The dedication of Ateneo employees

Three hundred and ninety employees will be recognized at this year’s University Service Awards. To be held at the High School Covered Courts on March 12, the ceremony is a celebration of employees’ service anniversary milestones of 5 to 50 years, in 5-year increments.

 

Five awardees share their recruitment story and what made them stay in this educational mission that is the Ateneo de Manila University.
 

 

 

Ateneo has been my home since I was in third year high school. I was a public high school student back then and had the chance to spend two summers in Ateneo through Alay Ni Ignacio. I entered Ateneo de Manila University, joined the formation program of Pathways to Higher Education and eventually became an alumnus of the university and Pathways. A few months after graduation, I had a chance to work part-time in Pathways. I thought it was the perfect opportunity to serve in the organization that helped form who I am today.

 

Honestly, I think what made me stay are all the people that I have been working with. It is really refreshing to work with colleagues and volunteers who have a heart for service. I stayed because I believe in what Pathways does and I want to continue to be part of this community that is committed to help the youth realize their potentials. In the same way that Pathways and Ateneo helped me, I hope to continue to do the same for others.

 

 

A college batchmate, Rowell de Leon, invited me to apply (to teach in Ateneo Grade School). The headmaster at that time was Fr. Cuerquis.  That was how I got in. I later took a leave for 1 year but decided to come back. I realized that if I were to teach, it would really have to be in Ateneo—the school espouses things that I believe in. Ateneo has formed me into the person I am today. I have learned so many values in this institution that I want to impart on my students.

 

 

I was a scholar in the old College of Arts and Sciences from 1986 to 1990. My experience of an Ateneo education changed me deeply. I could say that I found my God in the community. I worked for 3 years after college graduation in the corporate setting but soon found it wasn't for me. On the invitation of the late Fr. James O'Brien SJ who was also my benefactor, I applied for a teaching position in the English Department of the Ateneo High School (AHS). In 2000 while I was pursuing a master's degree in counseling, I transferred to the Guidance and Counseling Department. I was the Admission and Aid Director of the HS and the Basic Education for 7 years but my calling was always to be back to my home department doing guidance and counseling. I've been with the Senior High School since it opened in 2016. 

 

I found my significant relationships in Ateneo, beginning with my husband whom I met in college and all my lifelong friends in AHS. The annual Ignatian retreats were always a life-giving summer activity after getting burnt out from the previous school year and before starting a new one with hope and excitement. There is always something new about the daily work in Ateneo. The wisdom and mentorship of my Jesuit bosses and of my culture bearer lay coworkers sustain me. Ateneo has always been my second family and my husband and children who studied/study here feel the same. It is easy to stay in an organization whose core values resonate with your own and where people treat you like family. 

 

 

Nakilala ko si Fr. Vasques sa paglalaro ng basketball at sa kanya ako nagtanong kung saan mayroon opening ang sabi nya mag-apply ako sa ACSPPA (Ateneo Center for Social Policy & Public Affairs), pero nung 2005 hanggang ngayon ay  nalipat ako sa Rockwell sa Ateneo Professional School Library.   (I met Fr. Vasquez while playing basketball 

 

Dahil sa nabuong samahan at mga kaibigan, nagturingan narin kaming isang pamilya at higit sa lahat ang pagtuturo na mapalapit ka sa Diyos.

 

 

I was walking around campus when Fr. Cruz (late former University President Fr. Jose A. Cruz, SJ) stopped right next to me. He offered me a teaching position left vacant by a faculty member (in the Department of Philosophy) who took some time off to review for the bar. I could not refuse because of the scholarship and because he was the teacher in one of my courses who gave me all As!

 

I want to serve the Ateneo community longer than Mr. Onofre Pagsanghan! Mr. Pagsi, as he is fondly called by the community, has been teaching at the Ateneo since 1951. I want to catch up with him! He’s been teaching for 60 years!