The Opening Ceremonies marked the official start of the Ateneo Fiesta on December 1, 2009. The Eucharistic celebration for this year’s Ateneo Fiesta was commemorated with a black atmosphere as an expression for the Ateneo Community’s mourning on the Maguindanao Massacre. University President Fr. Antonio Moreno, SJ, together with El Consejo Atenista President Christian Olasiman gave a message during the mass. This year’s theme, “Celebrating 100 Years of Excellence” also commemorates Ateneo’s Centennial Celebration of Outstanding Jesuit Education in Western Mindanao.