Read more about the COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES (CCCH)

here

Read more about the “Grounding” peacebuilding in Mindanao by Rufa Cagoco-Guiam

here

Read more on Maintaining Security During the Period of Transitions: The Bangsamoro Good Practices by Datuan M. Magon

here

More on the Titayan Symposium Synthesis (Day1)

here

More on the Titayan Workshop Synthesis (Days 2-3)

here

Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) School of Law’s 19 out of 23 first-time takers (82.61%) passed the 2015 Philippine Bar Exam.

ADDU got a high overall passing rate of 73.30% (33 out of 45), with 14 re-takers, compared to the national passing rate of 25.97% (1,731 out of 6,665).

The AdDU School of Law was awarded the fifth top performing law school in the country by the Legal Education Board last December, with an average passing rate of 53.02 per cent. The result was based on the cumulative Bar Exam results of different law schools from 2012 to 2014 as certified by the Office of the Bar Confidante of the Supreme Court.

The passing grade was set at 75%, unlike for the past two years where the Supreme Court lowered the passing rate to 73%.

The following are the AdDU School of Law graduates who passed the Bar Exam:

Kathy Florence Baldonado
Kris Marian Banzon
Julie Merriam Buca
Krisna Samantha Caballero
Jonah Liz Cadiatan
Ruby Ann Calizo
Althea Mae Casador
Karen Bianca Angeli Cezar
Sonny Paul Cirunay
Emman Rey Dapaing
Ian Julius De Castro
John Frederick Derije
Jeziel Estrella
Jessielle Ann Fabian
Donna Marie Flores
Katrina Kris Gabrielle Givero
Forcrissa Gogo
Auda Bea Kahulugan
Norhussein Lauban
John Paul Macababbad
Stephen don Muñez
Rosalie Nuñeza
Joanne Paguidopon
Kristine Mae Quibod
William Angelo Ruyeras
Ibrahim Silongan Jr.
Norberto Sinsona Jr.
Iris Pauline Taganas
Jennidy Tambor
Suzette Tan
Sittie Fahanie Uy
Jessa Ela Velarde
Jennifer Kristine Yanto

The University President, Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ, extended his greetings to the passers and the School of Law.

“[Congratulations] Dean [Manuel] Quibod and Law [School] Faculty on 82.6% passing for first timers and 73.3% overall [passing rate] vs. 25.9% national [passing rate]!” Fr. Tabora posted on his personal Twitter account.

By: Samantha Delfin & Noelle Grace Petel

Ateneo de Davao University made noise in the board exam once again. Eight Ateneans passed the Electronics Engineering licensure examination which was held last April 3- 4 2016.

The following are the students who passed the said exam:

1. Abellera, Kristoffe Milano S.
2. Ates, Aaron Aster Lloyd N.
3. Banlasan, Peter Kim S.
4. Espino, Peter Francis V.
5. Lopez, Franchesca R.
6. Ocampo, Dyan Kamille P.
7. Peñalber, Naden Mae F.
8. Zamudio, Jolu Raphael O.

University President Fr. Joel E. Tabora, S.J. extended his congratulations to the new passers of the board exam for their excellent performance.

He also extended his congratulations to the School of Engineering & Architecture and Electronics Engineering Department for their success.

By: Kenneth Unabia; Mark Mariscal; Kardi Ogtip

The Cardoner Volunteers is a year-long volunteer service program offered to graduates and faculty members of the Ateneo de Davao University. As part of the over-all social formation track of the university, the program seeks to strengthen the social spirituality of every Atenean, translated into volunteerism and service for and with the marginalized and vulnerable sectors of society. These volunteers will commit themselves for a year (10 months to be exact) of service and will be integrated to partner communities/institutions which has specific set of needs that can hopefully be addressed by the volunteer and the program as a whole. Moreover, it aims to harness holistic growth of volunteers as they encounter a transformative experience through interreligious and intercultural dialogue.

There are two (2) categories of Cardoner Volunteers; the Graduate and Faculty.

(1) Graduate

A graduate refers to a college graduate of the Ateneo de Davao University. Anyone who is preferably 21 years of age or older shall be accepted. An aspiring volunteer should be self-motivated, mature, healthy and willing to undergo a formative encounter. S/he must show interest to grow in the areas of spirituality, social justice, peace, and inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue.

Since this is purely volunteer work, a volunteer will not be compensated but shall modestly be entitled of the following privileges:

i. Monthly Living Allowance (mobility, communication, personal essentials)
ii. Board and lodging courtesy of a foster family and/or institutional billeting
iii. Medical and Accident Insurance Plan to cover the duration of deployment
iv. Basic deployment kit
v. Opportunities for transformative growth thru formative sessions and experiential learning

(2) Faculty

Faculty Volunteers consists of bona fide faculty members of the Ateneo de Davao University regardless of rank, position and employment status. Any faculty who has the heart to do volunteer work and is eagerly interested to share his/her expertise in their own field is welcomed. There are two (2) sub-categories for the Faculty Cardoner Volunteers, the Auxiliary and Full-time.

(2a) Auxiliary

These volunteer faculty members will be organized to act as resource persons and mentors in their own fields of expertise. They are ready to be deployed to assigned areas for several days or assist in the skills enhancement and capacity building of our partner schools/institutions.

An Auxiliary shall modestly be entitled of the following privileges:

i. Honorarium per activity facilitated
ii. Board and lodging in the duration of the service
iii. Transportation
iv. Accident Insurance to cover the entire duration of deployment
v. Corresponding merits to the rank and promotion scheme (Formation, Instruction and Engagement)

(2b) Full Time

These faculty, like the graduate volunteers, shall be deployed for a year of service in any identified areas of deployment. S/he must secure an approval from his/her immediate supervisor to temporarily relinquish his/her current post and be given a consent for a special assignment as a Full-Time Faculty Cardoner Volunteer. The Faculty shall be sent to mission as part of his/her formative program.

A Full-time volunteer shall modestly be entitled of the following privileges:

i. Retention of employment including rank and position upon returning to AdDU after one (1) year of volunteer service.
ii. Monthly cost of living allowance.
iii. Food and Accommodation courtesy of a foster family and/or institutional billeting
iv. Medical and Accident Insurance Plan to cover the duration of deployment
v. Corresponding merits to the rank and promotion scheme (Formation, Instruction and Engagement)

Deployment Areas:

a. Bangsamoro Areas through the Madaris Volunteer Program (see www.teachmadaris.org)
b. Lake Sebu, South Cotabato (Lake Sebu Indigenous Women Weavers Association)
c. Taunggyi, Myanmar (St. Aloysius Gonzaga English Language Institute)

By the Cardoner River, St. Ignatius was moved by a transformative experience where “he sat down for a little while with his face to the river which was running deep. While he was seated there, the eyes of his understanding began to be opened; though he did not see any vision, he understood and knew many things, both spiritual things and matters of faith and learning, and this was with so great an enlightenment that everything seemed new to him. It was as if he were a new man with a new intellect.” It is our hope that those who will join this volunteer program will also encounter this transformative experience, this joy that flows like a raging river, in the active building of friendship and in dialogue through witnessing.

To volunteer or for inquiries kindly contact:

KARL ANTHONY P. EBOL, RSW
Coordinator
Cardoner Volunteers
Arrupe Office of Social Formation
Ateneo de Davao University
E. Jacinto St., Davao City
Tel no. (082) 221-24-11 local 8329-8330
Mobile no. (+63) 917 722 2910 | (+63) 998 580 9800
Email Add kapebol@addu.edu.ph | eboy.karl@gmail.com

Ms. Rose Rodriguez, the swimming program head of Ateneo de Davao University, is off to leave for Uganda, South Africa on June 4 to train a swimming team club for a year.

The veteran swimming coach was hesitant to accept the job at first; however, her passion for coaching and helping others prevailed. She visited Uganda from Feb. 23 to Mar. 23 of this year. She was able to get in touch with the place.

Her expertise was honed through training courses. She took an international training course at Leipzig University, Germany. She was also granted a scholarship at Jacksonville, Florida.

These coaching courses paved the way for her to get the job in Uganda. She looks forward to learning from this experience.

Ms. Rodriguez is also a basic education teacher of the university.

By: Jennih Francish L. Serrano

Ateneo de Davao University, School of Education got a passing rate of 100% for Elementary Education and 96.88% for Secondary Education.

Maria Lourdes Molina Lopena, a graduate of Ateneo de Davao University ranked 9^th in this board exam.

The Licensure Exam for Teachers or LET results announced last May 19, 2016. More than 53,000 graduates of Education took the exam last March 2016.

There were 12, 128 elementary teachers (28.38% national passing rate) who passed and 3,906 of it were first timers. On the other hand, 18,810 secondary teachers (35.43% national passing rate) who passed the exam and 10,747 of it were first time takers.

By: Samantha Delfin

Community leaders and stakeholders held a ground breaking ceremony for the Tboli Sbú Senior High School (TSSHS) at Barangay Lemdalag, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato last May 16.

Among the notable people present were Rozanno Rufino, DepEd Indigenous People’s Education Director, Crispen Soliven, DepEd South Cotabato Division Schools District Superintendent, Eufemia Faller, Project Manager of Special Projects – IP Education of Ateneo de Davao University, members of the Municipal Tribal Council, and the Barangay and Municipal Local Government Units.

Faller said what made the Nungkul Yóm Gónóen Mdà Tboli Sbú ground breaking ceremony unique was the ritual done along with it.

Karl Sandino Lozano, assistant to the Project Manager of Special Projects – IP Education of the Ateneo, further explained in an interview, the Tbolis call the ritual demsu.

He said the ritual began at daybreak because the belief is that when they do something, they have to start before the sun rises.

“They have set up an altar with a tambara on the side. There was also a hen and a rooster. They strike the soil around the altar with the parts of the kawayan which will be used in the construction of the classrooms. So, they had another way of ground breaking,” Lozano narrated.

Lozano said Datu Benito Blonto, former municipal tribal chieftain, led the ritual along with other male elders. During the ceremony there was also a sharing from the different stakeholders.

“Before we become fully whole, we are from somewhere, we are a part of something. Yes, we are from Mindanao, from Region 12, from a municipality, from a province, from a community and from a tribe. One of the important roles of education is to let the people realize they are part of something, to let the Filipinos know they are a part of a nation that values its culture,” Rufino said.

Rufino also emphasized that the TSSHS is one of the essential instruments that shows what its like to be a Filipino, to value cultural preservation.

There were also cultural and dance presentations from the students and a pledge of commitment from the people in the community.

“Part of the ritual is for everyone to share with the cooked chicken…the ritual ended with a breakfast,” Faller said in an interview.

With the help of the donations from stakeholders, the TSSHS will start to operate with makeshift classrooms made out of bamboos and designed like a traditional Tboli Gnó or house. The construction began last May 24 and is expected to be finished before the class starts on June.

Some members of the Ateneo de Davao University will be assisting on the construction of the make shift classrooms under DepEd’s Brigada Eskwela.

TSSHS is the first indigenous and culture-based Senior High School in the Philippines.

By: Aivy Rose N. Villarba
Photos By: Karl Sandino Lozano

Community leaders and stakeholders held a groundbreaking ritual for the Tboli Sbú Senior High School (TSSHS) at Barangay Lemdalag, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato last May 16. It was called the Nungkul Yóm Gónóen Mdà Tboli Sbú.

Datu Benito Blonto, former municipal tribal chieftain, led the ritual along with other Tboli elders. The Tboli demsu (ritual) began at daybreak.

“They set up an altar with a tambara on the side. They struck the soil around the altar with the bamboo poles that would be used in the construction of the classrooms,” Karl Sandino Lozano narrated. Lozano is with the Ateneo de Davao University’s Special Projects – Indigenous People’s Education.Among those present for the formal ceremony were Rozanno Rufino, DepEd Indigenous People’s Education Director; Crispen Soliven, DepEd South Cotabato Division Schools District Superintendent. Also on hand for the event were members of the Municipal Tribal Council, and officials from the Barangay and Municipal Local Government Units.

DepEd Director Rufino lauded the role of the TSSHS in cultural preservation, in showing what it is to be a Filipino.

“Before we become fully whole, we are from somewhere, we are a part of something. Yes, we are from Mindanao, from Region 12, from a municipality, from a province, from a community and from a tribe,” Rufino said.

“One of the important roles of education is to let the people realize they are part of something, to let the Filipinos know they are a part of a nation that values its culture,” Rufino concluded.

Cultural and dance presentations by students and a pledge of commitment from the people in the community were part of the ceremony.

“The ritual ended with a celebration breakfast,” said Eufemia Faller. Faller is the Manager of Special Projects – IP Education of the Ateneo de Davao. She led the Ateneo contigent, which included college teachers. Ateneo is the partner of Department of Education (DepEd) in the establishment of the TSSHS.

Being the first indigenous and culture-based Senior High School in the Philippines, the first classrooms are designed along the lines of a traditional Tboli gnó (house).

Members of the Ateneo community are helping build these classrooms under DepEd’s Brigada Eskwela. Construction began last May 24 and is expected to finish before June 13, the first day of classes.

By: Aivy Rose N. Villarba
Photos by: Karl Sandino Lozano

Known for its greening initiatives and the Ecoteneo advocacy, the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) is one of the pioneering academic institutions in the Philippines on energy efficiency and renewable energy through the use of solar power technology.

Dr. Randell U. Espina, the Dean of the University’s School of Engineering and Architecture, initiated the project in 2011, given the looming power crisis in Mindanao beginning 2011.

Espina stressed that it started as a research based project and has been pushed through to implementation because of the unwavering support of the University President, Fr. Joel E. Tabora, S.J.

Moreover, the solar energy generation project aimed at building the AdDU capacity especially the skills to create, develop and understand the solar energy technology.

Solar power technology

The energy generated from the solar panels complement with the base load power supply received from the Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC), the city’s power distributor.

The university currently houses 842 solar panels. AdDU sustainably generates power through the 48 panels (285 watts per panel) at Finster Hall, 394 panels (385 watts per panel) at the Community Center and 400 panels (300 watts per panel) at the Martinez Sports Complex, Matina campus.

On average, the solar-PVs can generate 285.37 kW of power or 520.00 MWh of energy per year.

The solar-PVs can be operated also on a standalone state wherein AdDU can optimally harvest electricity for its own use. However, for a standalone mode, building rewiring or an energy management system is needed.

Dr. Espina explained that the solar panels were designed as a grid-tied system, where the energy generated by the solar panels can be directly used by all energy consuming devices including lights, air conditioning units, computers, and other appliances.

Ateneo’s solar power system includes an inverter with an anti-islanding functionality. The term “anti-islanding” refers to a feature of a grid-tie inverter that shuts itself off when a power outage occurs.

The anti-islanding design, according to Espina, also served as inverter’s protection as it prevents electrical overload.

Advocacy, sustainability and self-sufficiency

With the full implementation of the solar energy project, carbon dioxide production was reduced. By reducing dependency on the base load power distributed by DLPC, AdDU can avoid 358.57 Metric Tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

Solar-PV does not only collect and generate energy, it also saves the environment through the avoidance of the production of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.

Aside from advocating for a greener society, the project also seeks to achieve energy sustainability and self-sufficiency.

Espina said the Philippines still imports sources of energy, especially coal, and he wishes one day, “we will no longer need to depend source of electricity from other countries.”

Practical investment

Some believe investing in this kind of technology is expensive but Espina said that the benefits of the solar panels outweigh the cost.

“Most people complain about the high cost of living that is why they want their salaries to be raised. But what they do not realize is that 30% to 40% of their income goes to electricity that includes the cost of actual use of electricity at home plus cost of electricity added to acquired goods and services. Unlike in other countries including Japan and the United States wherein only about 3% to 4% of their income goes to electricity due to their buying capacity,” Espina said.

Even major industries depend on electricity to function and the major cost of goods is also dependent on electricity.

Espina stressed that there is a need to explore other forms of energy, develop a kind of technology to cut the cost and later counter the energy problems.

“In order to be economically stable, we should also ensure the energy and power supply and further bring the energy self-sufficiency and sustainability into the household level,” Espina said.

Renewable energy

The power crisis is still prevalent today that is why alternative or other sources of energy should also be explored.

“We still use non-renewable sources of energy including fossil fuel and coal. These are finite sources and the reserves could diminish in 50 to 100 years. Thus, the price of the electricity would be doubled because of the increased demand and limited supply,” Espina explained.

Espina also stressed that would be better if these so-called ‘dirty technology’ could be totally changed through pushing further research for alternative forms of energy.

“We may explore and generate electricity using solar, wind, hydro, bioenergy (biomass or biogas), and through the human power,” Espina said.

As of present, we should conserve the energy and aim to achieve energy self-sufficiency.

Future plans

The university aims to have more solar power technology projects including the showcasing of the 20 to 25 KW solar tracking system, proposed installation of 180 to 200-kW solar-photovoltaic (PV) at the Finster Hall and proposed development of a solar-PV hybrid technology.

“I have been very interested in energy studies because of my education in the Australian National University. It served as an eye opener for me,” Espina said.

Espina shared, “we can do something about the energy crisis we face today. We could convert research to application.”

Espina also emphasized that there was a risk for the project to fail, but with the full support of Fr. Tabora and as part of the mission of the Ateneo, the use Solar-PV was proven possible as it was already successfully implemented in the university.

Meanwhile, to further boost the environmental awareness of the people of Davao and the neighboring provinces, Ateneo will also hold a two-hour program in one of the radio stations of the Catholic Media Network.

Catch the environmental protection and innovation discussion from 10 am to 12 noon every Monday at DXGN 89.9 Spirit FM starting on June 13.

By: Aivy Rose N. Villarba
Photos By: Alfonso S. Balao

Members of peace organizations, educational institutions, and volunteer groups convened during the special Pakighinabi (Conversation) on volunteerism for education and peacebuilding slated at the Pakighinabi Conference Room, Community Center of the First Companions last May 30.

The Pakighinabi aimed to characterize the breadth and depth of volunteerism through perspectives of individual volunteers, volunteer-sending organizations, and recipient institutions and communities.

Stakeholders highlighted the social, cultural and economic contributions of volunteerism to the promotion of quality education and peacebuilding. Experiences, sentiments, and learnings were freely shared during the conference.

Participating organizations include the National Association of Bangsamoro Education Inc., Catholic Education Association of the Philippines, Jesuit Volunteer Philippines, and Ateneo de Davao University. Representing Ateneo de Davao were volunteers from the Madaris Volunteer Program (MVP), Athletics Department, Al Qalam Institute for Islamic Identities and Dialogue in Southeast Asia, and the Cardoner Program.

Michael Geroche, an MVP volunteer, said that volunteerism encompasses the whole-hearted rendering of service for others without expectations of material benefits.

“Volunteerism plays a vital role in nation-building … [it has] a significant impact on both the volunteers and the communities being served,” Geroche added.

Mussolini Lidasan, Al Qalam director, shared that volunteerism for Muslims is a form of charity.

“It is sadaqah (charity), which means that it is a gift not for anyone but for yourself so that in the hereafter, Allah subhanawata’allah (Allah, Glory to Him, the Exalted) will recognize [that gift] on the Day of Judgement,” Lidasan stated. Lidasan is a United Nations Volunteer.

To Pauline Delgado, an MVP volunteer, “The great thing about being involved in volunteerism is that the resource you share with the community is not material … not monetary. It’s ourselves—a resource that is alive.”

University Athletics Director Emmanuel Rene Ayo encouraged the volunteers to embrace the experience with an open and reflective heart. He challenged volunteers to be ready to learn and to be changed.

The event ended with an appreciation ceremony for the volunteers who received send-off tokens. The Cardoner Volunteers will be heading for Taunggyi, Myanmar, and the Madaris Volunteers will be working in the Bangsamoro areas.

The Pakighinabi Conversation Series is designed to provide members of the University community a platform to discuss multidisciplinary issues and concerns in an open and friendly manner. It is a project of the Office of the University President.

By: Noelle Grace Petel

Female athletes from Luzon and Mindanao convened for the 3^rd Ateneo de Davao University Women’s Basketball Invitational slated June 1 to 4, 2016.

Basketball players from the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU), De La Salle University (DLSU), Ateneo de Cagayan- Xavier University, Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) and Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) convened at the Martin Hall court for the competition.

DLSU topped the basketball cup after ending the final game with a 23-point lead against AdMU 68-45. HCDC bagged the 3^rd place after beating AdDU 72-56.

Meanwhile, teams from Australia and Dubai have expressed interest in joining next year’s tournament after watching the Facebook live streaming of the championship games, a first in the event’s history.

By: Angel Mae Porras
Photos by: Noe Petel, Dave Daryanani, Coreen Ostan

The Tboli communities, also known as Tagabili, are one of the old indigenous peoples living in South Cotabato. They are usually known for their Tnalak, a piece of cloth made from Abaca fibers, painstakingly dyed and handwoven to reflect an original design – a design which is revealed to the weavers through dreams. That’s why most of the weavers are also known as Dreamweavers. Their Tnalak has already made its name in the global market – thanks to the generosity of some Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and private individuals.

A close encounter with the Tboli communities in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato reveals that more than the novelty of the Tnalak, what makes them special is their great love and pride for their cultural identity. It can be felt in the way they assert and protect their rights through the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) Law and more importantly, it can be seen in their local governance. A spirit of unity, collaboration and openness manifests itself not only during festivities but even in the daily rigors of life.

Perhaps it is this same spirit that inspired the then Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), Br. Armin A. Luistro, FSC and Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ, President of Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) to agree on a partnership – the establishment of a culturally-sensitive and responsive Senior High School program designed for the Tboli communities in Lake Sebu.

In this partnership, ADDU facilitates the community preparations and all other processes involving the Tboli communities. ADDU also takes the lead in the development of the curriculum and provides technical assistance in the implementation of the program. The Department of Education on the other hand provides all of the program’s administrative, structural, and logistical needs.

Designing a culture-based Senior High School program for the Tboli communities is wrought with passion and sacrifice. It demands a deeper understanding of the Tboli culture, open-mindedness, sensitivity, and a great deal of patience as there is a need to navigate carefully and at some point challenge the paradigm of those in the Department of Education, collaborate with the community and coordinate with the Local Government Unit (LGU).

After about two (2) years of constant dialogue with all the stakeholders, the Tboli Sbù Senior High School (TSSHS) was finally launched on May 19, 2015. It was set to have an advance implementation so as to pilot test the Grade 11 curriculum designed for the Tboli students. The name Tboli Sbù was asserted by the community elders in order to give emphasis to their identity as Tbolis of Lake Sebu since there are also Tboli communities in the municipality of T’boli.

The TSSHS offers the course Sustainable Community Resource Management (SCRM) under the Technical-Vocational Track. It has two (2) specializations: SCRM – Livelihood Management & SCRM – Eco-Tourism. In the Livelihood Management program, students are taught the skills of Tnalak weaving, Loom Weaving & Embroidery, Brasscasting, Woodcarving and Sustainable Crop Production with entrepreneurial and management skills. In the Eco-Tourism program, students are taught environmental conservation vis-a-vis sustainable tourism management and practices. These programs were conceptualized based on the community’s resources, cultural heritage and aspirations. Aside from all these technical skills, the TSSHS also commits to inculcate the six (6) core values identified by the community elders as follows: reverence for the Holy, pride for the culture, respect for the Elders, love for peace, hospitality and passion for learning.

Currently, the TSSHS is now pilot-testing the Grade 12 curriculum where students are already into either of the two specializations. Community Indigenous Knowledge, Systems & Practices (IKSP) Holders, the culture-bearers of the community, are tapped to engage with and hand-down these cultural skills to the young Tboli students.

Central to the whole process of developing this culture-based program is the engagement of the culture-bearers (IKSP Holders) in the community. Although it is a work in progress and is far from perfect, but it is built on their cooperation, collaboration and participation as they find this program the only effective way of maintaining their cultural identity and exercising their self- determination.

The Tboli Sbù Senior High School is not about the Department of Education, nor is it about Ateneo de Davao University, but it is about the Tboli communities of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, asserting their cultural identity and standing up for the whole world to see that they, like their Tnalak, are a people with very strong conviction and aspirations to bring their beautiful culture to the whole country and the world.

By:
Ms. Eufemia Aguelo-Faller
Tboli Sbu SHS Coordinator

Student leaders from the Samahan ng Mga Mag-aaral ng Sining at Komunikasyon (SINIKOM), the academic organization of the Mass Communication and Interdisciplinary Studies students of the Ateneo de Davao University, spearheaded a back-to-school book collection drive for the students of Tboli Sbù Senior High School (TSSHS).

Dubbed as “Today’s Readers, Tomorrow’s Leaders,” the book drive aims to help strengthen the reading literacy of the partner indigenous community of the Ateneo.

SINIKOM External Vice President and 4th Year Mass Communication student Rexor Amancio said they conducted a need assessment and found out that TSSHS does not yet have a library and other resource materials.

Amancio was one of the student volunteers who immersed in Lake Sebu last April. He and his fellow officers also helped in building classrooms under DepEd’s Brigada Eskwela last May in Barangay Lemdalag, Lake Sebu.

Amancio said in an interview that they aim to collect at least 100 books including encyclopedias, dictionaries, storybooks, and history books.

Around 80 to 90 students from TSSHS, the first indigenous and culture-based senior high school in the country, will benefit from the drive.

“As student-leaders it is our duty and responsibility to serve our fellow students, but it is also a great challenge to extend assistance to those who are in need,” Amancio said.

The campaign was adopted from a project of SM City Davao, one of the organization’s partners.

SINIKOM set up two booths for the collection, one at the SM City Davao Annex, near Payless, and the other at the Ateneo Roxas Pavilion. The book drive will run from July 4 to 10.

Ateneo de Davao School of Business and Governance (SBG) will hold the 4th National Business and Management Conference (NBMC) on July 22 to 23 at the Ateneo de Davao University.

With the theme, “Tackling local, national, and regional challenges through responsible management and sustainable business practices,” students, researchers and professors of Business & Management are enjoined to attend the conference to have a personal experience on sharing of ideas  with other participants on the best business practices. 

The event is organized together with De La Salle University (DLSU) and University of San Carlos (USC) and in collaboration with  the Philippine Academy of Management (PAoM).

The first three legs of the conference were hosted by the University of San Carlos in Cebu City (2013), De La Salle University in Manila (2014) and St. Louis University in Baguio City (2015), respectively.  

For more details and inquiries, interested parties may contact the Ateneo de Davao Center for Business Research & Extension at +63 82 221 2411 local 8355.

The first Filipino-produced film to be shown in the Vatican, Ignacio de Loyola will have its Philippine premiere on July 27.

“The film highlights the dramatic life of a soldier-saint’s conversion from a life of vice and violence, continuing through his near-fatal injury at the Battle of Pamplona, his attempts to turn his life towards the light, his intense struggle with guilt and depression, his trial before the Inquisition, and his ultimate vindication,” said the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Ignacio de Loyola was produced by Jesuit Communications, the media arm of the Society of Jesus in the Philippines. It was shot primarily in Navarra and the Basque Country in Northern Spain last year.

Special effects and post-production were done in the Philippines. Renowned Filipino composer Ryan Cayabyab created the musical score, which were interpreted by the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra and the Ateneo Chamber Singers.

In celebration of the Feast of St. Ignatius on July 31, the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) has scheduled block screenings for its students and alumni on July 27 and 28  at the SM City Cinemas in Ecoland, Davao City.

AdDU President Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ, “requests everyone in the community to join myself, the Jesuit Community, and one another in watching Ignacio de Loyola, produced masterfully by our very own Jesuit Communications (JesCom).”

“Bring your family and friends to be inspired by Ignatius’ enduring saga of courage, hope, and faith,” added Fr. Tabora.

St. Ignatius of Loyola founded the Society of Jesus, a male religious congregation of the Catholic Church. Jesuits, as society members are called, are engaged in evangelization and apostolic ministry in 112 nations on six continents. They work in education, intellectual research, and cultural pursuits. Besides giving retreats and ministering in hospitals and parishes, Jesuits also promote social justice and ecumenical dialogue.

The Philippines is home to 9 Jesuit schools, including Ateneo and Xavier Schools and universities.