Dr. Tuaño formally assumes ASoG deanship

On August 12, 2022, the Ateneo School of Government formally welcomed, through a Thanksgiving Mass and Turnover Ceremony, its new Dean, Dr. Philip Arnold P. Tuaño, as its new leader for an initial 3-year term, from 1 June 2022 to 31 May 2025.

The two-part ceremony started with a 3:30 pm Thanksgiving Mass held at the Church of the Gesu with former Ateneo de Manila University President Fr. Jose Ramon “Jet” Villarin SJ as main celebrant and homilist, and concelebrated by another former University President, Fr. Bienvenido “Ben” F. Nebres S.J. During the homily, Father Jett reminded the ASoG community to continue its work of serving the vulnerable sectors. Consistent with the Ateneo mission, he emphasized how ASoG, through its personnel, partners, and stakeholders, can be persons-for-and-with-others through its work on justice, national security, empowerment, and good governance, among others. The Mass served as thanksgiving for former ASOG Dean Dr. Ronald U. Mendoza’s productive six years as the School’s leader that saw the launch of new initiatives that allowed the University to better engage the public sector through strengthened policy research and thought leadership of the Ateneo Policy Center, wider outreach to new audiences via the Executive Education program, and the expansion of scholarship opportunities for public servant leaders in the Academic Program. At the same time, prayers were offered to bless ASoG’s new captain, Dean Randy Tuaño as he embarks on his new role of leading the country’s largest privately-run school of government. 

Following the Mass, a Turnover Ceremony was held in the ASOG Building, the Pacifico Ortiz Hall. Father Ben served as the keynote speaker, and invited the ASoG community to work together to address the inequality, poverty and indifference that threatens the Philippines’ future as a nation and as a people. He highlighted the disconnect between on-the-ground realities that confront the common citizen every day - poverty, exclusion, and structural inequity - and the topics that consume so much of the attention of our policymakers, such as economic growth, and modernization. This disconnect, Fr. Ben emphasized, results in interventions that do not necessarily lead to the improvement of the lives of the vulnerable sectors. Father Ben enjoined and challenged ASoG members to connect with various initiatives and to immerse themselves in communities in order to truly care for the vulnerable, and hopefully to meaningfully act on their behalf. 

Following Fr Ben’s inspiring wisdom, the ASoG staff and faculty gave tribute to Dean Mendoza, with various speeches and video greetings. In his message of gratitude, Dr. Mendoza highlighted the contributions of the stakeholders, the support of the University administrators, and past ASoG Deans, and how all these were instrumental in allowing the School to grow and deliver on its promises at the start of Dr. Mendoza’s  term. He likewise emphasized the importance of asking difficult questions and confronting complex challenges, especially in managing an institution, and how these too are ways of achieving positive change. Finally, Dr. Mendoza stressed the value of inclusivity, innovation, putting the institution first before the self, and Ignatian spirituality, in attaining greater heights for the School for the sake of nation-building.

To mark the transition of leadership, the new ASoG website was launched, now with a page  featuring Dr. Tuaño as the new ASoG Dean. Members of the School’s Core Faculty, Professors of Praxis, and Senior Fellows offered messages of welcome and support to the new Dean. In turn, Dean Tuaño thanked those who played significant roles in bringing the School of Government to where it is today. He guaranteed the School’s commitment towards economic and social reforms amidst the challenges that the country is facing today. Dr. Tuaño said that the School will intensify its efforts in ensuring that its students and stakeholders have a better understanding of the relationship between democratic politics, good governance practices, and development outcomes through education and research as well as capacity building programs. He likewise guaranteed the ASoG’s engagement with the citizenry as well as continued partnership with the external stakeholders, most especially support to government agencies who are at the forefront of public service delivery. Finally, Dr. Tuaño promised that the School will build communities and form public servants who share the common vision of Ignatian spirituality who values the common good, among everything else. 

As a  parting  gift, the most senior members of the ASoG staff gave Dr Mendoza a token of the School’s gratitude - a statue of St Ignatius of Loyola, eyes looking up to the sky, walking stick in hand, with one foot raised and ready to take the next step - a symbol of what the ASoG hopes and strives to be at all times: ready and willing to put in the hard work in service of God and country.