Graduate School of Business
Dean's POV
AGSB students model how live out Ignatian values. |
In AGSB, Leadership is a core course to take, and it’s also calling that students will answer, in various ways, and hopefully time and again throughout their careers. I’m especially grateful to those who practice their leadership within their student journey, as members of the Student Council or the student governments in the Satellite Campuses, or as class presidents. These last couple of months have provided a bounty of opportunities for student leaders to showcase their activities and achievements in their presentations to me. I’ve proudly shared these with my colleagues in Higher Education, as they show how AGSB students model how live out Ignatian values. Congratulations to outgoing SC President RJ Yambao and team, and welcome to incoming SC President Grace Ong-Donato and team. Thanks to both teams for constantly reminding us that everything we do is Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam. |
Primer on Outcome-Based Education |
Welcome to a new school year, SY 2025-2026!
To start this SY, I’ve announced on email and on Canvas – and now, here on FB – AGSB’s final transition to Outcome-Based Education (OBE). OBE has become the international standard for how to construct a curriculum, and we’ve been gradually moving to it, and this SY the whole curriculum will be OBE.
You can download the slide deck in pdf format on Canvas or from my email. It explains what OBE means, what students can expect, and how to make the most of it.
You can also view and listen to my annotated version on YouTube:
The best way to think about it, as Stephen Covey always reminded us, is to begin with the end in mind. In this case, the end state is captured by a picture of the ideal AGSB graduate – who the curriculum is designed for and what we hope students aspire to become. Know that all courses then align horizontally toward this end state, and vertically from the program learning outcomes down to the lesson learning outcomes. |
Canvas: A personal journey, An organizational journey, A technology journey |
Canvas has become a foundational part of learning in AGSB. It started as an urgent solution during the lockdowns and has become a permanent component of the curriculum. Personally, for me, Canvas is a waypoint in three journeys: personal, organizational, and technological. That was the story behind my presentation in the recent CanvasCon 25, held on September 10 in Grand Hyatt Manila. AGSB was recognized as a best practice in two ways. I presented how we use the Canvas learning management system for our strategic planning and execution processes. Prof. Mennen Aracid featured in a panel discussion on how we integrate GenAI and Canvas for administrative purposes and, increasingly, for learning. I related the parallel stories of how I've always strived to be at the early adoption stage of technology and how the organizations I've led have evolved because of that. From leading a team that was one of the first winners of a Webby award in the early days of the Internet, to managing a pan-Asian team remotely using electronic communication, to setting up my company as a home-based office to WFH (we wouldn't call it that till years later), to teaching a PhD class that was the first in the whole Ateneo De Manila University to go fully online, and now to integrating LMS, GAI and other technologies to run the School, it's been a challenging but One of the best things about it is journeying together with others who share the same mission. As I often say at the end of my memos: #LetsLearnTogether. |
Can you operate in both a circle country and square society? |
The title of this post comes from a framework by Naomi Hattaway, writing in medium.com. It’s an image of someone who can shuttle back and forth between two countries with different cultures, adopting the culture of both and transforming the selves into something new, a “triangle tenant.” This is how I open the lesson on cross-cultural management that I teach in Kyoto University. In the Asia Business Leader Programme, faculty from different countries in Southeast Asia train the next generation of Japanese executives who will become leaders of businesses in various countries. Part of their program involves intensive training to bring their English communication skills and confidence to a higher level, conducted by our colleagues in the Ateneo Language Learning Center. That’s the second time when I see all of them, as shown in the photo. They are then assigned by their companies to different countries, where they will spend the next six months developing and executing their research and business plans. Many of them wish they would be assigned in the Philippines, and a lucky few get their wish, but wherever they land, all of them get to practice becoming a Triangle Tenant. |
The Connection Between Poetry and Leadership |
Poetry and leadership are two pursuits that are not usually seen as accompanying each other. Yet as both a form of communication and a path to reflection, poetry can access realms of meaning that are not easily reached by logic alone. Notable leaders from history used poetry to communicate and to discern. The Roman statesman Cicero and the Czech President Vaclav Havel were noted for their poetry. Meditations, the journal of the great Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius – and one of my personal favorite books –is considered as poetic prose. In the Ateneo Graduate School of Business, our academic value proposition cites communication (eloquencia), emotional intelligence, creativity, and empathy among the skills that are embedded in the curriculum. These aim to equip our students for the 4th industrial revolution, and beyond. There is a strong connection between poetry and these skills. In Heartsong: Mga Tulang sa Puso Nagmula, Dr. Ruben Encarnacion offers a vista to dimensions of feeling in which we, as leaders, as professionals, as colleagues can all share. His eight-line tribute to his wife is a concise paean to enduring love. His 21-word remembrance of his days as an Ateneo student read like a journey into the world inside and into the soul inside. His pithy portrait of the Filipino is a glimpse into why the Philippines is ranked in the top three on the “flourishing” index in a recent Harvard study. I invite you to read Prof. Ruben’s poems with, yes an analytical mind, and also with an empathetic heart. |
Orsem: Salubong |
Close to 90 students from the various AGSB campuses filled the Amphitheatre for “Salubong,” the orientation seminar held last August 2 to coincide with Ateneo-Regis MBA Term 5. It’s always a treat for me to interact with students at any stage, and especially at the start of their MBA journey. Through them, I learn new things in each Orsem. Among my takeaways: • Doctors need to be able to meet their onsite class requirements while being on call for emergency procedures – I hope we were able to continue answering this question clearly, to encourage the particular OB-Gyn doctor to enroll. • Some students see themselves as future professors in the AGSB faculty. To which I replied: “Good to know that your AGSB calling goes beyond your student journey.” • I was observing how the Student Council leaders patiently explained and gave advice to freshies on how to navigate the pre-registration and registration process – which made me realize that the School can improve in communicating this process more clearly. |
Tribute to Former Dean Dr. Alran Bengzon |
It was an honor to represent AGSB and be part of the National Stop and Salute Flag Raising Ceremony held last August 4. This particular ceremony was a tribute to Dr. Alran Bengzon, AGSB alumnus and former Dean, among his many achievements.
Sometimes, as I sit in Dr. Bengzon’s office – I still call the Dean’s office his office, as he was the Dean when I joined the Ateneo – I am filled with awe at how he could plan for building another School while running this School. That new School became the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, which is the only medical school that offers a dual degree, MD-MBA. But such was his capacity to envision and execute to serve our country.
You can read the official tribute of the University by clicking on this link:
https://www.ateneo.edu/.../dr- We salute and thank you, Dr. Bengzon! |
The Vital Role of the Class President in AGSB |
Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of “crashing” the orientation of the AGSB Class Presidents. I was inspired by the commitment of these students, both to their fellow students and to their In my role as a professor, I have relied heavily on the Class Beadle. In AGSB we have elevated the title for this role to Class President, befitting our business environment as well as the vital From the class leader I am able to tap into the pulse of the class, their progress through a course, their suggestions to the professor, and overall feedback to how I am handling that class and what One time, I learned that the readings and assignments in my syllabus were too heavy for the class. I thought about how to streamline their workload without sacrificing learning quality – To the Class Presidents, allow me to convey my appreciation for your work and affirmation of your leadership. Don’t hold back on your feedback to your professors; we need that. |
Advocate for the digitalization of public service in the Philippines |
When I returned to school to study for a Ph.D. degree – mine was in Leadership Studies in Ateneo De Manila University – one of my key motivations was to develop my own frameworks, based on research in the Philippine business context. Too often, we rely on frameworks that we borrow from the West, but these do not always translate well to the Philippine context. That has also become my motivation for teaching in that program, to encourage students to develop their own models through research, to teach using those models, and to use their models to impact the lives of Filipinos. Thus, it’s always fulfilling when my students are able to publish their work based on their own research. That’s the case with Dr. Reyner M. Villaseñor, who was my student in 2021 and has since become an AGSB professor. Prof. Ney, as we call him, has become quite prolific. He has published three papers, on the digitalization of public service and education in the Philippines. He came out with his first book, The Digital Dilemma, on these subjects. He proposes a national framework for digitization, based on a comprehensive roadmap comprehensive roadmap focusing on three pillars: improving digital literacy, building robust digital infrastructure, and cutting through red tape. I asked Prof. Ney about his motivation for writing the book. He replied, “I wanted to provide an easy-to-read material for everyone to pick up from my dissertation on public service Prof. Ney has since released two more books, on business communication and on reimagining Philippine governance. |
Meet the AGSB Dean’s Council |
On May 26, the AGSB Dean’s Council met to wrap up fiscal year 2024-2025 and to welcome the new fiscal year 2025-2026. These last several years, the Dean’s Council worked hard to meet the different challenges that we’ve faced as a School: - The lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic, as AGSB rushed to mount the online learning management system - The closing of the Rockwell Campus for the renovation - Adapting the School to the new normal and the HyFlex learning mode that is the norm in AGSB - The reopening of the Satellite Campuses, first in temporary locations and soon in their permanent locations - The new CHED regulations for onsite hours - The criteria for accreditation by PAASCU - The criteria for program assessment of AUNQA - The integration of Higher Education Schools in Ateneo De Manila University - The reorganization of the support services functions in the University …all these and more, while running the School and conducting constant improvement in the design and delivery of the programs. In the photo, front row, left to right: Dr. Cherry Bernardo-Lazaro is the incoming Program Director of the MD-MBA Program that AGSB shares with the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH). Mr. Jong San Pedro is Assistant Registrar for AGSB. Second row, left to right: Ms. Juvelle Martinote is Assistant to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. Ms. Khrisna Reyes is Assistant to the Dean. Third row, left to right: Prof. Ana Bess Pingol is Chair for the Department of Economics, Finance, and Accounting, overseeing courses that include FINMAN, ECOMAN, FINACC, MANACC, METRES. Associate Dean Malyn Divinagracia heads the Office of Administrative and Student Services. Fourth row, left to right: Associate Dean Louie Montalbo heads the Office of Academic Affairs. Prof. Gilda Del Rosario is Director of the Quality Assurance Group, implementing the Internal Quality System and spearheading the School’s accreditation and assessment campaigns. Mr. Rey Reyes is Associate Registrar, overseeing the Registrar’s Office in the Professional Schools. Dr. Obet Tanchangco, outgoing Program Director of the MD-MBA Program and now Associate Dean of ASMPH. Last row, left to right: Dean Jet Magsaysay. Prof. Ralph Ante is Chair for the Department of Operations and Information Technology, overseeing courses that include OPEMAN, INFOTE, MANSCI, APMATH, MASTAT, QUANTI. Prof. Mars Balgos is Chair for the Department of Leadership, Ethics, and Human Resource Management, overseeing courses that include LEADER, ETHICS, HUMRES, BUSCOM. Dr. Ayedee Domingo is Program Director of the MBA in Health Program. Prof. Leveric Ng is Chair for the Department of Strategic Management and Marketing, overseeing courses that include STRAMA, MARKMA, PRIMAN, MANDYN. Not in the photo but also part of the Dean’s Council are Prof. Dennis Ryan Cruz, Director of the Office for Student Leadership and Formation; and Prof. Jon Bulaong, Director of the Gov. Jose B. Fernandez Ethics Center. |
A Healthy Partnership |
Who is your customer? In business school, that’s one of the first questions that you learn to ask and find the right answer to. I’ve read and heard many answers to that question that were vague or even incorrect. For Romy Sia and Christian Tan – high school friends, business partners, and co-founders of Healthy Options – the answer to that question is not just clear, but is admirably concise and vivid. One who is health-conscious, yes, obviously. One who believes that prevention is more important and ultimately less costly than the cure, that’s also part of the profile. And then there’s this: “Someone who studies the labels on bottles and packages.” Romy (on the left in the photo) is managing director and Christian (on the right) is president of Healthy Options. As the oft-told story goes, Romy’s son suffered from food allergies and as Romy sought the right products for him, he and Christian had an insight that there could be many like-motivated people. More than 30 stores later, they’ve proved that insight to be correct. For AGSB, we’re always fulfilled when we partner with an organization whose purpose overlaps our school’s. As I pointed out to Romy, Christian, and their executives during the graduation of the first batch of the Leadership Development Program that AGSB-CCE conducted for Healthy Options, the way they articulate “excellence” and “compassion” parallels the way we uphold Magis and Cura Personalis. And when they say, “we protect the world we live in,” at AGSB we say, “we develop responsible business leaders” who “care for the planet.” |
Revised Guidelines for StraMa |
One of the key competences that students learn in AGSB is how to think strategically, which they apply to the capstone, culminating in the “Strama” paper and defense. AGSB leaders have been working on how to update Strama, to make it more flexible and to guide students in critical thinking and applying strategy frameworks. The result is a set of revised guidelines for Strama, crafted by Dr. Leveric Ng, Chair of the Department of Strategic Management and Marketing (DSMM), and the professors from DSMM. In a series of meetings, AGSB faculty have gone through an orientation on the revised guidelines for the course, paper, and defense. On May 22 I released a memo on these guidelines, and together with Dr. Leveric I will be meeting with the incoming Strama classes in the Third Trimester, to start implementation. For those about to take Strama, we will see you soon! |
Ignatian Values Drive the Faculty Conference in Clark Marriott |
Ignatian Values Drive the Faculty Conference in Clark Marriott For the third time in two years, AGSB professors gathered in a faculty conference. The first two times were in The Manor in Camp John Hay in Baguio and in the Garden Pavilion of Grand Hyatt Manila. This time, we assembled in Clark Marriott. As always, the faculty conference was a time for reflection on our mission as educators, and a refocusing of our work ahead, as we prepare for assessment by the Asean University Network - Quality Assurance (AUNQA) later this year. Leading us in reflection was Vice President for Mission Integration., Dr. Benjie Tolosa, who shared how he lived out Ignatian values in his career and his work and prompted the faculty members to do likewise. Leading us in the planning for quality improvement was the newly formed QA Group, working with the four AGSB Departments. The professors mapped out how to implement constructive alignment of the courses, with the end in mind of all lessons, activities, assessments, aligning with the learning outcomes per course, per track, and with the whole MBA program, to meet the ultimate objective of forming the AGSB graduate of the future... ...all in the name of Magis. |
New AGSB Alumni Association Board Members Take Their Oath |
AGSB students more than study for an MBA degree, they answer a call to leadership and service. The officers of the AGSB Alumni Association embody this, so I am pleased to recognize them – both the outgoing group of officers and the incoming group.
Officers: |
ORSEM (Hiraya), March 2025 |
In the OrSem held on March 22 was entitled “Hiraya,” to symbolize the dreams, hopes, and aspirations that new MBA students bring with them to AGSB. One hundred eight students were on hand to start their MBA journey. Here were some of the questions they asked: “Is there a possibility to take some courses abroad?” Yes. In fact I just sent out a memo for the Summer Exchange Program 2025 of our partner school ESSCA, in Budapest, Hungary. There are 12 slots available, two for tuition-waved and 10 for tuition-paying. And, two weeks ago, I welcomed back our two students who took courses in Kyushu Business School. We continue to work on partnerships with international schools that will be offering courses for AGSB students. Stay tuned. Another question: I just received the survey response rate for the ongoing midterm evaluations and it’s above 90%. Our goal, together, is to get it to 100%, so please answer the evaluation surveys! |
Prof. Ryan Nazareno Is the Only Filipino Chosen for the Erasmus+ Program Scholarship |
AGSB faculty members are achievers in the disciplines that they practice. For Ryan Jerard F.Nazareno, those disciplines are media and communications. Prof. Ryan has been a distinguished marketing communications leader with campaigns recognized by Philippine Quill Awards, Anvil Awards, Marketing Excellence Awards, MSAP Ice Awards, Hashtag Asia Awards, and Digiz Awards. Media and communications are also the focus areas for his upcoming studies in Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD) in Portugal, Prof. Ryan was chosen as the sole scholar from the Philippines for the Erasmus+ Program Scholar. I asked Prof. Ryan what he is looking forward to integrating his studies and teaching. He replied,“I make sure that what I discuss with my students is not just theoretical but also applicable in today’s business environment. By deepening my knowledge in media and communication, I can share more cutting-edge insights, incorporate international case studies, and integrate emerging industry practices into my courses such as business communication, marketing management, integrated marketing communications, and brand management.” |
The Innovation of Silicon Valley Combined with Ignatian Values |
Santa Clara University (SCU) represents the best of two worlds: the innovative ethos of Silicon Valley and the ethical compass of Ignatian values. Stay tuned. |
The Call to Lead: Launch of a new AGSB textbook |
Is leadership a talent? A skill? A role? AGSB students realize at some point in their careers that, more than all of these, leadership is a calling. That’s the essential message of the Leadership course in AGSB, and of the book authored by Prof. Jake de Guzman, “The Call to Lead.” In a previous project, Jake and fellow Jesuit business school professors defined the ideal graduate of Jesuit business education. The first bullet point speaks of this calling: “…Is one who sees leadership and business as service to others as the common good as a first priority. They see leadership and business as a response to current realities based on Ignatian Spirituality (reflection, compassion, action).” Congratulations to Prof. Jake and to the Department of Leadership, Ethics, and Human Resource Management on our new textbook. Credits to AGSB Student Council for the group photo during book launch. |
Four AGSB Professors recognized as Top Leaders in LinkedIn |
Four AGSB professors landed in the Top 100 Filipinos on LinkedIn and the Top 30 Leaders on LinkedIn – Ronald Malicdem, Jman Lopo, Gemmy Lontoc, and Jacques Castillo – who were cited as among the “most inspiring and influential Filipino professionals and aspiring leaders” on the platform. At AGSB we recognize the importance of networking with and inspiring others. With this in mind, I asked each of our awardees: How does LinkedIn help you in your role as professor in AGSB? Prof. Ronald: “As a professor of Ateneo GSB, Linkedin has been a key communication channel for me with the business and professional community to share, collaborate, network, inspire, and push forward our advocacies and core purpose aligned with our VMV towards building a better world.” Prof. Gemmy: “LinkedIn provides me with an effective platform to develop meaningful professional connections and generate real-life economics and management applications that enable me to grow as an educator at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business.” Prof. Jacques: “LinkedIn helps me bridge academia and industry by connecting with other professionals, sharing insights, and bringing real-world perspectives into the classroom to enrich my students’ learning experience, while also allowing me to post about my students and AGSB, which often surprises my network and sparks personal inquiries about our MBA programs. In fact, some of them are already planning to enroll in AGSB next year.” Prof. Jman: “LinkedIn allows me to stay updated on business trends, connect with industry leaders, and bring real-world insights into the classroom. By sharing relevant articles, research, and thought leadership content, I can foster meaningful discussions and enhance student learning beyond traditional lectures. Additionally, it serves as a platform to build collaborations with businesses, invite guest speakers, and showcase AGSB’s impact in the business education landscape.” |
AGSB, ALS celebrate the 25th anniversary of Rockwell Campus |
It’s been 25 years since we welcomed the first students into the Rockwell Campus. Together with the Ateneo Law School, we celebrated this milestone with a Mass, dinner, and a special program. University officials, led by Fr. President Bobby Yap and VPHE Dr. Marlu Vilches, graced the event. In the program, I quoted Ayn Rand, who wrote in The Fountainhead, “A building is alive, like a [human]. Its integrity is to follow its own truth, its one single theme, and to serve its own single purpose.” That purpose has been to spread the Ateneo mission of education to two vital professional communities, law and business, for two and a half decades. |
AGSBigay 2024 |
23 December 2024 In the AGSB we are passionate in their belief in the interdependence of integrity, service, and expertise. During Christmas, service comes to the fore, in particular, through the AGSBigay program, which has become a highlight activity during this season. “Thanks to everyone’s unwavering support, we successfully hit our target amount for the donation drive and provided for the needs of our beneficiaries,” reports RJ Yambao, Student Council President for SY 2024-2025, “beyond the financial contributions, we also received additional in-kind donations, allowing us to extend even greater assistance through Christmas packages and other essential items.” Here is a snapshot of AGSBigay in each campus, based on RJ’s report: Rockwell Campus Beneficiary: Dominican College Outreach Ministry Thirty underserved students and their guardians. Each student received school supplies to enhance their learning experience, while their guardians were provided with Christmas packages. Additionally, a large-capacity rice cooker was donated to support the ministry's daily operations. This event was made possible by the efforts of SC officers, former SC, and the Alpha Eagles. Sta. Rosa Campus Beneficiary: Barangay Don Jose Christmas packages and essential supplies were distributed to bring joy and relief to the 150 street-sweepers of Barangay Don Jose. With the leadership of Mr. Rene Dela Cruz, Satellite Director of the Sta. Rosa campus, and his dedicated team, the event was executed seamlessly. Clark Campus Beneficiary: Teodoro P. Tinio Elementary School A turnover ceremony for materials to repair and upgrade the male restroom facility of the elementary school was successfully conducted. This project aims to provide students with a safe and hygienic environment by improving sanitation and hygiene standards. The initiative was made possible through the dedication and efforts of Mr. Richard Galang, Student Government President of the Clark campus, and his team. Cebu Campus Beneficiary: Missionaries of the Poor Cleaning essentials were provided to ensure hygiene and cleanliness for 50 elderly residents, along with canned goods to address their immediate needs. A grass cutter equipment was also donated to the facility to support its maintenance needs. The event’s success was made possible through the efforts of Ms. Shannen Tan, Satellite Director of Cebu campus, and her dedicated team. Iloilo Campus Beneficiary: Aganan-Ungka Elementary School To support educators and enhance teaching methods, a projector and tripod screen were provided to facilitate interactive and effective teaching presentations. This contribution fosters better engagement between teachers and students. This initiative was made possible through the invaluable support of Royle Vincent Quiampang, Iloilo Campus Representative, whose efforts were instrumental in its success. |
Graduation Day 2024 |
15 December 2024 Graduation day! Congratulations to the Class of 2024 If you’re in any of these photos, please reply with your name and tell us where you are in the photo. |
Redemption |
20 December 2024 When Bianca Monica "Nix" Lañas completed her bachelor's degree, she could not afford to attend her graduation. Health issues had befallen the family. Her dad Ermie was a businessman, and was successful for a while but had to shut down his company for health conditions. Her brother had to stop schooling due to illness. To lessen the burden on her mom Margie, Nix started her own video editing business to pay for her college tuition. She had spent her remaining money for her thesis, so renting a toga and paying graduation fees were out of the question. From this experience, Nix developed an obsessive, workaholic personality, honing various skills that could earn her a premium rate, from video editing to real estate and insurance selling. During the pandemic, she used residual real estate commissions enroll in the Masters in Entrepreneurship (MEnt) Program in AGSB, where she could receive formal training in business. She recalls, "When I began the MEnt program, I was just a regular real estate salesperson running my business like a headless chicken, chasing every opportunity without proper screening. My decisions were driven entirely by gut feel. I learned the importance of balancing passion with logic and making decisions based on hard data." Nix likens completing the MEnt Program to running blindly through a dark tunnel, only to find a brightly-lit mirror at the end: "Before MEnt, I had no real understanding of my own potential, the audacity of my ideas, or the impact I had on others. I knew I was skilled at what I did, but the experience of having an audience - composed of classmates, professors, defense panelists, and the AGSB community - helped me to see that my mission is far greater than myself. At the end of the program, I came face to face with the best version of me." Nix entered the program as a student and emerged as a teacher: "I have rebranded myself not only as a real estate broker but also as an educator. When working with clients, I focus on educating them about the real estate sales process and introducing them to various investment opportunities and products." She has also become an educator in the literal sense, as she has been invited to teach in the MEnt program. On graduation day, as I read Nix's name and watched her walk onstage with her parents, garbed in a toga, receiving her diploma plus a medal, I felt that redemption had arrived - not just for her past, but for the future of the lost, confused entrepreneurs she will be helping to educate. |
Care and Quality |
19 December 2024 "Care and Quality are internal and external aspects of the same thing," wrote Robert M. Pirsig. Those twin attributes are embodied by Vika de la Paz, Student Council President for school year 2022-2023 and one of the three SC heads who graduated on Dec. 15. Quality has been Vika's work. Care has been her calling. Vika started her MBA while in the Quality Assurance Group of San Miguel Foods. She was promoted to QA Head and elected SC President, and ran the two operations simultaneously. She moved to McDonald's as QA Manager and successfully defended her Strama at the same time. This ability to take on several leadership roles simultaneously is just what her mom and dad, Venus and Eugene, expect of her: "Vika is a self-reliant individual who thrives on responsibility and initiative." An initiative that started in her term is the Meet and Greet. Here, the SC invites current students to share advice with new students on their MBA journey, and make them feel part of the AGSB community - a vital activity given the non-cohort, carousel structure of several programs. And, as ever, Vika and her fellow students thrived on serving in many outreach programs. "These showed the generosity, kindness, and readiness of the Ateneo network," recalls Vika. "We saw the Atenean values come to life through these projects." What QA professionals don't thrive on is the bad rap they often get from other functions. They are seen as police who interfere and cause delays. A key Ignatian value that is ingrained in AGSB students is Cura Personalis, care for the person, which Vika practices by putting on her coaching hat: People are likely to follow when they feel the intent and sincerity of my message." For this, Vika credits insights gained in the Leadership course, which she didn't expect to be different, or hard: "I assumed it was just going to be the classic how-to-be-a-good-leader course, so I have never been happier to be wrong about something. If I could frankly describe it, the Leadership course is brutal. It made me dive deep into my innermost thoughts, and uncover how these influence the way I treat others." That is, to treat others with care - and quality. |
Leadership Energy |
18 December 2024 When we formally reopened the campus in early 2022, it was my first chance to address the student body in-person and onsite. Armie Aileen Dela Cruz-Vidad invited me to sit for an interview to be broadcast live on the AGSB channel and on social media. She immediately put me at ease and started engaging me, rapid-fire, from all angles. It was my first encounter with the force of nature that Armie is, and that I would come to appreciate. Watching it later, one of my sisters said that Armie was able to bring out a side of me that they didn't see before - "she's a good interviewer." That she is, among the many talents that I was to discover through Armie's term as SC President. In that period, we had to navigate through swathes of unknown territory - the continued lockdowns, the brief return onsite, the self-imposed lockdown because of the building renovation, the entry into the new normal, the rush to meet the government's regulations for onsite classes, the campaign for PAASCU accreditation - through which I tried my best to steer the School, side-by-side with Armie as student-partner. "A visionary, goal-driven, hardworking," is how Armie is characterized by her dad Loreto Dela Cruz, with whom she started 8BTSI Corp, the company she serves as Vice President. As Dean I banked on those traits to communicate a constant vision amid the changes we had to go through. Whether the need was for a message for the Viber GCs, for hosting an event, for traveling to a community for an outreach project, Armie responded to each request without hesitation, without excuses, without exceptions - with her trademark relentless energy. When we first met, I was surprised to hear Armie describe herself as an introvert who preferred the comforts of being curled up in a corner, reading a book after a day’s work. "But AGSB changed my life tremendously." She discovered more about herself: "Each challenge helped me grow to be better. We understood the values we were expected to embody." Still, Armie says her AGSB MBA journey never made her feel that she lost her true self. Instead, she says, "I embraced my greater purpose of serving with my heart full, with discernment, with care." And, I might add, all with unrelenting leadership energy. |
Optimism |
17 December 2024 Youth is wasted on the young, observed George Bernard Shaw. But Mr. Shaw didn't get a chance to observe Angel Centeno. As Interim SC Head from April to September 2024, Angel is of the three Student Council presidents who graduated on Dec. 15, She started her MBA journey earlier than most students do, and at 25 she is one of the youngest in the graduating class. Angel leveraged her youthful energy towards building a longer runway for developing a leadership style, which she could test immediately both at work and in her role as student leader. She reckons that starting her MBA journey at a younger age helped her to establish a strong foundation early in her career and to position for long-term growth. The optimism of youth helped her to adapt more quickly and to experiment with different approaches to problem solving, which she puts to good use as Client Success Manager in an advertising and tech company. Asked to cite a vital lesson among the many she collected in her classes, Angel chose emotional intelligence. "This helped me to better understand and manage my emotions, as well as navigate and influence the emotions of others." She leans on these skills to balance competing priorities, develop innovative solutions for client needs, and communicate value to stakeholders. Like many of our graduates, Angel considers her AGSB journey as a transformative and empowering experience: "It wasn’t just about acquiring knowledge - it was about learning to think, lead, and act with purpose." Anne and Chris Centeno reflected on their daughter's key attributes: "Angel has a loving heart, a thoughtful spirit, unwavering optimism, a goal-driven mindset, and a deep faith in God, all of which make us incredibly proud and blessed to call her our daughter." And we are blessed that Angel heeded the call to lead and serve us. |
Reinvention |
16 December 2024 On a personal note about the AGSB graduation, I am running a series of posts on daughters. Having two sons, I will be the first to say to our male graduates that fathers do love their sons, and congratulations to you. But as I and my wife did not have daughters, I thought I’d vicariously experience celebrating the graduation of some of our outstanding female students through the eyes of their parents. This first post is about Camille Ante. In her speech at the AGSB graduation ceremonies last Dec. 15, Camille talked about the need to reinvent oneself, relating her own experience of how their family, starting with her dad, had to learn how to reinvent themselves after the closing of the mining facility where she grew up in. Her AGSB education led her to discover her Ikigai, a staple of the Leadership course and, from there, how to craft a new vision for herself and her career - in a world that is never stable, as she learned early in life. Her dad, Prof. Ralph Ante, the Department Chair for Operations and Information Technology, himself a graduate of the Ateneo-Regis MBA program, when asked about the outstanding traits of his daughter, was quick to reply: “Persistent, determined, honest, super loyal. And loves unconditionally.” Those traits need no reinvention… |
Dean Jet at the 2024 Graduation Ceremony Rehearsals |
14 December 2024 “How well we practice determines how well we perform.” |
Ateneo GSB Students at Kyushu Business School |
5 December 2024 What's it like to live in Japan and take up MBA courses there? Two AGSB students each year get to experience this, thanks to our continuing relations with Kyushu Business School (QBS). They speak positively about their QBS experience, as well as their AGSB education. This year, the two students are Carmina Gammuac (3rd from the right) and Rhea Roxas (7th from the right). Let's hear from them... Mina says, "While the core principles of the MBA align with what we've learned at AGSB (and probably in some areas, we feel we were "advanced"), the international mix has introduced new perspectives." Rhea adds, "Living in Japan gave me a first-hand look at the discipline and innovation that characterize Japanese society, which inspired me to reflect on how our own nation could learn from their example. Academically, I found that the foundations I gained at AGSB prepared me well for my subjects here." |
23rd University Scholarly Work Awards 2024 |
25 June 2024 It was a pleasure to be with Dr. Leveric T. Ng as he was honored with three awards in the 23rd University Scholarly Work Awards 2024 event in Ateneo de Manila University.
Doc Lev is a devoted professor, and one of the most popular teachers in the Ateneo Graduate School of Business. Through the Awards, many now know that he is also a researcher and scholar. His work, "Explicating the Influence of Religion in Forming Corporate Governance: Insights from the Philippines," coauthored with John Paulo Rivera, also won the award for Most Social Impact. Business schools are not usually recognized for social impact, and the award is a validation of the social responsibility that is at the core of AGSB's purpose.
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Partnership with Kyoto University Graduate School of Management |
29 May 2024 Celebrating 12 years of our partnership with Kyoto University Graduate School of Management and the Asia Business Leader Programme.
I taught a class in Leadership in Asia – in the context of economics, cross-cultural management, and corporate culture. These young Japanese executives could soon be developing and heading businesses around Asia. |
Ateneo GSB Learning Caravan |
7 May 2024 Class in session! I had an enjoyable half-hour engaging and being engaged by attendees to the AGSB marketing event last April 27 in Ayala Malls The 30th.
We discussed five cases, ranging from finance to strategy to ethical decision making, simulating what you might expect in an AGSB classroom. We can learn everywhere at any time, and it's always fun. |
The LMDP has come full circle |
27 March 2023 When we designed the Leadership and Management Development Program (LMDP) for Batch 1, almost 30 years ago, there was a gap in the market for a “mini-MBA.” The LMDP quickly became the flagship program for the Ateneo Graduate School of Business Center for Continuing Education (CCE) Ateneo Center for Continuing Education and has graduated hundreds of managers who wanted to retool, to upskill, and to advance their careers. |
AGSB Leadership Conference 2023 |
22 February2023 I was happy to be with the student leaders this weekend at the Leadership Conference (LeadCon) in Clark, admiring their accomplishments, listening to their aspirations, and engaging them in their plans for the student body. |
Two teachers comparing notes in a classroom |
16 January 2023 We all know Atty. Leni Robredo as a lawyer, a government official, a public servant, a political figure, and a leader. We don’t know much about her as a teacher. Atty. Leni had just returned from teaching a course in the Harvard Kennedy School when I met her last Friday. We talked about how students in different countries prepare for a class; how students discuss a case study differently in the Philippines and in the U.S.; about student consultations and why her consultation lines were the longest in her time in Harvard; about questions that students tend to ask, and so forth. |
Welcome 2023! |
4 January 2023 As we welcome the new year of 2023, may we be reminded of our life goals and that life can be wonderfully measured by seasons and stages.
Cheers to opening a new chapter this January, Ateneans! Let us welcome 2023 with a renewed direction.
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Ateneo GSB Christmas 2022 |
25 December 2022 Wishing Joy to your world and peace to your heart this Christmas and New Year, Happy Holidays from your Ateneo GSB family!
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Who will be the next President of the Philippines? |
29 April 2022 It’s undoubtedly a question of critical importance to our country. For the Ateneo Graduate School of Business, as a community devoted to learning about leadership and management, there’s a related question that is as critically important: What is the thinking process that you are using to decide your own answer? |
Happy Easter, AGSB Community! |
22 April 2022 For a relevant Easter message, I invited our Ateneo Professional Schools chaplain and my PhD classmate, Fr. Pat Falguera, to share his thoughts and prayers for Easter. As we – with God’s mercy – enter the post-pandemic era, we would do well to reflect on Fr. Pat’s two themes of Hope and Gratitude. |
Flex Learning in the New Normal |
11 April 2022 “Excited!” “Ecstatic!” “Overly excited ” It wasn’t difficult to guess the overriding emotion felt by AGSB students as they attended the first pilot “flex” sessions held in the Rockwell campus. After one-and-a-half years of purely online learning, the students were eager to try the new learning mode – with some students onsite and some online, in the same class. As of this first week of April, there have been eight pilot sessions. |