Who is an Atenean?

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 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 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 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. 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 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 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, 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 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.