“I remember describing [the AdZU Lantaka Campus] as a gift and a responsibility…As a gift, we shared it with everyone in the city because we know that this place is an iconic place in Zamboanga and the region. It is a historical place. It is a beloved space.”
Fr Karel S San Juan, SJ during his welcoming speech for the AdZU Lantaka Blessing and Soft Opening Program
Truly, gifts and blessings are to be shared, treasured, and taken care of.
Thus it is with utmost joy that AdZU reinvigorates our beloved campus by the sea with the Lantaka Campus Soft Opening and Blessing on-site ceremony held on October 10, 2022, 3 PM.
Since the turnover of the Lantaka building from its original owner and caretaker, and to its eventual inauguration as the third Ateneo de Zamboanga University Campus in March of 2019 – the AdZU Lantaka Campus – this blessing bestowed upon the University – has greatly and consistently helped the school in holding important academic functions, formation activities, conferences with city leaders, and as an income generating facility.
And when it was chosen to be the main isolation facility for COVID-19 patients and close contacts in the city, it was a unanimous and profound “yes” for the Jesuits and members of the Board of Trustees of the Ateneo. In doing so, the building contributed much to Zamboanga City’s pandemic efforts, sheltering the sick and providing them a place for healing and recuperation.
With its turnover to the University after its function as a COVID-19 quarantine facility, a rehabilitation program was implemented to deal with, manage, and rebuild most parts of the building complex.
Phase 1 of the Lantaka Campus project is now in its completion with the repair and reconstruction of the commercial spaces in the area, Hall A wherein a new chapel was built, Hall B or Breeza, the lobby area, admin offices, ACLS, Capiz Terrace and bar, seaside deck, and the swimming pool area. Phase 2, which covers other areas of the campus, will also have its re-launching projected for January of next year. Phase 3 will follow soon after of which the main building’s bed rooms, 5th floor function hall and others will be focused on.
This truly is a joyful and blessed moment for AdZU. With the soft reopening of the Lantaka Campus, we now see an exciting future for the University as new function areas, offices, and places for religious events are now once again ready to welcome in students, faculty, staff, and visitors alike.
All this is made possible by everyone involved in the restoration project of the campus. Most specifically John Mayo M Enriquez, Assistant to the President for Social Development, Ariel D Delgado, Director, Purchasing & Custodian’s Office (PCO), Marven R Gallego, Security Chief, University Security Office (USO), Engr Eugene S Kanindot, Director, Center for Information Technology Services (CITS), Ralph Jorline M Chua, CPA, Assistant to the President for Analytics & Planning, and Engr Roberto Roldanni C De Vera Jr, Director, Physical Plant Office (PPO) – all led by Fr Richard V Ella, SJ, Vice President for Administration.
And special thanks to all the tireless and passionate personnel who are in charge of manning the campus in a day-to-day basis – a hardworking team led by Trisha Mae Manulong, , Lantaka Administrator.
This is another golden mark on AdZU’s continuing saga. May the Lantaka Campus continue to serve not just the University, but the city and the region as well. For the greater glory of God and of country.
Blue Eagles, welcome back to the AdZU Lantaka Campus!
