A love letter to Ateneo

How do we love thee? Let us count the ways! In honor of Valentine’s Day, we asked various members of the Loyola Schools community what they love most about Ateneo, and this is what they had to say.

Solon Roi Loro, alumnus scholar, BS MA 2019

“I remember how generous Ateneo is to me and to my fellow scholars who are granted quality education. The fact that I was able to graduate without spending a single peso for tuition says a lot about how Ateneo cared for me. Mayroon pa ngang allowance!

I love the beautiful campus (I miss you, Zen Garden!), the rustling trees, the fresh air, the well-lit classrooms, the lovely people, the culture, the Office of Admission and Aid... All these make me love Ateneo, but nothing compares to the generosity I felt and received. Because of my scholarship, I am inspired and encouraged to be more and do more!”

Ariel Diccion, guro ng Kagawaran ng Filipino at theater performer

James Ethan Sanchez, 4 BS CTM

“What I love about Ateneo is really the community. Kahit sobrang antok ako because of classes or because of late-night study sessions, I can always count on my friends to cheer me up and energize me especially in our org room. Sobrang nakakamiss din yung mga ate and kuya guard that always greet me.”

Darwin Enguerra, Housekeeping Supervisor of the Office of Facilities and Sustainability

“A family is a group of people who are related to one another by blood. A community is a group of people in the same place sharing something in common. I love that in Ateneo, your family is the community and the community is your family.”

Robbie Morico, 3 BS PSY, Blue Babble Battalion

“I love the people in Ateneo. At every hallway and corner, there are always smiles, jokes, and stories! The systems and culture unique to Ateneo provide a context or prompt for the interactions we have with each other. These cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world.”

Lia Angela Quiaoit, 3 BS PSY, Ateneo Residence Halls Dormer

“The bell! The bell sometimes acts as my alarm clock. The bell goes on for 15 counts (cough *not that I count them during class* cough), and for me, it’s an indication that it’s time to start the day! The echoes of the bell reverberating in the corridors as I rush to my classes is an experience I want to have again and again. I guess it is what reminds me that I am actually studying in Ateneo, and not just dreaming about it.”

Dr Von Totanes, Director, Rizal Library

“On the very first day of class, my parents dropped me off and, as my dad recalls, I said goodbye and never looked back. The year was 1979. My section was Prep Matapang. And the school, of course, was Ateneo.
What I love about Ateneo is that nothing is ever just what it seems. The Prayer for Generosity, for instance, wasn’t written by St Ignatius. The students aren’t all rich kids. In fact, now, almost 20 percent are scholars. And finally, not everyone is gwapo, maganda, mayabang, or taken. I’m certainly not taken. ;)”

Kurt Anthony de los Santos, 3 BS MA, Ateneo Financial Aid Scholar

“What I love about Ateneo is how it cares for us scholars. I love that they regularly check up on us and provide us with all the help we need. They continue to support us despite the challenges that the pandemic brought. I am amazed at how much Ateneo has done for scholars, and it made me certain that I chose the right school.”

Ino Sabino, 2 AB EC

“The Ateneo campus gives me comfort. To cry in the campus (in the Gonzaga chapel, the Church of the Gesu, the SOM forest, the Rizal Library, or an empty org room) when everything was difficult and tiring was one of the most comforting feelings I’ve ever had. Being surrounded by green spaces helps so much in making my day better.”

Mav Gonzales, alumna (AB Comm 2011), sportscaster, and TV show host

“Aside from the topnotch education, I love the cheap iced coffee from the caf! And also the fact that we always win in the UAAP!”

Tyler Tio, 5 AB MEC, Ateneo Blue Eagle

“What I love about Ateneo is the community—my friends, teachers, teammates, coaches, and everyone in between. The Ateneo campus may be beautiful in itself, but these people make it a beautiful home.”

Jay Robin Wee, 1 AB PSY

“Aside from the quality education, the good-looking students!”

Jean Dorothy Andrada, 2 BS LfSci, AVP for Bioresearch of the Ateneo Biological Organization

“I love many things about Ateneo. Sitting amidst the Zen Garden and feeling the gentle afternoon breeze as leaves fall down around me. The E-Jeep passing through LST. Treating myself to a warm sandwich at Matteo Ricci after a brutal long exam. Having lunch with my friends at SEC-B Foyer as we wait for our next class. Study group sessions with my blockmates. Getting amused with all the random Ateneo merchandise at the Loyola Schools Bookstore. Talking with my professors. Walking home during sunset.”

Jonathan Robert Ilagan, Psychology Department Instructor

“What I love most about Ateneo are the students. I also miss having face-to-face discussions with my PhD classmates, which we can’t do now.”

Bro Joseph Patrick Echevarria, Jesuit

“I love that I had Jesuit teachers not just in theology and philosophy, but also in math and physics. With Jesuits, there’s always more than just the lesson.”
 
From students to teachers and staff to alumni, it’s the little things, the precious memories, the wonderful people, and valuable lessons that have made the Loyola Schools our home. Because of the pandemic, we are all unfortunately in a long distance relationship with Ateneo. But no matter where we are, we will always love Ateneo because home is where the heart is.