s LOYOLA SCHOOLS

BuildBulletin community. Nurture hope. vol 10 ■ no 1 ■ 1st sem 2018–19 ■ ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY Ateneo student leaders meet Jesuit General

By Chris Castillo The students stood in welcome. In turn, he smiled, waved, and nodded at them. After an we do mano to the a casual introduction by Fr. Jett, the floor Superior General?” This was was given to the students. The conversations

one of the first questions the proceeded very candidly. He was asked how OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR THE LOYOLA SCHOOLS students asked as we awaited he became Superior General. His response the arrival of Fr. Arturo Sosa, was to simply narrate the electoral process 17 December 2018 SJ, Superior General of the Society of Jesus. and to emphasize how it is guided by to: The Loyola Schools Community “C from: Maria Luz C. Vilches, Ph.D. On the morning of 8 December 2018, prayer and discernment, as all important 31 student leaders from Ateneo de Manila decisions should be. When asked for the Vice President University—nine from the Loyola Schools, secret to the brief yet profound homilies re: THE ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY LOYOLA SCHOOLS POLICY STATEMENT ON BUILDING A GENDER INCLUSIVE, eight from the Senior High School, five from (most) Jesuits give, he chuckled and asked GENDER RESPONSIVE, AND GENDER SAFE COMMUNITY the Junior High School, and nine from the “Do we?” He then proceeded to say that Filipino, Catholic, and Jesuit, the Ateneo de Manila University Loyola Schools is an Grade School—were to have an audience with when it comes to homilies, priests should academic community that upholds the dignity of every human person. In consonance Father General at the Sandbox of Areté. do three things: keep the community in with the teachings in the Gospels and the Ignatian principles of conscience, competence, To manage the anxious anticipation and mind and make an effort to connect, have a compassion, and commitment, it strives to cultivate a strong culture of respect for human rights. It endeavors to promote justice that is rooted in genuine empathy and excited energy of the students, we briefed deep understanding of the Gospel and relate understanding of the struggle and suffering of others. Within the broader vision of a them on the background of Father General. it with present contexts, and take time to just, humane, and equal world, it rejects and confronts all forms of sexual and gender- To stimulate their minds and set them in prepare and write homilies. He was also asked based violence and discrimination. True to its belief in a faith that does justice for all, it seeks ways of establishing structures that support gender inclusivity, promote gender some direction, I remarked, “In a while, we’ll about the recently concluded Synod on the responsiveness, embrace the call for gender justice, and build a gender safe community. have with us the leader of all the Jesuits in Youth. He shared some of the conference An inclusive community respects human dignity, one’s right to self-identity and self the world! What would you want to hear from proceedings, but ultimately highlighted expression, and diversity. A gender-responsive community promotes gender equality, gender sensitivity, and him?” They huddled per unit and formulated the importance of the youth to and in the gender-fair education. Gender equality is the recognition that all human beings, regardless a question or two. Once they had their Church and invited the students to take of their sex, gender, and sexuality, are equal in dignity and in rights. Gender sensitivity questions ready, all of us eagerly waited. time to read the documents from the Synod. refers to the practice of respect, empathy, and compassion embedded in the awareness of conditions that perpetuate gender inequality and gender injustice and the engagement in A few moments after, there he was Father General’s concluding message for the practices that seek to transform these conditions. Gender fair education refers to teaching walking down the hall and into the Sandbox. students was to heed and follow the Church’s and learning practices that promote gender equality and justice, including the use of non Seeing the Jesuit General in person was in mission of reconciliation—reconciliation sexist language and the avoidance of gender stereotypes and gender biases. A safe community is free of sexual or gender-based violence, discrimination, and itself awesome. Then seeing his entourage with fellow people, reconciliation with the harassment. It recognizes the inherent dignity of every person; any form of violation of the walking with him made the moment quite environment, and reconciliation with the body is a violation of a person’s dignity and integrity. spectacular. With Fr. Sosa were his brother Lord—emphasizing how important this is, The Loyola Schools is dedicated to the building of a gender inclusive, gender responsive, and gender safe community for all by creating an enabling environment, Jesuits, including Fr. Jett Villarin, SJ, University especially now, and how the youth is truly developing transformative practices, and providing adequate responses. President; Fr. Jun Viray, SJ, Superior of the important in pursuing this mission. An enabling environment institutionalizes policies, standards, and procedures which facilitate the promotion of a gender inclusive, gender responsive, and gender safe Loyola Philippine Province; Fr. Danny Huang, SJ, This brief and intimate time with Fr. Sosa Schools community. Regional Assistant for Asia Pacific; and serendipitously happened during the Feast of Transformative practices address existing biased or discriminatory policies, Fr. Tony Moreno, SJ, President of the Jesuit the Immaculate Conception, making the day practices and programs, and effect change for the betterment of life for all. Conference of Asia-Pacific. This sight gave more meaningful and memorable, especially Adequate responses provide appropriate measures and genuine efforts to realize progressively a gender inclusive, gender responsive and gender safe community for all feelings similar to when I first saw group for the 31 young Ateneans. We hope and pray students and employees of the Loyola Schools through clear policies and accessible shots of the Justice League, the Avengers, that they cherish the experience and share services including immediate assistance, support services, referral mechanisms, and and the Jedi Council. But I had to curb my the lessons and reflections with their families protective and corrective measures to address all forms of sexual or gender-based violence. own enthusiasm; with as much composure, and their fellow youth. This policy statement applies to the Loyola Schools community as a whole. It shall be respect, and warmth, I officially announced And yes, just before Father General left, the interpreted in light of Ateneo de Manila University’s vision, mission, and policies.

the arrival of Fr. Arturo Sosa. students were able to do mano with him— Rm 100 G/F Xavier Hall, Ateneo de Manila Loyola Heights Campus Katipunan Ave, Loyola Heights, 1108 Quezon City, Philippines after selfies and groufies of course. +63(2)426-6001 ext 5000, telefax +63(2)426-6131 ■ [email protected] 2 LOYOLA SCHOOLS Bulletin Build community. Nurture hope.

A day of wellness for the LS faculty By Devi Paez on “Addressing the College Mental Health the first semester 2018-19 ended. As we move Challenge.” Listening to information on forward to fulfilling the rest of the semester, aculty Day 2018-19 with the LS student health and wellness allowed many I am buoyed by these examples of grace and Community that focused on wellness of us to reflect on the kind of teaching and generosity. May we keeping breathing in and well-being was fun, relevant, and mentoring that we do in the classroom peace and love, and exhale with a smile that Frefreshing. There’s always some infectious and around the campus. What is my role in says, “We’re all right; everything will be all energy and optimism as one registers for balancing work and wellness? How do I help right.” Faculty Day. During this time, I also appreciate create an environment that respects this how I get to see many friendly faces in one need for us to be centered in peace despite all Faculty day workshop photos by Roxan B. Cuacoy place. Laughter, kamustahan, and kwentuhan the noise around us? fill the air. On this particular Friday, I hear Hence, it was just fitting that the snippets of conversations among friends afternoon activities allowed everyone who and colleagues about teaching new courses, signed up to savor a few hours of peaceful, biking to school, or easing into a new creative, and harmonious gathering and designation among other things. There is centering. Some took a nature walk around comfort in being able to chat longer with campus with Abby and Trinket; others a good friend from a different department collaborated on composing a song with (“Kailan na lunch natin ulit?”). Fr. Manoling, or created leaf prints with Inside Leong Hall, the professionals, Fr. Jason. Many took the time to meditate administrators, and faculty that make up the with Dr. Vilches, exercise with Camille, or LS Community are a rambunctious, congenial do dance improv with Issa and Doc Ines, lot. I look up from the podium, standing as and even theater and improv with Ariel and this year’s School Forum Chair and feel some Missy! I also wish I could have signed up reassurance by the gleeful laugh of an old for photography with Gus, or writing with friend beside me (I hadn’t seen Rica in quite a Rofel! What a treasure trove of talents, these while; it seemed like only yesterday when she generous spirits sharing their passion with welcomed me into the English Department the LS community. while pumping breastmilk for her baby). I joined the tai chi group up on the All around I see all these good friends and MVP roof deck with a few like Sir Eddieboy colleagues and my heart is already full. Calasanz and Dr. Jojo Hofileña. Edwin Ang of We hadn’t even started yet! The invocation the PE Department was patient and gracious that was led by Ms. Christina Sollorano of the as he taught us the sequence of movements. Office of Campus Ministry was quite unique “Smile lang, wag mabigat, and keep breathing.” this year as we embraced the animated Such a relevant guideline to how one can silence of the Consciousness Examen. It go through each day. The steady afternoon set the day’s tone for me—this sense of breeze was calming and the nervous laughter consciousness for what the day was about to of colleagues who were all making an effort offer and how I was to be part of it. to complete the sequence (we tried our Indeed, the plenary talks that filled our best) allowed me to ease into the exercise morning were most relevant. Vice President without much baggage. We all seemed to be for the Loyola Schools Dr. Marlu Vilches there to break away from routine and try presented some helpful information on something new. I am glad the day was kind. this year’s new set of freshmen, and the As the session ended, Sir Edwin volunteered initiatives such as the Code of Practice for a to take participants who wanted to continue gender-responsive LS Community, that were learning and practicing Tai Chi. “I am free either being initiated or continued to help us on Saturdays; sabihin niyo lang sa akin.” How purposively through the school year. Her talk generous, I thought. was followed by Ateneo de Manila University Indeed, it was this spirit of generosity President Fr. Jett Villarin’s generous sharing that I took away with me as Faculty Day for on the value of wellness, of staying centered within ourselves, and allowing love to lead the way (oh, how my spirit soared listening to LS ushers in the new school year Rumer’s rendition of “What the World Needs with the Mass of the Holy Spirit Now”). What resonated with me most was how Fr. Jett described the need for solitude, a quiet he Loyola Schools community and compassion. After the homily, the space at the end of the day when he was no celebrated the Mass of the Holy Commissioning Rite took place. Student longer University President but “just Jett.” I Spirit last August 30, 2018 at leaders, faculty, and administrators were led understood that well enough. A number of Tthe Church of the Gesù. The community to ask for the grace of the Holy Spirit that friends were humming the song that Father traditionally gathers in thanksgiving, and they might live the gospel and fulfill the shared on their way out to coffee break; it was to ask for specific graces for a new school mission entrusted to them. all love, love, love at that point as we posed for year. Attended by student leaders, faculty, Before the final blessing, Dr. Vilches the traditional group shot! and administrators, the Mass was presided thanked everyone involved: Mass presider But the tough yet nurturing kind of by Fr. Roberto Maria Buenconsejo, SJ, faculty and homilist Fr. Bob and co-celebrants Fr. Luis love that is also expected of us as mentors, member of Loyola School of Theology, Ramon Lorenzo, LC; Fr. Sigmund De Guzman, formators, and leaders in the community National Ecclesiastical Assistant of Christian SJ; Fr. Luis David, SJ; Fr. Adolfo Dacanay, SJ; Fr. asserted itself through the talks by Dr. Life Community (CLC) Philippines, and Bienvenido Nebres, SJ; Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, Queena-Lee, Gary Faustino, and Dr. Bobby formator of San Jose Major Seminary. SJ; Fr. Jason Dy, SJ; Master of Ceremonies Jego Guevarra. Their insights were in response In his homily, Fr. Bob encouraged everyone Yap; scholastics from Arrupe International to the video presentation by Dr. Vince to ask the Holy Spirit for three specific gifts: Residence and San Jose Seminary; and student WinklerPrins of Georgetown University contemplative efficiency, discernment, organizations. volume 10 ■ number 1 ■ 1st semester 2018–2019 ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY 3 Pamaskong Paghilom at Istorya LOYOLA SCHOOLS ng Pag-asaSet design photos by Roxan B. Cuacoy BuildBulletin community. Nurture hope. volume 10 ■ number 1 1st semester 2018–2019

editorial team PUBLISHER Dr. Maria Luz C. Vilches

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ines Bautista-Yao

ART DIRECTOR/GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ali D. Figueroa

EDITORIAL TEAM Kristina L. Garcia Crismel B. Yparraguire acknowledgments Roy Tristan B. Agustin Erica B. Martin Andrea Marie A. Bautista Renee Nuevo Reycel Hyacenth Bendaña Devi Benedicte I. Paez Dr. Rica Bolipata-Santos Pauline S. Percil Christopher F. Castillo Clarissa Cecilia Ramos Jonathan O. Chua Karla Julienne C. Roxas Andrei D. Coronel Dr. Mari-jo P. Ruiz Roxan B. Cuacoy Vincenz C. Serrano Kevin Ansel S. Dy Coni Tejada

The stage is set for the LS community Christmas celebration. Mickee Escueta Maria Milagros L. Tendero Designed by Roxan Cuacoy, calligraphy by Karen Conda, construction by Engr Allan Prado and the LS staff creative team. Lizzie B. Filart Mimi Tiu Alona U. Guevarra Dr. Vernon R. Totanes Gino N. Flores Jose Eos R. Trinidad Dr. Regina H. Hechanova Aaron R. Vicencio Sabrina Losa Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin, sj Ateneo-MedixServe Blockchain Office of the Associate Dean Education and Research for Student and Laboratory (amberlab) Administrative Services Department of Office for Social Concern Interdisciplinary Studies and Involvement (osci) Department of Mathematics Office of Student Activitiesosa ( ) Office of the Associate Dean Office of Admission and Aid for Research and Creative Work (oaa) Kritika Kultura Rizal Library Ateneo Institute for the University Communication Science and Art of Learning and Public Relations Office and Teaching (salt) (ucpro) Ateneo de Manila Office of the President, At the celebration, VP Leni and VP Marlu open Istorya ng Pag-asa, a photo exhibit initiated by the Office of the Vice President University Press Ateneo de Manila University of the Philippines, featuring stories of Filipinos who have risen above adversities to become beacons of hope. asean University Network (aun) Asia Pacific Interactive-Jesuit Education Consortium (api-jec) Asian Shakespeare Association (asa) De La Salle University Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus Office of the Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines

The Loyola Schools Bulletin is published every semester by the Office of the Vice President for the Loyola Schools, Ateneo de Manila University. You may send your questions, comments, corrections, and suggestions to [email protected]. ls.ateneo.edu 4 LOYOLA SCHOOLS Bulletin Build community. Nurture hope.

Asian Shakespeare Conference: A delight to the senses hank you for an amazing events and have become uniquely their own, Instagram. These and many more boggle the conference,” a delegate from and not simply, as ASA President Beatrice Lei mind. Hong Kong gushed over lunch. points out, “an offshoot of London.” And then comes a display of winning “Thank you for the diversity of These adaptations bring to the fore prints featured in a Manga Shakespeare Filipino food, for the diversity issues of translation, the subject of two exhibit where two Filipinos won top prizes “Tof performances, and for the diversity of seminar sessions. Balancing the need in the under-25 category. Plus a workshop ideas that have filled our minds over three to remain faithful to the Bard’s text and on Manga print making and sessions on days. Thank you for taking good care of us.” making his language communicable to local performance techniques. The sentiment, widely shared, marked the audiences remains a major concern, and Topping all these was a film showing of resounding success of the Asian Shakespeare opting to localize meaning often unleashes the Yamanote Jojisha’s acclaimed version Association’s (ASA) Third Biennial Conference, new insights into Shakespearean texts. of The Tempest, a visual feast, and three held from May 28-30, 2018, at the Areté, Ateneo Translating Shakespeare into film, novel, Shakespearean productions. Tanghalang de Manila University and the University of the dance, musical, digital works, and even Ateneo’s The Squaddies’ Shrew recasted Philippines Diliman. Its theme: Shakespeare, manga poses other challenges, all the while the original play as a treatise on the Traffic, Tropics. enabling Shakespeare to penetrate local objectification of women. The KL Shakespeare Over 120 delegates from all over world consciousness. Players’ Demystified Macbeth offered a superb joined the conference to feast on the Nowhere is this penetration more evident template for high schools wishing to present ideas circulated in panel presentations than in schools, the concern of seminars on Shakespeare in an accessible form. And and seminars, on an exhibit of Manga Shakespeare and Education. How does one Areté’s RD3RD, a provocative adaptation of Shakespeare, and on performances and teach Shakespeare? In what language must Richard III, received a standing ovation workshops spread out over a three-day it be taught? And how young should one be with Peter Holland quoted as saying that period. Peter Holland, president of the to start learning Shakespeare? Peter Holland, the production “is indeed the highlight International Shakespeare Association, gave in a podcast made during the conference for of his experience with the re-invention of a keynote address that explored the ways Malaysian radio, suggests that three years old Shakespeare he has ever seen.” movie trailers on Shakespeare films—a source is a good age: they don’t have to understand A delight to the senses—mind, body, of data hardly touched in Shakespearean all of the language (as they do not understand heart—that’s what the 2018 Asian studies—reveal the uneasy relationship all that their parents say) but they can feel the Shakespeare Conference was all about. between Shakespeare and the film industry. play and get a sense of the action from what Next stop: Seoul in 2020. And the next set of Less uneasy have been intercultural they see and hear. organizers are starting to figure out how they adaptations of Shakespeare in Asia that have Throw into this pot other ideas to can match the Manila conference. “Look,” said flourished, according to several papers, for delight the mind. The biblical undertones the next Korean convenor, “they even have centuries notably in India, Japan, China, and of Macbeth. The queer sex trafficking in flowers on dining tables!” He quickly jotted Malaysia and following suit in Taiwan, the Merchant, Twelfth Night, and As You Like It. that down. Philippines, Korea, and Bangladesh. These The procreative thrust of Shakespeare’s The Conference’s key donors were the adaptations, several of them induced by sonnets. The “monstrous moral hybrid” that Japan Foundation, Metrobank Foundation, “strolling players” who travel within and is Angelo in Measure for Measure. Anguish Smart, Office of the Initiatives for Culture and across countries, merge Shakespeare with and the repression of history in The Tempest. the Arts, and Intermatrix Copy Systems. folk traditions, local philosophies, or current Shakespeare and Rizal’s Noli. Shakespeare on volume 10 ■ number 1 ■ 1st semester 2018–2019 ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY 5 SALT hosts international conference

ore than 300 researchers, teachers, a keynote on the importance of intercultural The last day of the conference—exclusive professors, and educators joined education to promote social justice and to participants from Jesuit schools—featured Mthe first International Conference community cohesion. She explained how a keynote from Fr. Michael Garanzini, SJ, on Educational Frontiers in Ateneo de intercultural education is about diverse Secretary for Higher Education for the Manila, from October 3 to 6, 2018. With the groups living together and how to create and Society of Jesus and former president of theme “Education in the Age of Fake News foster this in schools. Loyola University Chicago. He discussed new and AI,” the conference explored educational The third day featured the Rex Bookstore frontiers for Jesuits schools, particularly frontiers and possibilities, from augmented masterclass on project-based learning by emphasizing anthropological and cultural reality in classrooms to the relevance of Andrew Miller from the Shanghai American frontiers. Catholic education in a post-truth age. School. Participants learned how to craft Among over 300 participants are faculty For the first day, Gino Borromeo of McCann and create opportunities for project-based members from the different departments of Worldgroup Philippines had a keynote on the learning, and challenge misconceptions the Loyola Schools, who have presented or “Truth about the Youth,” which focused on about it. The late afternoon also featured participated in the sessions and workshops. key trends to understand the youth. In his an unconference event at the Rizal Library. This conference was organized by the talk at a packed Leong Hall, he highlighted The event asked the participants to group Ateneo de Manila Institute for the Science how Generation Z values honesty and loyalty, themselves according to interests, and talk and Art of Learning and Teaching (SALT how they think of “adulting” not as an age but freely about what they had learned about Institute), and the Asia Pacific Interactive- as a verb, and how they need wisdom in an these topics. Jesuit Education Consortium (API-JEC), a age that is chaotic. After this highly engaging The night of the third day, October 5, had consortium of Jesuit education and teacher talk, participants joined the day’s breakout teachers dancing and singing to party music training institutions. The event also benefited sessions and workshops. as the Loft in the fourth floor of Areté was from the assistance of the Campus Events For the second day, Dr. Christine Halse of transformed for the World Teachers’ Day Office of the Loyola Schools. the Education University of Hong Kong gave celebration. Asian Peacebuilders Scholarship 2018 Commencement ast December 14, 2018, graduates of the graduation “shines in the dark to assure us her memorable journey. In her speech, she 11th cohort of the Asian Peacebuilders that even if peace may seem elusive, peace thanked her professors and batchmates for Scholarship (APS) Programme received is reachable because it is never lost on their help, guidance and unwavering support. L APS their dual degree diplomas in Master of Arts good people, young people like you.” In his “My dearest , we all have done an amazing in Political Science, Major in Global Politics message, Dr. Francisco Rojas Aravena, Rector job! May the light of love and peace shine upon (non-thesis track) and their peacebuilding- of the University for Peace, also reminded the you and guide your way to a brighter future,” related course of study from Ateneo de Manila graduates how their actions and ideas “will she said. University and the UN-mandated University favor progress, development, and peace.” The Ateneo de Manila University and for Peace in Costa Rica. Twenty-six scholars Mr. Takeju Ogata, President of the University for Peace collaboration began in from Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Nippon Foundation, also shared a few 2007 as a Dual Campus Programme. Through Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and inspirational words and awarded Certificates the generosity and support of the Nippon the Philippines gathered with their family and of Achievement to the graduates. Mr. Surichai Foundation, the two universities have friends at Leong Hall for the joyous occasion. Wankeao, Professor Emeritus of Sociology since worked together in producing a new In his opening address, University President from Chulalongkorn University, delivered the generation of young Asian leaders and peace Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin, SJ, emphasized keynote address. building practitioners. the important role of peacebuilders during Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, these trying times. He underscored how their Ms. Opor Srisuwan from Thailand, recounted LS forum on public education efforts he Office of Social Concern and were on the entrepreneurship service academic proficiency. These formed the base Involvement, and the Faculty Social learning of management majors done in of the second part of the program, which TInvolvement Team organized a forum senior high schools and the training given focused on different departments talking on the public education outreach efforts of by the Filipino Department to public school about how to further collaborations with different departments and centers of the teachers. Marikina public schools. Loyola Schools last August 14, 2018. Dr. Carmela Oracion also presented the Currently, Ateneo de Manila through Specifically, the forum covered public work being done by the Ateneo Center for OSCI is partnered with 12 public elementary education engagements of departments Educational Development (ACED), particularly schools and 10 public high schools in through service learning opportunities focusing on the three-step engagement with Marikina and occasionally with the efforts and outreach initiatives. Ivan Culaba of the schools. These steps include school profiling, undertaken by the ACED. Discussion groups Physics Department discussed their work strategic planning, and plan implementation. per school (e.g. School of Humanities) were with teachers and students on physics Aside from these program presentations, undertaken to forward ideas, including education while Estela Banasihan of the Dr. Noemi Velario of the Schools Division collaboration in teacher training and other History Department presented programs Office of Marikina City presented results service learning opportunities. These were with Ateneans teaching history modules in of the schools’ needs in terms of teacher pinpointed during the workshop at the end Marikina public schools. Other presentations training and competencies, and students’ of the program. 6 LOYOLA SCHOOLS Bulletin Build community. Nurture hope.

Dr. Gina Hechanova- Alampay: 2018 Outstanding Professional in the field of Psychology n 2018, the highest award bestowed by the Professional Regulation Commission upon a professional was given to Dr. Regina Hechanova-Alampay. As the head of the Ateneo Center for IOrganization Research and Development (CORD) and a full professor of the Department of Psychology at Ateneo de Manila University, Gina was chosen for the prestigious award because of her high degree of professional competence, meaningful participation in professional organizations, significant contributions to the advancement of the profession, social responsibility through socio-related activities, and integrity in her profession. The award was given on June 21, 2018 during the PRC Awards Night at the Fiesta Pavillion, Manila Hotel. Gina was likewise Piano Duets & chosen to vie for the Nubla Excellence Award. As a teacher, Gina received the UP Chancellor’s Award for Most Outstanding Sarswela Songs Faculty in 1996. Then, she was named PERFORMED FOR Outstanding Young Scientist by the National Academy of Science and Technology in 2005, DOREEN GAMBOA FERNANDEZ and got the Outstanding Women in Nation’s & DELLA GAMBOA BESA Service (TOWNS) award in 2010. She was a Nippon Foundation Asian Public Intellectuals he sisters Doreen and Della Little known is that both sisters studied fellow in 2009 and a Rockefeller Foundation Gamboa were remarkable women. the piano and even had a recital sixty- Bellagio Residency fellow in 2016 for her work Natives of Negros Occidental three years ago, on September 4, 1955, at in public mental health and disasters. and alumnae of St. Scholastica’s St Scholastica’s College. Ang Larawan by Beyond being a teacher and scholar, College, both became teachers and Francisco Buencamino was a piece they Gina has actively served her profession Taccomplished women in their respective performed. Doreen would leave music for and the nation. She was President of the fields. They were also both musicians. literature and theater, but her love of music Psychological Association of the Philippines To honor their memory, the Office of the persisted. She became a fan of jazz and the (PAP) from 2013-2015 when the RA 10029 or Dean of the School of Humanities and the “Great American Songbook”—the music of Psychology Law was implemented, and as Department of Interdisciplinary Studies in George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Jerome such, was heavily involved in crafting the cooperation with Areté held Piano Duets and Kern. Even her choice of a dissertation topic, IRR and the Code of Ethics of Philippine Sarswela Songs for Doreen Gamboa Fernandez the Iloilo zarzuela, was a musical theater Psychologists. As President, Gina also and Della Gamboa Besa. The event was held form. spearheaded the creation of the PAP Mental on October 30, 2018 at 5:3pm in The Doreen When Areté, the Ateneo’s new hub for the Health and Psychosocial Support Special Black Box on the third floor of Areté. The arts and innovation, was being constructed, a Interest Group (SIG) to respond to the needs performances were by Mary Anne Espina and benefactor named a space after Doreen—The of disaster survivors. This group assisted Grace Garcia at the piano, and Nenen Espina Doreen Black Box. In hindsight, it seems that DSWD in providing psychological first aid as soprano. the best way to formalize the opening of the (PFA) to Haiyan survivors and in training Doreen (1934-2002) was for thirty years, space is an event that would commemorate DepEd teachers on PFA. She then led a group a much beloved faculty member at Ateneo the woman after whom it was named; and it that created Katatagan, the country’s first de Manila University, teaching with the would be fitting, in that case, to feature music resilience and evidence-based intervention English, Interdisciplinary Studies, and that she used to perform (at one point in for disaster survivors. In addition, she was Communication departments. She was her life, at least), listen to performed (by her part of the creation of an intervention a theater and literary scholar and food sister), and enjoyed. manual for high school student survivors for historian, the author of some dozen books in Thus, a concert of piano duets and songs DepEd. For Ateneo, Gina developed courses those fields. from the sarswela. on the Psychology of Disaster and Disaster Della (1936-2015) studied piano at the This concert featured piano duos that Mental Health, and co-developed the Minor Centro Escolar University and then under Della used to perform with Mesdames on Humanitarian Aid. masters, including Manuel Maramba and Jose Armovit and de Guzman and one number In 2016, Gina was asked by PAP to head a Contreras, and attended the Conservatoire that she performed with Doreen, as well Taskforce on Substance Use Prevention and national Superieure de Musique de Paris. She as songs from the sarswela (though more Recovery. As a response to the government’s was assistant dean of the School of Music at Tagalog, admittedly, than Iloilo), a theater drive against drugs, the extra judicial killings St Scholastica’s College and director of the form that Doreen studied. And in a program and the lack of treatment options, she led musical arts division at the Cultural Center of that is principally Filipino, the sisters’ love the team that created a community-based the Philippines. of American standards was snuck in, in drug recovery intervention Katatagan Kontra Della’s connection with the Ateneo was translated form: poet and Ateneo near- Droga sa Komunidad (KKDK). KKDK is currently not so involved as her sister’s. Some years alumnus Jose F. Lacaba rendered Gershwin’s being used by several LGUs and has been after Doreen’s death, however, she donated “Summertime” in Filipino. The song comes adopted by the Bureau of Jail Management her sister’s papers to the Ateneo Library from the opera Porgy and Bess, which while and Penology as a pre-release program for of Women’s Writings, and in 2012, on the not quite a zarzuela is yet an example of a those incarcerated on drug-related offenses. occasion of Doreen’s tenth death anniversary, musical theater form. The performances Because of these efforts, the PAP was given she performed a concert on campus in definitely charmed the guests that night, the Merit award for Community Service by memory of Doreen. and the memory of both sisters touched the the Philippine Council of Associations and Why this concert? hearts of everyone at the concert, the way Association Executives in Nov 2017. Doreen and Della did when they were alive. volume 10 ■ number 1 ■ 1st semester 2018–2019 ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY 7

Kritika Kultura 2018 Lecture Series Kritika Kultura, the international Sarita Echavez See refereed journal of language, literary, “The Filipino Primitive: and cultural studies of the Department Accumulation and Resistance of English, hosted five lectures in 2018. in the American Museum”

Vicente L Rafael This lecture was held in cooperation with “The Sovereign Trickster” the Department of Fine Arts (FA), Ateneo Art This lecture was held in cooperation with the Gallery, UNITAS (UST), and AUP on September Department of Philosophy (Philo) and the 25, 2018, 10-11:30am, at the Ben Chan ArtSuite, Ateneo de Manila University Press (AUP) on Areté. August 23, 2018, 5-6:30pm at CTC 413. Sarita Echavez See is Professor of Media Vicente L. Rafael (AdMU class of 1977) is and Cultural Studies at the University the Giovanni and Amne Costigan Endowed of California Riverside. Her research Professor of History at the University of and teaching interests range across the Washington in Seattle. He is the author of interdisciplines of postcolonial studies, several works on the cultural history and critical race studies, and minoritized cultural politics of the Philippines. production. In his talk, Rafael apprehends Duterte’s See discussed the literal and ideological sovereignty by drawing from the Foucauldian bases of the American knowledge, as reflected concept of biopower, the social and political in their museum collection. This talk was control over lives through behavior drawn from her book of the same title engineering and the education of desire. published by Ateneo de Manila University Rafael conjectures that Duterte’s domination Press in 2018. of death enacted, for instance, in his orders, Arwin Tan public speeches, and interviews, is an attempt “Commodified Filipina Voices at harnessing biopower’s dark underside— of the Empire, 1889-1920” necropower, which is the power to determine death. The lecture was held in cooperation with Dr. Kardi Teknomo The war on drugs, Rafael suggests, is CHED-Salikha’s Ethnographies of Philippine investigates the nature Duterte’s way of tapping into the insurgent Auditory Popular Cultures (EPAPC) on October of traffic congestion energies of the alleged drug addicts whose 18, 2018, 5-6:30pm, at SOM 111 (Ching Tan Room). inhuman qualities are often foregrounded This event is the second of a series hosted by through mathematics in his rhetorics. By doing so, he transforms Kritika Kultura in collaboration with CHED- and computer himself into an insurgent who challenges Salikha-EPAPC. the law. By becoming the enemy who Arwin Q. Tan is an Assistant Professor simulation refuses to bind himself in the norms and at the Department of Musicology of the conventions of society, he is able to reinforce University of the Philippines College of Music n November 20, 2018, Dr. Kardi his sovereignty. in Diliman, Quezon City. Teknomo, associate professor of Tan explored how women contended the Department of Information Vicente L Rafael with the commodification of their labor OSystems and Computer Science of Ateneo “Witnessing as Mourning: and successfully transformed it into a form de Manila University, gave a lecture entitled, Photographing of cultural capital which accorded them a “Random Walk on Network and Its Ideal Flow.” the Philippine Drug War” distinctive place in an otherwise constricting The lecture, which took place at 4pm in Faber This lecture was held In cooperation with society. Hall 101, was organized by the Office of the Philo and AUP, on August 30, 2018, 5-6:30pm, Associate Dean for Research and Creative Mesándel Virtusio Arguelles at Faber Hall 302. Work and the University Research Council. “Antares: Paglulunsad, Panayam, Rafael presented the role of the camera During his investigation, Dr. Teknomo at Pagbabasa ng mga Tula” and its ambivalence when placed in a “found astonishing patterns of link capacity particular context. In his previous talk about This lecture was held in cooperation with proportion in the network” when he studied the Sovereign Trickster, Rafael ended with a Balangay Productions and FA, on October 25, the nature of traffic congestion through question as to how should we counter this 2018, 5-6:30pm, at the Faber Hall Function mathematics and computer simulation. “wily, complicated kind of authoritarianism” Room. His abstract also states, “These patterns and gave his answer in this lecture: through The lecture centered on the processes of produce balance in congestion levels that photography. As he mentioned, one of the creating Antares, Mesándel Virtusio Arguelles’s theoretically can be brought down to the earliest responses to the war on drugs was most recent poetry collection. According to absolute minimum.” seen in the works of a dedicated group of Arguelles, three ways were used in the making Dr. Teknomo is a transport engineer, writer, photojournalists, the Night Crawlers, who of Antares: translation, erasure and ekphrasis. and researcher who has published hundreds documented these incidents of extra-judicial Specifically, the process that this project of papers in journals and conferences, has killings. Their photographs of dead bodies features is the use of erasure in writing a written over 10 books, has two patents under were meant to show the extent of the state’s poem. This project started as a handmade his name, and has given several talks in three brutality in eradicating the drug addicts chapbook consisting of sixteen short poems continents. He also heads the Pedestrian who were considered as an existential threat and was published in 2010. It is a part of a and Traffic Computing Laboratory and to society. Through their experiences, these trilogy project, Talik that contains poems leads research in Ideal Flow Network and photojournalists became advocates and in based on movies with real sex scenes but is Intelligence Transportation System. a sense this advocacy became a mode for not pornographic in nature. mourning the dead. 8 LOYOLA SCHOOLS Bulletin Build community. Nurture hope.

DR. DE LAS PEÑAS WINS OUTSTANDING SCIENTIFIC PAPER AWARD

n July 12, 2018 in OManila Hotel, Dr. Ma. Louise Antonette N. De Las Peñas received the National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines (NAST Phl) Outstanding Scientific harvest2018 Paper Award 2018 for “Mathematical and books were launched at Harvest Anthropological Analysis of Northern Luzon 2018: The Ateneo de Manila Funerary Textile,” published in Philippine 32University Press Grand Launch Journal of Science 1(45): 87-101, 2016. held October 26,2018 at the Rizal Library. Primary author of the paper, Dr. De Las “This is but a sampling of the diverse Peñas is a mathematician and professor from and relevant topics of the books that we are the Department of Mathematics of Ateneo celebrating today,” said University President de Manila University. She is also currently Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin, SJ. “A harvest season the Associate Dean for Research and Creative is a festive occasion, a communal celebration. Work. Her co-author Analyn V. Salvador Let us celebrate and give thanks for another Amores is a social anthropologist from bountiful season.” He thanked all the authors University of the Philippines Baguio. for “enriching the intellectual ministry” of Dr. De Las Peñas has also recently joined the university. the Editorial Board of the Mathematical Intelligencer as Column Editor of the Mathematical Tourist. The Mathematical Intelligencer is a Science Citation (ISI) and Scopus-Indexed Journal of Mathematics published by Springer.

NATURE PUBLISHES STUDY ON EVIDENCE OF EARLY HUMANS IN THE PHILIPPINES n their May 10, 2018 issue, IBritish scientific journal Nature, published “Earliest known hominin activity in the Philippines by 709 thousand years ago.” Mylene Lising, archaeologist and faculty member of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, was part of the team that recently discovered fossils proving the existence of humans in the Philippines as early as 709,000 years ago. She says, “Globally, this is significant because it points to early humans making sea crossings, the Philippine islands being an archipelago. The site in Kalinga has been studied by scientists sporadically since the mid-1930s. In 2014, Dr. Thomas Ingicco, our dig director and primary author of the paper, decided to start excavating again in Rizal, Kalinga based on results of a survey he did the year before.” At the site, the group unearthed an “almost complete rhinoceros skeleton along with prehistoric stone tools.” The findings confirmed the existence of early humans in the Philippines during the Pleistocene (geological era that started 2.6 million years and ended 12,000 years ago). “Prior to this study, the evidence for the earliest humans in the Philippines was dated at 67,000 years ago,” she said, referring to the human fossil found in Callao Cave, Cagayan by a team led by Dr. Armand Mijares. “Our study has pushed back the earliest occupation of the Philippine islands to 10 times older than previously thought. This provides us with a new understanding of the land on which our country sits, and the early humans that once occupied it and how they interacted with the flora and fauna in that period,” she said. volume 10 ■ number 1 ■ 1st semester 2018–2019 ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY 9

TRADITIONAL2018 UNIVERSITY AWARDS n Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at the Rev. Henry Lee Irwin, SJ Theatre, the Ateneo de Manila University Ocommunity gathered at the 2018 Special Academic Convocation to honor four outsdanding individuals with the Traditional University Awards. The recipients of the 2018 Traditional University Awards are men and women ATENEO ALUMNI who exemplify the values of the AND FACULTY university. MEMBERS WIN VIRGILIO A AVIADO PALANCA AND Gawad Tanglaw ng Lahi Pandy Aviado is one of the pioneers of NATIONAL BOOK printmaking in the Philippines and is AWARDS responsible for introducing the art to many renowned artists, who have since asked him Winning prizes at the Carlos Palanca to make print editions of their works. Pandy’s Memorial Awards for Literature were the dedication to the art of printmaking has following alumni: resulted in hundreds of prints, a multitude of awards, and more than a hundred exhibitions FILIPINO DIVISION here and abroad. Maikling Kuwento ZENAIDA BRIGIDA H PAWID ■■ Eugene C. Soyosa, “Gina,” 1st prize Ozanam Award

ENGLISH DIVISION Brigitte Pawid, or Manang Briggs, dedicated her life to protecting the rights of the Short Story indigenous peoples (IP) of the Cordillera ■■ Matthew Jacob F. Ramos, region in northern Philippines. She “The Final Bullet,” 3rd prize represented the IPs during the government’s peace negotiations with the Cordillera Essay People’s Liberation Army and the Communist ■■ Jefry Canoy, “Buhay Pa Kami: Party of the Philippines. Manang Briggs’ Dispatches from Marawi,” 1st prize presentation of the perspectives of the IP of the Cordillera was vital to the passage of Poetry (for children) the Indigenous People’s Rights Act (IPRA), ■■ Maria Amparo Nolasco Warren, the most important policy tool for IP self- “Lola Elina Maria’s Savory-Sweet determination. Cookbook of Poetry,” 1st prize CARLOS P MEDINA JR One-Act Play Parangal Lingkod Sambayanan ■■ Katrina M. Bonillo, Atty. Chochoy Medina, director of the Ateneo “Burying Mamang in Sugar,” 1st prize Human Rights Center (AHRC) for more than 20 years, played a strategic role in the Full-Length Play promotion and defense of human rights in ■■ Dominique La Victoria, the Philippines and ASEAN region. Equally “Toward the Fires of Revolution,” 3rd prize important was his work in electoral reforms and election monitoring as one of the co- Among the winners at the National Book convenors of the Legal Network for Truthful Awards, given by the Manila Critics Circle and Elections (LENTE). Atty Medina has helped the National Book Development Board, were ensure that the work of defending and the following faculty members: promoting human rights will be continued Allan N. Derain (Filipino Department) for by new generations of lawyers and advocates. May Tiktik sa Bubong, May Sigbin sa Silong, ALBERT F DEL ROSARIO named Best Anthology in Filipino. Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa Glenn Diaz (English Department) for The Quiet Ones, named Best Novel in English. The legacy of Albert del Rosario in the field of In addition, two books by Soledad Reyes diplomacy and foreign affairs is manifold. As (Professor Emeritus, Interdisciplinary Secretary of Foreign Affairs, he strengthened Studies): The Locked Door and Other Stories the Department of Foreign Affairs by and Retrieving the Past/Recuperating the Voice instituting reforms that upgraded the were finalists in the translation and literary diplomacy skills of the career service corps criticism categories. and increased the accessibility of consular With six awards, the largest haul for any services. While in public service, he pursued publisher this year, the Ateneo de Manila a foreign policy that was independent, University Press was declared Publisher of the principled and based on the rule of law. Year for the second straight year. 10 LOYOLA SCHOOLS Bulletin Build community. Nurture hope.

BLOCKCHAINteneo de Manila University will offer solutions into blockchain technology, IN we gradeATENEO solutions for industries that need to elective subjects on blockchain eliminate layers of transactions, which means comply with data protection regulations. technology starting 2019 under its newly lower cost of service delivery. This means that NEM, a global peer-to-peer cryptocurrency launched Ateneo-MedixServe Blockchain we are able to do more and serve more,” Dr. and blockchain platform, fully supports the Education and Research Laboratory or Regina Estuar, Head of AMBERLab said. effort to promote blockchain in the scientific AAMBERLab. AMBERLab serves as a think tank MediXserve leads the mission of bringing and academic community by encouraging and advanced research center that examines affordable healthcare to everyone especially research and the development of courseware. blockchain technology for developing in developing countries, and within reach “With blockchain coming in as a major countries and initiatives of the private sector. by providing a blockchain powered health technology wave, AMBERLab is poised to It encompasses health-tech, fintech, edutech, care platform. In founding AMBERLab, the be a major participant in the local efforts AI, data analytics and other industries. potential of blockchain in leveraging the and we would like to offer our assistance “Part of our vision as a university is to be delivery of affordable healthcare services will by funding such projects just like what the the center of academic research initiatives be more carefully studied. NEM foundation did in Malaysia,” Emerson in Asia-Pacific. Blockchain technology has a “Blockchain is such a raw technology Fonseca, NEM Philippines Head shared. lot of potentials and the Ateneo community that companies require people, money, is glad to welcome such a groundbreaking and resources to go into research and discovery,” said Dr. Ma. Luz Vilches, Vice development. ‘It takes a village’ to make President for the Loyola Schools. meaningful R&D results. MediXserve now has 2018 SOH DR. MANNY DY AMBERLab will design and build access to a large set of scientific and academic prototypes, develop training programs and communities to work on innovative products,” curricula, and create a dynamic environment Mr. Jojy Azurin, MediXserve founder said. BEST THESIS AWARDS where researchers/scientists, entrepreneurs, On top of research objectives, AMBERLab Coni Tejada academics, students, faculty, supporters, and will provide education programs and events. industry experts can come together and share The facility also serves as an incubation n October 29, 2018, Christian Jil R. knowledge and best practices in technology, center for blockchain-based startups. Benitez, AB MA Panitikang Filipino, and health, finance and insurance, government, “We also welcome start-ups with Ambrosio F. Flores, SJ, MA Theological economics, and even social enterprises. It also innovative ideas and technology on Studies, received the Dr. Manuel B. Dy welcomes research proposals and funds to blockchain to collaborate with us as we also Best Thesis Award in the Humanities promote the use of blockchain technology. have an incubation center in AMBERLab, at the Natividad Galang Fajardo “Our motivation in establishing this where we can help fund, build and launch Conference Room. The awards were research laboratory is that blockchain their products globally,” Jason dela Rosa, co- Ohanded out by namesake Dr. Manuel B. Dy supports our vision in maximizing ICT for founder of Medixserve explained. and the Dean of the School of Humanities, Dr. nation building. Most of the current services MediXserve uses the latest IBM Jonathan Chua. do not reach the underserved. And if they do, Hyperledger Fabric technology to create a A number of theses were submitted and the cost is too high for an ordinary Filipino permission-based distributed ledger. This judged according to originality, innovation, to receive full benefits. To transform ICT allows for easy, frictionless yet enterprise- scholarly excellence, excellence in writing, methodological sophistication, and significant contribution to the field. In the end, two papers bested the rest, namely “Isang Dalumat ng Panahon” by SOH HOLDS FIRST RESEARCH LOAD FORA Christian Jil R. Benitez, AB MA Panitikang coni Tejada climate disasters, and dictatorship which Filipino, and “Towards ‘Inculturating’ are contrary to a more western-based Theology in the Context of the Umajamnèns he first School of Humanities Research trauma paradigm, that is usually based on of Bukidnon in the Light of the FABC Vision Load Fora took place on October 19, the holocaust. She also proposed for magic of Inculturation” by Ambrosio F. Flores, SJ, MA 2018 at the Natividad Galang Fajardo realism as an alternative to a more European- Theological Studies. Conference Room. Attended by Dean Dr. favoured post-modern aesthetics. The School of Humanities bestows two Jonathan Chua and several members Dr. Ruben C. Mendoza then spoke on “The awards for outstanding post-graduate of the faculty, the fora is the result of a Contributions of Jose Mario Francisco, SJ papers namely the Dr. Ramon C. Reyes Best Tnew set of guidelines for the distribution of to Theology in the Philippines.” The paper Dissertation Award and Dr. Manuel B. Dy Best research load in the School of Humanities. It expounds on the idea that the mission of Fr. Thesis Award. serves as a meeting point for faculty to report Francisco, who was Dr. Mendoza’s teacher at In his speech during the ceremony, on the status of their research, as well as a the Loyola School of Theology, wasn’t merely Dr. Manny Dy explained that the awards jumping off point for collaboration within transplantation but also translation. This originated from the revival of the Faura and between departments. translation served as the dynamic meditation Research Center Incorporated. After long This first research load fora featured three between social worlds. years of dormancy, the board met about presenters, namely Dr. Jocelyn Martin, Dr. The concluding presentation was by Dr. dividing the funds for monetary thesis Ruben C. Mendoza, and Dr. Ma. Maricel S. Ibita. Ma. Maricel S. Ibita, on her paper “Plead your support. But different factors snuffed out The three were research load applicants for case before the mountains: An Ecological that idea. Instead, they decided to give it as a the first semester of the school year 2017-2018 Reading of the Legal Metaphor in Micah 6.” monetary award rather than thesis monetary and have been conducting their research for She talked about the dynamics between the support. a year. Yahweh, Israel, and Non-Human Creation. Asked how the award ended up being Dr. Jocelyn Martin talked about her paper The second research load fora of the named after him, Dr. Dy replied, “The motion “Tyrants, Typhoon, and Trauma: Spectrality School of Humanities is in the second came for the best dissertation to be named and Magic Realism of Nick Joaquin’s Cave semester of 2018-2019, for research load after Dr. Ramon Reyes who headed the Faura and Shadows.” In her paper, she considered granted during the second semester of 2017- Research Council. When it came to the thesis, other traumatic models such as colonization, 2018. someone suddenly came up with my name.” volume 10 ■ number 1 ■ 1st semester 2018–2019 ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY 11 JCDCG^3 2018 IN MANILA

Conference participants at the Rizal Monument with the photobomber behind

Conference photo 2001 Conference photo 2018

clockwise, from top left Erik Demaine on motion planning with robots, Stefan Langerman The sorbetero, serving keso, avocado, mango and ube ice-cream, was a big hit among conference participants. discussing cutting and gluing, János Pach on covering a unit square with …as were the Panaderia de Molo cookies—hojaldres, galletas, banadas, coronas, biscocho. a finite number of smaller squares, Kenta Ozeki on Hamiltonian graphs.

Mari-Jo P. Ruiz the conference specializes. It is usually held The 2018 conference featured six plenary in Japan. The Manila conference of 2001 talks and 67 short paper presentations in rom September 1 to 3 in 2018, the was the first time it was held outside Japan. three parallel sessions. Participants included Mathematics Department hosted Since then it has also been held in Bandung, locals and foreign participants from twelve JCDCG^3, the Japan Conference on Indonesia, Xian, and also Dalian City in China, countries. Discrete and Computational Geometry, and Bangkok, Thailand. A side feature of the conference was an Graphs and Games. It was the second In total, more than 1000 research results introduction to Filipino cuisine. Small and time the department hosted this long- have been presented at these conferences. large groups of participants were invited to running conference series, the first time Proceedings of the conferences have been lunch and dinner at established restaurants Fwas in 2001, when it was held in honor of published—as special issues of the journal Sentro, Sarsa, Crisostomo, Abé. The conference Frank Harary, one of the stalwarts of Graph Graphs and Combinatorics or as volumes dinner was catered by Via Maré. Theory, on his 80th birthday. of the Springer Lecture Notes in Computer The final day of the conference ended with JCDCG^3 was first held in 1997 at Science (LNCS). The proceedings of the 2018 a tour of Luneta and Intramuros, ending with Tokai University in Tokyo, as a forum for conference will also be published as a volume sunset viewing and dinner at the roof deck of mathematicians, to discuss research results of LNCS. the Bayleaf hotel. and research directions, in the areas in which

RIZAL LIBRARY NATION BUILDING

izal Library capped off the year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary, by launching Rizal Library Nation Building, a book that celebrates 50 years of the library, whose main Rbuilding opened on November 17, 1967. 12 LOYOLA SCHOOLS Bulletin Build community. Nurture hope.

First ever osa Symposium for Student Activities Advisers he LS Office of Student Activities speaker, Usec. Boyet Dy, Chief-of-Staff of the Health Sciences Program Director Dr. Norman organized the first ever Symposium Vice President of the Philippines, spoke on Dennis Marquez and Fostering Gender- for Student Activities Advisers: Issues how to engage students in Leadership and responsive Student Activities with Dr. Mira and Challenges in Student Activities Nation building. Ofreneo, Chairperson of the Department of TAdvising or SympAd, at the Science Education After the two keynote speeches, delegates Psychology. Track D talked about New Media Complex on June 6th 2018. were asked to choose among four tracks and Technology with Rappler’s Chay Hofileña 120 participants from 38 colleges and that mirror current issues and trends in and Marguerite de Leon. universities in Metro Manila attended. Student Activities Advising. Two tracks were To end the day and to give participants a Organized in response to the new challenges offered in the morning and another two chance to converse with fellow participants, faced by Student Affairs practitioners in in the afternoon. The morning tracks were: the World Café activity was introduced. They today’s world, SympAd also provided an (A) Enhancing Student Resilience through shared their learnings/insights, major take- opportunity for Student Activities advisers to Integrated Student Formation with Rene aways, and next steps they will do when they share best practices and network. Salvador San Andres, Director of the Residence go back to their schools. SympAd capped SympAd was a whole day affair, graced by Halls, and Tats Quiblat, Director of the Office off with an optional tour of the Ateneo Art nine guest speakers from academe, student of Student Activities. (B) Enhancing Support Gallery. affairs, government, and media. and Care for Students with Dr. Queena Lee- Ultimately, the Symposium challenged The first keynote speaker was OSA director, Chua of the Mathematics and Psychology student advisers not only to meet students Mr. Tats Quiblat. He gave a preview of the Departments and Fr. Roger Champoux, SJ of where they are, but to walk with them the rest topics for the day. He also talked about the Our Lady of Peace Guidance Center. of the way: to inspire and form active leaders, the many different issues facing Student In the afternoon, Track C dealt with responsible citizens, and transformative Activities formation. The second keynote Student’s Social Involvement, with former change agents.

@ateneo_osa

Jerard Afable #ASummit2018

@deecatimpo

@TomAndJerard

he Ateneo Student Leaders Place, and Ten Cents to Heaven Leisure Camp various youth groups and organizations. This Summit Midyear 2018 in Tanay, Rizal. This year’s ASummit was theme invites the student leaders to think (ASummit) held on December entitled Rethink Youth: Discern. Design. Defy. twice and think again of the various efforts 17-18, 2018 gathered more This is a realization of the need to encourage and movements for development that they than 160 student leaders to the youth to look at its power as a force of currently are undertaking and recalibrate the College Covered Courts, change while taking note of the various their vision of the ideal future. TUrban Flavors Food and Events efforts already in place undertaken by the volume 10 ■ number 1 ■ 1st semester 2018–2019 ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY 13

Photos courtesy of Reycel Hyacenth Bendaña Fighting for change Sanggunian President Reycel Hyacenth Bendaña shares how she won the Most Outstanding Jose Rizal Model Student of the Philippines 2018

reycel hyacenth bendaña contributes to those principles: (1) active and lastly (3) governance–to be both a critic 4 AB MECO, Minor in Dev mgt nonviolence—through reforming structures and a partner of the government in ensuring and passing legislation and policies, we aim that political decisions are always for the he Loyola Schools held for a change that is unifying, not divisive; (2) common good. Everything I have done— an internal search for solidarity with the oppressed and those in from conducting educational discussions, its official nomination need—leadership is senseless if not grounded organizing sociopolitical rallies, mobilizing for the Jose Rizal in compassion, especially with those in the relief efforts, lobbying policies, releasing Model Student of the margins. This is most manifested in my active issue-based stances, and implementing Philippines (JRMSP). The involvement and stance against labor issues, development interventions in communities— 4 Deans and the Office of human rights violations, and government have been guided by these three primary roles Student Activities (OSA) abuses; and (3) liberation through justice—a and the values of compassion and justice. nominated 2 students society without justice will never be (c) I relate to Padre Florentino the most. each, listing a total of 10 names in the liberated. Through our gender initiatives I believe that violence does not give justice internal search draft. I was a nominee of the and active provision of psycho-emotional and healing. Instead, it fuels resentment, TOffice of Student Activities. Within the same and administrative assistance to victims of hatred, and perpetuates even more violence week of nomination, we were asked to submit sexual harassment and violence, we demand until the cycle is never ending. Violence as a our curriculum vitae and be interviewed. The a liberated nation. The graded essays were means of achieving justice is not out of love, interview focused on how my leadership was ranked, and comprised 30% of the final grade. but of anger and vengeance. It destabilizes similar to that of Dr. Jose Rizal. The second activity was the panel our nation, confuses our morality, and makes I described how his leadership primarily interview. It had 3 core sections: (a) who I it difficult for us to progress as it removes changed the behavioral structures present am, (b) what is my assessment of my impact, our capacity to forgive as individuals and in Philippine society. He was fighting against and (c) how do I espouse Rizal’s values in my collectively heal as a society. The bloodshed racial inequality, asserting that Filipinos leadership. Rizal deemed necessary for liberation was should be treated with equal human dignity (a) I am a daughter of a hardworking not the murder of others for the causes that and the same respect as that of Spaniards jeepney driver. I work hard, sometimes even seemed just. It was about being prepared residing in our Motherland. He condemned 10x greater than everyone else, just to be on to shed your own blood in defense of the the presence of structures that systematically the same level as they are. I have to, because I inherent human dignity and freedom of your oppressed the Filipinos, and desired to have to compensate for my lack of privilege. fellow countrymen and women. It was never abolish them. Through Sanggunian’s gender But it’s a reality of life I have long embraced. about self-righteous killing and vengeance, initiatives, I fight to change the behavioral I qualified for a full scholarship in Ateneo but about love that fuels sacrifice. structure of patriarchy to gender equality, de Manila University and am now serving The awarding ceremony was held in recognizing that every human person has an as its student council president. People Barbara’s Restaurant. As this was the 30th inherent and inviolable dignity. celebrate my narrative, because it is a success anniversary of the search for the Jose All university nominees from schools story, an exemption. But that’s exactly what Rizal Outstanding Model Student of the nationwide were asked to submit a bidbook I think is wrong in our society—my success Philippines, Knights of Rizal Chapters from showcasing their academic excellence, is an exemption and not the rule. I struggled different localities in the Philippines and in student leadership in local, national, against structural barriers that make my the international community attended the and international activities, and active dreams impossible to achieve. Yes, I defeated celebration. In the speech I delivered as the involvement in community programs. This limitations and broke boundaries, but these 2018 Most Outstanding JRMSP, I reminded the comprised 45% of the grade basis for the should not have existed in the first place. Filipino youth that intellectual leadership JRMSP selection and was used to choose the I envision a Philippine society that, at the is useless unless accompanied by integrity Top 20 National Finalists who would proceed very least, is able to provide fair access of and morality. In a society whose structures to the final phase of the search. opportunities for the rest of the Filipino continue to oppress the poor; where human The final phase had two main activities: youth, especially those who are like me, from rights violations are not only condoned, the on-the-spot essay writing and the panel the poorest of the poor. but glorified; and where violence is interview. We were given 30 minutes to (b) Guided by the Catholic Social Teachings, institutionalized, we need moral leaders who write an essay on how our leadership could I have three roles as a student leader: (1) are grounded in justice and compassion. Only develop and strengthen the values of wisdom educational–to form citizens geared towards when leaders take moral stances, commit to and compassion in society. My essay had social action; (2) social–to respond to the social transformation, and foster healing can 3 main sections, all highlighting the core needs of my fellow countrymen through we have a nation that’s less broken and more principles of Rizal and how my leadership relief operations and resource mobilization, loving. 14 LOYOLA SCHOOLS Bulletin Build community. Nurture hope.

WHAT TALAB TAUGHT ME TALAB makes Erica B. Martin, IV AB IS

he TALAB talk that I attended was Aa CHALLENGE comeback TO GO “DOWN FROM THE HILL” that of Fr. Ben Nebres, SJ on his experiences during Martial Law. The alakayang Alay sa Bayan (TALAB) In line with this, the classes covered a wide Ttalk focused on the Church and religion and returned on October 10, 2018. The range of topics ranging from agriculture their impact during Martial Law. Through annual Alternative Class Program— to the current administration’s war on this talk, my eyes were opened to the cruelty Twhich was created in 1986, then fell dormant drugs. There were talks, panel discussions, and injustice experienced by every Filipino in 2009—has been going strong since its performances, films, workshops, and field during that time. I was able to realize the return in 2017, sticking more deliberately to trips. truth behind Martial Law: injustice for many its original objective of provoking students to Some of the classes close to the heart of innocent people who just wanted to speak for confront pressing national issues. the theme were “Extra Rice: A Forum on Rice the truth and the good of the country. This school year’s TALAB marks the 50th Tarrification and its Effects on the Philippine Because Fr. Nebres was the Dean of the anniversary of “Down From the Hill” a 1968 Rice Industry;” “Tahanan, Piitan, at Simbahan: Ateneo de Manila University during Martial manifesto that demands from Ateneans “a Community Responses to Rodrigo Duterte’s Law, he shared numerous accounts of that rendering of justice, a commitment to cure War on Drugs;” and “Democratizing Health time. An example was when a staff member society’s ills at its roots.” Its cry for social, Care through Universal Health Coverage.” from Eliazo Hall was arrested. Since the political, and economic justice challenges Other classes spoke of the arts, including Jesuits and the whole Ateneo community Ateneans to stand for and with the Filipino “Indigeneous Intellectual Property Rights,” strongly pursued attaining peace and justice people. Those revolutionary words are “Art and Culture for Nationalism,” and “Song in our country, they supported and got increasingly relevant today, as the Philippines Writing for the Philippine Context.” motivated by a lot of different socio-political strains under the weight of economic The “Down from the Hill” manifesto movements such as the Kilusang Bagong inequality and poverty, political polarization, states, “The Ateneo does not project the true Lipunan and the CCP-NPA-NDF. Through this and discrimination and violence. More and image of the Filipino people.” Our aim, as we strong desire to promote non-violence in our more, Ateneans must question whether they continue our work, especially projects like country, more forces joined together such as serve the power elite, or the Filipino people. TALAB, is to make this less and less true. the Church. The Church emerged as the one institution that could effectively stand up to the Marcos government. Cardinal Sin was a courageous and true leader who stood up to the government. In the darkest days of Martial Law, it seemed that the only recourse was revolutionary violence especially after the late Ninoy Aquino’s assassination. During the snap elections which were fraught with fraud, the middle class participated and threw their full support behind Cory Aquino and the Jesuits and the Atenean community. This created a ripple effect as Fr. Bernas, SJ, MY TALAB EXPERIENCE the president of Ateneo back then, worked on Lizzie B. Filart, I BS MGT Apart from the Down the Hill talk which the late President Cory Aquino’s campaign. had one of the authors as its sole speaker, Dr. Alan Bengzon was tasked to work with the s a freshman this SY 2018-2019, I the other two talks I attended had multiple ‘non-organized’ groups, meaning volunteers had no idea what TALAB Day was. speakers. I enjoyed learning about their who wanted to support Cory’s campaign. According to the official website, it different points of view. In the start-up talk, More movements led to the EDSA revolution Astands for Talakayang Alay sa Bayan which one speaker had created an environmental as people from different provinces joined can roughly be translated to “discourse start-up while the other, a technological one. forces in EDSA to end Martial Law. for the nation.” TALAB Day is a required Listening to these professionals gave me a Through this talk of Fr. Ben’s, I realized event for students to listen to talks about clearer picture of what I wanted my future not only the endless and unspoken violence, their roles in the country’s current issues. career to be. The last talk I attended was the cruelty, and injustice experienced during the While my friends found this to be dragging, one on urbanization, which was hosted by my years of Martial Law, but more importantly, yet another requirement of the Ateneo org, Habitat for Humanity. The speakers not the significance of the unity of the forces administration, I was really interested and only told us about the issues of the country of the Church, religious institutions, and excited about this. I signed up for two talks regarding this development but also how we, consistent movements of people from all that I made sure had nothing to do with my students and/or members of Habitat, could walks of life. I truly got inspired by this course (BS Management) because I didn’t make small and simple differences for the realization because I was able to clearly want my college education to be limited Philippines. understand and feel the burning passion, to one area of knowledge. I took TALAB Day I wish TALAB Day didn’t happen only once drive, and determination of every Filipino as an opportunity to gain more insights a year. Having it once every semester would towards attaining peace, equality and justice and learn more about the world. These two be great. While I think TALAB is very beneficial in our country. This made me see the hope talks were: (1) “Urbanization, Poverty, and for us students, perhaps there needs to be of our country today as we may also be faced Political Development in the Context of the more awareness and emphasis on how with a similar situation. More importantly, Philippines,” and (2) The book, Down the Hill. I important these talks are for acknowledging it made me realize that it is truly a matter of also decided to sit-in a business talk, “Creating our roles in our country’s development. our own actions which will indeed create the Start-ups,” so I could earn some bonus points change we desire to see and experience in our in my Entrepreneurship class. country. volume 10 ■ number 1 ■ 1st semester 2018–2019 ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY 15

Ateneo hosts ASEAN+3 Youth Cultural Forum 2018 The AYCF 2018 Creative Community in Dingalan, Aurora

Youth Cultural Forum as among the ASEAN and faculty participants from the region. University Network’s programs “that enrich The forum was attended by 22 AUN member us, not just as members of our own countries, universities representing 9 countries: but as citizens of the world.” Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Participants had a full week of Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and performances, community cultural exchange Vietnam. in Aurora, and workshops that tackled The forum would not have been successful important issues in artistic practice. Apart without the support and guidance of the from the traditional performing and visual following offices in Ateneo: Office of the arts, students also had fun activities such President, Office of the Vice President for the as baybayin t-shirt printing, interactive Loyola Schools, Office of the Vice President traditional wear, rubber stamping, and for University and Global Relations, Areté, pottery. Office of International Relations, Office of AYCF delegates also went on food Student Activities, and the Campus Events adventures and had a blast trying Filipino Management Office. fare. Some participants even had a taste of AYCF is an initiative of the ASEAN

Nur Hidayat, a student from Universitas Airlangga, balut during the forum’s Filipino streetfood University Network (AUN). The forum is performs the Tari Bapang, a dance from East Java festival. Other delectable treats they tried organized annually by the AUN Thematic were iskrambol (ice scramble) and halo-halo. Network on Culture and the Arts Secretariat, a-bu-hay! Mabuhay!” The student-participants worked on De La Salle University, in close coordination This was the chant collaborative mini-projects towards the with the host university and the thematic of over a hundred end of the forum with the guidance of network member-universities. This year’s participants of AYCF Filipino artist-mentors. This allowed for a AUN-AYCF is hosted by Ateneo de Manila “M2018. From November 11 to 15, 2018, Ateneo reimagination of ways by which the artists University with generous support from the de Manila University hosted the 16th ASEAN can engage communities. Some groups put Commission on Higher Education of the and 6th ASEAN+3 Youth Cultural Forum together dance-dramas accompanied by Republic of the Philippines and De La Salle (AYCF). This year’s forum, with the theme live music, others did a video montage of University. “Creative Community,” provided platforms their experiences throughout the forum. All for the appreciation of the diversity and AYCF 2018 participants contributed to an art commonalities of the ASEAN+3 countries installation devised by Fr. Jason Dy, SJ, faculty through artistic experience and expressions. member of the Department of Fine Arts. AYCF 2018 kicked off with a Philippine Among the objectives of the 2018 forum fiesta at Novotel Manila with performances is to emphasize the communal nature of from the Ateneo de Manila College Glee Club artistic production. Julaluk Santichairat, a and the La Salle Dance Company-Folk. After a delegate from Mahidol University, was able very meaningful exchange of melodies and to establish friendships with fellow Asian songs from the participating countries led artists, “I will bring everybody’s heart with me. by the Philippine Madrigal Singers, Ateneo I love them. All the friends I met here. They de Manila President Fr. Jose Ramon “Jett” T. are so nice and they have such open minds.” Villarin, SJ, welcomed participants to the AYCF 2018 celebrated the talents and AYCF Delegates are introduced to the siit, small pieces of beach-bleached wood used by the Domagats of Aurora for their everyday objects and art. forum. He emphasized the importance of the collaboration among 120 student-artists Photo by Kevin Prudon.

LOYOLA SCHOOLS STATISTICS 3% 2% SOH JG 20% 19% SOM BY BY 2% FROM HS First Year SCHOOL SOSS 52% SEX 48% WHERE 78% HONORS 76% Students SOSE ● Male 1210 (52%) ● Metro Manila 1,961 (78%) ● Valedictorian 77 (3%) 2018-19 2017-18 ● Female 1317 (48%) ● Provincial 503 (20%) ● Salutatorian 47 (2%) 2018-2019 12BY COURSE +302335+z48+52z78● Foreign 63 (2%) +220z4+● Honorable Mention 490 (19%) 2+2074z Total applied 10.96% ● No Academic Honors 1,913 (76%) (complete applications) 14,296 5,195 SOH 5+11+73+18+1+34+40+81+14= AB AM • AB HUM • AB IS • AB LIT(ENG) • AB PanFil • AB PH • BFA CW • BFA ID • BFA TA Initially accepted 2,585 5,614 30.31% Initial acceptance rate 50% SOSS 4+120+63+35+51+7+31+9+15+101+56+6+126+28+114= 39% AB CHNS • AB COM • AB Dip IR • AB DS • AB EC • AB EC-H • AB EU • AB HI • AB MA-POS • AB MEC • AB POS • AB POS-MPM • AB PSY • AB SOCIO • BS PSY Enrolled from 23.35% initially accepted 2,148 SOSE 19+59+16+47+25+37+32+33+23+75+19+14+92+11+60+7+21= Enrollment rate from BS APS-MSE • BS BIO • BS CH • BS CH-MSE • BS CpE • BS CS • BS CS-DGDD • BS EcE • BS ES • BS HSc • BS LfSci • BS MA • BS MIS • BS PS • BSM AMF • BSMIS-MSCS • BSMS CS initially accepted 38% 35.38% Total enrolled 1,476 JGSOM 129+18+128+39+266+263+42+9= 2,527 BS COMTECH • BS ITE • BS LM • BS MAC • BS ME • BS MGT • BS MGT-H • BS REnt LS Build community. Nurture hope. ON THEB UAAP CHAMPIONSHIP, OR

WHY CAN’T WE BE FRIENDS?photos by aaron r. vicencio

away, like that school which stays all the way in Taft. (Ahem.) They aren’t neighbors, they are “dayo,” outsiders, and thus aren’t given the same courtesy. The resulting championship series was thus one of community rather than conflict, you could see it in how the opposing players clapped hands with each other or tapped Roy Tristan Agustin immediately got a lecture from one of my shoulders. Yes, fights were picked, tempers batchmates about not betraying my alma got raised, and passions flared as is often teneo has been a part of my life mater. The thing was, this time around, I the case when in situations of such high for decades and one of the last was genuinely excited for both teams to win; energy, but in the end, by the final minutes things anyone can accuse me of is all I really wanted to see was a contest well of the last game, all that was left was genuine being unsupportive of the school. I fought, with everyone leaving everything respect. Players who competed so fiercely was part of the Blue Babble (Band) on the court. I didn’t see this as betrayal, against each other remembered that they since high school, way back when instead, I saw it as celebration. I realized that were neighbors and embraced. Both sides Babble had no budget and we had this, the aspect of celebrating the sport, was brought in the graduating players to have to replace any drumsticks we broke what was missing from many competitions one last go at a UAAP game; for the graduating with our own money. My car’s trunk in the UAAP. The passionate support that UP players, that would be their first, and last, was the storage facility for the the competition asks from fans of teams championship appearance. It was a truly instruments in college, where we doubled as change otherwise sensible people into fire- wonderful ending, one that showcased the theA band for the ROTC, something that got us breathing members of warring tribes, leading best in sportsmanship and was a genuine out of standing under the sun on Saturday to nastiness and name-calling, which would celebration of the game. afternoons. I’ve seen dozens of games, have otherwise not have happened. It doesn’t Which brings me to the end of my shouted myself hoarse on just as many help that the games are marketed as if it were discernment: in truth, we’re all neighbors. It occasions, and have cried at defeats and a war with the other schools. The marketing doesn’t matter if you live next door or are a cheered at victories for most of my adult life. creates a mentality that becomes the norm. good number of kilometers away. The UAAP I’ve celebrated Ateneo’s rise to prominence Tribal sensibilities take over and the sport championship this year showcased a triumph and have defended the school’s honor in becomes warfare. of friendship and unity over tribal sensibility. front of my friends from other schools. Which, funnily enough, couldn’t really It’s time to move past the idea of sport as Imagine my surprise, therefore, when happen with UP and Ateneo. We were, “war” and move towards sport as a way of I found myself unconcerned about the basically, from the same tribe. “The Battle of coming together, as a way of celebrating the possibility of UP pulling off an upset and Katipunan” was ironic in that UP and Ateneo best each side has to offer and to enjoy the winning the championship. I actually was have seen each other more as compatriots contest exactly for it’s being a contest, which rooting for UP for most of the season, which than foes in most endeavors and often was the original idea for competitions like was odd, particularly from someone who has share projects with each other. It could be this. While we can be passionate, it doesn’t been a staunch supporter of the Eagles for, that physical closeness does matter; UP and need to become venomous; the hate needs literally, my entire life. Ateneo can be likened to neighbors who to go away. Thinking about that even more, Being Jesuit trained, this, of course, led grew up living next to each other. If there the championship showed that respect goes me to a bit of a reflective pause; a bit of was going to be a contest between each other, much further than hate, and that difference discernment was necessary to work out it was all but natural that the sentiment need not mean conflict. In a society where why I was almost as excited at the prospect was more of “let’s play” rather than “I WILL division is not only present, but in some cases of a UP victory as I was an Ateneo repeat. I DESTROY YOU” which so often happens when fostered, that may be more important than expressed as much on Facebook, and almost Ateneo faces those schools seen as farther the championship itself.