro Tenorio, Ariel
Diccion, Roy Tolentino, and DM
Reyes, and students Cholo
Sanchez, Stephen Uy, and Jan
Alcazar, who, with the assistance
of the Loyola Schools’ Office of
the Vice President, prepared the
short but elegant program.
Capping off the memorable
evening was a dinner held in
honor of the awardees. gdevilles
4
Mr. Ricardo Leong breaks ground
2
Volume II, Number 6 & 7
PROFESSOR
professor
BJ A. PATIÑO
DR. MODESTO T. CHUA
Dr. Modesto T. Chua
In many a Chemistry major’s wish
list, Dr. Modesto T. Chua’s name
appears as the teacher of choice
for organic chemistry. To this
day, his students continue to hold
much affection for him. For
generations, he has trained
Chemistry majors at the
Ateneo—in the fields of organic
chemistry, organic spectroscopy
and synthesis.
To the
department’s young faculty he has
continued to be a cheerful
mentor. Many consider that his
life as a professor and chemistry
professional offers the ideal
template for those with noble
aspirations in the field.
Dr. Chua’s education traces back
to the Ateneo High School where
FR. ROQUE J. FERRIOLS, S.J
If one were to ask “Meron bang
Filipino philosopher?” the
answer would have to be “Yes,
Roque Angel Jamias Ferriols, S.J.,
the philosopher of Meron!”
Strange, since Fr. Ferriols has
never written any article or book
which carries the word “Filipino”
in its title. Yet it is the deep
conviction and the serene
assurance of philosophizing as a
Filipino that makes him the
undisputed father of Filipino
philosophy.
until the present (except for a
one-year stint as a missionary in
Mindanao in 1966 and another
year in the Retreat Bank in 1967).
din ni Padre Ferriols ang
katutubong kalinangan nang
isulat niya ang kanyang
Pambungad sa Metapisika
(1990) at nang sikapin niyang
magsalita sa Filipino ang mga
dakilang pilosopo tulad nina
Herakleitos, Platon, San Agustin,
Sto.Tomas, Marcel, Heidegger,
Teilhard de Chardin, Chuang-Tzu
at iba pa.
Born in Manila (PGH) in 1924,
Fr. Roque grew up in Sampaloc.
He finished his elementary
studies in San Beda and his high
school studies in Ateneo de
Manila. In 1941, he entered the
Society of Jesus in Novaliches. As
a Jesuit scholastic, he taught at
San Jose Seminary and the
Ateneo de Manila High School in
Padre Faura. He then obtained an
STL from Woodstock College in
Maryland and a Ph. D. from Ginising ni Padre Ferriols ang
Fordham University, with a thesis wikang Filipino sa kanyang
on Sri Aurobindo.
sariling kakayahan na bigkasin
ang Meron. Sa pamamagitan ng
Coming back to the Philippines tahasang paglalarawan at
in 1959, he taught philosophy in pagpapaliwanag ng karanasan sa
Berchmans College in Cebu for wikang Filipino, naipakita ni
three years. In 1962, he was Padre Ferriols kung paano
assigned to the Ateneo de Manila kumakagat o nag-uugat ito sa
where he has been waking to tunay na umiiral o Meron sa
insight generations of Ateneans bukod tanging paraan. Pinayaman
Fr. Roque J. Ferriols, S.J.
Dr. Chua enjoys regard not only
as a teacher and scholar of
science but also as a Chemistry
professional. Since 1973, he has
been Director of PIPAC, a duty
that he continues to exercise
today. He also sits as member of
the University Research Council
(URC) and has ser ved as
consultant to many companies,
including UNILAB and the
Beecham Group. He has chaired
many technical committees
convened by the DOST,
PCHRD, the ASEAN, and
UNESCO.
genius” in the Philippine
Province of the Society of Jesus,
according to the noble historian
Horacio de la Costa). If one
includes his high school studies,
he has been in the Ateneo de
Manila for almost fifty years. He
has been teaching at the Ateneo
de Manila for almost forty five
years, for more than half of his
life. Much of Fr. Ferriols’
teaching has remained with his
students because as Fr. Arevalo
observed, even when Fr. Ferriols
teaches from books, he teaches
from himself—from his mind
and heart—and from life.
Atenean,
Jesuit,
priest,
philosopher, teacher, Fr Ferriols
will be known to future
generations simply as “Padre”—
the Philosopher of Meron.
For such tireless dedication, the
honors have not been wanting,
including the 2004 Philippine
Federation of Chemistry Societies
Award in Chemical Industry, the
Outstanding Chemist Award by the
Professional
Regulation
Commission and by the
Integrated Chemists of the
Philippines, and the Outstanding
Scientist Award by the Philippine
Association for the Advancement
of Science. epenriquez
Sa kanyang pagtuturo at buhay,
ginising niya ang di-mabilang
bilang na mag-aaral ang isang
walang sawang pagmamahal para
sa katutubong wika, sa Inang
Bayan, sa mga kababayan at para
sa di maubos-maisip, di masabisabing nguni’t kailangan pa ring
sabihin—ang
Hiwagang
pinagmumulan ng Meron. lmgarcia
BJ A. PATIÑO
Noong 1969, nagsimula si Padre
Roque na magturo ng pilosopiya
sa wikang Filipino. Nag-iisa
siyang nangahas na bigkasin ang
tunay na umiiral o Meron sa
katutubong wika sa panahong
Ingles lamang ang naghaharing
wika sa mga pamantasan at Fr. Ferriols has been a Jesuit for
inakala pang tanging wika ng pag- sixty five years (the only “true
iisip.
Tahimik
at
mapagkumbabang simula iyon na
naging binhi ng tunay na
pagbabagong-loob, hindi lamang
sa loob ng Pamantasang Ateneo
de Manila kundi sa buong bansa
rin. Kahawig ito ng pagsusulat ni
Descartes ng kanyang Discours
de la méthode sa wikang pranses
at ng pagsusulat ni Kierkegaard
ng Enten/Eller sa wikang Danes
at hindi na sa Latin.
he was valedictorian of his class,
and to the Ateneo de Manila
University, where he graduated
magna cum laude in 1957, with
double degrees in Philosophy and
Chemistry. In 1962, he went to
Germany for his DiplomChemiker. Two years after, he
acquired the Doctorate in
Physical Organic Chemistry
(magna cum laude) from the
University of Bonn. At Bonn,
he worked as Research Associate
to Professor Rudolf Tschesche.
There he received the singular
distinction of being named
Fellow of the prominent
Alexander von Humboldt
Foundation. Large pharmaceutical and chemical companies
abroad pursued him fiercely but
Dr. Chua’s magis directed him
elsewhere. He had chosen to
come home, earmarking his
Humboldt Fellowship grant to
purchase
state-of-the-art
instrumentation for the Ateneo.
The decision established a
laboratory that serviced the needs
of the local industry—launching
today’s Philippine Institute for Pure
and Applied Chemistry (PIPAC).
3
EMERITUS
emeritus
students, policy-making panels in standard of national education
academe, philosophical circles, has found expression as president
and even educational institutions. of the Philippine Accrediting
Association of Schools, Colleges,
As a philosophy teacher, Ramon word gentleman implies. Wearing reflection, cutting to the truth of For over forty years since 1965, and Universities (PAASCU) from
C. Reyes bears both in his life and the thinker’s mantle, he sees the phenomenon. With his vision, he Dr. Reyes has taught philosophy 1987 to the present and, for three
demeanor everything that the world from the heights of has guided generations of at the Ateneo de Manila. As a terms, as president of the
teacher, he embodies cura Federation of Accrediting
personalis—with an open ear to the Agencies of the Philippines.
curiosities and wonderment of
young life. This way, he has From his book Ground and Norm
shaped
generations
of of Morality to his various journal
Ateneans—in their diverse publications and papers, his
careers and persuasions. Lawyers, scholarship demonstrates the
CEOs, managers, and priests owe limpid, elegant, and precise
him their ethical worldview.
expression of the most complex
philosophical insights. In his
As head of the Philosophy expositions, one follows clearly the
Department for more than a thoughts of the great thinkers and
decade, from 1968-1981, he lay comes close to the sources of their
on the groundwork that will hone enlightenment. He succeeds in
it as the country’s future center explaining the heart of even the
of excellence. Dr. Reyes most obscure philosophers. Thus,
continues to serve as one of its not only students but also teachers
most valuable advisers. The have drawn much from his
university has had benefit of his interpretations. A string of awards
discernment, by electing him confirms this, capped by The
Trustee from 1970-73 and, then Metrobank Award for Most
again, from 1994-2005. His share Outstanding Teacher in 1987.
of vision for improving the amrodriguez
Dr. Ramon C. Reyes
BJ A. PATIÑO
DR. RAMON C. REYES
HENSON WONGAIHAM
The steady achievements of Fr.
Joseph L. Roche, S.J. reflect his
Ignatian way of life, in giving of
himself to “the progress of souls
in Christian life and doctrine and
the propagation of the faith.”
His critical passion disarms us,
articulately at work with a force
that lets our faith speak
effectively. And a deep love for
the Church he holds, making his
mission possible, so that Filipino
Catholics may live with a true
integration of doctrine, morals,
and worship.
design a new course integrating
novel ideas on the human subject
and the “healing and elevating
power of divine grace.”
At the Ateneo de Manila, Fr.
Roche directed the Theology
Department to articulate
fundamental ideas about the
nature, function, and mission of
a Catholic Jesuit university. This
has helped in crafting a unique set
of courses in view of a new kind
of college theology. His vision
affirms that education in the
Catholic Faith is a life-long
Fr. Roche began his career in process. Every dimension of
1963 at Berchman’s College and faith demands serious study,
San Jose Seminary, teaching research, and revision.
Philosophy of God and Philosophy of
Man. At the Loyola School of For thirty-five years, Fr. Roche
Theology (LST), he saw the need has been involved in teaching
for a trained philosopher to be catechists at the Mother of Life
part of the faculty, to underscore Catechists Formation Center. In
vital links between the two 1978, he established the Formation
disciplines. This philosophical Institute of Religion Educators, more
background inspired him to popularly known as FIRE. A
BJ A. PATIÑO
FR. JOSEPH L. ROCHE, S.J.
project of the Theology
Department and LST, FIRE
offers religion teachers and
coordinators full scholarships for
a Masters degree in Religious
Education and Theological
Studies. This four-summer cycle
program stresses the holistic use
of sources in training the
catechetical workforce for
effective leadership, to
revolutionize the Church’s impact
on the present world.
Because of these involvements,
Fr. Roche was commissioned to
work on the Catechism for Filipino
Catholics. The Congregation of
the Doctrine of Faith gave it
approval in 1996. Along with the
National Catechetical Directory of the
Philippines, equally the fruit of Fr.
Roche’s passion, the CFC is the
fundamental source for
catechesis in the country today.
mlcnatividad
Fr. Joseph L. Roche, S.J.
4
Leong Hall construction underway (from page 1)
concerned for the two years of
planning and work that had gone
photos by Melencio Gallardo, Jr.
into preparations for the Leong
Ricardo Leong Center for Hall, and thanked Arch. Recio for
Chinese Studies, and reflected on designing a “beautiful building
the history of the Jesuits in China, for all of us to enjoy.”
citing St. Francis Xavier’s vision
and audacity in “pushing into Blessing of the construction site
new territories,” and Matteo was carried out by Frs. Nebres and
Ricci’s example of scholarship, Cruz, along with Fr. Jose Cecilio
ending with an exhortation to Magadia, SJ, and Fr. Roberto
find out what more can be done Buenconsejo, SJ. Fr. Cruz presided
to deepen the dialogue between over the groundbreaking
China and the Philippines. In his ceremonies which featured the
remarks, Mr. Leong thanked all placing of mementos into a time
transformation will be born.” Fr.
Cruz remarked on how the
building’s design “allows air and
light to flow in,” making the
School of Social Science’s vision
of transforming society that
capsule by the Leong family,
School of Social Sciences
department chairs and program
directors, and other University and
Loyola Schools administrators.
Ground was broken by Mr. and
Dr. Leong and their children,
along with Fr. Nebres, Dr.
Cuyegkeng, and Arch. Recio.
Construction of the Ricardo and
Dr. Rosita Leong Hall of the
School of Social Sciences is
targeted for completion in
September 2007.
much easier to attain by “letting
the people within engage the
world beyond.” Fr. Nebres
recounted the events which led
to the Leongs’ involvement in the
Ateneo, beginning with the
Office of theVice President for the Loyola Schools
Joanna Ruiz, editor
Doy Dulce, designer
Bj A. Patiño, photographer
contributing writers for vol II. Nos. 6 and 7: Michelle Camille
Correa, Gary C. Devilles, Erwin P. Enriquez, Leovino Ma. Garcia,
Erlinda Eileen G. Lolarga, Ma. Lucia C. Natividad, Rick Olivares,
Noel del Prado, Agustin Martin Rodriguez, Sherilyn Siy, Arturo
Valencia, Frances Vega, Catherine Vistro-Yu
additional photos courtesy of: Jomar Fajardo, Melencio Gallardo,
Jr., OMIOD, Joanna Ruiz, Sherilyn Siy, Frances Vega, Catherine
Vistro-Yu, Henson Wongaiham, Alyson Yap
with the assistance of: Ricardo Abad, Ateneo Art Gallery, Rofel
Brion, Fr. Luis David, SJ, Homer Galido, Office of Administrative
Services, Office of Social Concern and Involvement, Physical
Education Program, Maribel Sison-Dionisio, Tanghalang Ateneo,
University Archives, University Physical Plant
Loyola Schools Bulletin ©2006 (issn:1656-8354) is published
monthly by the Office of Research and Publications,
2/F Gonzaga Hall, Loyola Schools, Ateneo de Manila University, Katipunan Ave., Loyola Heights, Quezon City
e-mail: [email protected]
mailing address: POBox 154, Manila 0917, Philippines
telephone (632) 4266001 local 5002
fax (632) 4266096
http://www.ateneo.edu > Loyola Schools > LoyolaSchoolsBulletin
we remember
Teodulo Novelero, formerly with the Office of Administrative
Services, who passed away on December 8, 2006. Mang Ted, as
he was universally known, is remembered by many as a perennial
presence at his former Kostka Hall office. He was also the father
of Ma. Shiela P. Novelero, long-time Ateneo Language Learning
Center secretary.
Maximo V. Soliven, GS’41, HS ’47, AB ’51, Ozanam Awardee ’70,
who passed away on November 24, 2006 at the age of 77. He was
Managing Editor of the Guidon, Editor-in-Chief of the Ateneo Quarterly, and co-Editor-in-Chief of the Aegis, among other literary activities in the Ateneo. Of Ateneans, he once wrote, “Ateneans, if they
are true to their training are…the race whom God made mad. They
are their brother’s keepers. I like to think that they fight for the people—
particularly the weak, defenseless, and the poor—and not themselves.
Often enough they falter, turn away from their goals, are seduced or
waylaid by material things. But in their hearts, nor matter how deeply
buried and ignored, they know where their priorities should lie. To
shake the world. To struggle for justice and a square deal for everyone. To seek the Kingdom of
God.” In his long and storied journalistic career, ending as Chairman of the Board and publisher
of the daily The Philippine Star, he embodied the Atenean he had written of. “The Atenean is an
agent of change—because he dares to insist on change.”
Erratum
We failed to acknowledge Patricia Alexis Yu-Dominguez as the author of the article “Glee Club
Rocks Europe” printed in our vol. II, no. 5 (October 2006) issue. We apologize for the oversight.
JOMAR FAJARDO
Ang
5
Sandali
ng
‘Tanging Payapa’
ni Noel R. del Prado
N
na, Diyos lamang,” ang nagtakda ng
tono para sa buong gabi. Ang
musikang hatid ng tinig ng
kaibigang si Sr. Bubbles Bandojo,
ng itinatanging inaanak na si
Ignacio Cuyegkeng na naghatid
ng piyesa ng solong gitara, at ng
plawta ni Jay Gomez ay sabay na
nag palaot sa diwa ng mga
dumalo, sa tahimik na
pagdiriwang, at sabik na
pagtang gap sa pag-apaw ng
biyaya—sa mga kataga at mga
sandali, mula sa buhay ng isang
makatang ipinagbubunyi ng
pamayanan ng Ateneo sa gabing
oong ika-4 ng Oktubre,
2006, inilunsad ang aklat ng mga
pili at bagong tula ni Rofel G.
Brion na pinamagatang Sandali.
JOMAR FAJARDO
Pinalad akong maging bahagi ng
mahiwagang gabi ng paglulunsad
ng pinakabagong aklat ni Rofel.
Mahiwaga, mula sa mga kartong
dahon na iba’t ibang kulay, naganyayang pumasok at nagtuturo
ng tamang daan sa kung saan
pagtatagpuin ang lahat ng
papalarin sa gabing iyon. Ang
musika ng mga Heswita,
umaalingawngaw ang: “Ito’y sapat
Specialonfaculty forum
MARLA ANDRADA
key issues
S
Dr. Cuyegkeng welcomed the
larger-than-usual assembly,
touching on the forum’s objective
to engage the faculty in livelier
discussions, this time on three
important issues: (a) the core
Though disparate in focus and
concerns, the four schools—
Humanities, Science and
Engineering, Social Sciences and
Management—shared one vision
and identical operational norms,
following a primordial set of
“non-negotiable principles.” Dr.
Yu reported that the new set-up
was for the most part put into
place, save for minor variations.
The committee he heads is tasked
to evaluate the fit between plan
and practice and prescribe
updates to the existing structure,
given new strategic directions,
and will submit its report by
February 2007.
The revisions focused on such
transfor mational themes as
student-centered learning,
flexibility, inter-disciplinarity and
integration. These themes, in
turn, translated to concrete
operational changes like reducing
the number of core units and
classifying courses into “inner
and outer core.” The Magadia-led
retrospective, which involves
school units and outside parties
too, is expected to determine if
curriculum, (b) its organization, the whole scheme worked, and PAASCU
and (c) PAASCU accreditation. will establish the template for Dr. Celeste Gonzalez reported
that the LS Graduate Programs
future similar exercises.
Core Curriculum
Fr. Jose Cecilio Magadia, SJ, Restructuring
Associate Dean for Academic Dr. Darwin Yu, head of the
Affairs, led the discussions on the committee on restructuring,
review of the Revised Core presented the plan to rate how
Curriculum which the school well the school’s restructuring
implemented in 1998. His team plan in 2000 was implemented. In
will conduct a survey to evaluate that landmark year, the College of
if the changes in the curriculum Arts and Sciences (headed by one
were indeed put into operation Dean) was reorganized into four
and were in fact effective in schools, each under a different
instilling
the
sort
of Dean and all reporting to the
contemporary competencies that Vice President of what were
Ateneo wanted for its graduates. collectively called Loyola
Fr. Jose M. Cruz, SJ, Dean of Schools.
will undergo preliminary
accreditation by PAASCU in midDecember. She shared the results
of the recent Self-Survey that
undergone by LS, identifying
Ateneo’s excellent quality
benchmarks in seven key
resource areas that the PAASCU
team will inspect and evaluate.
These areas are: faculty,
curriculum and instruction,
research, students, library,
administration, and other
resources.
Fr. Daniel McNamara, SJ led the
invocation. Dr. Benjamin Tolosa,
Jr. was master of ceremonies.
The discussions that followed
each presentation were, as Dr.
Cuyegkeng hoped, lively and
spirited. avalencia
MARLA ANDRADA
ome 350 faculty members
filled Escaler Hall to capacity to
attend a special forum called by
the Vice President for the Loyola
Schools, Dr. Ma. Assunta C.
Cuyegkeng, on November 17,
2006. The meeting sought to
update the faculty and elicit
comments on key points
impinging on the future of
Loyola Schools.
School of Social Sciences,
revisited the circumstances of the
ground-breaking 1998 study, to
provide the context to the
planned survey.
ito ng pasasalamat at muling pupunan, ay mananatiling wala.”
Hindi niya maitanggi ang kamay
pagtitipon.
ng kanyang paboritong makata na
At angkop na angkop ang si Rilke, mula sa pagpili ng pinakaganitong pagsalubong sa payak na bagay na tutulaan, sa
makatang buena mano ng Office of malinaw na impluwensiya ng
the Research and Publications Aklat ng mga Oras sa mga tula
(ORP) ng Ateneo, sa kanyang niyang malinaw na pakikipagunang aklat na Baka Sakali may usap sa Maykapal, hanggang sa
labinlimang taon na ang malutong na paghawak niya sa
nakalilipas, at ngayo’y siyang mga imahen.
unang hain ng ORP sa kabubukas
lamang na Loyola Schools Sinabi pa ni Rofel, noong
Bookstore. Nagbasa ng kanilang kanyang kabataan, nakasusulat
mga paboritong tula ang ilan sa siya kung siya ay malungkot. Sa
kanyang mga itinatanging kanyang pagtubo sa kanyang
kaibigan: Dr. Soledad Reyes, Dr. sining, natauhan siyang hindi
Benilda Santos, Eduardo kalungkutan ang kanyang
Calasanz, Dr. Benjamin Tolosa, kailangan. Kailangan daw pala
Dr. Ma. Assunta Cuyegkeng, at niya ang tahimik na pag-iisa.
Sr. Bubbles Bandojo.
Mula sa imahen ng kwerdas sa
Ito ang una kong tanong sa aking tulang Kulang mula sa aklat,
maiikling panayam sa kanya: maaaring maunawaan ang
“Bakit Sandali ang napili mong batayan at nag-iisang obsesyon sa
pamagat para sa ‘yong mga tula ni Rofel—ang
koleksiyon?” Natigilan siya at paghahanap at paghahangad sa
humingi ng ilang sandali upang “sandali” ng “tanging payapa.”
matugunan ang tanong na ito.
Sa sandali ng tanging payapa,
Sabi niya, “Ano ba ang sandali nagiging posible ang pagdarasal,
kung hindi ‘wala,’ mga hungkag pagmamahal, at paglikha.
na sisidlan, na kung hindi mo
6
The Office of Administrative Services
The
photos by Joanna Ruiz
“good to great” team
Office on hiring, benefits, and
policy matters, and in turn relays
guidelines to LS staff. Another big
component
is
the
staff
development program which aims
to care for staff members on a more
holistic level. Activities are classified
under the faith-strengthening,
work-life balance, skills and
knowledge upgrading categories,
and there are also the annual family
day and staff rest and recreation
activities. In organizing all these,
OAS is sure to consult staff on their
With a total of 57 staff members needs to maximize the effectiveness
(excluding security guards, as of the offerings.
campus security falls under the
University Physical Plant’s area of Engr. Jun Granada supervises the
responsibility), the OAS is in charge entire LS maintenance staff which
of the following areas within LS: totals 39. For more efficient
non-teaching staff, physical plant communication and division of
matters including construction, responsibilities, the staff has been
coordination with the campus divided into three groups—3K, 3M,
security office, cafeteria operations, and Road Star—each of which was
health ser vices, audio-visual named by its members, and covers
facilities, campus maintenance, a specific area within LS. There are
duplication, and room reservations. also team leaders for each shift
In a recent talk with Loyola Schools (there are two shifts per day). Apart
Bulletin, OAS Director Lourdes from keeping buildings and grounds
“Ditsy” Sumpaico and key OAS spic and span, maintenance staff are
staff shed light on exactly what they also counted on to assist in logistical
do, and why they do it gladly and requirements for different LS
events. Pre-shift meetings are held
with a smile.
everyday to relay updates, schedules,
The people in your neighborhood and guidelines. The meetings are
Joy Rodriguez-Salita handles staff also venues for the staff to air their
development for the more than 150 concerns on various issues, which
permanent staff members at LS. are then passed on to OAS for
She coordinates with the Personnel proper action. The staff has lounges
A clean, well-kept, and secure
Loyola Schools campus, wellappointed facilities, classrooms to
use for student activities and
meetings, a well-stocked primary
care infirmary with friendly doctors
and nurses—these are things we
may take for granted as part of life
in LS. For the Office of
Administrative Services (OAS), it is
a constant, daily race to make the
lives of LS faculty and staff
comfortable, safe, and healthy.
in each area, and work is monitored
via radio.
Eng. Ely Pan is in charge of the LS
physical plant—that is, making sure
that the LS grounds and facilities
are safe and clean, and that any
needed repairs are made. Students
are familiar with Kat Faustino, who
takes care of room and facility
reservations. Freddie Marzan, Rey
Corpuz, Mario de la Cruz, and Teng
Gelsano take care of the LS audiovisual rooms. Manning the
infirmary along Kostka Hall are
Drs. Jocyline Yotoko and Henrietta
de la Cruz, along with registered
nurses Marivic Flores and Ma.
Farah Oledan-Movido. Benny
Rabara is the go-to man for
duplicating needs. Arch. Mike
Canlas works with University
offices on the construction of new
buildings. This year alone saw the
inauguration of three new
buildings—the
Manuel
V
Pangilinan Center for Student
Leadership, the Matteo Ricci Study
Hall, and the JGSOM Student
Enterprise Center. Construction of
student kiosks is ongoing, and work
on the Ricardo and Dr. Rosita
Leong Hall of the School of Social
Sciences is soon to begin.
Future plans include a reevaluation
and possible restructuring of the
OAS structure in order to
streamline functions. Many will also
First row: Joy Salita, Ditsy Sumpaico, Carmen Mojica Second row: Kat Faustino, Mario
Dela Cruz, Freddie Marzan Third row: Ace Umayam, Alice Fausto, Engr. Ely Pan
Fourth row: Benny Rabara, Engr. Jun Granada Fifth row: Rey Corpuz, Teng Gelsano
Last row: Arch. Mike Canlas
be glad to hear that staff expansion
is part of the plan for the muchvisited and oftentimes congested
infirmary.
chasing down deadlines and getting
more work done in less time,
oftentimes at the expense of
staffmembers’ well-being.
Service with a smile
Such a vast scope of work requires
much organization and efficiency.
According to the OAS team,
challenges are easy to face first of
all because systems have already
been put in place, and secondly,
because of the team culture that
pervades the entire group. Mrs.
Sumpaico describes the team’s
vision thus: “To serve and respond
to the needs of the community, and
to do it with joy and respect for
everyone’s needs, while putting
Christ in the center of our
operations.” She adds that part of
the OAS culture is striking a balance
between work and family. “We’re a
family-oriented team. We can care
for the school because we care for
our families.” This is refreshing to
hear in a culture that seems bent on
The OAS team wholeheartedly
agrees with Mrs. Sumpaico’s attitude
and approach, and puts their
support solidly behind her. “We are
able to weather the challenges
because we have a good leader,”
says Joy Salita. Engr. Ely Pan
focuses on the team’s ser vice
orientation when he jokes, “Ang
OAS ay parang bahay, at si Mrs.
Sumpaico ang mayordoma.” This
may sound funny at first, but it does
bring out the deeper truth that
everyone in the office, including its
director, is there to serve. Care for
the family and self, caring service
for the school. With a foundation
this solid, it’s easy to believe Engr.
Jun Granada when he concludes,
“We are working from good to
great!”
LS Infirmary
Jocyline Yotoko, MD
First row: Danny Oliveros, Roger Alabat, Ruben Yanson, Nestor Cagape, Jesus Manuel, Jesus Resuello, Wenefredo Legada, Daryll
Amado, Ferdinand De Guzman Second row: Ricky Obrar, Estilita Navarro, Jocelyn Blanquera, Romana Rimorin, Maylalin Ganzon,
Jocelyn Bayrante, Miraflor Orello Third row: Jessie Cordova, Ruben Cabacungan, Leonardo Boquiren, Danilo Ferrer, Norvie Butulan,
Nemesio Digos, Manny Avila, Reynaldo Duey, Manuel Rico, Allan Romano, Bonifacio Dicen, Nicanor Rosario Fourth row: Adriano
Ferrer, Richardo Gabito, Norberto Canonigo, Elvis Taladro, Larry Palaming, Arnold Bayog, Cenon Tapel, Arvin Pajarillo, Michael
Aspera, Jong Seguenza Not in the picture: Romy Cabacungan, Arvin Villegas, Vanessa Vargas
Ma. Farah Oledan-Movido, RN
Henrietta de la Cruz, MD
Marivic Flores, RN
The University Dream Team
Dreaming of
T
Blue Skies
photos courtesy of the Office of Social Concern and Involvement
he University Dream Team is
aptly named. Initially an allLoyola Schools team, and now a
collaboration between the
different University units and
headed up by the Office of Social
Concern and Involvement
(OSCI) in terms of logistics, the
disaster relief operations group
enters areas where dreams have
all but died, and are one with the
people there in trying to see blue
skies beyond dark ravaging Early December saw the team and
clouds.
its volunteers traveling to Naga
and Albay in Bicol to assist
During the month of October, communities hit by devastating
the Dream Team worked with mudslides.
Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan to
conduct six relief operations in OSCI stalwarts An Manapat,
typhoon-battered areas. Relief Robert Aguilar, and Eller
goods were collected from all Santiago outline how the Dream
over the Ateneo, and distributed Team works. Code white: A
to OSCI-connected areas in typhoon hits, and a call to
Laguna, Navotas, and Pasig. monitor the situation is activated.
Reports come in from different
areas. The assessment team
makes a decision on whether
certain areas should be assisted
following a set of criteria which
includes the nature and
magnitude of the disaster,
demographics, institutions
already providing assistance to
the affected area, and affinity. On
through Codes Yellow and
Orange which constitute
The University Physical Plant Office
JOANNA RUIZ
Mission Possible
Go-to guys: (first row) Paciano M. Asence Jr., Celso A. Leynes Jr., Antonio L. Verganio, Richard M. Pitpit, Leonardo D. Digo,
Domingo R. Raza, (second row) Josel M. Acido, Domingo D. Dicen, Fidel R. Manaog, Damian M. Palmero, Mario C. Boco, Rolando P.
Malapitan, Arturo T. Avila, Francisco G. Cajatol, Remelito C. Salinas, Higino E. Hermano, Troy A. de la Cruz, Esilo D. Andoy, Edwin D.
Macasias, Alfredo B. Garcia, Eugene U. Bulatao, Josephy F. Almosera, Constantino C. Plaza, Cesar A. Balbos. Not in photo: Rodolfo
C. Almazan, Velilyn R. Catubig, Rolando M. Enriquez, Allan D. de Guia, Isabel P. Hugo, Leoncio D. Miralao, Jr., Asterio C. Sadia
T
Plant-Loyola for the Loyola
Heights Campus and Physical
Plant-Makati which covers the
Ateneo Professional Schools
located in the Rockwell and
Salcedo campuses. In terms of
actual administrative jurisdiction,
the Physical Plant takes charge
of the areas not covered by the
Grade School, High School, and
Loyola Schools at the Loyola
Campus; the Professional
Schools at the two Makati
Campuses, and all the student
parking areas. Housekeeping
concerns, better known as
janitorial services, however, is not
among its tasks as this is already
assigned to each unit’s respective
administrative offices.
JOANNA RUIZ
he University Physical Plant
takes responsibility for all three
campuses of the Ateneo de
Manila when it comes to services
involving utilities (power and
water), security, communication,
traffic
management,
infrastructure, and parking.
Minor services include trash
collection and making sure the
sewage system is working both
within campus and immediately
outside the campus. To deliver
ser vices
and
monitor
developments more effectively
and efficiently given the breadth
and scope of its area of
responsibility, this Central
Administration unit maintains
two offices, namely: Physical
Keeping you connected: (clockwise from top) Anellin A. Perez, Ma. Virginia R. De
Pano, Charmee D. Savellano, Julia C. Magtibay
How does one manage such an
obviously vast and diverse
domain? Mr. Leoncio “Lee”
Miralao,
Physical
Plant
Administrator, meets with his
people on a weekly basis. He has
decentralized the work to be done
among the various section heads
and makes them accountable to
him for results. These sections
are: the Campus Network Group,
Carpentry/Painting, Central
Switchboard, Communication/
IT, Electrical/Air Conditioning &
Refrigerator,
Grounds/
Mechanical, Operations Center,
Operations Support, and
Plumbing/Welding. Each section
head has an assistant to help carry
out their respective tasks. For
Campus Security, his office
coordinates with the head
assigned to the security agency
contracted by the University to
take care of the round the clock
security guards of the different
campuses.
Known for his “military” style of
handling things down to keeping
the precise time of the day, Mr.
Miralao quips that “fear” is
another factor that keeps his men
(and women) employees in line.
Perhaps this reputation comes his
expectations of his crew such as
7
Its Motto:“The impossible we immediately do, miracles take a
little longer.”
Its Mission: To maintain, secure, and where possible
improve physical fixed assets (buildings, grounds, road
system, utilities, etc.) of the entire University.
being very punctual when
coming to work—they all report
at least 15 minutes ahead of time
for their shifts; reporting results
of his orders to them no matter
what the outcome is (be it
success or failure); and when he
does give an order (which he
smilingly adds is given with “love
and affection”), it must be done
with “lightning speed.” He is a
firm believer in the element of
surprise—his people are kept on
their toes just in case he should
drop by for a brief inspection.
“Di dapat nagugulat—always be
aware and ready.” As in the military,
he says that 50% of the battle is
won by the element of surprise.
He brooks no excuses when
orders are not carried out well,
which brings to mind another
favorite adage of his: “When you
issue an order it is only 1% of the whole
thing. The rest of the 99% is making
sure that instructions are clear, making
certain that it is done, and if it is
actually done.”
University holidays and long
breaks. They are also be depended
on to inform Mr. Miralao about
campus matters via email
whenever he goes abroad.
He takes pride in pointing out
that when there are typhoons and
other calamitous events, their
group would be the first to
respond. They are ready to get
up at 2:00 am during
emergencies. Backed up by a 24/
7 set of security guards trained
to report developments on
campus (and to listen to the radio
for news), he is on call at all times:
“I sleep with a cellphone and a
landline.” His two senior office
assistants reporting at the Central
Administration office, Virginia
“Ghee” de Pano, and Anellin
Perez are likewise always on call,
not just for class suspensions due
to inclement weather or coup
d’etats, but for University holidays
as well. His staff makes sure the
central switchboard and phone
lines are kept going even during
His staff agree that he is strict
when it comes to work but that he
has mellowed through the years:
Marunong na siyang maglambing.” It
wasn’t always easy at the start, but
training under him has made them
do their duty and service well
without expecting anything in
return: “Hindi nakatutok sa oras;
masaya ka na nagawa mo siya (his
orders).” At the end of the day,
Mr. Miralao, having been in the
service since the late 1980s
(replacing Col. Pedro Dimayuga)
and looking toward the future,
acknowledges that nobody is
indispensable. He is happy that
systems and procedures have been
established and can be modified as
needed. Whoever takes his place
can do a good job if not better.
The orientation is to get things
done. eeglolarga
visits, the usual relationship of
giver and receiver no longer
applies. “There is healing for
both sides, you are helping each
other,” she says. Fatigue and
depression are very real
possibilities for Dream Team
regulars, but as OSCI formator
Bob Pamisa puts it, “hindi
nakakapagod kasi tumutulong ka
sa tumutulong sa ‘yo.” Formator
Granni Granados feels the same
way, being “energized by the
people (in the area).”
His brand of management
apparently has worked very well
in institutionalizing a system of
accountability that is focused on
getting quick and effective results.
The Physical Plant crew have an
“on call” mentality. One can sense
a pervasive esprit d’corps among
members of the group which
makes each one of them proud
of their unit, proud to wear their
uniform, and careful of not
bringing shame to their office by
doing no less than the best with
their assigned tasks. As Mr.
Miralao affirmed, they have their
own self-respect. In turn, he does
not hesitate to take responsibility
when he reports to the University
President, Fr. Bienvenido F.
Nebres, S.J., for any work that
may have bogged down.
Disater REsponse And Management TEAM
preparatory stages. Code red: All
committees are activated,
volunteers are recruited, relief
goods solicited, collected,
packaged, and distributed to the
selected areas. Code Blue
constitutes a decision to stop
relief efforts. Code Green signals
the start of rehabilitation work.
A spectrum of activity denoting
different kinds of work and
different degrees of involvement,
and founded on total
commitment.
Asked about the recruitment of
volunteers, they explain that if
the disaster is on a smaller scale,
then usually involvement is
confined to LS offices and
students. More large-scale
disasters such as the ones brought
by supertyphoons Milenyo and
Reming require the involvement
of different University units. LS
students are not required to
participate in the relief operations
as part of their social
involvement requirements, but
many of them still do volunteer.
At the core group of the
volunteers are OSCI staffers who
are always on standby, who
consider Dream Team operations
as part of their work, and who
consider the people in many
affected areas their friends. An
Manapat reflects that as a
personal relationship with people
in the areas grow, as it has for the
OSCI staff and LS students who
have gotten to know the areas
through repeated or extended
So it goes. Typhoons will hit,
possibly bringing flooding and
mudslides in their wake. When
that happens, the Dream Team
will go through its codes, from
white to blue, and possibly green,
going on with their work of
helping and dreaming with their
friends.
8
Rizal
Library
At the heart of
Loyola Schools’
scholarly life
photos by Bj A. Patiño
The Rizal Library is arguably at
the heart of the scholarly life of
the Loyola Schools. Given its
178,514 books (221,094
volumes), 726 print, and more
than 18,000 online periodical
subscriptions, 10,000 rolls of
microfilm, 25,000 microfiches,
and 1.654 titles (2,951 volumes)
of multimedia materials, it is
appropriately named after the
erudite national hero and Ateneo
alumnus. It also has one of the
most extensive and valuable
Filipiniana collections in the
country.
The Rizal Library has been
steadily increasing its holdings
and improving its facilities since
the original building opened its
serves as a group study area, will
soon house outlets serving snacks
and drinks. Given the new group
study rooms, noise in the main
library, which has exceeded the
The latest addition to the library level of whispered civilities, is
is its premises in the Matteo Ricci expected to decrease.
Hall. According to library
director Lourdes T. David, it is In the main library itself the
conceived as a “paperless library” upgrades are more than cosmetic.
where users can access Checking out a book is more
information online from both the convenient, both for library users
Rizal Library websites and its and library staff, with the new
many links. The building, located self-check machine. With
at the farthest end of the Science students serving themselves, the
Education Complex, has two circulation staff can “attend to
silent study rooms for 120 pending jobs,” as Mrs. David
students on the first floor and explains. This system, in her
two group study rooms, each of opinion, will translate into greater
which can seat 60 students, on the efficiency. Faculty members can
second. The balcony, which also also have books delivered to their
departments by simply calling
Circulation.
doors in 1921, when the Ateneo
was still in Intramuros. In 1967,
the first library building in the
Loyola campus was inaugurated.
A visitor’s registration
machine, installed upon the
recommendation
of
Reference librarian Susan
Pador, provides added
security. Explains Mrs. David,
“it will help us control ‘visitors’
coming in, some of whom are
not ‘legitimate,’ meaning they
do not register and simply go in
and use our facilities. Other
people use the name of staff
members to enter the library.
With the new machine, visitors
are required to register at the
entrance. As they register, their
photo and personal details are
reflected at the information desk
computer. If they are visitors, the
guard can call the staff member
to be visited for clearance.”
Ongoing and upcoming projects
include digitizing Jose Rizal’s
writings and uploading the
abstracts of theses and
dissertations. In the future, even
the first 24 pages of theses and
dissertations may also be
uploaded to the Rizal library
website at www.rizal.lib.admu.edu.ph.
“Copyright waiver is being
requested from authors,” reports
Mrs. David. “Faculty can help by
requesting their students to
accomplish a copyright waiver
form before submitting their
thesis.” In addition, four
newspaper titles have been
digitized. “We are now working
on a system to make it available
online within the campus.”
Thus, it is, as it has always been, a
busy time at the Rizal Library. With
continual improvement of its
facilities and aggressive acquisition
of the latest publications, it is
keeping in step with global
trends—a reflection, one would
like to believe, of the intellectual
life of the Loyola Schools. jochua
The University Archives
9
Keeper of history
keeper of
H. de la Costa, SJ as Keeper of additional support staff be
the Archives.
allotted for the Archives, in time
for
the
University’s
Mr. Allayban works with Sesquicentennial in 2009. In the
enthusiasm and a quiet pipeline too are plans, among
persistence that gets things done. which is to open a new separate
He obviously enjoys his work area of what he ter med
which keeps him in touch with “Jesuitica”, which could have as
the University community in the a nucleus some personal papers
course of collecting materials of outstanding Jesuits, and
from them. As a member of the photos and artifacts, like the
Ateneo Heroes Committee, he is statue of St. Ignatius, Patron
able to maintain a good Saint of the Ateneo.
relationship with alumni who are
a source of interesting materials Work in the Archives is apparently
for the Archives. He adds that a labor of love and it seems there
there is a feeling of satisfaction is never a dull moment working
when researchers show their there. Mr. Allayban continues to
appreciation, and sometimes they have many interesting tales and
even donate a copy of their trivia marking his long and fruitful
completed work—without his career in the field—but that’s
asking. For the future, the hope another story for another time.
is that space extension and eeglolarga
JOANNA RUIZ
The University Archives is
located on the ground floor of
the Rizal Library Annex at the
Loyola Heights Campus, where it
has been housed since 1989. As
the keeper of the history of the
Ateneo, serving as the
administrative memory of the
institution, it has been designated
as the central repository of noncurrent records of the
administrative offices, academic
departments, and student
organizations. This Central
Administration unit’s archival
program is to collect, preserve
and make accessible materials of
historical value to qualified
researchers. From its formal
establishment in 1958 — as
proposed by Father Horacio de
la Costa, S.J. (then Chairman of
History Dept. of the College of
Arts and Sciences) and
immediately approved by Father
Rector Leo A. Cullum, S.J. — the
University Archives has moved to
different locations at least two
times while steadily acquiring a
wealth of resources along the
way. Its storehouse of University
memorabilia continues to grow
today under the watchful eyes of
its present head, Mr. Rodolfo C.
Allayban, University Archivist.
His two assistants, Ms. Lilibeth
Castillo and Ms. Lina Trinidad,
both with Computer Science
backgrounds, help him with the
day to day activities of the office.
The most requested and
researched items, Ms. Castillo
reports, are the student
publications The Guidon and
Heights of the College, and the
yearbooks from academic units.
identity
Rodolfo C. Allayban
The Archives information
storage and retrieval system,
according to Mr. Allayban, was
done manually in the beginning.
With computerization, updating
of things has become quicker and
much more efficient. A
document storage and retrieval
system is the next step in the right
direction, which, if properly
equipped with computer and
scanner, could lead to a document
imaging system as well.
Fortunately, the controlled airconditioning during regular office
hours only, and even the wellplanned location or lay-out of the
Archives have been found
contributing factors in preserving
stored documents and other non-
textual materials. When queried
further about how the Ateneo’s
Archives compares with others,
Mr. Allayban admires the physical
space of other universities which
is considerably bigger and better,
such as those of the University
of the Philippines and De la Salle
University. But he points out that
substantially in terms of contents
and organization, the Ateneo may
have the edge, stressing some
importance of the Board of
Trustees’ reorganization plan for
central university administration
way back in 1974, effecting
Archives independence as a
service unit, directly under the
President. This is in fact similar
to the initial set-up with Father
10
&
flora LUZ
A
teneo Art Gallery exhibits
Flora: Beauty, Desire, and Death
(October 11, 2006 to March 25,
2007) and Luz in Ateneo
(November 21, 2006 to January
21, 2007), curated by Fr. Rene
Javellana, SJ and Joel Alexander
de Leon, respectively.
The Flora exhibit is a
commemoration of the
tercentenery of Bro. Georg
Josef Kamel, SJ, a pharmacist
and a naturalist, and Luz in
Ateneo is presented in
celebration of the 80th birthday
of National Artist for Visual Arts
Arturo Luz.
As a commemoration, Flora
becomes both an intimation of
death and a celebration of life as
can be seen from the various
paintings and images of leaves
and flowers like Fr. Manuel
Blanco’s Flora de Filipinas, E.L.
Cordova’s Jasminum sambae
(Sampaguita) or Eugenia
jambolana (Duhat) and the
laserprint facsimile of images
such as the Banaba and Chico
plants in Bro. Georg Josef
Kamel, SJ’s catalogue of
Philippine plants (Herbarium
aliarungue stirpium in insula
Luzone Phippiniarum prima
noscentium).
in Ateneo Art Gallery
LUZ
The exhibit also showcases
Prudencio Lamarroza’s Mother
Nature Series, Cesar Legaspi’s
Dark Forest, Angelito Antonio’s
Magbubulaklak, and Yasmin
Almonte-Lantz’s Ripe, among
many others.
The writer Jeanette Winterson says
that all art objects are objections
to death, to meaningless deaths, to
the daily death we succumb to as
work becomes oppressive and
tedious. In this exhibit, we see how
indeed art objects to these various
deaths. As nature reveals the
temporality and frailty of our
existence, so art becomes our
innermost objection and ultimately
our transformation as well.
It is this modernist principle of
self-transformation taken by
National Artist Arturo Luz as his
subjects like the city, the
procession, the sidewalk children,
and the carnival reveal the dark,
gothic character of modern
urban living. But far from being
pessimistic, Luz portrays the
modern man as the flaneur, who,
amidst the assault of
phantasmagoria provided by the
city, remains critical, transforming
the city experience.
For the critic Walter Benjamin,
the flaneur’s gaze at the city
appears now as a landscape, now
as a room, and now as his very
soul. Likewise, we are also
challenged to look at our lives the
way a flaneur does, in touch with
our darkest and grimmest realities
and always on the lookout for
ways be which we can liberate
ourselves. Liberation remains the
only vocation open to us.
In these exhibits, we take a look
again how art testifies to our
transformation and to what the
German poet Rainer Maria Rilke
believes is our goal, “for there is
no place here that does not see you,
you must change your life!” gdevilles
flora
The
Tanghalang Ateneo’s “Middle Finger pô”
other
Ateneans
tackles youth issue
he defiance of young people
against social convention lies at
the spine of Middle Finger pô,
Tanghalang Ateneo’s second
offering of its 28th Repertory
Season. The play, originally
written as Middle Finger by the
prominent Filipino-American
playwright and a recipient of the
MacArthur Foundation “Genius
Grant” Han Ong, has been
translated into Filipino, with
Ong’s approval, by Ronan
Capinding.
COURTESY OF OMIOD
On Nov. 25, 2006 at the Grade
School Auditorium, though, the
Ateneo community shifted its
gaze to the other Ateneans—
those who rush to Katipunan
early in the morning not for
upcoming tests or org activities
but for work, be it in an office or
on campus grounds as
maintenance staff. That morning,
the university’s non-teaching staff
trooped to the auditorium to
attend the whole-day activity that
will bring them back to their roots
as Ateneans: the Ignatian
Spirituality in Education
Workshop 3.
With the theme “Sumama,
Sumiklab, Sumulong” the education
workshop sought to find the
spirit of its three forefathers, St.
Ignatius Loyola, St. Francis
Xavier and Bl. Peter Faber, and
how they continue to be present
today through the Jesuits and the
lay partners that comprise the
Ateneo community.
The gift of friendship and
caring
Although Bl. Peter Faber, or “the
silent companion,” is the least
known among the three
companions, he actually holds the
key to building a real community.
According to Fr. Daniel Patrick
L. Huang, SJ, provincial of the
Philippine province of the
Society of Jesus, a community is
a group of persons who share the
same mission and values. This is
in contrast with a crowd, which
is defined as a group of people
bound merely by time and space
and nothing more.
Bl. Peter Faber’s graces of
respect, hospitality, and
conversation, which are spiritual
gifts from God, also serve as his
legacy to the current crop of
Ateneo community members.
The three graces are necessary for
a community to carry out in order
to
work
harmoniously.
Admittedly, a community is not
perfect since it is composed of
people who are also imperfect,
but with the conscious carrying
out of Peter’s three legacies to us,
community members are able to
lessen friction and to integrate
“
A community is a group
of persons who share the
same mission and values.
This is in contrast with a
crowd, which is defined as
a group of people bound
merely by time and space
and nothing more.
Dan Chua as Yachin, Angelo Cartagena as Michael, JJ Ignacio as Jakob, Kenn Cayunda
as Luga and BJ Crisostomo as Wallace
This brilliant adaptation of Frank a model student but lacking adult
Wedekind’s modern classic Spring encouragement, fails in the effort.
Awakening centers on four high His frustration leads to anger and
school students who seek their in partnership with Lunga, who
identities in a world dominated by returns as a ghost, Jakob vows to
adults. The friendship of the boys take vengeance on what he
gets threatened when one of perceives as an uncaring adult
them, Lunga, commits suicide world. The play is a must-see for
Christian spirituality with the after he gets unjustly expelled students, parents, teachers, and
from school. The boys are counselors.
world of work.
stunned by the sudden death and
start to drift apart. In remorse, Ronan Capinding, the translator,
The gift of mission
Another legacy of the first Jesuits another friend, Jakob, tries to be also directs the play, his latest
to us is the gift of mission, as
embodied by St. Francis Xavier.
According to University
President Bienvenido F. Nebres,
SJ, when Ignatius sent Francis to
evangelize in Asia, he readily
accepted the task saying “Pues, sus!
Heme aqui!,” or “Splendid! I’m
your man!” Francis gamely went December 8
to India with no questions asked, Feast of the Immaculate Conception
no knowledge of its culture and Celebrant: Bishop Honesto Ongtioco
language, and with only one piece photos by Joanna Ruiz
of clothing he mended before
boarding the ship. This showed
his passion and readiness to say
yes to God’s mission for him.
The ISEW participants related
this story to everyday experiences
at the workplace. Through the
Stations of St. Francis Xavier, the
community retraced the
missionary voyage of St. Francis
from Rome to India to Japan and
finally to Sancian in China, where
he died at the age of 46. Saying
yes to God’s mission for us,
letting go of earthly things that
hinder us from fulfilling our
mission, finding new ways doing
our work and new perspectives
from which to view it, having the
strength to soldier on despite
difficulties, dreaming of greater
things in accordance to God’s
will, and loving others are traits
which St. Francis passes on to us.
Ultimately, we do our work not
merely for the salary, for
sustenance and, for recognition,
but for the glory of God who is
the real big boss of our lives.
“
y Atenean, most people
usually mean bright students
stylishly dressed and armed with
the latest tech gadgets.
COURTESY OF TANGHALANG ATENEO
T
(and they’re not in classrooms)
B
11
work after last season’s critically
acclaimed production of Ang
Nilalang ni Victor Frankenstein.
Jesus Joseph Ignacio designs the
set and Jean Pierre Reniva devises
the costumes under the
supervision of design consultant
Gino Gonzales. Lambert de Jesus
does the lighting design while
Reamur David handles work on
the graphics and multimedia.
Tvelasco
University
Traditions
This is why, according to Fr.
Nebres, most alumni fondly
remember the Ateneo staff long
after they’ve graduated and
pursued their careers. With the
Jesuit spirit still very much alive
today, Ateneans—students,
Jesuits and lay partners alike—
share in the mission of forming
future leaders through excellence
in education. mcorrea, www.ateneo.edu
12
Catherine Vistro-Yu, EdD, Department of Mathematics
Participants register at the start of the MATHTED Special Conference
Prof. Lee Peng Yee of the National Institute of Education, Singapore, in his special
plenary lecture
The conference program
consisted of six plenary lectures,
six special lectures, ten
workshops, and 31 parallel
research paper presentations.
Close to 160 mathematics
educators and classroom teachers
representing institutions from the
different regions of the
Philippines, and visitors from
Australia, Japan, Malaysia, New
Zealand, Singapore and the
U.S.A. came to participate in the
two-and-a-half-day academic
COURTESY OF DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS
he Philippine Council of
Mathematics Teacher Educators
(MATHTED),
Inc.,
a
professional organization of
mathematics educators, recently
held a conference dubbed “A
Special
Conference
in
Celebration of the 10th Founding
Year of MATHTED”, from
October 23 to 25, 2006 at the
Ateneo de with the theme, Shifts
and Transitions Towards Excellence in
Philippine Mathematics Education. At
the conference, MATHTED
paid special tribute to four
outstanding
mathematics
educators who have made
significant contributions to the
development of mathematics
education activities in the
Philippines: Prof. Josefina C.
Fonacier, Dr. Milagros D. Ibe, Fr.
Bienvenido F. Nebres, all part of
the “magic 20” who founded
MATHTED in 1996, and Sis.
Iluminada C. Coronel of the
Mathematics
Teachers
Association of the Philippines
(MTAP). (See separate news item
below.)
T
Ateneo
hosts MATHTED’s
10th anniversary special conference
Dr. Milagros Ibe, one of the honorees, delivers her lecture
4
activity. Longtime MATHTED
friends Prof. Jin Akiyama of
Tokai University, Japan and Prof.
Lee Peng Yee of the National
Institute of Education (NIE) in
Singapore gave plenary lectures.
The other four plenary lectures
were given by the four honorees.
The six special lecturers were Dr.
Simon Chua of the Mathematics
Trainers Guild, Philippines,
Associate Prof. Peter Howard of
Australian Catholic University,
Prof. Kathryn Irwin of the
University of Auckland,
Associate Prof. Berinderjeet Kaur
of NIE, Dr. Ferdinand Rivera of
San Jose State University, and
Ateneo’s very own Dr. Mari-Jo
Ruiz.
The workshops were a special
feature with half of them
showcasing
significant
collaboration between university
professors and mathematics
classroom teachers and between
cultures. Mr. Rhett Latonio of
Sotero B. Cabahug FORUM
Literacy in Cebu and A/P Peter
Howard facilitated a workshop
on investigating fractions,
probability, and equality. Mrs.
Esther Omongos of Misamis
Occidental HS and Prof. Kathryn
Irwin worked with participants
on developing materials to teach
space figures. Mr. Jeremias
Bitanga and A/P Berinderjeet
Kaur conducted a few classroom
activities to enhance reasoning in
mathematics. Ms. Leonides
Bulalayao of Nueva Ecija HS and
Ateneo’s Dr. Ma. Louise
Antonette de las Peñas together
ran a workshop on using
technolog y to enhance the
learning of mathematics. Ms.
Adelaida Pablo of Ateneo Grade
School and Dr. Flordeliza
Francisco of the Ateneo
Mathematics
Department
together showed the importance
of using manipulative materials
to make the learning of
mathematics in the middle school
more concrete. The other
workshop facilitators were Dr.
Ferdinand Rivera, Dr. Cornelia
Soto of Ateneo’s Education
Department, Dr. Evangeline
Bautista, Mr. Winfer Tabares, and
Mr. Rey Barcelon of the Ateneo
Mathematics Department, Ms.
Ma. Theresa Tulao also of the
Ateneo
Mathematics
Department, and Mr. Sergio
Oryen of Benguet State
University.
The research papers represented
a variety of important studies in
mathematics education on topics
that included motivation, math
anxiety, mathematical commu-
nication, constructivist-based
approach, reflective problem
solving, heuristics in problem
solving, problem posing abilities,
and algebra learning readiness.
Paper presenters also came from
various institutions in the country
from as far as Cotabato to Naga
City. About half came from
universities and schools in Metro
Manila. Dr. Alva Aberin, Ms.
Debbie Bautista, and Dr.
Catherine Vistro-Yu of the
Ateneo
Mathematics
Department and Ms. Stephanie
Mutuc and Ms. Josephine Sacluti
of the Ateneo High School were
among the paper presenters.
As a fitting end to this Special
Anniversary
Celebration,
MATHTED launched the
working drafts of the Philippine
Mathematics Framework for Basic
Education and the Mathematics
Framework for Teacher Education on
the last day of the conference.
The documents were the results
of a series of discussions and
writeshops participated in by
volunteer
members
of
MATHTED and invited
colleagues
from
major
institutions, schools, professional
groups, and the DepEd. These
working drafts were published by
SEI and MATHTED and
distributed
among
representatives of participating
institutions for future discussions
and consultative meetings.
The Power of
Honoring four outstanding mathematics educators
A
t the Special Conference in
Celebration of MATHTED’s
10th Founding Year held at the
from October 23-25, 2006, four
special individuals were honored
for their work in mathematics
education, mathematics teacher
education and development, and
mathematics education research.
Among these four were Ateneo’s
very own President, Fr.
Bienvenido F. Nebres, S.J. and Sis.
Iluminada C. Coronel, retired
longtime faculty of the
Department of Mathematics.
The other honorees were Prof.
Josefina C. Fonacier, past director
of University of the Phililippines
National
Institute
of
Mathematics
Education
Development (NISMED) and
Dr. Milagros Ibe, Professor
Emeritus of the U.P. College of
Education and current Dean of the
Graduate School of Miriam
College. All four were honored for
their outstanding work in
mathematics education as well as
for their unique and profound
contributions and impact in various
areas in Philippine mathematics
education. Prof. Fonacier, for
example, is best known for her
work in the Philippine Mathematics
Olympiad, Sis. Coronel for her
mathematics caravan and the
annual Math Challenge for grade
school and high school, Dr. Ibe for
her work as research mentor of
PhD students and her studies on
the licensure exam results, and Fr.
Nebres for his work with the
Philippine Department of
Education (DepEd) and his
dynamic role in internationalizing
mathematics education in East and
Southeast Asian countries.
Special Tribute Night program
highlighted the works of each of
the honorees through a special
video prepared by MATHTED
and testimonials given by their
colleagues. Dr. Jose Maria
Balmaceda of the U.P.
Mathematics
Department
entertained the audience with his
stories about Prof. Fonacier and
praised her for the dedicated
work she has put into the
Philippine
Mathematics
Olympiad and the Mathematical
Society of the Philippines. Mr.
Aniceto
Sobrepeña
of
Metrobank Foundation Inc.
through his representative Mr.
Nicanor Torres, Jr., sent his
warmest congratulations and
praise for Sis. Coronel’s
persistence in maintaining the
Math Challenge as a credible
annual activity for schoolchildren.
Dr. Ester Ogena of the Science
Education Institute provided a
touching testimonial of Dr. Ibe’s
Catherine Vistro-Yu, EdD The Conference Dinner and
Department of Mathematics
Dr. Catherine Vistro-Yu, MATHTED President, devliers her welcome address at the
Conference Dinner and Special Tribute Night
unwavering loyalty to her work
and commended her for all that
she has done in mathematics
education. Prof. Lee Peng Yee
fondly recalled how he and Fr.
Nebres became friends,
eventually
becoming
collaborators in developing
mathematics education in East
and Southeast Asia.
MATHTED awarded each of the
four honorees a special plaque
and a cash gift. As a treat to the
participants of the Special
Conference, each of the four
honorees gave a lecture on their
current favorite topic. Dr. Ibe
talked about the critical situation
of low passing rates among
mathematics teachers in the
licensure exam. Fr. Nebres spoke
about improving mathematics
teaching in the Philippines by
providing lesson guides to
teachers on a massive scale. Prof.
Fonacier played the latest number
craze, Sudoku, with the
conference participants. Sis.
Coronel illustrated how
cooperative learning can be used
in a problem solving class.
a Better Asia
The Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders
Fellowship Fund (SYLFF) Program
Why Asia? Perhaps the European
model has propelled Asians to
consider the implications of
closer cooperation in the region.
Perhaps the magnitude and
proportion of Asia’s sudden
growth make it impossible for the
world to ignore. Asia is the
biggest continent and of late,
regional ties are still relatively
weak. At the same time, the huge
potential of Asia cannot be
denied—better Asia inevitably
contributes to a better world.
SHERILYN SIY
The intensive retreat workshop
featured an impressive line-up of
distinguished lecturers, experts
and key figures in their respective
fields, who shared their personal
experiences and concerns on
specific issues affecting the Asian
region. We felt very privileged
“
that they took the time to speak
to a small group of young people
and express their faith in our
capacity to bring about changes
in Asia.
organize and mobilize—will
there be sustainable resolutions
to the peace issues in Sri Lanka
and in other Asian countries
facing similar challenges. Harsha
stressed the value of having local the result of information sharing Small group discussions allowed
We learned so much from these people share their traditional and networking.
us to reflect on all these issues and
lectures and from each other. But knowledge.
to consider ways we can respond
perhaps one of the most
Finally, Thailand’s former as a group. On the last day of our
important things that we learned Renowned Thai journalist Kavi Minister of Foreign Affairs and retreat workshop, we drafted a
is that we don’t know that much about Chongkittavorn called our candidate for UN Secretary joint statement (communiqué) to
each other! It is embarrassing to attention to the important and General, Surin Pitsuwan, guide our collective actions.
note that Asians know more influential role of media in the challenged the concept of state
about the United States or political landscape. He provided sovereignty and the principle of The retreat workshop was truly
Europe than about each other. an overview of the state of media non-interference in other an enriching and inspiring
The lack of awareness and in the Southeast Asian region, countries’ affairs in spite of experience for all of us. We were
understanding
of
our and zeroed in on recent trends in “conscience-shocking” problems given the means to concretely
neighboring countries which Thai media. Media has been used and
“problems
without work towards our dream of a
under mines our ability to and abused to control public passports”. Surin urged us to better Asia. Our website
cooperate regionally surfaced in opinion, perpetuate power, and reevaluate the destr uctive “Building a Better Asia” (BABA)
almost all the lectures.
promote personal agenda. Kavi development growth model is targeted for launch before the
recommended that Asian advocated by the market end of 2006. We would like to
In his keynote address, Jia journalists must network and economy and take inspiration invite everyone to participate in
Qing guo of the School of promote regional news services, from Asia’s glorious and this online forum and share in the
International Studies in Peking training centers and programs. enlightened past – founded on spirit of our fellowship to build
University noted how East Asian
religion, traditions, and a better Asia and ultimately, a
regional cooperation seems to be It is impossible to talk of humanitarian values.
better world.
deterred by the great diversity in information exchange without
the region, the deep historical discussing the use of technology
animosity, distrust and leadership and innovation. Wong Poh Kam
rivalry between the superpowers of the Entrepreneurship Center in
(Japan and China), and the the National University of
dubious role of the US. However, Singapore suggested that
with globalization and growing developing countries must not
interdependence, East Asian waste their resources in competing
countries have no choice but to with countries that are far ahead
reach out to each other and work in the technology industry. Instead
towards cooperation.
they must aspire towards
developing and applying
Harsha Kumar Navaratne of the technology that would benefit the Frances “Chinggay” Vega (first row, second from right) poses with Novartis Biocamp
teammates
Sewalanka Foundation shared the unique situation in their country
story of Sri Lanka to illustrate (e.g. instead of developing another
what civil society means—a space model of laptop, developing
for people to participate in global positioning system or GPS
decision-making and feel technology for forest and marine
empowered to effect changes in resource management would be
Frances C. Vega, MS Chemistry
their communities. Only when more useful for the Philippines).
fter a competitive and The Novartis International
people feel that they are active He also pointed out that progress
members of civil society—able to in technology and innovation is rigorous selection process, two Biocamp is a unique
postgraduate students bested opportunity for participants to
hundreds of other hopefuls to learn about global trends and
in
the
win coveted slots in the developments
biotechnology
field
through
Novartis
International
Biotechnolog y Leadership presentations, interactive
Camp held in Singapore from breakout sessions and field
October 6 to 8, 2006. Frances trips, build networks, learn
C. Vega, MS Chemistry, Ateneo valuable skills to help them
de Manila University, and succeed in the industry, as well
Dennis Bela-Ong, PhD as visit some of Singapore’s
Molecular Biology and leading biomedical/health-care
Biotechnology, University of facilities. It is also a unique
the Philippines-Los Baños, opportunity for participants to
joined 33 other top post- hone their leadership skills, as
graduate students from 11 well as explore and identify
countries to meet with some of personal career goals in
the
world’s
leading biotechnology industry.
biotechnology experts from the
industry, academia, and For more information, visit
www.novartisbiocamp.com.
government sector.
FRANCES VEGA
The retreat provided a venue for
the participants to come together,
get to know and network with
each other—with an emphasis on
bridging different programs and
projects. It also served as a forum
for dialogue on some serious
issues confronting Asia. The
group was given the unique
opportunity to discuss what we
envision Asia to be, and how we
intend to work towards this vision
of a better Asia.
But perhaps one of the most important things that we learned is that we
don’t know that much about each other! It
is embarrassing to note that Asians
know more about the United States
or Europe than about each other.
“
ast September 3 to 9, 2006,
seventeen young delegates from
all over Asia—Cambodia, China,
Japan, India, Indonesia, Laos,
Malaysia, Myanmar, the
Philippines, Thailand, and
Vietnam—participated in a
retreat workshop dubbed
“Building a Better Asia: Future
Leaders’ Dialogue” in the
picturesque campus of Peking
University, Beijing, China. It was,
in Mr. Yohei Sasakawa’s words, “a
historic event.” The retreat
brought together, for the first
time, beneficiaries and associates
of The Nippon Foundation, The
Tokyo Foundation (which
manages the SYLFF program),
and The Sasakawa Peace
Foundation.
Sherilyn Siy
MA Applied Social Psychology
SYLFF Fellow
SHERILYN SIY
L
Working towards
13
Postgrads represent RP in
Novartis biotech camp
A
14
“professional for others”. Some
of the areas that need to be
addressed are student formation,
faculty formation, orientation of
the disciplines, and how research
can more effectively contribute to
the hard thinking that is needed
for social transformation.
Provincial
speaks on being
Professionals
for
Others
I
n a talk given to Loyola Schools
faculty members in November,
Fr. Daniel Patrick J. Huang,
Provincial Superior of the Society
of Jesus in the Philippines, shared
his thoughts on the place of the
within the Jesuit Mission today.
Social Order (ISO), Institute on
Church and Social Issues (ICSI),
Environmental Science for Social
Change (ESSC), UGAT, and the
Philippine Jesuit Prison Service.
The educational mission includes
five universities (Ateneo de Davao,
Ateneo de Manila, Ateneo de
Naga, Ateneo de Zamboanga, and
Xavier University), three schools
(Xavier School, Sacred Heart
School of Cebu, and Ateneo de
Iloilo), the Loyola College of
Culion, parochial schools in
Bukidnon, ERDA Tech, and the
Manila Observatory.
The thrust of the pastoral cluster
to build up Christian
communities of faith and service
Although “Jesuit” is often is lived in parishes, chaplaincies,
identified with “Ateneo de and the Center for Family
Manila,” he explained that the Ministries. There are four lumad
University is part of a wider
network
of
ministries:
educational apostolate, formation
cluster, spirituality cluster, social
apostolate, pastoral cluster,
communications, and foreign
missions.
Congregation 34: the service of
faith that does justice, that
evangelizes culture, and that
dialogues with other religious
traditions. According to Fr.
Huang, this conception of
mission
rejects
the
marginalization of faith that is the
agenda or presupposition of
some influential versions of
modernity. This, he said, is
significant for understanding
parishes in Bukidnon, a parish
among former Hansenites and
their descendants in Culion, a
parish in Barangka, Marikina, and
three Chinese Filipino parishes
(Mary the Queen, Sacred Heart,
Santa Maria). Chaplaincies
include the Philippine General
Hospital/UP Manila, the
Philippine Jesuit Prison Service,
and UP Diliman.
Under the formation cluster are
PCP 2 (renewal of priests), Jesuit
formation (Sacred Heart Novitiate
and Loyola House of Studies), the
formation of diocesan clergy (San
Jose Seminary and St. John
Vianney Theological Seminary),
and the formation of pastoral In today’s society, evangelization
ministers (Loyola School of and social transformation can be
Theology or LST).
achieved through social
communications. The Jesuit
The spirituality cluster promotes Communications include the
the Jesuit tradition of the Jesuit Music Ministry, mainstream
“Ministry of Consolation” and media (TV movies, radio shows,
the Apostleship of Prayer TV spots), and new ventures (text
movement, and includes messaging). This cluster also
spirituality institutes (Emmaus includes the training of Church
Center for psycho-spiritual personnel in media ministry and
formation and Center for influencing the Catholic media
Ignatian Spirituality) and Retreat cluster.
Houses (SHN, Angono, Mirador,
Cebu, Malaybalay).
Finally, there are foreign missions
in Cambodia, East Timor,
The social apostolate focuses on Myanmar, and Taiwan/ China, as
social change through formation, well as a re-orientation of LST
organizing, reflection, advocacy to become Asian theologate.
through the Society of Jesus
Social Apostolate (SJSA) This range of Jesuit ministries
network, which includes the reflects the Jesuit mission today,
Province Institutes: Institute of as articulated by General
what makes a University Catholic
and Jesuit.
The understanding of a Catholic
university today is that it is an
institution participating in the
Church’s mission of the
redemption of history, and it
does so as a university that forms
young people for life, prepares
them for professions, engages in
the production of knowledge,
and is a social and cultural force
in a community. For a Catholic
university, it means forming
young people in Christian
maturity, ordering the professions
towards
ser vice
and
transcendence, engaging in deep
reflection on the great questions
of a culture in the light of
Catholic ethical concerns and its
tradition of wisdom, and being
an institutional witness and
advocate of the Gospel in society.
In the Ateneo’s context today, we
see that all professions can be
oriented towards the values of
the Gospel for the redemption of
history and for the building of
the nation. The Jesuit educational
ideal of being men and women
for others can be now be seen in
the context of being a
In conclusion, Fr. Huang invited
the faculty to reflect and dialogue
on the Ateneo’s role. He invited
them to contextualize the Ateneo
within the larger Jesuit framework
of works and mission; to
“problematize”
ADMU’s
“Catholic and Jesuit identity” in
view of fewer Jesuits, more and
more varied students and faculty,
and emerging cultural trends; and
to highlight the dream that Ateneo
be a more effective participant in
the redemption of history. Like
the First Companions—Ignatius,
Faber and Xavier—many
Ateneans’ minds, hearts, passions,
and the orientation of their
freedom continue to be
transformed during their years at
the Ateneo. macc
books
Budhi: A Journal of Ideas and Culture, Volume
IX, Numbers 2 and 3, 2005
The Black and White World of Virgilio Oliver
Montecastro
Edited by Luis S. David, S.J.
From the editor’s introduction:
“Photography, like any other
artistic or creative endeavor, is
composition—of the kind
Gertrude Stein had in mind
when she said: ‘The
composition is the thing seen
by every one living in the living
that they are doing, they are the
composing of the composition
that at the time they are living
is the composition of the time
in which they are living.’ The
torturous tautology imbedded
in
Ms.
Stein’s
word
notwithstanding, they make perfect sense applied to the finely
grained, sharply textured, richly modulated black and white
photographs of Vir Oliver Montecastro collected in this volume,
which convey an impression of eyewitness actuality and
transparent objectivity in regard to where he was, what he was
doing, who with, what he was feeling, what he understood.
On page dividers set apart from the images, produced humanly
and sympathetically, without preconception, emotional
coloration, or theatricalism—of poor rural fishermen, Mindanao
Muslims, Metropolitan Manila scavengers, in their everyday
circumstances and social entrapments of their lives—such
identification details as subject, location, date are provided, even
as the images themselves appear unaccompanied by either caption
or commentary, so as to enable them, from the undefined space
within a darkroom, to emerge as signposts providing directions
into the languages, signs, texts, of our times.”
I’ve Been Dating…Now What?
A Guide for College Students and Young
Professionals
By Maribel Sison Dionisio, MA, and Mike H. Asis, PhD
From the authors’ preface:
“The idea for this modest book
arose from the vital need we say
to help young people…prepare
more adequately for the lifetime
commitment of marriage. It
aims to help (them) face the real
issues, make the right choices,
and lay the foundation for a
happy and successful marriage
life. This book is for…college
students
and
single
professionals—whether in a
relationship at the moment or not. It provides advanced
information about relationships, posing questions to help you
and your (future) partner reflect on various areas of your lives
and personalities that will influence the kind of marriage you
will both have. Use it as your roadmap toward a loving, mature,
and mutually fulfilling married life ahead. When it is your future
happiness and fulfillment that is at stake, it’s never too early to
prepare.”
Animo
AteneoNight
photos by Aly L. Yap
The young college men and
women of Team Ateneo who
participated in the games held
during the first semester of the
69th UAAP Season were given a
special night of last October 20,
2006 at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Feted during Animo Ateneo night
were the Men’s and Women’s
Swimming Team, Judo Team, and
the Men’s and Women’s
Basketball Teams.
Ma. Assunta C. Cuyegkeng. Cohosts alumnus and Mhel Garrido
and college student Lia Cruz.
Each team was presented to the
crowd by Ateneo administrators
such as Dr. Alfredo Bengzon,
Vice President for Professional
Schools and Romeo Dalandan Jr,
Director for Alumni Relations.
Team spoke to their admirers,
supporters, and friends, and give
thanks to all of them. As part of
the evening’s program, the Blue
On hand to open the program Babble Batallion also gave a
and welcome guests was Vice presentation of their prowess on
President for Loyola Schools, Dr. the cheering field.
Ateneo Blue Babble Battalion
It’s
T
The Blue Eagle Gym was a-buzz
with activity that Friday night as
excited fans both from within and
outside of Ateneo converged to
celebrate the accomplishments of
the season with the Ateneo
college players. The festivities
sparked brisk sales of Ateneo
souvenir items with jerseys of
favorite Blue Eagles such as JC
Intal and Chris Tiu coming out
as top sellers. Free refreshments
for the athletes and the 2006
Jubilarian Classes were poured
out as well as free drink treats to
Ateneo staff and the first 400
students to come to the event. Ateneo Lady Eagles
Quite noticeable too were the
proliferation of young female
high school student fans as well
as children of Ateneo alumni
wearing Ateneo T-shirts, caps
and jerseys. With alumni and
their family members
around, it was heartwarming
to see a young boy, with
his doting Lola in tow,
chasing after basketball
player Zion Laterre for an
autograph and a photo
opportunity as he arrived Ateneo Lady Tankers
with a group of Blue Eagles.
never
too
late
to learn
to swim!
he Physical Education
Program’s free Learn-to-Swim
Program for non-teaching staff
was launched in the first semester,
schoolyear 2006-2007. This
offering not only gives Ateneo
employees an opportunity to
learn to swim, or perfect their
technique, but also encourages
them to try out the new Loyola
Schools swimming pool located
at the back of the College
Covered Courts. Alex Torres,
Director of the LS Physical
Education Program, explains that
the swimming program covers a
total of five sessions held on
Saturdays from 1:00 to 3:00 in the
afternoon. The program has now
been expanded to include nonteaching staff from the different
offices of the University
community. There are plans for
two more modules to be offered
The tribute was capped with
autograph signing by the athletes
which drew enthusiastic fans to
hurriedly queue up for autographs
with their favorite players. As the
autograph (and impromptu
photo) sessions reached a fevered
pitch, cool music from student
rock bands Uneven and others
consecutively
to
the
administrative offices and the
Loyola Schools faculty members,
and then to maintenance
personnel. Those who complete
the basic course in swimming, he
added, will be awarded an ATM
card-sized completion card.
Swimming instructors on hand to
lend their expertise to the
swimming classes are: Arturo
Flores Asajar (whom everyone
calls Coach Mac), junior full-time
faculty members Paul de los Reyes
and Rodel Sauza, and junior parttime faculty member Gilbert
Cheng. On one Saturday
afternoon, about 14 people from
the University community
(Loyola Schools, Pathways,
ACED, and ACELT) came to the
swim lessons and started with
warm-ups. Although a bit shy
about getting their photographs
taken in swim suits, all were in
agreement that the lessons were
fun and promoted camaraderie
among the group. “Maingay, OK,
15
livened up the affair’s close.
Players gamely stood up to take
photographs of themselves with
their adoring fans, accentuating
the closeness, camaraderie and
good humor evoked by the
gathering. It was truly a night of
warm remembrances. eeglolarga
Ateneo Blue Eagles
Hosts: Mel Garrido and Lia
Cruz
Ateneo Blue Jodokas
Ateneo Blue Tankers
masaya,” is how Vicky Calderon
of ACELT, describes the
sessions. She is quick to praise
their swimming teachers for their
excellent coaching which was
clear and easy to follow,
“madaling sundin.” Some
participants are new at
swimming, but the rest seem to
be taking the program as a
refresher course as well as a
much-needed relaxing break
from the office grind. Nora dela
Cruz of the Interdisciplinary
Studies Department notes that
the swimming helps relieve her
asthma and hypertension. LS Registrar Joaquin Julian “JJ”
Agtarap, on the other hand, seems
to have gained most from the
experience since he apparently
started swim lessons with very
limited know-how and has joined
two consecutive programs just to
hone his swimming ability further.
He says he enjoys the experience
and is very grateful for the
encouragement of Alex Torres to
come for the lessons. The swim
program completes his work outs
at the Moro gym—”pantanggal
ng stress,” he says.
It’s time to take a dip in the new
LS swimming pool. Its water is
an enticing blue (enhanced by a
bit of copper sulfate). It’s kept
efficiently clean by a new and big
filter system with two kilos of
chlorine thrown in daily. Free
swimming lessons, anyone?
eeglolarga
16
Volume II, Number 6 & 7. November & December 2006
Four Score
A Look into the Ateneo
Men’s Football Team 2006-07
By Rick Olivares
Mission Statement
Former Chicago Bull guard and
current General Manager John Paxson
once said that the first time you make
it to the championship; you’re just
thrilled to be there. The next time
around; you’re on a mission. For the
third straight time; you’re out to make
history.
So where does that leave this year’s
Blue Booters? What ghosts are they
chasing on their way to a fourth
straight championship?
The 2006-07 edition of the Ateneo
Men’s Football team is heading into
the start of the football season with
guarded optimism. In years past, the
team was loaded all the way to the last
player on the bench as well as to the
reserves; there was always someone to
plug in the holes in the line-up. As
Assistant Coach Aris Bocalan said, “At
times, the player coming off the bench
for the starter was just as good if not
better. That’s how deep the team was.”
This year, even without perennial
threat DLSU, the Blue Booters will be
hard pressed to defend the crown.
There are only seven holdovers from
the three-peat team: the co-captains
Pat Ozaeta and Alvin Perez, Gino
Tongson, Jolo Peralta, Gerard Cancio,
Fred Ozaeta, and Sam Wilson. Gone
are Roger Lastimado, last year’s
scoring machine, captain Mickey
Ingles whose toughness and leadership
served the team well throughout their
struggles on and off the pitch, midfielder JP Merida whose steadfastness
in the middle was crucial to Ateneo’s
game plan, wingman Zaldy Marañon
whose blazing speed and ability to
outrace taller defensive backs set up
many a goal, and goalkeeper Jerwin
Belina, who in this writer’s humble
opinion should have been named coMVP along with Ozaeta last year.
Belina walked out of the shadows of
keeper James Dalang and battled back
from nearly being cut from the lineup at the start of the season to be the
rock that allowed the defensive backs
to freelance on offense. He stopped
every shot on goal including a penalty
shot off a bad call. His holding
opponents’ goal-less for the better part
of the season was every bit as
fascinating a sub-plot as the drive for
three straight. This is of course, no
knock on Ozaeta’s importance to the
team considering he held last year’s
Golden Boot awardee Vaughn
Melendrez scoreless in three matches,
but Belina, without fanfare—just the
way the coach likes it—set the tone
for the entire season.
Defend the Crown is still the
impassioned mantra that multi-titled
coach Ompong Merida recites to his
team. But football campaigns aren’t
won on snazzy tag-lines or catch
phrases. “It all boils down to hard
work,” emphasizes Merida. “The other
teams are rounding out into
championship form—particularly
FEU. They may be more talented and
experienced at this point but what we
will strive to be is the most
hardworking team in the UAAP.”
Microcosm of a Problem
By this time, the UAAP line-up will
have been finalized. This year, there
are many questions as to who will have
to pick up the slack from those who puno yung stadium, there are always
have graduated.
people banging on dr ums and
cheering. People talk about it on TV
and read about it in the papers. Kahit
“You have to understand that there are kami, after watching the games live,
a lot of new players,” offers Alvin binabasa pa namin sa diyaryo. You soak
Perez who along with Ozaeta has in and become part of that
played for the championship all their atmosphere.”
college lives. “Some have yet to adjust
to collegiate competition while some On the pitch, the Thais were elegant.
have to find the form they showed last The players would readily and
instinctively act against the
year.”
opposition’s game plans. “No need
The new players are Kurt Alvarez, para sa coach sumigaw ng instructions,”
Mico Noel (who played on the Ateneo
Negros area where former Blue
Booter Zaldy Marañon hails from.
Their familiarity with one another
should serve them in good stead. Last
year, they played Ateneo plenty tough
and that was with the full complement
of Lastimado, Ingles, Tristan
The Blue Booters went to Thailand to Tongson, and company. This year
bond with their teammates and to they’re still intact and raring to go.
learn from some of the best. They
came home not simply amazed but The UST Growling Tigers are one
convinced that they have their work team that no one can take lightly. Their
biggest loss was Coach Nonoy Carpio
cut out for them.
who is now with the National Team.
New coach and former UST player
Marjo Allado knows that this team has
always been long on talent but has
been short on their ability to bring it
out. They need to find consistency in
their game. If Allado can fully mold
this team and turn them into killers,
then they’ll be hard to beat.
yung naglalaro.” Bocalan believes that
knowing the intricacies of the sport—
being a student of the game—is key.
There are many talented players but
it’s those who understand how the
game is played who excel.
The University of the Philippines
Maroons likewise have a new coach
in Vanni Tolentino. They will be
parading quite a few new faces, but
their biggest foe won’t simply be the
more seasoned teams, but themselves.
Chemistry is obviously the order of
the day.
UE Coach Lloyd Lim’s team took
some disheartening losses last year
owing to having a young line-up. With
a year of UAAP football under their
belt, they figure to do better this time
around.
futsal team), James Arco, JJ Clemente,
Gabriel Siojo, Derek Candelaria,
Benedict Tady, and Aris Mantos, this
year’s keeper. In spite of the rawness
of the team, they have performed
reasonably well in a pair of off-season
tourneys in Ang Liga and the Terry
Razon Copa.
During the recent semestral break, the
team spent a week in Thailand (the
boon of a successful fund-raising
campaign by the Ateneo Football
Center which was capped by the live
viewing of the recent FIFA World
Cup) where the experience changed
the way the team looked at football.
“In the space of one week, we saw
not only what was wrong with Ateneo
football, but the whole of Philippine
football,” says the team’s former midfielder and now Assistant Coach Aris
Bocalan.
Right off the bat, the game is a way
of life. It’s in the papers, there’s a
professional league, and there’s hype
surrounding the game. “I’ll remember
the drums,” smiles Ozaeta. “Kahit hindi
recalls Bocalan. “Naiintindihan nila agad
kung anong kailangan gawin.” There was
an instinctive love of the game far
beyond the training. And that alone,
perhaps, is the big difference. Love of
the beautiful game. Players no matter
what their position must recognize
opportunities, make the right
decisions, and make quality passes if
not taking the ball forward. The days
of simple cr unching tackles by
defensive backs are long gone. They
must know how to put the ball into
play. This is what current Olympique
Lyon (and former Arsenal) Manager
Gerard Houllier preaches: the game
today is won on how quickly defenses
are able to lead a counter-attack before
opposing defenders get re-organized.
The Thais have embraced this
philosophy and for the Ateneans who
got their look upfront on the field or
in the stands, the experience has not
been lost on anyone.
“Marami naman mga bata na at an early
age naglalaro ng football,” notes Bocalan.
“You can see hindi lang sa AFC maganda
yung participation. But it’s not enough
Under Siege
The road to the championship
definitely goes through Katipunan.
For starters, the games will once more
be held in Ateneo. Second, every team
in the league is waiting to knock the
crown off Les Blues’ collective head.
The role of scorer has been inherited
by Gerard Cancio who got a massive
dose of confidence when he broke out
for two goals against a tough UST
team in the second round last year. He
has played well and has learned how
to create opportunities for others. On
the other hand, he will be a marked
man. The return of Peralta after a back
injury, Gino Tongson coming off the
bench and playing with a controlled
fury, and rookie Kurt Alvarez should
provide help upfront.
The impregnable defense of last year
took a hit with the graduation of
Jerwin Belina and the departure of
Jerome Reyes. But steady in the
defensive line and in perhaps their final
playing years, are Pat Ozaeta and Alvin
Perez who will once more make life
difficult for opposing strikers. Aris
Mantos may be our rookie keeper but
he isn’t lacking in confidence.
Prelude to the kick-off
All things considered, the team is
excited about the prospect of
defending the crown once more. No
Ateneo team—in any sport—has won
four straight. This is where the
coaching staff preaches caution. The
important thing is not to get too
caught up in the enormity of the feat.
One game at a time, reminds Bocalan.
For the vets, they would love nothing
more than to be caretakers of a legacy
of greatness while the newbies would
want nothing more than to show that
they belong.
Gabriel Siojo, younger brother of
Miguel Siojo who was with the threepeat champs, personifies this dogged
determination by the young turks.
Gabs tried out the last couple of years
only to be cut and relegated to the
training team. But this year, he will be
manning the midfield slot vacated by
JP Merida and Coach Ompong can’t
wait to see the kid in action. He likes
his guts and drive to succeed. The
Ateneo team in recent years has
achieved with no star players or
national team members. Other teams
like UST and FEU have paraded
almost the intact line-ups of various
editions of our youth national teams.
Each time, they’ve been beaten back
by the no-name Ateneo Blue Booters.
What they have accomplished is
because of a dedicated collective. And
as the coaches like to say, when you
work hard, nothing is impossible.
The FEU Tamaraws of Adolfo
Alicante are finally ripe enough to the
crown. This team is on its third year Even something as daunting as four
together. Many of them are from the championships straight.

Loyola Schools - Ateneo de Manila University

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