Who is an Atenean?

Symbols

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:57:00 +0800

By Kristal Gazmen

The most obvious of symbols of the Ateneo is its seal, ever-present in students IDs, school uniforms, buildings, letters and envelopes. However, the establishment of an identity goes beyond enrolling in the same academic institution where the seal, school mascot, and school color are pretty much laid out. It is the common set of interests and values that the Ateneo education has inspired that makes an Atenean stand out, brings symbols to life, and makes other common objects distinctly Atenean.

Blue Eagle

Blue and White

Basketball

Rivalry with La Salle

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

Men and Women for Others

Sources:

1 http://www.ateneo.edu/index.php?p=489

2 http://www.ateneo.edu/index.php?p=487

3 http://www.ateneo.edu/index.php?p=491

1. BLUE EAGLE, THE KING Although the “blue eagle” is not yet...

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:55:00 +0800

1. BLUE EAGLE, THE KING

Although the “blue eagle” is not yet found in every official school letter or envelope, it ranks with the school seal among the most popular symbols. It is now used interchangeably with “Ateneans” as the school’s UAAP teams introduce themselves as this and exhibit the quality of being “king” with their numerous victories. The image of an eagle dominating the sky above is a representation of the Ateneans’ pride and hope of the promising future.1

2. BLUE AND WHITE Blue and white are the dominating colors of...

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:54:00 +0800

2. BLUE AND WHITE

Blue and white are the dominating colors of the Ateneo, not in the form of building paint, but in souvenir items and shirts. However, they aren’t just colors chosen to be worn by Ateneans and supporters alike in UAAP games. The school’s colors are in honor of Mary, the Mother of Christ, reflecting the values important to the Ateneo –purity, truth, hope, openness, service, and peace. (2)

3. BASKETBALL The special attention that basketball receives...

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:53:00 +0800

3. BASKETBALL

The special attention that basketball receives comes from the Ateneo being a Filipino school. The excitement and tension are felt as people line up early in the morning for tickets or buy (or risk buying from scalpers) and TVs are put in different areas inside the campus. Basketball players are also the most popular, with giant cardboard portraits of them along the entrance the school.

4. RIVALRY WITH LA SALLE What comes next? Dog is to cat. Cat is...

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:52:00 +0800

4. RIVALRY WITH LA SALLE

What comes next? Dog is to cat. Cat is to rat. Ateneo is to _____.

It is fascinating how after being officially enrolled as an Atenean, most students immediately get a set of likes and dislikes just because tradition dictates so –effortless brainwashing on the first day. The UAAP is said to be the reason that caused the rivalry, which is just strange considering UST is usually the over-all champion. UP is the Ateneo’s closest rival in academic competitions, and FEU is known for a strong basketball team. Distaste for DLSU is something acquired immediately, without question and requiring no better reason than being enrolled in the Ateneo.

5. SCHOOL CHEERS Many have wondered about the school cheers....

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:51:00 +0800

5. SCHOOL CHEERS

Many have wondered about the school cheers. Unlike “chuva” or “wiz,” Ateneo cheers do more than give a sense of identity. They flare up a feeling of school pride, loyalty, and support and intimidate the opponents. They are weird and are not part of any dictionary, but in any UAAP game, “Fabilloh!” and “Halikunu” do make so much sense.

6. A SONG FOR MARY Even if it is a common sight to find students...

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:50:00 +0800

6. A SONG FOR MARY

Even if it is a common sight to find students flaunting Ateneo shirts and lanyards, it is not until witnessing students singing “A Song for Mary” with all gusto that one really feels the pride and loyalty that an Atenean has for his/her school. The first school hymn, however, was “Hail! Ateneo Hail!” speaking more of victory and is relatively shallow with the line “and win our laurels bright” compared to “A Song for Mary,” which tackled truth, faith, and loyalty with the line “win or lose, it’s the school we choose!” (3)

7. JESUITS Jesuits are the most influential people in the...

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:48:00 +0800

7. JESUITS

Jesuits are the most influential people in the Ateneo. Values, practices, and education are patterned after St. Ignatius’ teachings, making spirituality and service a vital part of a student’s curriculum. They are also teachers, who are not limited to the fields of theology and philosophy, but are still able to provide inspiration. Some of them are regarded as living legends, while most of them are treated with respect.

8. MAGIS “Magis” or “more” is a teaching of St. Ignatius,...

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:47:00 +0800

8. MAGIS

“Magis” or “more” is a teaching of St. Ignatius, brought by the Jesuits, and encouraged by the teachers of the Ateneo. The transition of magis from simply being a teaching into a habit has made its practice an expectation. An Atenean is asked not only do to good or be the best, but better each time as he/she is always in a competition with him/herself in the path to self-improvement and the realization of his/her fullest potentials.

9. AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” or more...

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:46:00 +0800

9. AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM

“Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” or more commonly written as “AM + DG,” with the Cross in the middle, is the most widely declared among St. Ignatius’ teachings in his Spiritual Exercises. Jesuits have told their students to inscribe this at the top of their schoolwork as a declaration that whatever diligence and success is an offering to God. This is not only a tradition, but a reminder that skills and gifts come from God and is to be used to do good.

10. MEN AND WOMEN FOR OTHERS “Men and women for others” combines...

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:44:00 +0800

10. MEN AND WOMEN FOR OTHERS

“Men and women for others” combines St. Ignatius of Loyala’s sense of service and Blessed Peter Faber’s value of “cura personalis.” It can be called compassion, but others highlight its intensity by defining it as “having the need to fill others’ needs.” The Atenean is expected to act out his/her comfort zone and help. This is most evident after calamities although there are service organizations and activities present throughout the year.

"The 10 symbols show how the school is able to mold an identity despite the different backgrounds..."

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:43:00 +0800

“The 10 symbols show how the school is able to mold an identity despite the different backgrounds that students have, but it is the students’ faith to the school and its teachings that have allowed these traditions to continue and be identifiable enough.”

To 150 and Beyond

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:43:00 +0800

by Patricia Mariano

Having just celebrated its sesquicentennial, the Ateneo de Manila University can boast of a long and proud history (more of which will be discussed here) that is by no means dwindling with the passage of time. As with before, Ateneo is still committed to its ideals of magis and of working for others and for the greater glory of God. Ateneans - students, alumni, faculty, and staff - have in them this something that is never quite lost.

In an effort to get a better idea of what that something is, I interviewed alumni and interested applicants.

(Article below.)

Those who went to Ateneo. The alumni were interviewed in order to get a better idea of what Ateneo...

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:42:00 +0800

Those who went to Ateneo.

The alumni were interviewed in order to get a better idea of what Ateneo was like then, so as to compare it with what the perception of Ateneo is now. They were asked what they remembered about it and, as this is about legacies, if they would send their own children to Ateneo.

Although a very limited number was interviewed, it seems that the school spirit that binds Ateneans is an integral part of the college experience. As one of the former students mentioned, Ateneo is the only school willing to go to such lengths just to celebrate a basketball game (in reference to the bonfires held for UAAP basketball).

It is also notable that the Ateneo de Manila campus is one of the few places in the city where you can wear a jacket in the mornings because it actually feels like the fresh start of a new day and not just a dreadfully hot continuation of yesterday.

What do you remember from the years you spent as a student in...

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:41:00 +0800

What do you remember from the years you spent as a student in Ateneo?

"My first three years in college, Ateneo wasn’t co-ed."

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:40:00 +0800

“My first three years in college, Ateneo wasn’t co-ed.”

Do you want your children to study in Ateneo?

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:38:00 +0800

Do you want your children to study in Ateneo?

Those who want to go to Ateneo. The last year spent in high school is not only filled with nostalgia...

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:36:00 +0800

Those who want to go to Ateneo.

The last year spent in high school is not only filled with nostalgia for the years that have past. More likely, it is a whirlwind of excitement and anxiety for the years that will follow. What school will you go to, what course will you take, will you be able to make friends easily? To consider these questions, of course, you first have to get accepted into a college. And for some people, there is only one college they want to get into; everything else won’t be at all right.

I interviewed those who want to study into Ateneo, asking them why that was they school of their choice and what their impression was of the university and its students.

"My dad studied there. It’s supposedly a good school that provides quality education."

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:35:00 +0800

“My dad studied there. It’s supposedly a good school that provides quality education.”

- Fred Uy

Why do you want to study in Ateneo?

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:34:00 +0800

Why do you want to study in Ateneo?