Ateneo receives P1 million for Junior High School scholarships

On 27 January 2025, Ateneo de Manila University, Ateneo Alumni Association (AAA), and representatives from AGS '64, AHS '68, Col '72, and ME '73 held a simple ceremony to officially sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the turnover of PHP 1 million to the Ateneo Junior High School (AJHS) Scholarship Program.

In attendance were Ateneo de Manila University President Fr Roberto Yap SJ; OUDAA Director Fr Kit Bautista SJ; Vice President for Basic Education Fr Jonjee Sumpaico SJ, AAA President Mr Gene Manalastas, AAA Vice President Atty Steff Baltao Basilio, AAA Treasurer and Col '72 Class Representative Mr Goody Hernandez, AGS '64 Class Representative Mr Giovanni Jing Olivares, Order of the Blue Eagles Co-chairman Mr Monchito Roco and Mrs. Monina Valencia, representing her late husband Mr Mike Valencia, and the Ateneo Junior High School Principal Mrs Gen Sanvictores.

The batch staged the 1st Mike Valencia Golf Tournament on 21 November 2024, at the Canlubang Golf & Country Club.  They successfully raised PHP 1 million to fund a four-year education for an aspiring scholar at the AJHS.

When asked why they chose the AJHS Scholarship as the recipient, Mr Hernandez responded, “They will be into Jesuit education for four years, and high school is the formative years of students leading to college.” Emphasizing the importance of education in development, their batch has committed to providing a scholarship to a highly qualified but financially challenged student to experience Jesuit education.