Tsk-tsk-tsk!

All Roads Lead to Ateneo

I am making a survey about the route of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in Davao. As I was told by a Jesuit when I first arrived in Davao way back 1993 that all PUJs passed by the University. So he told me if I would be lost to just take any PUJ and tell the driver to drop me at Ateneo/near Ateneo.

I do not know if at present this is still true.

I intend to design a shirt for the Jubilee Year of the University (60 Years) with a title: "ALL ROADS LEAD TO ATENEO".

I know the following:
- Obrero jeeps pass Jacinto
- Mintal, Toril, Calinan PUJs pass Roxas Avenue
- Sasa, Bajada and Panacan jeeps pass the Acacia area
- Matina jeeps pass the Uyanguren/ Claveria area
- ACDC jeeps pass by Jacinto or Claveria

Any comment will be appreciated.

ATENEO DE ILOILO (ADI) TASK FORCE FRANK

ATENEO DE ILOILO (ADI) TASK FORCE FRANK

Typhoon Frank left thousands of families in Iloilo and Panay Region homeless. Accordingly, this is the worst disaster that has ever struck the region. As early as Saturday morning, June 21, reports came in from different towns and barangays of flash floods leaving entire barangays submerged. Many people evacuated their homes to seek refuge in churches, schools and other makeshift evacuation centers. Still many others remain trapped in their homes and waiting for rescue. Rescue efforts have been hampered by damaged bridges and roads. As of Monday morning, recorded death toll has reached more than 100. Most parts of the region have no electricity and water. Food and water are badly needed especially in worst hit towns and barangays.

In view of the emergency situation, we are pleading for your assistance for our brothers and sisters in Iloilo and Panay. We are in need of food, especially canned goods, clothing, and water. We will coordinate the distribution of goods with the Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center. Donations may be sent to:

Ateneo de Iloilo – Santa Maria Catholic School
c/o Fr. Manny Uy, S.J. or Bro. Arthur Nebrao, S.J.
139 General Blanco St., Iloilo City
Tel. (033) 337-5532; (033) 338-2245
Fax. (033) 336-2903
Email: anebrao@gmail.com

Cash donations will be greatly appreciated. You may also send your cash donations through:

Banco de Oro (BDO)
Iloilo SM Delgado Branch
Account Name: ADI TASK FORCE FRANK
Account Number: 0710515588

Let us continue to pray for the countless victims of Iloilo and Panay Region. Thank you for your generosity.

TASK FORCE BULIG

Ateneo de Davao University
Jacinto St., Davao City

TASK FORCE BULIG
For Panay Island

Typhoon FRANK (International Codename: Fengsen) caused vast damage to lives, properties and livelihood of our follow countrymen over the weekend. Latest reports said that the number of casualties had been increasing. Damages were greatly felt in some regions where the actual path of the typhoon crossed. Almost all of the provinces of Iloilo, Antique, Aklan and Capiz were submerged in water. People are still stranded on top of the roofs of their houses for two days now in some towns of Iloilo and Antique. Other areas of the Western Visayas are also calling for aid.

General Information:

As of 23 June 2008:
• 10,000 families (40,000 individuals) affected of 20 provinces, 10,000 families are in 275 evacuation centers and increasing.
• Under State of Calamity: Provinces of Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Masbate. Cities of Iloilo, Roxas, Zamboanga (selected areas).
• NDCC: Floods, storm surge and landslides mostly in the Visayas and Southern Tagalog have affected 366,444 people. Of the total number of affected people, 182,686 were in the Western Visayas, including 155,005 in Antique province alone.
• Stranded 5,095 passengers, 288 rolling cargo, 90 trucks, 59 passenger buses, 48 small vehicles, and eight sea vessels.

Iloilo Facts
• Philippine National Red Cross; based on field reports from PNRC staff, the death toll had reached 229, with 101 reported in Iloilo alone.
• Iloilo Gov. Neil Tupas earlier said 59 people drowned in the province while another 40 were missing. “Almost all the towns are covered by water. It’s like an ocean,” Tupas said, adding thousands have been displaced in the province that is home to 1.7 million people.
• Health Secretary Francisco Duque also said he received reports that the Aniway District Hospital in Iloilo, was submerged in floodwaters as deep as six feet.
• Almost all of Iloilo’s 42 towns and this city, including those that had not previously experienced flooding, were under water according to Jerry Bionat, Executive officer of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC).
• Power outrage reported in Iloilo City; including Odiongan town, Romblon and Antique Province

DONATION MECHANISM

GOODS
You may directly donate your goods: ready-to-eat goods, clothing, water at Alumni Affairs Office (Finster Hall, Roxas Avenue) or Social Involvement Coordinating Office (Del Rosario Hall), Ateneo de Davao University, Jacinto St., Davao City
Contact Person : Ms. Theresa S. Eliab or Fr. Renato C. Ocampo S.J.
Trunkline : (82) 221.2411 local 8329 or 8353


CASH/CHECK
Direct deposits may be made to:

United Coconut Planters Bank
UCPB Account Name: Ateneo de Davao University - Paymate
UCPB Account No.: 417-103300-8
Use Bills Payment Slip and indicate Task Force Bulig

One Network Bank
ONB Account Name: Ateneo de Davao University
ONB Account No.: 21-00005-5
Use Deposit Slip and indicate Task Force Bulig

Or channel to:

Social Involvement Coordinating Office
Ateneo de Davao University
Jacinto St., Davao City
Landline: (82) 221.2411 local 8329 or 8353
Telefax: (82) 226.4116
Text : SICO FEEDBACK YOUR MESSAGE and send to 700ADDU
Web : www.addu.edu.ph
Look for : Magay

For proper acknowledgement:
- Please fax a copy of the validated deposit slip to SICO (82) 226.4116
- Kindly indicate contact information: Name, address, email, landline/mobile
- Those who wish to be anonymous may skip this procedure

Donations will be sent to the victims through Ateneo de Iloilo-Sta Maria High School.

Drink, Don't Drive

Davao Traffic Advisory

When the Bankerohan bridge closed due to construction, the government (either the City's Engineer's Office or the TMC) placed traffic advisories in Ulas Bridge and in GSIS Matina-Ecoland Crossing (Quimpo Blvd-McArthur Highway Corssing). The signage informed the motorists of the volume of traffic passing through Bankerohan and suggested to take either the Diversion Road or the Ecoland route. When the new Bankerohan bridge opened, the riding public from the south heaved a sigh. First week of classes was fine for students coming from Toril or Matina -- a good 15-20 mins drive to downtown.

Yesterday, motorists and the riding public were surprised to to know that the end of the Bankerohan bridge going downtown was closed, traffic was rerouted to a side road going to Magallanes Street. There were no advisories nor announcement along Quimpo-McArthur that volume of traffic along Bankerohan was heavy. Many were stuck along McArthur highway (from NCCC to Bankerohan) for 1-2 hours! The traffic enforcers knew all along that the traffic volume was heavy -- yet no signage telling motorists along Matina about the jam. The poor drivers were entering a trap, they only found out when they got to Bankerohan after 2 hours wait under the gruelling heat of the sun.

My one million dollar question: who's responsibility is it to give the riding public traffic advisories and suggest alternative route?

Sa Mata ng Bata

WHAT IS THE PROPER AGE TO GET MARRIED?

"Eighty-four, because at that age, you don't have to work anymore, and you can spend all your time loving each other in your bedroom." (Judy, 8)

"Once I'm done with kindergarten, I'm going to find me a wife." (Tom, 5)

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?

"On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date." (Mike, 10)

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?

"You should never kiss a girl unless you have enough bucks to buy her a big ring and her own VCR, 'cause she'll want to have videos of the wedding." (Jim, 10)

"Never kiss in front of other people. It's a big embarrassing thing if anybody sees you. But if nobody sees you, I might be willing to try it with a handsome boy,
but just for a few hours." (Kally, 9)

THE GREAT DEBATE: IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?

"It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need somebody to clean up after them." (Lynette, 9)

"It gives me a headache to think about that stuff. I'm just a kid. I don't need that kind of trouble." (Kenny, 7)

CONCERNING WHY LOVE HAPPENS BETWEEN TWO PARTICULAR PEOPLE?

"No one is sure why it happens, but I heard it has something to do with how you smell. That's why perfume and deodorant are so popular." (Jan, 9)

"I think you're supposed to get shot with an arrow or something, but the rest of it isn't supposed to be so painful." (Harlen, 8)

ON WHAT FALLING IN LOVE IS LIKE?

"Like an avalanche where you have to run for your life." (Roger, 9)

"If falling in love is anything like learning how to spell, I don't want to do it. It takes too long." (Leo, 7)

ON THE ROLE OF GOOD LOOKS IN LOVE?

"If you want to be loved by somebody who isn't already in your family, it doesn't hurt to be beautiful." (Jeanne, 8)

"It isn't always just how you look. Look at me. I'm handsome like anything and I haven't got anybody to marry me yet." (Gary, 7)

"Beauty is skin deep. But how rich you are can last a long time." (Christine, 9)

CONCERNING WHY LOVERS OFTEN HOLD HANDS?

"They want to make sure their rings don't fall off because they paid good money for them." (Dave, 8)

CONFIDENTIAL OPINIONS ABOUT LOVE?

"I'm in favor of love as long as it doesn't happen when 'The Simpsons' is on television." (Anita, 6)

"Love will find you, even if you are trying to hide from it. I have been trying to hide from it since I was five, but the girls keep finding me." (Bobby, 8)

"I'm not rushing into being in love - I'm finding fourth grade hard enough." (Regina, 10)

THE PERSONAL QUALITIES NECESSARY TO BE A GOOD LOVER?

"One of you should know how to write a check. Because, even if you have tons of love, there is still going to be a lot of bills." (Ava, 8)

SOME SUREFIRE WAYS TO MAKE A PERSON FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU?

"Tell them that you own a whole bunch of candy stores." (Del, 6)

"Don't do things like have smelly, green sneakers. You might get attention, but attention ain't the same thing as love." (Alonzo, 9)

"One way is to take the girl out to eat. Make sure it's something she likes to eat. French fries usually works for me." (Bart, 9)

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF TWO ADULTS EATING DINNER AT A RESTAURANT ARE IN LOVE?

"Just see if the man picks up the check. That's how you can tell if he's in love." (John, 9)

"Lovers will just be staring at each other and their food will get cold. Other people care more about the food." (Brad, 8)

"It's love if they order one of those desserts that are on fire. they like to order those because it's just like how their hearts are on fire." (Christine, 9)

Devi

ON THE MEANING OF AN ATENEO EDUCATION

ON THE MEANING OF AN ATENEO EDUCATION
by Agustin Martin G. Rodriguez, Ph.D.


When my daughter had the chance to finish high school in New York, we
agonized about it: I more than her. Her agony centered around the need to
moderate her desire to embark on this adventure because she knew it would
break my heart. My agony had two thorns. Firstly, I didn't want her to go
because in all our lives, we had never spent more than 2 days apart from
each other. Secondly, there was the irony of her studying in the United
States. As a nationalist academic and development worker, I always believed
that one's spirit had to be formed with one's people—among their myths and
their sufferings—in order to understand who one is, what one's
responsibilities are and to whom one's heart belongs. I know to the
sophisticated global citizen I would sound archaic and provincial, but I
still believe that before our spirit can embrace the world it must be rooted
in a home we love. But I knew that the idea of giving up this opportunity
was breaking her up inside because, as she said, she might spend the rest of
her life wondering what if, so I let her go. She left with the promise that
she would come back for college because I still believe that the university
years are formative. But we all know how those promises go. Two years in the
glitter of a new world could weaken the bindings of promises made in times
of great emotions. It has been a year and we are now completely at peace
with her decision to leave.

All that I have said is a prelude to why I am writing this piece. I am
writing this to explain why I believe her formation in the Ateneo would
still be the best for my daughter. I want to clarify to everyone else who
raise their eyebrows at me, what I mean when I say that I believe an
education here is superior to any ivy league education. Many of my
colleagues who know that my daughter has a chance to study in an American
university cannot understand why I would prefer that she study here. One of
them even exclaimed: "You would prefer that she study here even if she had a
chance to study in Harvard!" with a you-are-so ridiculous tone. And to me
the answer was "Yes, of course, you're so ridiculous." And the reason is
simply this: she may get a superior technical education in some top ranking
university abroad but only in the Philippines will she have a superior
education in being a Filipino for Filipinos.

My daughter wants to be a writer and recently she has had a chance to attend
a prestigious workshop in an American university best known as a center for
writing. And I was witness to how because of that opportunity, her writing
skills have advanced light years from when she left. I have no doubt that if
she studied creative writing in one of the US universities known for it, her
skills would be strengthened even more. But what would she write about? A
great writer is as much about her skill as it is about her great insight. If
you have the skill but not the immersion in the profound re a l i t i e s t
h a t h ave formed yo u r s o u l , w h a t i s t h e re t o w r i t e
about? And who would she write for? A truly great writer is one whose
passion is fueled by the need to speak for her people, especially the mute.
And to even begin to want to speak for them, you have to be grounded in
their misery. One's people are never generic: they take concrete form in the
faces that resonate in your heart. I think an education in her own country
would prepare her to face the faces that resonate in her heart and perhaps
an Ateneo education could awaken the passion to respond to those faces.

I know that many complain that Ateneans lead a very sheltered life in this
campus. In an infinite number of ways that is ridiculously true. In the end,
the Ateneo is the Ateneo: a separate world from the world of the margins.
But what most people don't understand about the Ateneo, is that the Ateneo
is not just about the majors or the specific programs. It is about a spirit
that pervades among its best people.

When I was young, I was ready to quit the Church because I was convinced
that there were no intelligent and just Catholics. And then I came to the
Ateneo where I met Catholics who strove to serve the margins because of
their love of God. And because they loved God's people, they strove for
excellence. That realization astounded me and kept me in the Church and in
Ateneo. If anything, Filipino Jesuit education just means to teach people
that the love of God means nothing but to love the people who suffer
forgotten in the margins, and that we strive for excellence in what we do to
serve them best: otherwise excellence and the love of God is empty. What
else does faith mean? What else grounds excellence? What else measures the
good of a life but that? And if you take Ateneo education seriously enough,
and if you are open to its opportunities enough, it will lead you to that
realization and it will lead you to your first opening to the faces that you
will have to serve. At its core, Ateneo education is an apprenticeship in
the work of being a Filipino for others. This is only a slogan so long as
one misses out on the living examples of alumni, scholars, administrators,
maintenance and staff who show us the way to realizing the truth of an
Ateneo education. Open your eyes to those who serve radically and they will
radically educate your heart. And if one is open enough one can see that
such people dwell in this school because there is a spirit in this school
that cradles them and supports their vocation. It is intangible, but it is a
spirit that guides the best of us.

Some people feel that we are an elite school that cultivates an elite
rationality. Radioactive Sago's brilliant third album is entitled "… Ang
Daming Nagugutom Sa Mundo Fashionista Ka Pa Rin." In one gig, Lord de Vera
was plugging their album and he said "Bilhin ninyo ang aming album '… Ang
Daming Nagugutom Sa Mundo Atenista Ka Pa Rin.'" I could understand his
sentiments exactly. Just listen to conversations in the pocket garden where
people complain about the heat, their slow laptops and their old school
phones and anyone who knows anything about the hardships in our country will
easily agree with Lord. But then, if you think about it, although some of
our graduates are oblivious to the suffering around them and even if some of
them do reinforce structures that exploit the suffering, there is that core
of Ateneans touched by the spirit of this school who choose to genuinely
build communities founded on justice, to found enterprises that serve true
needs, to lawyer for the oppressed, and to doctor for the poor. Many
innovations of justice building in our country arise because of their
apprenticeships in the magis of our service. We just don't hear about these
things because they don't find their way into our tarpaulins. But the spirit
is there and it is the spirit that defines us more than basketball
championships or the number of CEOs we produce. Somehow, because of our
formation, Ateneans still tend to be idealistic about service. And so I say
"Dahil ang daming nagugutom sa mundo kailangan mong seryosohin ang pagka-
Atenista." This is why, my dear fellow parents, I think an Ateneo education
is more valuable for my daughter than a Cornell or Harvard or Princeton
education: because here, we learn to be excellent for something
important—our people and our Filipino humanity.


Dr. Rodriguez is currently an Assistant Professor of the Philosophy Department of the Loyola Schools.
His daughter, Leal, is a freshman in the Ateneo majoring in AB Humanities.
Edited version of "To my colleagues: On the meaning of an Ateneo education"
by Agustin Martin G. Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Chalk Marks. The Guidon. Volume LXXV. Number 6.

One Year After

More at my Flickr Collections

May 2008 Shoot

More at Flickr


Ahleen at the Food Court (Wifi)
Ateneo de Davao University



Studying at the American Resource Center
Ateneo de Davao University



Faculty Resource Center
Ateneo de Davao University

Creative Commons Video Bumpers

For the Summer 2008 Production Class (click the image for choices of license that will suit your project):

Earthquake Prediction on SMS

I got several same SMS that say: "Received a forwarded message about a predicted 6.8 earthquake will hit (sic) philippine plates tonite from the u.s. geological society in hawaii. let's be alert and pray for miracle. please share with others for stronger prayers." How true is this? I know some people go ballistic on hearing calamities that are beyond the common sense.

However, according to Wikipedia:

"An earthquake prediction is a prediction that an earthquake in a specific magnitude range will occur in a specific region and time window. Predictions are considered as such to the extent that they are reliable for practical, as well as scientific, purposes. Although there is evidence that at least some earthquakes in some tectonic regimes are predictable with useful accuracy of time and space, the reliability and reproducibility of prediction techniques have not been established and are therefore generally not accepted by seismologists. For practical purposes, seismologists bring forth seismic hazard assessment programs by estimating the probabilities that a given earthquake or suite of earthquakes will occur."

Read more.

Attention Blue Eagles!

Ateneo Blue Eagles Fellowship May 17

“Mary for you, for your white and blue . . .”

In line with Ateneo de Manila University's preparation for her 150th anniversary in 2009, a team from Loyola Heights has been visiting key cities in the Philippines and abroad updating alumni of developments in the university and the activities lined-up for her sesquicentennial celebration.

For the Davao leg, the roadshow team will be led by University President Fr. Bienvenido Nebres SJ.

Alumni of the grade school, high school, college of arts and sciences, graduate school, law school and professional school of Ateneo de Manila University, as well as students who are currently on summer vacation, are encouraged to attend the gathering of Blue Eagles on Saturday, May 17, 6:30 pm at the Harana Pavilion along F. Torres St., Davao City.

Generous servings of cocktail food and drinks will be available. No assessment will be collected. To confirm attendance, please contact Benjie Lizada, Tetet Tolentino-Aviola, Melissa Suarez, Bong Eliab, Gilbert Veruasa, Dennis Sto. Domingo or Paul Garcia. You can also call Taps Inc. (305-8031), Tricom Davao (227-4137/4138), Terra Romana Realty (226-8659) or the Ateneo de Davao Admission Office (221-2411).

“Win or lose, it's the school you choose. This is the place where we belong.”

Classes Start on June 10

Classes Begin on June 10, 2008 (Tuesday) for College, High School and Grade School in Ateneo de Davao University. June 9, 2008 is a holiday per Proclamation No. 1463 dated February 2008. See link: PROCLAMATION 1463

SMART TEXT

As part of efforts to get feedback effectively,
the University is in the processing of setting up
the InfoBoard powered by SMART Communications.
(For SMART Phones Only)

To send feedback to the Office of the President: key in OPFEEDBACK YOUR MESSAGE, and send to 700ADDU.

To send feedback to the Asst. to the President: key in ATPFEEDBACK YOUR MESSAGE, and send to 700ADDU.

To send feedback to the Admission Office: key in ADMISSIONFEEDBACK YOUR MESSAGE, and send to 700ADDU.

To send feedback to the OSA: key in OSAADDUFEEDBACK YOUR MESSAGE, and send to 700ADDU.

To send feedback to SICO: key in SICOFEEDBACK YOUR MESSAGE, and send to 700ADDU.

To send feedback to the SAMAHAN: key in SAMAHANFEEDBACK YOUR MESSAGE, and send to 700ADDU.

I am still in the process of training other personnel on how to use the technology which includes group broadcast, poll, text your grade, text your balance, text your dean.

Ateneo Website Banners (www.addu.edu.ph)

Tinubdan: Eden Nature Park

More at www.flickr.com/banyuhay

Wanted Photographer

A group of ADDU High School Bacth 1979 will be climbing
Mt. Hamiguitan on May 1 - 3, 2008.
They need a freelance photographer
who can document their trek.
Photographer's Fee: Php6,000
Food, transport and porter will be
shouldered by the group.
e-Mail me at: jse@addu.edu.ph

Located in Brgy. La Union in San Isidro, Davao Oriental
At 1,650 feet above sea level, one can found more than a thousand hectares
of 2-3 ft. tall century-old trees that are very sturdy
that one can literally stand over it without falling.
It is like a huge vegetable garden in the middle of the jungle.
The area is a favorite camping site of many local and foreign tourists,
mountaineering enthusiasts, biologists,
orniterologists and plain adventure-seeking people.
A regular organized climb is being conducted by the Local Government
every 2nd week of May.

Tua Ra!

I was curious about this phrase which was so often used by my students in the mass communication program. Its provenance in the world of sematics signifies that the phrase was used "to point" something, something outside the consciousness. It could be an object (of affection, a simulcra of desires, etc.). Well, the Latin objectum (pronounced as obyectum) means "something being thrown" in front of our consciousness.

Objectum per se may not be an equivalent of "tua ra", for the former is a noun while the latter is an action word. It speaks of a subject as if reaching out, "desiring" what is presented to its psyche. It does not speak of an object being known, but a subject trying to point, understand or even learn what is being presented.

"Tua ra" is a recognition of presence, something that presents itself. And in the process of this prescencing, the subject is "amazed", and called forth to exclaim "tua ra."

Recalling when those words were uttered by students, I noticed that the expresion was about:

(a) discovery of something anticipated, when they suddenly see two people doing something in a movie;
(b) amazement, when they are overwhelmed by what's being presented both visually and aurally;
(c) acceptance of the real, when they know that nothing can be further from the truth.

Yes, I see also faces of people uttering these words in my class. Tua ra!

Discover new words to see the meaning of our world - what have you discovered today?