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.