48th University Service Awards special features: Maria Luz C Vilchez

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Since 1978, Ateneo de Manila University has been honoring its employees with the University Service Awards, recognizing their dedication and commitment to the University’s mission. Now in its 48th year, the University Service Awards continue to celebrate employees from all units whose service contributes to the growth and strength of the Ateneo community.

We’re excited to introduce some of this year’s awardees, who will share their stories, favorite places on campus, and reasons for staying at Ateneo.

Meet Marlu, our Vice President for Higher Education and a 40-year service awardee.

Why Ateneo?

Ateneo was never on my radar at all! I was daunted by the thought of teaching in the English department, sharing the same space with my formidable professors. But in life’s ironic twists and turns, I ended up where I didn’t want to go! 

It was Fr Joseph Galdon SJ’s encouragement that emboldened me to try my luck in the same department that overwhelmed me. More than luck, I had grace, in fact. Dr Edna Manlapaz, who took me under her wings, increased my confidence in teaching, engaged me in scholarly work, and involved me in leadership roles. I got hooked! I’ve never looked elsewhere since then. 

In Ateneo, I have found meaning in contributing to the mission of education as character formation for the common good. Here, work is an extension of my self-worth, and people are friends in a community that celebrates achievements, respects imperfections, and forges hope.  

What keeps you going?

I find meaning in the work that I do, no matter how many times it can be quite challenging. I’m fortunate to have dedicated and caring people in my team. In the community, I have formed friendships that cherish laughter in banter, engage in soulful conversations, ready for a quick shop talk, give space for a confidential let-off steam, lighten the day when the burden is heavy, or give me shelter when a downpour is imminent. In addition to these, I get valuable support from the Jesuits: a word or two, a smile, a prayer, volunteer help, a visit, a chat, a meal at the JR or other Jesuit houses. I know I can always run to them for encouragement and blessing. Most of all, I have an active prayer life anchored in Ignatian Spirituality. It’s the thread that ties things together to keep me steady in my busy life.    

Favorite memory at work

In 1994, Fr Ben Nebres SJ, tasked me to coordinate the 4-year Philippines English Language Teaching (PELT) Project under the auspices of the British Council/British Embassy for secondary school English teachers in 8 Philippine educational regions. It involved taking 60 public school/Ateneo teachers to Lancaster University (in four cohorts) for a 10-week trainer training program, helping with their socio-cultural adjustments, and participating in academic deliberations with the Lancaster University team. In the summer months, I coordinated the in-country teacher training workshops led by the Lancaster team and assisted by the newly UK-trained trainers.

Simultaneously, I was doing part time PhD work in Lancaster. When the project was over, I took a semester’s leave to finish my thesis, pass my viva, revise the manuscript, and submit the bound copies. Looking back at that dizzying juggle between work and study, how did I do it?! Only by God’s grace aided by determination!

Favorite spot on campus

Bellarmine Field is the respite of green and comfort that I see from my office window. Despite heavy traffic on Masterson avenue, it remains serene and welcoming to tired eyes from too much computer screen time and weary minds from thinking through creative solutions to confounding concerns. It is occasionally adorned with white Egrets hopping in their sprightly dance for the delectable finds on the fine grass. In good weather, I leisurely walk on the perimeter road around the field at dusk, contemplating on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary and stopping in between to capture in photos the grandeur of the Gesu that majestically sits on the hill – still and collected. During the Christmas season, Bellarmine field brings to light the nativity scene surrounded by a galaxy of stars come down from heaven in adoration of the Holy Child. I love Bellarmine field for its many wonders and miracles!

Most important lesson you’ve learned

Life is what you make of it guided by your North Star.  You begin with a plan but you also listen to the stirrings of the Spirit that inform it or even change it for the better. Thus, you end up either with a different outcome or stay on course but through a new route you had not envisioned before. After all, humility is a huge virtue! At the end of the day, it is not the work that you do but how what you do impacts the lives of others. That is the gauge of success. And that success is not only to your credit but to those who have helped you on that, sometimes, rough journey. No one works in a silo despite avowed expertise. Shared success makes responsibility easier to bear. For a leader, it’s a great reward to have a restful heart and a gentle spirit.