The turn-over of Php5.1M from
two batches of alumni to their alma mater, the Ateneo de Zamboanga University,
was a high point at this year’s alumni homecoming.
College silver jubilarians BS
Nursing Batch 1991 and High School Class 1977, handed over their donations to AdZU
President Fr Karel San Juan, SJ, during the Blue and White Night held December
4, 2016 in Palacio del Sur.
In symbolic ceremonies, with
enlarged replicas of the cheques, HS ‘77 turned over their Php5M contribution,
while BSN ’91, their Php100K fundraising proceeds.
In his message, Fr President
thanked the alumni for their generosity, citing the significant role played by
the alumni in carrying out AdZU’s mission in education and social development
in the city and the region. He then cited specific areas in university
operations where there is great need of funds and where alumni support is most
appreciated.
Fr President said that after
the July fire, one of the priority areas of the university is Infrastructure.
This, he said, includes facilities such as the construction of a Multi-purpose complex
to be tentatively named the “New Brebeuf” to replace the old Brebeuf gym which
was razed to the ground in the 7/7 blaze. There is also a need for a Senior
High School building to house the current 800+ students and the incoming Grade
11 enrollees. “The fire has given us the opportunity to build back bigger and
better, recover what was lost and address long-standing needs of the
university,” Fr President stated.
Other areas in AdZU that have
long been in great need of assistance include Scholarships for poor and
deserving students; Faculty Development for training of better teachers; Research
in the fields of health, peace, governance, education and environment; and Community
Outreach, which involves partnering with communities in need, indigenous
peoples, inter-faith groups and the marginalized sectors. BSN 1991 has chosen
Scholarships as their area of preference for support, while HS 1977 picked the
general Rebuilding program.
Following tradition, this
year’s alumni homecoming “teed off” with a golf tournament last December 2 at
the Zamboanga Golf and Country Club. This kick-off activity, held annually,
raises some Php100k every year for the Pan Cada Dia food subsidy program for
scholars.
At the Kreutz campus in
Tumaga of the same day, jubilarians trooped in thanksgiving in a Mass at the
Junior High School lobby. Immediately after, they marched on to the awarding of
certificates, plaques, medals and pins to jubilarians who graduated from grade
school, high school and college in 1956 (diamond), 1966 (gold), 1976 (ruby) and
1991 (silver).
The first day culminated with
a welcome program cum fellowship night at the football field of the Kreutz
campus, with song and dance numbers by the jubilarians, notable of which were
the nostalgic rendition of Beatles songs by HS 1966 and the feet stomping and
jumping performance by the last all male batch (LAMB) of HS 1991. An equally
energy-filled performance was presented in dance by College Batch 1991 which
brought the audience on their feet to move and groove to the music.
The alumni festivities
resumed the following day at Salvador campus in La Purisima with physically,
emotionally and spiritually invigorating activities, including a Yoga laughter
session with Pinoy Yoga laughter guru Paolo Trinidad at the Carlos Dominguez
Conference Hall (CDCH) at the LRC and the alumni recollection facilitated by Fr
Wilfredo “Willy” Samson, SJ, Assistant to the President for Formation, at the Chapel
of the University Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (UCSHJ).
The alumni homecoming Mass at
UCSHJ opened the last day with Fr President presiding, followed by a communal breakfast
and the general assembly at the CDCH where the new set of officers of the AdZU
Alumni Association for SY 2017-2018 was elected. That evening, the following new
leaders took their oath: Engr George Ledesma (President); Atty Gian Paolo
Enriquez (Vice-President); Engr Jaime Vicente Santos (Board Secretary); Roel
Tarroza (Treasurer); and board of Trustees: Nick Suarez, Mike Muin, Grace
Antolihao, Roderick Baluca, Edwin Makasiar, Luis Zabaljauregi, Cesar Ijares,
Antonio Blanco and Michael Palomares.
Also stealing the limelight at
the Blue and White Night was the awarding of the Atenean of the Year and special
awards to alumni who have excelled in various fields. Raymond Bader of HS 1966
was bestowed the Atenean of the Year award, while the following received
special distinctions for their contribution to the school during their AdZU
years and in the current practice of their professions: Fr Earle Markey and Alfonso
Marquez (Sports); Major Joel Enrico Anastacio, MD (Military); Atty Jay Anthony
Consunji (Law); Francis Macansantos (Literature); Antonietta Arquiza (Politics
and Government); Ma Eileen Ruste, MD (Health, Medicine); and Julia Teresita
Enriquez-Jaldon (Humanities and Arts).
Paquito Dominguez of HS 1941,
acknowledged as the most senior alumnus, graced the occasion with his presence,
and sat at the table with members of the Jesuit community in Zamboanga: Fr San
Juan, Fr Samson, and Fr Richard Ella, Assistant to the President for Finance
and Administration.
Dennis Falcasantos, acting
director of the Alumni Relations and Development Office (ARDO) reported that
this year’s homecoming was attended by some 800 alumni.
