Fordham Plenary Meeting - Morning Session
The Plenary Meeting was held on October 1 Saturday at the McNally Amphitheater in Fordham University, Lincoln Center Campus, New York, NY.
The highlights of the morning session were:
- Registration and welcome breakfast began promptly at 8:00 am
- Welcome remarks by Mario DiFiore, Senior Assistant Dean of the Gabelli School of Business, Fordham University
- Ateneo Presidents' video presentations
- Keynote Speech by H.E. Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez, Philippine Ambassador to the US (via video)
- Panel Discussion on Politics and History - Panelists: Robert Rivas, Licelle Cobrador, Chuck Medel, Luis Francia; Moderator - Amb. Mario De Leon
Fordham Plenary Meeting - Afternoon Session
Lunch break was held the McMahon Lounge. The afternoon began with a presentation by Alveo Land, major sponsor of the plenary meeting. The highlights of the afternoon session were:
- Panel Discussion on Business and Technology - Panelists: Jimson Ngeo, Art Palisoc, Mac Fojas, Carlos Tapang; Moderator - Cristina Ampil
- Special Topic on STEM Education in Developing Countries; Presentor - Art Palisoc of STEMEd, LLC
- AAANA Business Meeting including Board of Trustees election 2023-2035; the meeting was co-chaired by Danny Nicolas and Roger Alama with J.T. Mallonga, legal counsel
- Thanksgiving Mass was presided by Fr. Norberto "Kit" Bautista, SJ, ADMU Alumni Affairs Office
We thank Fordham IPED Director Henry Schwalbenberg and Alma Villegas for hosting our homecoming at this prestigious Jesuit school. Special thanks to Fordham Senior Asst. Dean Mario DiFiore for officially welcoming all of us Ateneans. Shout out to all our speakers, panelists and sponsors for supporting our event.
Photos and videos credit: Jojo Mendoza, Nin Zie, Andrew Luis, Jun Dalandan, Jason Cabrera, Bunny De La Cruz, Cecile Sison, Antero Martinez
Evening at Triad Theater
Our homecoming program continued in the evening at the Triad Theater, a cabaret style off-Broadway arts and music venue on Manhattan's upper West Side, located in 158 W. 72nd Street. AAANA officers and AANI NYC members met up with visiting alumni and invited guests. It was a truly a fun evening of music, laughter and camaraderie amongst all Ateneans after a full day at Fordham University. We were joined by talented Atenean performers from the NYC area, including IBK and surprise guests.
Congratulations to our newly inducted AAANA Board members: Incoming President Carlos Tapang, President Elect Nicanor Luna, Legal Counsel Ferdinand Suba, Treasurer Jun Montenegro. We are grateful to our AAANA Board members: Chairman Dr. Jun Farrales, Past President Danny Nicolas, Roger Alama, JT Mallonga, Jojo De Jesus, Cynthia Esquivel Ilagan, Cecile Sison. and Romainne De Guzman Luis. Special thanks as well to all our sponsors, donors and volunteers!
The Rivalry Continues in NYC
AAANA hosted a friendly competition on October 2, Sunday afternoon, between our local Ateneo Blue Eagles and La Salle Archers basketball teams. The game was held at the Queens Gateway to Health Sciences Secondary School in Jamaica, New York.
We thank DLSU Alumni Association Metro-New York for collaborating with us and making this basketball event a success! Shoutout to DLSU Alumni President Glenn Chua, DLSU basketball coordinators Alex Cayetano and Archie Alvarez, AAANA basketball coordinator Cynthia Esquivel Ilagan, Ateneo coaches Eric Cayetano and John R. Ella for all your hard work.
Congratulations to the All Ateneo Basketball Team for winning this friendly game and closing our homecoming event with a bang!
Presidents' Messages
Ateneo de Manila University
Xavier Univ. - Ateneo de Cagayan
Ateneo de Manila University
Fr. Bobby spoke about how ADMU had to adapt to change, from onsite to online - with students, faculty and admin moving towards Blue Cloud, the virtual campus. He laid out the priorities of Lux in Domino 2030, the 10-year strategic plan for the 5 Loyola schools: improving education, public health and pandemic resilience, taking care of the earth, and bridging the cultural divide. These are bound together by 3 themes: digital technology, lifelong learning, partnership and collaboration.
Ateneo de Naga University
Xavier Univ. - Ateneo de Cagayan
Ateneo de Manila University
Fr. Robert thanked the alumni for their support of the fund drive for computers used by the scholars for online learning, Tabang Bicol disaster relief which raised P23M and the scholarship programs. With its AteNEO Normal cornerstone, ADNU has survived and flourished through the difficult years. It aims to become a resilient academic institution, foster research and creative endeavors, systematize social outreach, strengthen Ignatian formation, and enhance care for those in service.
Xavier Univ. - Ateneo de Cagayan
Xavier Univ. - Ateneo de Cagayan
Xavier Univ. - Ateneo de Cagayan
"St. Ignatius' conversion made us realize our own conversion stories as Ateneans during the pandemic years", Fr. Mars reminded us. He updated us on the Campus of the Future project which broke ground on September 8, 2022, in Manresa and which will be completed in 2033, the 100th Foundation Anniversary of Xavier University. He is proud to report the university has the overwhelming support of parents, alumni, city officials, church hierarchy, and Jesuit authorities.
Ateneo de Davao University
Ateneo de Zamboanga University
Xavier Univ. - Ateneo de Cagayan
Fr. Joel sends ADDU's greetings as it celebrates the 75th anniversary of its founding. The school pursues the Father's work of reconciling humanity with himself, us with one another, and ourselves with creation. The mission fills university life with challenge and hope: in helping people, Christian, Muslim and Lumad, to achieve peace in Mindanao through dialogue, collaboration and deep understanding; in helping people understand the imperatives, and in collectively saving the planet.
Ateneo de Zamboanga University
Ateneo de Zamboanga University
Ateneo de Zamboanga University
As ADZU celebrates its 110th foundation this year, Fr. Karel states that it remains steadfast in its mission of providing excellent, socially transformative education that will help build a peaceful and progressive Mindanao. In keeping the Ateneo spirit alive through the grand reunions and through AAANA's support of fundraising for scholarships to poor students and other programs and activities, Fr. Karel says, "Muchas gracias" to all and "Enhorabuena" (congratulations}!
Sacred Heart - Ateneo de Cebu
Ateneo de Zamboanga University
Ateneo de Zamboanga University
In celebrating the Ignatian Year with the AAANA homecoming theme "Alab ng Pusong Atenista", newly installed SHS-ADC President, Fr. Michael Pineda says St. Ignatius will be proud of his sons and daughters. He is thankful that the Jesuit schools create bonds with their students that last well into their adult life. He thinks perhaps this is why alumni reunions and homecomings at the Ateneo schools all over the Philippines and abroad are such joyous occasions.
ADI - Santa Maria Catholic School
ADI - Santa Maria Catholic School
ADI - Santa Maria Catholic School
The school began in 1958 as a parochial school run by Jesuits who were expelled from China by the Communists. In 2010 with the help from alumni and the community, its campus was transferred from the city center to a 7.5 ha. property in the Mandurriao district. Through scholarship grants, it seeks to make Jesuit education available to many.
It plans to build a church and a gymnasium in the future to serve the school and its community. Shown in photo: Fr. Weyms Sanchez, SJ, President.