Ateneo Institute of Sustainability celebrates 10 years of helping create a sustainable future

The Ateneo Institute of Sustainability (AIS) celebrated its 10th anniversary with a small gathering at the Manila Observatory's Heyden Hall on Friday, 28 April 2023. Here, AIS looked back on 10 years of helping Ateneo de Manila create a sustainable future for its community and beyond.

The celebration started off with opening remarks by Mr Rizalino "Lino" P Rivera, Vice President for Mission Integration, who offered his congratulations to AIS on its 10th anniversary.

Following Mr Rivera's remarks, Dr Ma. Assunta "Achoot" C Cuyegkeng, Dr rer nat, founding director of AIS, took to the floor to look back on AIS' early days.

Here, Dr Cuyegkeng looked back at the seeds of the AIS's founding, starting with the Ateneo Environment Management Coalition (AEMC)—which later became the Ateneo Environment Management Council—to the formation of an environment and development committee in 2011 that birthed the concept for an environment development center, which eventually led to the AIS' founding in 2013.

From here, Dr Cuyegkeng recalled many of the things that AIS achieved over the years, including its contributions to the University's high ranking among Filipino Universities in the 2022 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. All the while, she reflected on how quickly AIS had grown and how sustainability had become a bigger priority at the University.

"Now, (AIS) has grown into this very dynamic group who I'm sure will do more for sustainability and integral ecology for the University and beyond."

Following Dr Cuyegkeng's address, a number of friends and partners of AIS shared their stories of working with the organization.

In a pre-recoded video, Fr Jose Ramon "Jett" T Villarin, SJ, Executive Director of the Manila Observatory and former University President, also looked back at the AIS's founding and reflected on how sustainability "strikes at the heart of who we are as stewards of God's creation."

"People are warming up to the idea, or even to the advocacy and the concern that is sustainability," he added. "I hope that we will continue to find inspiration in our work—it is God's work—and that we will also inspire others, especially the young, to take on this advocacy, this mission."

In his own address, Atty Jaime "Jimmy" G Hofileña, director of the University Legal Compliance Office and former Vice President for Social Development, recalled his role as "taga supporta ... at taga-hanga" of the AIS's work.

He recalled initiatives such as the evaluation the risk posed by the West Valley Fault Line on the University, the reaching out and sharing activities and modules for the ASEAN University Network's University Social Responsibility and Sustainability's thematic networks, and more. Atty Hofileña then commented that he never realized how working with the AIS would give his then-role as VP for Social Development a significant international component.

In addition, Atty Hofileña praised AIS for its efforts to conduct off-campus trainings and orientations on environment management systems and business continuity plans with large corporations and small business alike. These partnerships, he stated, helped make the concept of sustainable development more mainstream.

Marie Joy R Salita, Assistant Vice President for Student Activities & Leadership Formation shared her own stories of her involvement with the AIS and its AEMC predecessor. One particular story involved the search for African Nightcrawlers—a species of earthworm used in vermicomposting. 

"First time in my life for me to hold slimy things in my hand," she explained. "And then I knew I was 'all in' with this transformation activity of sustainability."

She then told the story of how they grew their composting efforts from an initial single bed to nearly a dozen composting beds, creating a reliable source of compost for use in the University's fields.

Ms Salita also recalled other projects, such as the "Bring Your Own Baunan" or BYOB initiative, and the implementation of the centralized wastewater treatment system on campus.

In her video message, Mrs Maria Victoria P Dimalanta, Ateneo Senior High School Principal and former Ateneo Grade School Facilities and Security Management Office Coordinator, talked about how her former office "would not have survived for six years" without the AIS's support.

"You held our team by the hand," she explained. "As we championed our environmental advocacy, in line with the Laudato Si."

"You opened our eyes to the beauty of the Grade School campus," she continued. "And deepened our commitment to make it sustainable in accordance with the University's thrust."

She then explained that AIS was with the Ateneo Grade School at every step for every program it implemented.

The final address was given by current AIS director Dr Kendra Gotangco Gonzales. Here, Dr Gotangco Gonzales gave her thanks to everyone who attended the celebration of the AIS' 10th anniversary. More importantly, she outlined the institute's objectives for the upcoming year—to advocate, to innovate, and to synergize, words which spell out the institutes initials.

To "advocate," according to Dr Gotangco Gonzales, is all about the AIS' continued campaign for sustainable practices. She stated that, moving forward, the AIS hopes to further extend this advocacy outside the Ateneo campus.

"Innovate," on the other hand, refers to introducing and mainstreaming new systems, paradigms and processes. Dr Gotangco Gonzales states that the AIS is looking to developing more solutions and evidence-based approaches towards sustainability in the coming decade.

Finally, to "synergize" refers to bringing people together for mobilizing action. She explains that the AIS wants to be able to further connect different disciplines while working across different sectors of society to amplify the impact of its various initiatives.

Beyond this, Dr Gotangco Gonzales also explained that the AIS 10th anniversary celebration would not end at the event. Rather, AIS has various other activities planned for the rest of the year in cooperation with other higher education institutions and non-government organizations, all the way until April of 2024.

Following the addresses, a simple lunch was served featuring dishes prepared in a sustainable manner, including the use of plant-based ingredients with a lower carbon footprint.