Thanks to the positive feedback on A Woman' Touch. That was written around October of last year for the third and long-delayed issue of Blueblood. Hey, Loudette, get that out!
I remember years ago when GMA 7 "revolutionized" television news reporting by putting younger and more fresh faces and tones on the screen with Mari Kaimo, Risa Hontiveros (she was one of my mentors beginning with Orsem), Marga Ortigas, and Vicky Morales. The latter three ladies were all Ateneans and all in school around my time there. Marga who I think is with Al Jazeera was kind of controversial especially when she did the weather report because of the way she gesticulated. Hahaha. If you ask me, women were upset because men were now watching the news just to look at all the pretty faces.
I was trying to get an interview with Vicky but for some reason I couldn't get through. So I decided to write about women in Ateneo. There was a lot of material that we had to cut out. There are I am sure a whole lot more interesting stories to add there except at that time I had a deadline. So if there are any more folks out there willing to add to it, please feel free to write.
Anyways, in my honest opinion, there are four significant "episodes" in Ateneo's history in the last 60 years ---
1) the move to Loyola Heights - a significant impact because it allowed for expansion, a different and more vibrant atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the University Belt. In fact, it spawned a whole new community outside the campus -- Xavierville, Loyola Heights, Loyola Grand Villas. Do you even know in Kingsville Subdivision along Marcos highway, there is an Ateneo Road? Sabagay in a nearby community along Sumulong Highway there's a village called FEU Village. Hahahaha. I'd say outside ADMU, it's only our esteemed neighbors, the University of the Philippines that has as much (maybe more) impact with regards to communities.
And imagine if we had stayed in U-Belt, Fr. James Reuter would have never written the words, "down from the Hill." That phrase has been used ad infinitum for a variety of means. Think of it,
we'd be singing instead "down from the LRT." Hahahaha. Great thinking, Fr. Masterson!
2) the entrance of women into the Ateneo - I guess you know all about that
3) the move from the NCAA to the UAAP - If we ruled the NCAA then (remember it took quite awhile for Letran to overhaul our number of hoops titles) moving to the UAAP was difficult because of the widespread demoralization of the athletes. It took awhile before our players decided to take it seriously and make a game of it. Back then, the UAAP was considered the lesser league. I know a lot of people frown upon the Ateneo-La Salle rivalry but face facts, true believers (now I'm sounding like Stan Lee), it is what it is.
4) the opening of the Ateneo school in Salcedo Village in Makati. We were the first to see the potential of tapping working professionals in their environment so they could continue their education. The law school was there as well. And now you have Rockwell and the Med School. The Med School in the near future will be a category unto itself when it begins to produce great doctors.
I'm tempted to include EDSA I, II, and others but no. Everyone else whether you were in school or not was affected by that. Besides what has more significant impact than World War II? Martial Law saw a number of Ateneans head to the hills (not down from the hill) to join an armed rebellion. Some of them in fact, our in our Heroes Hall of Fame which in my opinion is a joke. Some of them were kicked out of school for subversive activities and now the school saw it fit to mend fences by honoring them. Sabagay, si Erap after so many years was eventually invited back to the school during his time as President. I was at the Homecoming when he gave his speech and the reception was "polite" at first then a little warmer... just a little. He passed by my table and shook hands with me. At first I wasn't sure what to do after all it was my dad and his classmates Noel Trinidad, Mahar Mangahas, and Lito Atienza who stood out in their 4-A class.
But in the next Homecoming, I purchased that t-shirt that had in the front an illustration of a blue eagle kicking out the silhouette of the President with the words "sinipa natin noon" then in the back, "sipain natin ulit ngayon." Man, I had a laugh with that. I know I still have my shirt somewhere in my closet.
Hmm. I've strayed once more. But events like that have been a part of the Philippine university life. So they're not exclusive to us.
Just to add to the 1986 EDSA Revolution. One of my high school and college classmates was the nephew of Imelda Marcos -- John John Romualdez. We were always friends and despite Ateneo being an opposition school we never spoke of personal politics. My dad along with Chino Roces and Vic Sison were instrumental in getting Cory Aquino to run for the highest position in the land. Mr. Sison's sons Chim and Philip (the Ateneo sports shooter) are some of my closest friends and we were together in the Ateneo and UP Chapter of the CAPM (Cory Aquino for President Movement) along with a number of others.
One time we were putting up streamers along the several waiting sheds in Katipunan (there was one to the right side of Gate 2 and two more in between Gates 2 and 3). Us CAPM guys on one side, and John John and his crew on the other when he called me out. I crossed over to the other side (there was no traffic whatsoever in Katipunan then or anywhere else in Manila then hahahaha). On top of one shed were a number of severed hands that were rotting. They had their nails pulled out and had cigarette burns all over. That was real frightening more so when we called the Metrocom cops -- anyone remember them -- who interrogated us but backed off when they found out a Romualdez was among us. A week or so after that, me and some dormers were accosted by more cops who wanted to arrest us for putting up streamers on the wall outside SM Cubao. During a rally at UP, we were with then- State U Student Council President Chito Gascon when a pickpocket thought about pilfering my wallet. The thief ripped my backpocket open with a cutter to get it but in doing so also exposed my undies. Imagine being on the podium with Mrs. Aquino and a number of figures with my skinny butt exposed. Hahahaha. By the way, thanks to Chito Gascon who literally saved my behind that day by lending me a pair of gym shorts. I never did get to return it, dude!
Hay naku. Ang layo na. I started out by pointing out significant episodes in Ateneo's history and I ramble on. Hey, it's my blog! hahaha.
Anyways, those in my opinion are the four biggest developments in Ateneo history in the last few years.
I'm also in the Exe Com for Project 150. A coffee table book that will feature 150 Ateneans who best exemplify the school's ideals in the last 150 years. We will be publishing criteria and other details on how alumni can get involved in "nominating" or helping out in this most difficult endeavor. But already the discussions are interesting and fascinating.
Have a great weekend!
I remember years ago when GMA 7 "revolutionized" television news reporting by putting younger and more fresh faces and tones on the screen with Mari Kaimo, Risa Hontiveros (she was one of my mentors beginning with Orsem), Marga Ortigas, and Vicky Morales. The latter three ladies were all Ateneans and all in school around my time there. Marga who I think is with Al Jazeera was kind of controversial especially when she did the weather report because of the way she gesticulated. Hahaha. If you ask me, women were upset because men were now watching the news just to look at all the pretty faces.
I was trying to get an interview with Vicky but for some reason I couldn't get through. So I decided to write about women in Ateneo. There was a lot of material that we had to cut out. There are I am sure a whole lot more interesting stories to add there except at that time I had a deadline. So if there are any more folks out there willing to add to it, please feel free to write.
Anyways, in my honest opinion, there are four significant "episodes" in Ateneo's history in the last 60 years ---
1) the move to Loyola Heights - a significant impact because it allowed for expansion, a different and more vibrant atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the University Belt. In fact, it spawned a whole new community outside the campus -- Xavierville, Loyola Heights, Loyola Grand Villas. Do you even know in Kingsville Subdivision along Marcos highway, there is an Ateneo Road? Sabagay in a nearby community along Sumulong Highway there's a village called FEU Village. Hahahaha. I'd say outside ADMU, it's only our esteemed neighbors, the University of the Philippines that has as much (maybe more) impact with regards to communities.
And imagine if we had stayed in U-Belt, Fr. James Reuter would have never written the words, "down from the Hill." That phrase has been used ad infinitum for a variety of means. Think of it,
we'd be singing instead "down from the LRT." Hahahaha. Great thinking, Fr. Masterson!
2) the entrance of women into the Ateneo - I guess you know all about that
3) the move from the NCAA to the UAAP - If we ruled the NCAA then (remember it took quite awhile for Letran to overhaul our number of hoops titles) moving to the UAAP was difficult because of the widespread demoralization of the athletes. It took awhile before our players decided to take it seriously and make a game of it. Back then, the UAAP was considered the lesser league. I know a lot of people frown upon the Ateneo-La Salle rivalry but face facts, true believers (now I'm sounding like Stan Lee), it is what it is.
4) the opening of the Ateneo school in Salcedo Village in Makati. We were the first to see the potential of tapping working professionals in their environment so they could continue their education. The law school was there as well. And now you have Rockwell and the Med School. The Med School in the near future will be a category unto itself when it begins to produce great doctors.
I'm tempted to include EDSA I, II, and others but no. Everyone else whether you were in school or not was affected by that. Besides what has more significant impact than World War II? Martial Law saw a number of Ateneans head to the hills (not down from the hill) to join an armed rebellion. Some of them in fact, our in our Heroes Hall of Fame which in my opinion is a joke. Some of them were kicked out of school for subversive activities and now the school saw it fit to mend fences by honoring them. Sabagay, si Erap after so many years was eventually invited back to the school during his time as President. I was at the Homecoming when he gave his speech and the reception was "polite" at first then a little warmer... just a little. He passed by my table and shook hands with me. At first I wasn't sure what to do after all it was my dad and his classmates Noel Trinidad, Mahar Mangahas, and Lito Atienza who stood out in their 4-A class.
But in the next Homecoming, I purchased that t-shirt that had in the front an illustration of a blue eagle kicking out the silhouette of the President with the words "sinipa natin noon" then in the back, "sipain natin ulit ngayon." Man, I had a laugh with that. I know I still have my shirt somewhere in my closet.
Hmm. I've strayed once more. But events like that have been a part of the Philippine university life. So they're not exclusive to us.
Just to add to the 1986 EDSA Revolution. One of my high school and college classmates was the nephew of Imelda Marcos -- John John Romualdez. We were always friends and despite Ateneo being an opposition school we never spoke of personal politics. My dad along with Chino Roces and Vic Sison were instrumental in getting Cory Aquino to run for the highest position in the land. Mr. Sison's sons Chim and Philip (the Ateneo sports shooter) are some of my closest friends and we were together in the Ateneo and UP Chapter of the CAPM (Cory Aquino for President Movement) along with a number of others.
One time we were putting up streamers along the several waiting sheds in Katipunan (there was one to the right side of Gate 2 and two more in between Gates 2 and 3). Us CAPM guys on one side, and John John and his crew on the other when he called me out. I crossed over to the other side (there was no traffic whatsoever in Katipunan then or anywhere else in Manila then hahahaha). On top of one shed were a number of severed hands that were rotting. They had their nails pulled out and had cigarette burns all over. That was real frightening more so when we called the Metrocom cops -- anyone remember them -- who interrogated us but backed off when they found out a Romualdez was among us. A week or so after that, me and some dormers were accosted by more cops who wanted to arrest us for putting up streamers on the wall outside SM Cubao. During a rally at UP, we were with then- State U Student Council President Chito Gascon when a pickpocket thought about pilfering my wallet. The thief ripped my backpocket open with a cutter to get it but in doing so also exposed my undies. Imagine being on the podium with Mrs. Aquino and a number of figures with my skinny butt exposed. Hahahaha. By the way, thanks to Chito Gascon who literally saved my behind that day by lending me a pair of gym shorts. I never did get to return it, dude!
Hay naku. Ang layo na. I started out by pointing out significant episodes in Ateneo's history and I ramble on. Hey, it's my blog! hahaha.
Anyways, those in my opinion are the four biggest developments in Ateneo history in the last few years.
I'm also in the Exe Com for Project 150. A coffee table book that will feature 150 Ateneans who best exemplify the school's ideals in the last 150 years. We will be publishing criteria and other details on how alumni can get involved in "nominating" or helping out in this most difficult endeavor. But already the discussions are interesting and fascinating.
Have a great weekend!
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