ADZU turns 100
INS IDE p.3 Tree Tagging
Celebration launched with unveiling of historical marker By: Barry Barraca
Soon, led by Mr. Ricky Baluca, a member of the High School Faculty, the hymn of the “El Animo Ateneo” was heard across the pueblo to which the voices of a number of Ateneans singing from their hearts echoed throughout the edifices that surrounded the plaza. Thanksgiving Centennial Mass
The Old Ateneo Marker is unveiled at the Plaza Pershing. reminder that it was here, in this patch of s the majestic sun’s rays stretch out earth, that the Blue Eagles were born. from the lavender skies on the morning of The Marker was blessed by the 30th of July, Plaza Pershing became a sea of faces. The sprays of the frail rain no other than the University President made the place glittering and the sunlight himself, Fr. Tony Moreno, SJ, to which soon vivified the square. In the grounds the unveiling was followed by a message of the original site of the Ateneo campus from Zamboanga City Mayor, Hon. Celso lies the Old Ateneo Marker – a monument Lobregat. In his speech, he affirms the dedicated to honour Ateneo de Zamboanga contributions of the Ateneo to the city, University’s humble beginnings. It shall in the region, and the nation, challenging the perpetuity be a testament of a century-old coming generation of Ateneans to continue institution, a sentinel that will watch it grow the legacy of becoming men and women over the next hundred years to come and a for others to the hope that the Marker will serve as a reminder of this oath and creed.
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Marching footsteps were soon heard as the unveiling ended and it was time to journey back towards the Eagles’ nest, towards Fr. Eusebio Salvador SJ Campus. Affirming that spirituality is a part of Ateneo culture, a Centennial Mass was held at the Multi-Purpose Covered Courts. The celebration was graced by the full force of the Jesuit priests, from those who had been alumni themselves of the university to those who have served and overseen its growth for the past decades. Notably present were the Archbishop of Davao, Most Reverend Romulo Valles, D.D.; former University President of AdZU, Fr. William Kreutz, SJ; and the President of the Adamson University, Rev. Fr. Gregorio L. Bañaga, Jr.
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Centred on the thanksgiving of the entire Ateneo community, the celebration’s message were summed up in three words: Gracias (Thanks), Viva (Long Live), and
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Ateneo community hosts thangksgiving centennial dinner
As part of Ateneo de Zamboanga University’s centennial celebration, the executive committee, members of the board of trustees, teachers, faculty, staff, alumni, benefactors, members of the Catholic Education Association of the Philippines, and other notable visitors including Beng Climaco, House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao and District I Representative, attended the Ateneo’s Centennial Dinner. Said dinner took place at around 7 pm on July 30 at the Grand Astoria Regency Convention Center in Pasonanca.
The dinner served as a gathering to celebrate Ateneo’s centennial year. At the same time, it was also a moment to look back at AdZU’s 100 years of history. According to Fr. Antonio Moreno, University President, “The dinner was a way of thanking the benefactors, guests who even travelled far just to reach here, and faculty and staff over the past 100 years.”
The program started with a video message from the President of the Philippines himself, Benigno S. Aquino II,
By: Neilson Nick dlS. Alinsañgan
extending his regards and congratulations to the Ateneo Community. Former Rector Fr. Ramon Mores, S.J., former Presidents Fr. Ernesto Caretero, S.J. and Fr. William Kreutz, S.J., President of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, Fr. Gregorio Bañaga, CM, and current University President, Fr. Antonio Moreno, S.J., also gave their respective messages including personal insights regarding their experience in AdZU.
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To keep everyone’s spirits up, selected faculty and staff, students, including the winners of the Festival Dance Contest performed for the entertainment of the guests. The song “Seasons of Love” sung by some of Ateneo’s faculty was accompanied by a video presentation in tribute of those who have served Ateneo for at least 20 years. The dinner was then concluded by another number given by the Physical Education department. Asked about his insights regarding the significance of the centennial dinner in the celebration of AdZU’s centennial year, Fr. Moreno simply stated that the dinner is part of the whole. It cannot be separated from the centennial celebration in its entirety. The centennial celebration is a whole year celebration that aims to show the Ateneo community’s gratitude for the university’s 100 years of service, to experience a renewal of such a historic event and through it, face the challenges of the future, thus it should be looked upon at that level. Top: The dinner was concluded by a number given by the PE department. Lower right: The AdZU band serenades the audience. Lower left: Festival dancers entertaining the guests.
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Opinion
of teaching is to leave it to the initiative of the students to learn on their own, instantly put up a performance of being model teachers for the sake of a mock evaluation. Yet, we still continue to claim that Ateneo is excellence itself. We continue on to spirituality, something that should be naturally prevalent in a Jesuit school. Certainly, spirituality is in the Ateneo. It is quite clear when it is mockingly manifested in students attending masses only if their respective classes are the sponsors and when there is the occasional plus points included in the deal, spirituality indeed. In truth, spirituality is nothing but a farce, especially since the only times students bother to enter the Church are when the midterms and final examinations come up and divine intervention becomes a necessity. Without a doubt, spirituality is a value that religious study classes try to inculcate in Ateneans and the success for those efforts can be seen with the newly renovated Church which is empty most of the time. And hail to the last value which is citizenship – the citizenship in students who only become men and women for others because a certain class requires them to be so. The people who benefitted from the free services that Ateneo students offer are indeed grateful. We are also grateful. We are grateful that these people who thought us to be sincere are ignorant to the truth that this kind of service was only made possible because of the strongest motivator in a student’s life – grades.
Editor’s Note:
Searching for Excellence, Spirituality and Citizenship
By: Sarah Gail Galvan The Beacon, since then and now, will always choose to commit itself to being the voice and light of the student body. For this cause, we are there for every significant event, may it be from within the university or from outside of the campus as we delve into both local and national issues, bringing all of these to the attention of the student body. In welcoming the school year, there are plenty enough significant events to cover, but what event can hold more significance than that of Ateneo’s centennial celebration? In commemoration then of a celebration that is three years in the making, the three years being dedicated to the three core values that Ateneo represents – excellence, spirituality and citizenship, Beacon brings to you a special centennial newspaper that covered all of the activities that occurred during the launching of the centennial celebration. Indeed, this is a time to celebrate for it is no small feat that the university has been able to last for so long, 100 years to be exact. But in the glory of such a
One S hundred years of what?
ince last year, the entire Ateneo community has been h av i ng m i x e d feelings about the By: Barry Barraca idea of a centennial celebration. Some were joyous over the accomplishments of the university in the last century. However some were not, to the point that these feelings were ones of dismay and of being disheartened. Having said this, I confess I too am not that blissful with the centennial celebration concept. Yes, we have lasted a hundred years. Yes, we have reached this far. And yes, we have done much. But really, is that it? After a hundred years, this is what we come up to? Come on, Ateneo. After the Ateneo de Manila, we are the second Ateneo to exist in the Philippines and we are the first Ateneo in Mindanao. Yet, we were the last Ateneo to achieve university status. We were also classified as the least in performance, research, and societal influence. We best at nothing, really. We boast that this year we have the highest number of enrolees, but do people know that we had the highest number of officially dropped students last semester? In our own city of Zamboanga and the entire Region IX, we are known
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longstanding existence, is there truly more to the celebration than just mere age? In the words of the administration, there is. The centennial celebration is not just a mere celebration of the Ateneo’s survival for 100 years. For what makes the Ateneo what it is today is not a number rather, it is the values that is inherent and cultivated as part of the Ateneo culture. It has been said that Ateneans should and do embody excellence, spirituality and citizenship. These three are the pieces of the puzzle that complete the whole of the Ateneo. So as we look back to the 100 years that Ateneo has existed, we should not only look at the contributions that prominent figures in Ateneo history have achieved. For why celebrate only the actions to whom a few people are credited for? They are not the Ateneo. Everyone is. And so we should truly see if the values that we claim to have and are proud of, genuinely exist in the first place in the hearts and minds of every Atenean. Let us then look first at excellence, the aim to be the best. Public perception
of the Ateneo is of quality, the name itself conveying that we are the best. And who can argue to the contrary? The university’s fame to claim is that it surely provides quality education to its students, for a price. Naturally, one must spend more for something that is worth more. But is it really worth more, in actuality? Do the increasing tuition fees equate to improvements in the learning environment that Ateneo offers? Surely excellence should not connote to facilities and a learning environment that is at par with public universities that offer the same quality of education at a lower price. How can Ateneo be the best and demand more from its students when what they offer is the same thing that others do? Excellence should not mean that forty-plus students should cram themselves in a classroom that suffers from lack of chairs and broken fans. Moreover, it is clearly not a manifestation of Atenean excellence when in preparation for the PAASCU reaccreditation, teachers who are wont to come late to their classes and whose custom
for our high tuition fees, our fabulous high school building, and our skill in the art of euphemism. Tell me, is that it? These and more trivial facts are the weak links in our history that threatens our identity and have given rise to so many questions that doubt the excellence, spirituality, and citizenship that we pride ourselves of. Years ago when I encountered in my thesis research that Adolf Hitler patterned Nazi Germany’s armed forces chain of command after the Society of Jesus, I could not figure out why at first. He argued “Look at the Jesuits! They are the foot soldiers of the Church, they do not question the authority or the commands, their allegiance is unconditional, and they will die through the will of Christ and the Pope.” Seeing the product of Jesuit education, I have come to understand what Hitler was babbling about – absolute obedience. From childhood through adolescence, our education in the Ateneo had instilled in us a subconscious mechanism that made us nod, agree, and obey unquestionably all of its teachings. There were no rooms for other ideas, liberal nor radical. Though this could be an avenue for unity of thought and solidarity, it is more likely to be called as indoctrination rather than education. Education’s purpose is not to fill but open the mind. College is our gateway to the real world. It is also the in-between stage connecting education and the professional life. We are witnessing how a dull and knowledge-centred education is thrust upon us, instead of a lively and experience-centred
one. I personally view Ateneo as a factory, not a school. We are shaped up like robots to fuel the capitalism of our country. Overall, our education is mostly based on the doctrines of a mechanistic approach in life. Thus, ask those Valedictorians, Salutatorians, and Laudes, if they truly had verily enjoyed their college life. Ask the average student too, if they had savoured quality education. One must ask, where is Christ’s teachings in all of these? Where are the values of that Man who died fighting the atheism and materialism of His time? We produce followers, not leaders. We never installed in them the heart to change the world. After these robots graduate, they will use and practice all what they have learned from college. And what did they experience in college? Inequality, because not all courses are equally treated, apathy, because majority were taught not to care and to be involved, discrimination, though most will declare that there is none, and complete obedience, for what they say is right, we must ultimately follow. What these students had developed through all of these is but a sense of selfcentred motivation – quiere yo gradua para queda yo rico, quiere yo gradua para queda en buenamente mi vida, quiere yo gradua para sale ya yo aqui na Ateneo. And what have we done to stop this mentality? Nothing and for that we expose them to the real world with what they have meagrely learned and experienced in college. Where are the Ateneans now? We can find them in the United States, in the
So we come to a full circle. Looking back at the years that has passed, can we really say that there is a point to the whole centennial celebration, aside from the fact that we were able to reach our 100th year? This message is not meant to put down Ateneo’s glory and the achievements of some who were able to shape the Ateneo and bring it success. Instead this is an eye-opener, for we cannot deny that the centennial celebration is in fact to commemorate Ateneo. However, Ateneo is not just the handful of people who because of their triumphs have become the names of the buildings in campus. Ateneo is everyone. And should we choose to celebrate, we should celebrate something that everyone can claim to have truly accomplished in their life. And if the pieces of excellence, spirituality and citizenship are lost to us or did not exist to begin with, then we should search for them and try to begin culturing it in our mentality now. It is our 100th year, Ateneans. We cannot just claim to have excellence, spirituality and citizenship when in actuality we do not. Do not let the fact that because it is our centenary year already, that it is too late to turn false truths into reality. It is never too late. Remember that. Middle East, working abroad, in lofty offices, and in luxurious mansions with fancy cars. So what? What happened to the Men and Women for Others? What happened to the Pro Deo et Patria? What happened, Ateneo? We see many Ateneans that are successful enough to live a privilege life. Now, they are mayors, they are councillors, they are directors, and are in top positions in both government and private sectors earning so much money. What then? I laughed one morning when I heard from my Grandmother’s radio a telecast from an announcer, “Cosa man ahora si manada de Ateneo el ta hace bueno, cay el mga quien ta abusa de illa mga oficina y ta hace malo mga de Ateneo man tambien!” How many Ateneans want to graduate because they want to dedicate their lives for the betterment of the society and not themselves? One may argue that through working you are able to serve the City, the Region, and the Nation. Yet, one may also argue that “service like that” falls far behind from the self-serving purpose of getting jobs in the first place to which the only goal is to get rich. Indeed, most Ateneans are affluent. But is this the excellence, spirituality, and citizenship that we are looking for? Students feel that Ateneo, in actuality, do not meet their expectations. The same goes with the state of the Philippines today. This is why, Ateneans would rather leave than stay. Excellence, spirituality, and citizenship be damned – summing up the reality of the 100 years of Ateneo, just like that.
Heritage trees tagged for environmental advocacy
By: Marie Cyndie Domingo
The Ateneo de Zamboanga University, as part of its centennial celebration, held on July 27 a Centennial Tree Tagging Ceremony. The important occasion included a short program held at the Bellarmine Campion lobby followed by the actual tagging of the three Acacia trees that were deemed to be approximately a hundred years old located in the campus. The ceremony itself was spearheaded by the Social Awareness and Community Service Involvement Office. City Mayor Celso Lobregat also took part in the tagging of the centennial trees together with Fr. Antonio Moreno, SJ, University President, and Fr. Willy Samson, SJ, Assistant to the President for Formation. The short program started with a prayer that was given by Fr. Samson followed by the Opening Remarks coming from Fr. Moreno. In Fr. Moreno’s message, he talked about how important the trees in the campus are to the institution. He shared how the location of the trees greatly affects the construction plans done within the campus. The message itself was a clear statement of the
university’s commitment to the environment, especially to the trees that bear witness to AdZU’s history. A short history of the school was also given by Fr. Salvador Wee, SJ, University Archivist. In his speech, he narrated how the university began and where the first establishment of the school was located. He also mentioned important people who helped shape the history of AdZU. More of the history of AdZU can be read in a book compiled by Fr. Wee. The City Mayor also gave a message to commemorate the centennial trees and the celebration of Ateneo’s centennial year. He
Pictorial done after the tagging of the tree beside the New College Building. even shared the infamous poem “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer. Mayor Lobregat’s short message was immediately followed by the tagging of the three centennial Acacia trees in AdZU. The first tree was located near Gate 5. The second tree to be tagged was the big Acacia tree near the Jesuit’s Residence. The last
one was the tree besides the New College Building. The trees now have name plates on them that signify that they are heritage trees that cannot be cut down nor be destroyed. The event concluded with pictorials of all the people who were present for this historic event.
Left: Photo of Mayor Celso Lobregat and Fr. Antonio Moreno as they are going to tag the tree near the Jesuit Residence. Right: The tagging of the tree near Gate 5.
El Consejo showcases local talents in live band concert By: Marie Cyndie Domingo As part of Ateneo de Zamboanga University’s centennial celebration, the El Consejo Atenista spearheaded a Live Band Night on July 27 for all members of the AdZU community. The event was from 6 pm onwards at the Bellarmine Campion lobby. Different Ateneans from the grade school department all the way to the college department participated in this miniconcert of sorts. With the free entertainment, students from different departments of the university came to watch the event. The names of the bands who participated in the event were the Former Grade School Band, Seko St., Blind Current, Sinister Skyline, and One Lane. All this
Photos by: JayBautista
bands gave one or two set performances. They sang a medley of songs coming from a wide variety of music genres, from Pay Phone to Englishman in New York. Personal compositions were even included in the song list. According to the El Consejo Atenista, this event was to showcase the talents of Ateneans coniciding with the 100 years of excellence that the school is celebrating this year. The occassion clearly showed that Ateneo is not only a school that provides for quality education but is also a school that cultivates the special talents of its students.
Photo source: http://gallery.adzu.edu.ph/ADZU100/A-Night-with-the-Band?page=3
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Festival Dance tilt is tribute to Zamboangueño culture By: Keith Joshua Dumpit
Snappy sounds of the kuwintangan tumbaga and the kuwintangan kayu devoured the silence that lingered over the Multi-Purpose Covered Courts, as people with vibrantcolored costumes began to provide the backdrop for what was to be the Festival Dance Competition – an event created especially for freshmen students as part of their participation in the centennial celebration of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University. The competition, spearheaded by Physical Education instructor Mr. Earl Francis
Pasilan, took course on July 29 by which there were two parts: the Elimination Round, which took place in the morning around 9 at the Brebeuf Gymnasium to which all students taking PE101 contended for places in the final round and the Finals, which transpired at the MPCC from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, where only 10 groups were chosen to vie for the first, second, and third places. The mechanics of the competition was that each participating cluster would choreograph a particular cultural dance inspired by the ethnic traditions of Zamboanga and that each group would have to make do with their own resources to come up with costumes. Each group was given a minimum of 3 minutes and a maximum of 5 minutes to perform. Because the ten best performers have been picked out from the elimination round, mediocrity was out of the window when it came to the final round. Each group had to perform immediately after the other, thus eradicating unnecessary interludes. Another factor that raised the tension and competitive spirits of the participants was that the groups’ performances in the Festival Dance would help determine their individual grades come midterms.
The groups who were able to qualify for the final round of the Festival Dance Competition. In line with the centennial celebration of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University, the Physical Education Department of the School of Education held its annual PEiesta on July 29, an event that was divided into three parts: the Laro ng Lahi, the Boodle Fight and the Festival Dance Competition. The said activity was held at the Multi-Purpose Covered Courts (MPCC) from 8:00 in the morning until 7:00 in the evening. The Laro ng Lahi and the Boodle Fight events were participated by college second year students enrolled in their PE 103 classes while the Festival Dance Competition involved the first year students who are enrolled in their PE 101 classes.
For such a grand showcase of dancing skills,
an esteemed panel of judges, each of whom boasts of dancing backgrounds coming from top Philippine universities, was invited to critique each participating group and to declare three winners. After thorough deliberation, the three judges – Ms. HerAnn Francisco, Ms. Alicia Lourdes Soriano, and Ms. Blanca Flor Jimeno, decided that the following were the victors for the 2012 Festival Dance competition.
3rd Place: Contestant No. 8 : PE101 – V 2nd Place: Contestant No. 7: PE101 – C 1st Place: Contestant No. 5: PE101 – D Incorporating this activity in the launching of the centennial celebration lineup means more than just appreciating the culture of Zamboanga, which is both undeniably rich but sadly, being slowly forgotten. As Mr. Pasilan asserted, “[The festival dance is] one way of promoting our rich cultural heritage through dances.” He added that portraying the Zamboangueño culture by way of dancing is an “integral part that needs to be revived.”
Thus, the inclusion of the festival dance in Ateneo’s centennial celebration is nothing less of a re-education to our new generation of how significant Zamboanga’s customs and traditions have been in molding the Ateneo across 100 years. It is no less than a commemoration of how the blend of dance, music, and colors uplift not only the Zamboangueño culture that envelops us, but the Ateneo spirit which grounds our feet to help us appreciate and rejuvenate this culture that defines our very existence.
The groups who were able to qualify for the final round of the Festival Dance Competition.
PEiesta celebrates traditional Filipino games By: John Xyrious Dela Cruz
The games played by the second year students during the Laro ng Lahi, both in male and female categories, were the following: Luksong Baka, Juego de Saco (Sack Race), Kadang-kadang, Pasa Buko (Coconut Pass/Buko Relay), Volleyball Relay
and Touch Ball. PE 103 Section G emerged as the overall champion having bagged a total of five wins. Laurence Torres, a second year student, commented that, “The Laro ng Lahi became a tool in awakening our young Filipino hearts which allowed us to realize how fun and creative are the Filipinos... the Laro ng Lahi was a break to enjoy our student life.” By 12:00 noon, everyone took part in the Boodle Fight wherein each section was given one long table where to prepare their food. It was like a real fiesta where the students and teachers feasted themselves on the various cuisines that they prepared. In relation to AdZU’s centenary year, Brother Armand Samonte, SJ, in his
opening message made mention of the significance of the Laro ng Lahi in celebrating 100 years of excellence, spirituality, and citizenship. He pointed out that the Ateneo aims for a holistic development of a person aside from academics. The Laro ng Lahi event showcases that Ateneans could also excel in sports, particularly in traditional Filipino games. But why Laro ng Lahi? Bro. Armand explained that it is not every day that we get to play these games, highly because of the presence of modern sports like basketball, volleyball and the development of online games. Physical Education Department Chairperson, Manuela Quimson, believed that the Laro ng Lahi would enable students to recall their childhood experiences and develop their awareness on Filipino folk games. As we look back into the one hundred years of existence of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University, we also look back into our very own traditional Filipino games and incorporate it in our everyday living as Ateneans and as proud Filipinos.
Students preparing themselves for a physically challenging traditional Filipino game.
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“Game Show” gathers student body for centennial fun The El Consejo Atenista, the organization that made the Blackout Party possible, had more to offer to Ateneans as they organized a variety game show on the afternoon of July 30 after the formation of the Human Seal. Students swarmed the Multi-Purpose Covered Courts yet again for the Happy Yipee Ateneo, which featured lots of fun games and prizes.
started off with the first game – Lobo Ko, Iputok Mo. The event adapted a game show type of format and students were free to join whenever they wanted. Students hurriedly approached the stage as the mechanics for the first game were being explained. The objective was to pop other players’ balloons with the right foot while keeping your own balloon securely inflated on the left one. Crowd control proved to be a difficult feat for the volunteers who were in charge. Because of this, instead of having just one winner the organizers decided to just hand over the GetBlued prizes to numerous participants who had managed to keep their balloons.
According to Earl Toribio, El Consejo Atenista President, “[The event was done] to have the grade school, high school and college students come together to celebrate citizenship and companionship and to just really have an event where we can have fun as a Next in line was the classic community.” Pera o Bayong, which received a lot The event started off with the of participants mainly because of the routine doxology, the singing of the huge prizes at stake: a brand new phone, national anthem and the Opening five thousand pesos worth of GetBlued Remarks which was given by Mr. merchandise, and a grand prize of ten Toribio. After that, the organizers did thousand pesos. The last man standing not waste any time and immediately had the privilege of choosing the bayong
which possibly contained one of those three prizes. After how many rounds of answering questions about Ateneo and Zamboanga history, Yvonne Caryl A. Emperado, a first year BSMA student was the one lucky enough to qualify for the jackpot round. After numerous offers and inquiries with the audience, she chose to go home securely with four thousand pesos over what was inside the bayong – which turned out to be an eggplant.
By: Paola Migelli Cananea winners, a group was finally called out as the rightful victors and they received a one thousand pesos cash prize and centennial memorabilia sponsored by Coca Cola.
The day did not just end there for lanterns were set ablazed and flown to the sky when night time came, however there was a momentary danger of the Jesuit Residence being burned when the event was happening. Fortunately, the By the end of the game, some of danger was resolved. the students already started to leave the bleachers which prompted Mr. Toribio In the end, the student to ask if students still wanted to continue activities prepared by the college with another game. The majority of student government proved to be the the crowd replied with a yes, so the community’s way of coming together as organizers pursued with the last game one to express their joy and gratitude of jestingly named Sack My Head. The being a part of the centennial celebration objective was basically to finish first – as is the objective of most of the while running around with a sack on activities laid out for the now concluded the head. The game was participated by event. Ateneo has made history yet again groups of ten. After how many rounds and we were all there to witness it. of failing to declare the appropriate
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CONTINUATION of . . .
Fr. Eusebio G. Salvador: ADZU turns 100 Celebration launched with unveiling of historical marker
The Man Who Moved Ateneo By: Marie Cyndie Domingo The Ateneo de Zamboanga University’s centennial celebration, in essence, is a moment of looking back to the 100 years of existence of the institution. It is also a moment of commemoration and reflection of the proud moments and things that we, as a student of the present generation, have missed and can only consider as treasured history. But most importantly, the centennial celebration calls for thanking the people who have contributed most in shaping Ateneo de Zamboanga University to what it has become today.
Adelante (Forward). Gracias, because we remember Ateneo’s past – how we grew from the Escuela Catolica then into the Ateneo de Zamboanga University of today. The genesis, the years of growth and development, the changes we have made, the people who we now remember as contributors of the Ateneo we behold today – these are what we look back to, the metamorphosis, with a grateful heart. As one priest said during the mass, “It was on the same year (1912) that the Titanic was also launched. But it was constructed by Man, the Ateneo on the other hand was founded by God – and so, we have survived.” The message of Viva can also be encompassed to a Jesuit priest’s statement in the Centennial Mass – “The Ateneo must continue its mission of producing more and more Men and Women for others.” As we reminisce the past one hundred years, we must also be mindful of the present in order to fulfil our responsibilities as Ateneans as we are now taking a new step, a new start of another hundred years. The significance of the third portion of the message, Adelante, is also integrated to which, in essence, means that “Ateneo must look forward!” With so much wisdom from the past and with a promising present, the university has all the capabilities and possibilities to shape out a future brighter than anything that we can imagine – a community whose creed is “For the Greater Glory of God.”
Opening of walk and naming of campus From the Centennial Mass celebration, the crowd proceeded to the Bellarmine Campion Building’s quadrangle, to what is now known as the Centennial Square – a plaza featuring the Centennial Walk that consists of twelve wooden panels representing the milestones of the university. Each panel is a pillar of the Ateneo’s identity. Ateneans must never forget the character that history had forged and installed in the name of the institution, as we bear it and so we must verily live this distinctiveness all throughout life.
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n the spirit of this celebration, the university has been most persistent with renaming a few prominent edifices in honor of those important people. Among those changes, the most significant may be the renaming of the La Purisima Campus to “Fr. Eusebio Salvador Campus.” But who is Fr. Eusebio Salvador? What did he do to become such an important figure in AdZU history that the main campus itself was named after him? Fr. Eusebio G. Salvador, SJ was a native Zamboangueño born into the Salvador family on December 15, 1906. He was a true blue-blooded Atenean as he studied at the Ateneo which was formerly known then as Escuela Catolica. When he was but fifteen years of age, he entered the Society of Jesus and continued his studies abroad. He was later ordained as a priest on January 20, 1928 at Woodstock, Maryland becoming the first Zamboangueño Jesuit priest. During the years of 1938-1941 and 1946-1947 he became the first Filipino director of Ateneo de Zamboanga. Before, the Ateneo was located near the present day Plaza Pershing. It was through the initiative of Fr. Eusebio that the Ateneo campus was moved to its present location at La Purisima. Because of this important contribution to AdZU history, Fr. Eusebio is considered to be the second founder of Ateneo de Zamboanga. However, Fr. Eusebio proved that not only is he a founder, but he is also a model for the Ignatian values that Ateneo prides itself the most. Aside from the work that he was
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The relief of Fr. Eusebio G. SAlvador that is part of the Centennial Walk Photo by Frances Grace Florendo
putting into the Ateneo community, he was also appointed as the parish priest of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Zamboanga City. This put him in the position of helping and working with various people, to whom the most prominent were the lepers or the Hansenites at the Mindanao Central Sanitarium. In this regard, Fr. Eusebio did not limit himself to offering his service to Ateneans alone. Instead, he was most remembered for his contributions to the City of Zamboanga such as his establishment of the cathedral, as well as the Ateneo. But these paled in comparison to his continuous service to those in the city who were in need of help. Choosing to reject the position of bishop to continue his service as a humble and ordinary priest was what truly engraved Fr. Eusebio in the hearts of Ateneans and Zamboangeños alike. He died July 16, 1981 leaving behind his legacy in the university and in the city. Now, his remains lay at the Catholic Cemetery in San Roque. Fr. Eusebio is one of the twelve distinguished Zamboangueños of the city. With his great accomplishments for both Ateneo and Zamboanga, it is but fitting to name the Main Campus of Ateneo de Zamboanga University in his honor. Source: Fr. Salvador C. Wee, SJ. 100 years of the Ateneo de Zamboanga.
After the Opening, the official naming of the La Purisima Campus followed. Looking back at history, the war broke out in 1941 and classes ceased. In 1945, the Ateneo in the corner of P. Reyes and I. Magno was bombed along with about two-thirds of the city during the American’s campaign to liberate Zamboanga from the Japanese forces. After the onslaught, Fr. Eusebio Salvador, SJ, then director of the school, transferred the campus to its current location here in La Purisima. Considered to be the second founder of the university, he is notably the first Zamboangeño Jesuit priest and an alumnus of the Escuela Catolica. Fr. Eusebio’s family and relatives were present and watching from their seats as the University President had made it official and known that from now on, Ateneo de Zamboanga University’s Main Campus is officially the “Fr. Eusebio Salvador, SJ Campus.” The day seemed to be long already with an overload of events and thus, a break was needed. Three locations were situated for the Lunch for All after such events as the opening of the Centennial Walk and naming of the main campus. The lunches were located at the Carlos Dominguez Conference Hall, the Cafe Atenista, and the Multi-Purpose Covered Courts respectively. After the feast, the entire community again gathered at the backfield for yet another historic affair. Members of the faculty and administration, alumni, and students alike were guided to a formation across the field. Moments later, the resonance of the helicopter flying over was heard to capture the university’s moment of camaraderie. It was the Ateneo’s Human Seal which read “ADZU 100,” signifying the first 100-year mark in AdZU history, to which certainly will not be the last.
T
he El Consejo Atenista, the organization that made the Blackout Party possible, had more to offer to Ateneans as they organized a variety game show on the afternoon of July 30 after the formation of the Human Seal. Students swarmed the Multi-Purpose Covered Courts yet again for the Happy Yipee Ateneo, which featured lots of fun games and prizes. According to Earl Toribio, El Consejo Atenista President, “[The event was done] to have the grade school, high school and college students come together to celebrate citizenship and companionship and to just really have an event where we can have fun as a community.” The event started off with the routine doxology, the singing of the national anthem and the Opening Remarks which was given by Mr. Toribio. After that, the organizers did not waste any time and immediately started off with the first game – Lobo Ko, Iputok Mo. The event adapted a game show type of format and students were free to join whenever they wanted. Students hurriedly approached the stage as the mechanics for the first game were being explained. The objective was to pop other players’ balloons with the right foot while keeping your own balloon securely inflated on the left one. Crowd control proved to be a difficult feat for the volunteers who were in charge. Because of this, instead of having just one winner the organizers decided to just hand over the GetBlued prizes to numerous participants who had managed to keep their balloons. Next in line was the classic Pera o Bayong, which received a lot of participants mainly because of the huge prizes at stake: a brand new phone, five thousand pesos worth of GetBlued merchandise, and a grand prize of ten thousand pesos. The last man standing had the privilege of choosing the bayong which possibly contained one of those three
: The Blackout Party
College Night in July prizes. After how many rounds of answering questions about Ateneo and Zamboanga history, Yvonne Caryl A. Emperado, a first year BSMA student was the one lucky enough to qualify for the jackpot round. After numerous offers and inquiries with the audience, she chose to go home securely with four thousand pesos over what was inside the bayong – which turned out to be an eggplant.
By the end of the game, some of the students already started to leave the bleachers which prompted Mr. Toribio to ask if students still wanted to continue with another game.
The majority of the crowd replied with a yes, so the organizers pursued with the last game jestingly named Sack My Head. The objective was basically to finish first while running around with a sack on the head. The game was participated by groups of ten. After how many rounds of failing to declare the appropriate winners, a group was finally called out as the rightful victors and they received a one thousand pesos cash prize and centennial memorabilia sponsored by Coca Cola.
The day did not just end there for lanterns were set ablazed and flown to the sky when
By: Paola Migelli Cananea
night time came, however there was a momentary danger of the Jesuit Residence being burned when the event was happening. Fortunately, the danger was resolved. In the end, the student activities prepared by the college student government proved to be the community’s way of coming together as one to express their joy and gratitude of being a part of the centennial celebration – as is the objective of most of the activities laid out for the now concluded event. Ateneo has made history yet again and we were all there to witness it.
Photo by: Jay Bautista
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Kelvin J. Culajara Editor in Chief Sarah Gail C. Galvan Associate Editor Jam Camille Quintanes Copy Editor Keith Joshua Dumpit Newsfeature Editor John Xyrous dela Cruz Features Editor Neilson Nick dlS. Alinsa単gan Managing Editor Alexa N. Potayre Finance Officer Frances Grace L. Florendo Creative Arts Director Almira Priscilla Drapiza Head Cartoonist
The BEACON Newsmagazine | Editiorial Board | A.Y. 2012-2013
Jessa Kristine del Mar Farouk Susulan Windel B. Opinion Layout and Graphic Artist
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Jennifer Bantay Fahad Alfad Eunice Serneo Cartoonists Frances Grace Florendo Darrylene Clemente Photographers Marie Cyndie Domingo, Ridzanna Abdulgafur Keith Laurice Demayo, Elimar Pingkian, Barry Barraca Paola Migelli Cananea Aseya Khalida Calo Levin Angelo Lobren Christianne Dawn Sicat Lianne Miranda Rovic John Eslao, Friend Hayzer Gregorio, Maliver Gaas Staff Writers Marion Guerrero Moderator College Editors Guild of the Philippines Member Ateneo Studentry Publisher
Photo Credits to: unless stated otherwise
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