Researchers share their work with the University community during the second day of Anthropology Research Presentation. Photos by Ago Tomas.

To provide an opportunity to share the fruits of their work with the University community, the Department of Anthropology and the Ateneo Institute of Anthropology (AIA) conducted a series of research paper presentations at the 7th Floor Finster Hall Boardroom last July 19 and 20.

The two-day affair gave the two bodies an opportunity to share a selection of their combined work with the University community, and more importantly, to benefit from the critical appreciation of academic colleagues and students from other disciplines in the University.

The series of presentations marked the commemoration of Anthropology Month, an annual event which the two bodies wish to institutionalize within the University.

The department has focused on training the next generation of Filipino anthropologists, and the Institute has developed and pursued its research focus on land and resource issues, and the combined efforts of these two bodies provide a synergy that encourages graduate students to engage in ethnographic projects alongside their mentors. They also enabled the faculty to enrich their instructional tasks with the realities of fieldwork.

As a result, the Institute and the Department have completed 9 research projects, within a span of only four years.

Most of these studies have clear implications for policy-making, and have been presented and discussed in various fora— from large-scale conferences to small community meetings.

The paper presentations were organized in terms of themes.  The first day focused on two papers on land and resource tenure and management, the central research agendum of the Institute.  The papers were results of the “Land Access Study on Indigenous Peoples Using Ethnographic Methods“ done in Malita, Davao Occidental, and Sen. Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat.

The researches were done to provide policy inputs in the further development of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-led community development programs particularly in IP communities.

For the second day, another two papers were presented on Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Processes, a theme that grows out of the two bodies of engagement with resource issues, and yet goes beyond it, to embrace other aspects of Philippine culture.

The first paper “Revisiting the Tboli Sbu of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, Philippines:  Towards the Development of a Culture-Based Pedagogy and Curriculum for the Tboli Sbù Senior High School“ was a preliminary research done to support the ongoing partnership work on IP education in the area.

The second paper focused on Gender, Land Rights and Participatory Decision-Making, with a case study of the Dulangan Manobo and the Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) in the renewal of an Industrial Forest Management Agreement (IFMA) in Sultan Kudarat.

Participants to the two-day presentation included graduate students from Anthropology and Theology (under the Saint Alphonsus Theological and Missiological Institute or SATMI ), friends from civil society, and faculty from the other departments.

The presentations hopefully enriched the University community’s appreciation of, and engagement with emergent and increasingly urgent conversations on peace and social justice, the environment, indigenous peoples’ rights, the concept of federalism, and indeed, the question of what it means to be a Filipino of the 21st century.

The Department of Anthropology and the AIA were both established in 2012, thanks to the vision and support of Fr. Joel Tabora, S.J.

From Left to Right: DENR Secretary Gina Lopez, President Rodrigo Duterte and AdDU President Joel Tabora, SJ., stands before the 4,000 students and members of several civil society groups during the Kasaulogan sa Kinaiyahan, one of the activities of the Oya Mindanaw held at the Martin Hall. Photo by Javin Rubillar.

Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU), co-organized together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), hosted the first Mindanao environmental summit dubbed as Oya Mindanaw! State of Mindanao Environment Day last August 4.

Series of environmental protection and conservation activities were done during the gathering. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte graced Kasaulogan sa Kinaiyahan, an event held at the University’s Martin Hall.

The 1st President from Mindanao island said before the 4,000 students and members from the several civil society groups in attendance, “Let us take care of our nation, we only have one.”

“An island as fragile as Mindanao there will never be a tomorrow for our children,” Duterte said.

Duterte has been a known supporter of the mining ban in Davao, to protect the city from its harmful effects to the environment. He even lauded the members of the city council for coming up with a resolution that effectively legislated the ban.

Moreover, DENR Secretary Regina “Gina” Lopez also engaged into dialogue with the different stakeholders and Indigenous communities in Mindanao during the summit.

During the dialogue, Lopez emphasized the importance of social justice in the region.

“My commitment for Mindanao is social justice. The definition of social justice is that the resources of Mindanao must necessarily be enjoyed by the people of Mindanao,” Lopez said.

The DENR Secretary already suspended mining companies that do not comply with environmental safety standards, in consonance with AdDU’s own advocacy on defending the integrity of creation and protecting our common home.

In one of his columns, AdDU President Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ., said, “as a Jesuit university we are to serve the faith, promote justice…and preserve and protect the environment.”

AdDU also participated in the strategic planning workshop regarding the plans of the DENR for members and representatives of different civil society groups at the Davao Convention Center.

With a president from Davao City, AdDU plays a more vital role in promoting social justice through consensus building and being one of the venues for critical collaboration with the Philippine’s new administration. (ARV)

Watch the Pakighinabi with DENR Secretary Gina Lopez during Oya Mindanaw here.

For more photos during Oya Mindanaw visit the Ateneo de Davao University Gallery here.

Light a candle. Students of the Ateneo de Davao University offer their prayers, as part of the Community Prayer Vigil last September 5, in memory of those who died in the blast at the Roxas Night Market. Photo by Igy Castrillo.

“We, the Salam: Ateneo Muslim Society, the Al Qalam Institute, and the Muslim community of the Ateneo de Davao University condemn the heinous attack at the Roxas Night Market last September 2, 2016, Friday, here in Davao City.

It was a sad and horrifying night for the Davaoeños and for the Philippines.

Fourteen (14) lives lost and more than 60 people injured.

On Saturday morning of September 3, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte declared a “state of lawless violence” in the Philippines following the deadly explosion in Davao City. The Filipino people, especially the Davaoeños are in a state of fear and grief.

This is the reason why we do and advocate dialogue among and between people of different faiths, ideologies, and cultural traditions. We strongly condemn this bombing attack because violence has no place in this world. Innocent people are victimized in this reign of terror and the future of our generation and generations yet to come are at stake. We, Muslims are tired of hearing terrorist attacks being carried out by inherently violent and ignorant people who hijack our religion.

The Abu Sayyaf Group who claim to be Muslims are not Muslims. What they do is not, in any way, according to Islam. This is not Jihad Fyi Sabilillah. Muslims too are killed by these same radicalized terrorists who show a clear manifestation of ignorance in Islamic teachings. Terrorism and Extremism has no religion.

Allah (SWT) forbids the killing of innocent people. According to the Qur’an, one of the greatest sins is to kill a human being who has committed no fault:

“…If someone kills another person, unless it is in retaliation for someone else or for causing corruption in the earth, it is as if he had murdered all mankind.” —(Surat al-Ma’ida: 32)

Will it take yet another news of a horrifying terrorist attack – supposedly carried out in the name of religion – to remind the world of the violence in our midst?

In this context, we find it impossible to practice tolerance in such forms of violence. We will not tolerate violence in the name of Islam!

We need now to unite ourselves, regardless of our differences, in condemning this act of violence. We join together to eliminate the evil plots of people behind these terroristic acts and the narco-pandemic in the country.

We will fix this country together with our President, to stand by him and to collaborate with him.

Let not this heartbreaking event make us helpless and overpowered.

We are stronger than this singular act of violence against humanity.”

Students from the Ateneo de Davao University cannot help but shed tears while remembering the Roxas Night Market blast. Photo by Dar Abarcar.

By Patricia Marie A. Suarez

The Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) organized a Community Prayer Vigil last September 5 for the victims of the Roxas Night Market blast that claimed 14 lives and left 67 people injured.

The event began with a mass at 4 p.m. at the Our Lady of the Assumption chapel. University President Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ presided the Holy Mass.

Dexter Villarosa, SAMAHAN Secretary General led the candle vigil at the open space between Martin Hall and Community Center.

Students, faculty, staff and guests lit their white candle in memory of all those who died in the blast. They also took turns offering flowers in the blast site and to the statue of Our Lady of the Assumption, which is now a memorial shrine, a permanent fixture symbolizing Davao City’s prayer for peace for the Roxas bombing incident.

Davao City Councilor Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte, representing Mayor Sarah Duterte, visited the peace memorial with Jeremy S. Eliab, General Assistant to the President of AdDU.

For more photos, visit the Ateneo de Davao University Gallery here.

Technical Sergeant Johnmar Sudio and Technical Sergeant  Aaron Kinontao, Jr. shows the different Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) to the participants of the Bomb Threat Awareness lecture. Photo by Igy Castrillo.

By Aivy Rose N. Villarba

The Center of Psychological Extension and Research Services (COPERS), in partnership with the Explosives and Ordnance Division (EOD) of the 10th Infantry “Agila” Division of the Philippine Army, initiated a Bomb Awareness Lecture after the Roxas Night Market bombing.

Around 160 participants gathered at the Training Room, 8th Floor Xavier Hall, Community Center of the First Companions last Sept. 7.

Captain Francis Gayla talked about the Basic Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Functioning Concepts and Safety Measures.

Gayla enumerated the components of IED: Switch, Power Source, Initiator (Fuzing System), Container and Explosive Charge (S.P.I.C.E.).

Moreover, Technical Sergeant Johnmar Sudio and Technical Sergeant  Aaron Kinontao, Jr. presented the different Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) to the participants. They also engaged in the simulation of activating IEDs through text and call.

At the end of the lecture, Gayla stressed, “Safety is everybody’s concern and responsibility.”

For more photos during the Bomb Awareness Lecture visit the Ateneo de Davao University gallery here.

The United Board Fellows Program prepares talented mid-career faculty and administrators for future leadership in their home institutions in Asia.  Candidates are nominated by the top administration of their institutions, based on their accomplishments in leadership, academics and teaching, and potential to assume senior positions.

Each year,  around 20 Fellows are selected from across Asia.  The Program aims to provide an enriching experience in exploring the dynamics of higher education leadership and management.  Fellows will participate in a one-year fellowship which will include a three-week intensive summer institute in the U.S.A., a two- to four-month placement at an Asian higher education institution, and a one-week leadership seminar in Asia.

The United Board – CHED Faculty Scholarship Program gives junior faculty support to pursue post-graduate degree study at the master’s or doctorate levels in any academic fields. The degree program must be taught in English, at a United Board approved institution within Asia. This advanced study will enhance the academic quality of individual scholars and strengthen the academic programs in which they teach.

The United Board and CHED will co-fund the scholarships, to make these advanced degree programs affordable for universities wishing to upgrade their teaching faculty.  Additional support from the sending institutions are welcome and encouraged.

For more information, contact the Academic Vice President (AVP) Office at (082) 2212411 local 8372 to 8383.

Members of the Ateneo Muslim community and the larger Davao City Muslim populace gather in a reflection and sharing session days after the Roxas Night Market blast. Photo by Karlo Alexie Puerto.

By Karlo Alexie C. Puerto

The Al Qalam Institute for Islamic Identities and Dialogue in Southeast Asia of the Ateneo de Davao University organized a reflection session last Sept. 7 with the Muslims of the Ateneo Community in memory of the Roxas Night Market blast.

Students and faculty, religious leaders and religious scholars in the larger Davao Muslim community gathered to dialogue about the supposed claims by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) that the bombing incident in Roxas Avenue last Sept. 2.

“This event will be dedicated to this task… to reflect on the message of Islam; hearing reflections from faith leaders across traditions; and joining together in prayer and call for unity in our country,” Al Qalam Institute director Datu Mussolini Lidasan said in his opening statement.

Fatima Star Lamalan, Secretary General of the Salam: Ateneo Muslim Society expressed terrorism has no religion.

“A Muslim cannot be a terrorist, a terrorist cannot be a Muslim,” she said.

“The Abu Sayyaf Group who claims to be Muslims are not Muslims. What they do is not, in any way, according to Islam. This is not Jihad Fyi Sabilillah. Muslims are also killed by these same radicalized terrorists who show a clear manifestation of ignorance in Islamic teachings. Terrorism and Extremism has no religion,” the joint statement by the Salam: Ateneo Muslim Society, Al Qalam Institute and the Muslim community of Ateneo read.

Read the whole statement in the Al Qalam website and check out the video recording of the session here.

A book review on the PHILIPPINE COMMON GOODS:  The Good Life for All by Patrick Riordan, S.J.

Published by the University Publication Office Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU)

Copies Available at Tambara Office, 8th Floor

Community Center, ADDU . At  P150.00/copy

By Karl M. Gaspar, CSsR

The book cover immediately informs the reader that this is a book badly needed by the citizenry of the Republic of the Philippines during these complex times under the Duterte Presidency.  The book arrives in the Philippine literary landscape at a most crucial time when a growing number of Filipinos are expressing deep concern regarding  how the State is waging a drug war and yet wants to engage in initiatives that could help bring peace to the land.

Two very important questions which demand urgent answers are asked:  1) Is President Rodrigo R. Duterte complicit in murder as his administration aggressively wages war on drugs that is seeing a large number of people getting killed in just a short span of time?  2) Is mining in Mindanao serving the common good?

The same back cover states that  Fr. Riordan seizes the bull by the horns by using the criteria of the common good and confronts the controversial issues bounding the newly-installed Duterte administration. His theological and philosophical explorations provide the reader a guide in helping evaluate the three-pronged program of this administration in eradicating he drug problem, criminality, and corruption in the country.

It speaks very highly  of ADDU’s Publication Office that it  is able to fast-track the publication of this book at this time when many of those who are very concerned as to how the State is conducting its affairs need guidelines on how to critically view the current socio-political realm of the Republic.  This is especially true as the public sphere is so muddled with the histrionics – with a lot of references to what the Philippine Daily Inquirer refers to as “sex, lies and videotape” –  that now dominate public discourse. While it will be civil society organizations who might immediately be interested in securing a copy of the book, those in the State bureaucracy from Davao’s City Hall to Malacañang  –  including Panacañang – are challenged to find time to read this book.

The book has twelve chapters and the titles  immediately provoke  the interest of the reader while  looking at the Table of Contents. These Chapters include topics  many of which are in the form of questions:  “ Rethinking our challenges in terms of common goods, The common good as the complete set of conditions for fulfilment, International order as a common good, Would a Philippine federal republic better serve the common good?, Is mining in Mindanao for the common good? Is the president complicit in order? Should the politicians obey the church?”

Indeed, the discourse of common good takes on added significance to the public sphere of the body politic in these times when this government  is barely in its hundred days of existence but has already provoked very strong and passionate responses on both those fully supportive of the Duterte administration’s  goals and approaches and those critically against.  It is easy for many of us to be frustrated – and maybe even heartbroken – at the intense fragmentation  among us at a time when we should be consolidating our ranks given the major social and ecological issues we face as a nation.

As Fr. Joel E. Tabora SJ, President of ADDU wrote in his Foreword:  “It is a must read for those wrestling with the challenges emerging  with the determined leadership of the new Philippine President, and for those serious about achieving the common good – “the good of all and of each individual, because we are all responsible for all” (Sollicitudo rei socialis 38) – in the rich diversity of Philippine society today.”

Fr. Riordan is connected with the Heythrop College of the University of London and his principal focus in terms of his philosophical reflection has been the notion of the common good.  His other books include: A grammar of the common good: Speaking of globalization (2008) and Our common good in the European Union (2016).  He has been a frequent visitor to the Philippines and during his last visit to Davao was a witness to President Duterte’s first weeks in office.

He believes that “the concept of the common good is basically philosophical and thus is accessible to everyone regardless of their religious affiliation.”  However, being a Catholoc priest, he draws on |the resources of the Catholic worldview and engage his reader on the notions of solidarity, subsidiarity and the common good.”   Such a perspective could help CSOs especially based-based groups to strengthen its stance as to the role of church and religion in facing the urgent political issues of the times which common good requires.  He then reminds everyone that “we have more to do, together, in pursuit of our common good.”

Jurgen Habermas – the noted German philosopher and social theorist – believes that the agenda of the modern era has not fully taken root in our societies, despite the many years since the dawn of the Enlightenment. People everywhere have not been enlightened enough with notions of the common good, human dignity and consequently, of human rights.  In this our post-modern era there is need to return to the values enshrined by Enlightenment rational principles. This can only happen if we are able to truly assert a Habermasian public sphere where the “best argument” will ultimately bring us to a consensus as to how to deal with our economic, economic, social, cultural and ecological realities.

It is up to us who care as to where our country is headed to push the parameters of this public sphere.  In this difficult task, Fr. Riordan’s book serves us well.

Participants listen to the resource speaker during the NVivo training. Photo from SRTDO.

The Social Research Training and Development Office (SRTDO) conducted a two-day NVivo Training last September 19 and 20 at F600, Ateneo de Davao University.

Dr. Nicamil K. Sanchez, the resource person, provided the participants an overview on conducting qualitative as well as mixed research methodology.

NVivo is a qualitative data analysis software for researchers working on Windows and Mac operating systems.

The key functions of NVivo PRO enabled the participants to learn how to efficiently and effectively manage, code and analyze structured, semi-structured and unstructured interview data.

The participants learned how to process data such as multimedia data sources, social media contents, Evernote files, Excel spreadsheets, Access databases, and bibliographic references.

The teaching method used was hands-on, supported by presentation, demonstration, reflection, insightful exercises, discussions, question and answer, and clinic sessions.

Students, together with artist and environmentalist AG Saño, paint the mural outside the Ecoteneo Office.

By Aivy Rose Villarba

The Office of Ecoteneo, the advocacy group for environmental protection and conservation of Ateneo de Davao University, formally opened last October 4 at the 5th floor Martin Hall.

The event started with a Holy Mass at noon presided by Fr. Ramon Prudencio S. Toledo, S.J., followed by the blessing of the new office by Fr. Carlos G. Cenzon, Jr., S.J.

A short program followed after the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Rodne Galicha, Ecoteneo Jacinto director introduced the Ecoteneo Roadmap, which was based on the recommendations of the Ecoteneo Advisory Board in 2014.

“Every roadmap push management team will meet and act on targets identified,” he said.

Galicha also said that the office will always be open for students as he wants it to be student centered.

Moreover, General Assistant to the President Jeremy Eliab shared, “We hope that our Ecoteneo efforts in this campus will be at par with what is happening in the Matina campus.”

“Matina campus has been awarded by the ASEAN and in the national level because of their management in terms of waste segregation and recycling,” Eliab said.

Eliab added that since the Jacinto campus is larger in terms of population, it will be a also challenge to build up awareness.

“We hope to make our campus green and sustainable,” Eliab said.

SAMAHAN President John Chin also expressed his excitement towards working with Ecoteneo.

“We are really looking forward with our partnership with our Ecoteneo office,” Chin said.

AG Saño, an environmental artist was also invited to lead an open mural painting on a wall beside the new office. Students and members from ArtCo participated in the mural painting.

“We are painting murals about the environment and campaigning for climate justice,” Saño shared.

Together with Albert Lozada from Greenpeace, they walked along the path that St. Francis walked when he was still alive.

“We traced some of his his journey in the forests of Assisi and we were inspired to illustrate that in the paintings to be shown in the office of the Ecoteneo,” Saño said.

After the program, students, administrators and guests enjoyed the lunch which served organic food.

Members of the Philippine Sociological Society (PSS) gather at the Finster Auditorium for their plenary session.

By Aivy Rose Villarba

Sociologists and researchers from all over the Philippines gathered at the Ateneo de Davao University for the 2016 Philippine Sociological Society (PSS) National Conference last October 7-8.

Dubbed as “Imagine Democracies: Transformation of power and knowledge in the Philippine society,” the conference aimed to take stock of current and emerging articulations of power, democracy and knowledge in Philippine society.

Ateneo de Davao University President Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ was one of the plenary speakers of the event.

“The common good that we work together for, the democracy that we truly desire: if we want it, if we desire it, we must be able to imagine it,” Tabora said.

The annual conference featured paper presentations on all topics related to contemporary sociological research.

Six faculty members from Ateneo de Davao presented their research including Dr. Anderson V. Villa with his study titled “Negotiated Citizenship through Civic Association: Contestations of Collective Empowerment among Filipino Irregular Migrants in Japan.”

Dr. Lourdesita Sobrevega-Chan discussed her study titled “Gender Mainstreaming in the City Government of Davao,” while Airnel T. Abarra explained the results of his research, “Sociology of Sport in the Philippines: Seeking Its Pace within the Discourse in Physical Education Training and Practice.”

Moreover, Dr. Christine Diaz presented 2 researches including  “Governance, Peace and Order, Performance of Government Officials and Post-Election Views: A Davao City-wide Social Survey” and “Exploring Citizenship in People’s Daily Lives and Struggles: Social Constructs, Behavioral Expressionism, Symbols, Experiences of Inclusion and Exclusion.”

The delegates also participated in a special parallel session which discussed “Davao beyond the headlines: An interdisciplinary investigation” with delegates from Ateneo de Davao as the panel of speakers.

The paper presenters and participants of the conference reflected on the ‘future of power’ in the age of inequality, market-driven knowledge production, environmental catastrophe and protracted conflict.

Ateneo de Davao University hosted the said national gathering for the first time. This is also the first for Davao City and the third in Mindanao.

The morning session at the Pakighinabi Room tackled more the role of the academe in the discourse of federalism in the Philippines. Photo by Dave Daryanani

By Karlo Alexie C. Puerto

The Ateneo de Davao Center for Politics and International Affairs (CPIA), in partnership with the University Community Engagement and Advocacy Council (UCEAC) hosted a two-part roundtable discussion on federalism last September 27.

The first part of the conference, held at the Pakighinabi Room of the Community Center of the First Companions, tackled about the effects of federalism in academic institutions and their contribution to the current discourse of federalism in the country.

“CPIA intended to collect ideas and positions for our policy makers to consider. If this alternative silences the gun, then we will embrace this like [a] long-lost brother or companion,” CPIA Director Neil Pancho said in his opening statement.

The second part, held at the Finster Auditorium, talked about what type of federalism that would be appropriate for Mindanao and also the rest of the country.

“There is a presupposition that the current system has problems and we have to identify how federalism will solve these problems,” assistant professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman Jan Robert Go said.

Both sessions were participated by members of the academe and civil society groups, including representatives from the Centrist Democracy Political Institute, Lihok Pideral (Federal Movement) in Mindanao, Lumad Mindanao, National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Please see video recordings of both sessions below.

The Ateneo de Davao University hosted the National Teacher’s Day (NTD) celebration last September 30.

Around 4,000 educators from Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 (Caraga) gathered at the Martin Hall for the thanksgiving celebration.

With the theme, Guro: Kabalikat sa Pagbabago, the Department of Education (DepEd) conducted series of activities including Teachers Got Talent and the awarding of outstanding Mindanawon teachers.

Moreover, local and national artists entertained the crowd. The teachers were also provided with free medical and dental check-ups.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones said, “Teaching with unwavering commitment despite the odds is a true service to the country.”

On the other hand, DepEd Undersecretary Dina Ocampo said DepEd will continue to initiate reforms by enlarging the drug component in Science and Health, and strengthening the gender and equity component of the school curricula.

Ocampo said they will also give emphasis on the environment and climate change, disaster risk reduction and preparedness, and adaptation and mitigation.

The National Teacher’s Month (NTM) is being observed every Sept. 5 to Oct. 5 in accordance with Presidential Decree 242.

NTM is also mandated under Republic Act 10743 which declares Oct. 5 of every year as National Teacher’s Day and World Teacher’s Day.

Ateneo de Davao University garnered 100 percent passing rate (10 out of 10) in the September 2016 Mechanical Engineer Licensure Examination. Nichol Ivan Allawan also placed 10th in the said exam with 88.70 percent rating.

Ten graduates of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering of Ateneo de Davao University are now licensed Mechanical Engineers. They are:

David Drei Alcantara

Nichol Ivan Allawan (10th placer)

Ranier Alexis Banzon

John Mark Diel

Nico Paolo Lopez

Luis Alberto Mata

Blessa Jeane Maghunong

Dave Lester Montero

Mark Anthony Penados

Neal Arc Sosa

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced 3,110 out of 4,470 passed the Mechanical Engineer Licensure Examination given by the PRC Board of Mechanical Engineering in different testing centers last September 28-29.

Congratulations!

Ateneo de Davao University garnered 100 percent passing rate for first-time takers in the October 2016 Chemist Licensure Examination.

Four graduates of Bachelor of Science in Chemistry of Ateneo de Davao University successfully passed the said exam. The new licensed chemists are:

Gio Albert Ang

Le Grande Dolino

Lourdon Villacarlos

Adrienne Mae Zabate

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced 559 out of 1019 passed the Chemist Licensure Examination given by the PRC Board of Chemistry in different testing centers last October 4-5.

Congratulations!

The Ateneo de Davao University will be hosting the 5th Jesuit Athletic Meet (JAM) slated November 4-8.

Around 850 athletes and coaches from 8 participating Jesuit schools in both college and high school categories including 2 Jesuit schools in Luzon (Ateneo de Manila and Ateneo de Naga), 3 in Visayas (Ateneo de Iloilo, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and Loyola College of Culion) and 3 in Mindanao (Ateneo de Davao, Ateneo de Zamboanga and Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro) will be competing in the different sports tournaments.

The main objective of the JAM is to foster and strengthen relationships among the Jesuit schools through the field of sports. It aims to elevate standards both in hosting and participating in sporting events.

As part of JAM, there will also an Athletes’ Forum, in the hope to emphasize the value of a balancing both academics and athletics, with notable speakers sharing insights on the value of life outside sports.

It is the hope of JAM that the Jesuit mentored athletes and coaches in the Philippines will be ambassadors of one age-old ideal in sports – “mens sana in corpore sano,” a sound mind in a sound body.

The JAM has its origins in the mid 90’s and started as an all high school event with focus on basketball. Famous alumni of the 90’s JAM are Chris Tiu, TY Tang, Joseph Yeo, Enrico Villanueva, BJ Manalo, and Larry Fonacier.

Selected games during JAM 2016 will be streamed online at www.addu.edu.ph/jam2016. ­­­

The Kaugmaran Pagpagahum Foundation Inc., in partnership with Ateneo de Davao University, launched the fundraising photo exhibit at the Rodriguez Hall, Community Center of the First Companions.

The exhibit will run from November 21-26, 2016. This activity, as approved and sponsored by Fr. Joel E. Tabora, will showcase the photography of Ms. Jelieta M. Walinski, a Mandaya digital photographer who is currently based in the United States.

Ms. Jelieta M. Walinski studied Professional Photography in the New York Institute of Photography at New York. Her exploration of astrophotography has received worldwide acclaim and recognition.

Her photographs were published in Canon Europe Website in 2010, Headline Photo in Western Update in 2011, published in Capture Minnesota Books in 2012 and 2013, and awarded the Most Followed Photographer for both publications. Her work was also published by CBS television in 2012, and WCCO television in Minnesota in 2014. Walinski also won the international Grand Jury Winner prize of the Boulders Photo Contest in 2014.

Some of her award-winning photography will be up for sale during the photo exhibit. Proceeds of this photo exhibit will be donated to the Kaugmaran Pagpagahum Foundation Inc. in order to boost funds for their services to indigenous communities.

The Ateneo Public Interest and Legal Advocacy (APILA) Center of the Ateneo de Davao University expresses its indignation and dismay for the burial of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

APILA believes that there is no greater betrayal than that of public trust, and this government violated that trust by ensuring the clandestine burial of a dictator, a plunderer, and a human rights violator at the LNMB in full honors last November 18 while many Filipinos, most especially the survivors of the dark years of martial law, were still grieving over the injustice etched in the Supreme Court almanac through its November 8 decision. This, on top of its flagrant disrespect of the petitioner’s statutory right to file a motion for reconsideration which is yet to lapse on November 28.

President Duterte claimed that the burial will bring about unity and reconciliation. However, dismissing historical injustice in the pretext of national healing is not only dividing the nation further but also it is creating new and deep wounds since this treacherous act is another blatant attack against our sense of national dignity.

We firmly assert that it is only real justice that can bring us to a meaningful closure of the past wrongs committed under the dictatorship. But this burial undertaken through manipulated orchestrations is a re-enactment of a historical injustice a hundred times worse because it was perpetuated by the leaders of this country who swore to uphold the constitution, the spirit of which is based on the democratic principles that overthrew the very same person that they are honorably laying to rest. Indeed, an insult to our history as another injustice is re-written.

While the legal battle may have ended in Supreme Court’s decision, we believe that the battlefield is now transferred into the minds and hearts of the people, especially the young –in how they will remember or forget Marcos, in how they will obliterate or sanctify the memories of our past, and in how they will dismiss or embrace the struggles of our forebears.

In the spirit of genuine healing, we call upon our leaders primarily our President, to be more discerning and to listen to the people. For the sake of preserving our collective consciousness, let us continue to keep in our hearts the lessons of martial law as we value the sacrifices of our great heroes so that we may live in freedom today. We should never forget. To appease the agony of the victims of martial law and their families, let us assure them of the thought that there are still people who continue to struggle with them – that there are those who refuse to give up the fight.

The fight against oppression is not over yet!

Atty. Romeo T. Cabarde Jr.
Director – APILA

The Madaris Volunteer Program (MVP) and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV), in partnership with the Campus Clubs Organization of the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) are pleased to invite you to join the celebration of International Volunteer Day (IVD) on 05 December 2016 (Monday), 230 – 6pm at the Arrupe Hall, AdDU.

IVD 2016’s theme #GlobalApplause – give volunteers a hand, recognizes volunteers worldwide and all they do in making peace and sustainable development a reality.

On IVD 2016, we not only celebrate volunteerism in all its facets – but also pay special tribute by applauding volunteers who contribute to peace and sustainable development worldwide. Volunteers turn to be global citizens by collaborating abroad, getting to know other political systems, understanding other’s needs and living other cultures. Through global solidarity, global engagement and by creating global citizenry, volunteerism sets a course for a better world.

Through this campaign, we are orchestrating a round of #GlobalApplause to recognize all volunteers everywhere and the contribution they make. While “giving volunteers a hand”, we also encourage everyone who has not yet volunteered to join in and take part!

What is the International Volunteer Day (IVD) and what role does UNV play?

The International Volunteer Day (IVD), on December 5th, was designated by the United Nations in 1985 as an international observance day to celebrate the power and potential of volunteerism. United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to coordinate IVD.

IVD is viewed as a unique chance for volunteers and organizations to celebrate their efforts, to share their values, and to promote their work amongst their communities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and United Nations agencies, government authorities, and the private sector.

IVD recognizes volunteers worldwide and their contributions to sustainable development.  In 2012, in response to evolving experiences and recommendations, United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme spearheaded a Five Year IVD Strategy, with the aim to make IVD a more globally recognized and grassroots ‘owned’ international day.

UNV actively promotes the value and global recognition of volunteerism.

International Volunteer Day celebrates the power and potential of volunteerism.

For more details about IVD, please click the link: https://www.unv.org/international-volunteer-day-2016

For more details for MVP, please click the link: http://www.teachmadaris.org/