TO: The University Community
FROM: OFFICE OF THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT
RE: Maligayang Araw ng Kalayaan
June 12, 2023
Dear Ateneo de Zamboanga University Community,
Maligayang Araw ng Kalayaan!
As we celebrate the 125th anniversary of Philippine independence this year under the theme “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan,” we are called to reflect deeply on the meaning of freedom and independence, both for ourselves and our nation.
Despite the many gains in the past decades, we still recognize that true freedom and independence remain elusive for many Filipinos today.
We continue to grapple with economic hardship, socio-political polarization, human rights concerns, threats to our sovereignty, and environmental crises that endanger our shared future. These contemporary issues test the soul of our nation and demand courageous responses from all sectors of society.
The Ateneo de Zamboanga University community must do its part and continue to help in our national effort to build a free, just, and peaceful nation for all Filipinos.
Through ADZU’s academic and co-curricular programs, we can form new generations of leaders with the knowledge, skills, and values to drive sustainable and inclusive development. We can encourage civic participation and constructive political engagement by promoting understanding across divisions through genuine conversations and compassionate personal encounters. By advocating for human rights, social justice, and environmental stewardship, we can empower our students, personnel, and community-partners to build a just, equitable, and ecologically nurturing society. And through research and dialogues, we can help uphold our nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity peacefully.
Our motto of Pro Deo et Patria is not just a slogan. It is a call to action. The Ateneo de Zamboanga University community can help shape a destiny greater than ourselves and bequeath a lasting gift to Western Mindanao and the Filipino nation by offering our lives of service to God and Country.
The challenges that lie before us are immense, but the Ateneo Animo—our community’s courage, passion, and determination—knows no bounds.
Standing on the shoulders of those who came before us, we bear a torch that 125 years of history has lit. Guided by faith, driven by hope, and bonded by love, let us ensure that that flame will not go out on our watch.
Mabuhay ang Mindanao! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang malayang Pilipino!
AMDG,
Fr Ernald M. Andal, SJ President (sgd)
