From the Editor in Chief

Three powerful words

Rica Bolipata-Santos PhD

It is emblazoned in every place and space in our campus. We use it in different ways, in moments  when we lose our way, when we aren’t positively sure about our way of proceeding, when the way is unclear and the signs are lost to us: to be men and women for others. It is our refrain, our coda, our purpose, our beacon, our mantra.

In this issue of Fabilioh, we invite you to revisit these powerful words. We recall the context in which it was first uttered by Father General Arrupe in 1973. The context then, doesn’t seem so very different from our context today. In the midst of much strife and injustice, Fr Arrupe issued this challenge: “...and above all make sure that in future the education imparted in Jesuit schools will be equal to the demands of justice in the world.”

To help with our reflection, we offer different stories of our alumni, both young and old, in mid-career or in the beginnings of their chosen field of labor. We offer you their stories as clear examples of when this invitation to become men and women for others guided them or accompanied them. We hope the stories help you answer the question of how you have answered the call of Fr Arrupe. In what ways have I become a person for others? In what other ways am I being called to be a person for others?

This call is what fuels and drives the Ateneo de Manila University as it grapples with the current call of our times. In a country that continues to struggle with social justice, inequality and astounding poverty, not to mention the challenges to our democracy, how best to ensure that the education our students receive makes them prepared to become workers for justice, equality and peace? The current restructuring of our units hopes to answer to this concretely, bridging the gap between knowledge and practice; allowing our students to engage in the world practically, making theories holdable and concrete; helping them see that the education they receive is for the creation of the kingdom of God on earth