“To be just, it is not enough to refrain from injustice. One must go further and refuse to play its game, substituting love to self interest as the driving force of society.”
Ignacianidad is an annual conference organized by the Ateneo de Manila University’s Office of Student Activities (ADMU OSA), which gathers student leaders of the Ateneo campuses from across the country to foster the incorporation of Ignatian values in student leadership. This year’s theme, “Solidarity in Action: Empowering Student Leaders for Social Justice – Marking 50
Years of Fr. Arrupe’s Call to be ‘Persons for Others,” encourages the young leaders to move beyond awareness and to put in action towards fighting the social injustices in the current world.
From July 27 to 29, 2023, delegates from the Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU) represented their respective student organizations and student council in the Ateneo Leadership Summit: Zharina Bianca Asuncion from the Legal Management Institute of Ateneo de Naga Students (LMIANS), Vincent Co from the Chaplaincy Student Volunteers (CSV), Catherine Llaban from Peer, Coaches, and Student Kaabay Volunteers (PCSKV), and Justine Glen Guinguing from the Supreme Student Government (SSG). The said students were accompanied by Maria Josephine Reyes, Coordinator for Student Support Services and Linkages of ADNU Office of Student Affairs. In three days, the four have met and collaborated with fellow student leaders from Ateneo de Davao, Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, and the host institution, Ateneo de Manila.
On the first day of IGN 2023, Fr. Roberto Yap, S.J. welcomed the delegates at the Ateneo de Manila University’s Escaler Hall, sharing a story about the late Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J. who shined a poor boy’s shoes after he visited him and offered him a shoeshine at Lima, Peru. Fr. Bobby left the whole auditorium not only a warm message during that rainy morning, but also a challenge of genuinely becoming men and women for others during these trying times– “Ateneans, whose shoes do you want to shine?” The Director of ADMU’s OSA, Ralph Jacinto Quiblat or Sir Tats, also delivered a message and expressed his gratitude to the Ateneos that were able to send their leaders to participate in this year’s event, the first face-to-face Ignacianidad pushed through since the pandemic hit. After the opening program, the assembly was then brought to Timberland Highlands Resort at San Mateo Rizal, where the next days of the summit were held.
Volting in For the Oppressed Sectors
Delegates convened at Timberlands’ grand ballroom where they were then distributed to groups they worked with for the rest of the conference, each group having representatives coming from various universities and diverse organizations. Through a collection of videos curated by the OSA (see here: IGN 2023 – Pre-Work), the student leaders were able to identify and discuss with each other the problems faced by the country, and the resources they have to propose solutions for them.
Aside from brainstorming for plans among themselves, the series of workshops allowed the students to meet with OSA’s thoughtfully picked mentors who helped them strategize for their projects. These esteemed mentors have different backgrounds of their own, which widened the groups’ perspectives even more: Graciela E. Mendoza, Head of Scholarships and Community at the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, Ophalle Alzona-Pornela, the Director of Office for Social Concern and Involvement at the Ateneo de Manila University, Maya Quirino, Advocacy Coordinator at The Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center, Marie Joy R. Salita, AVP for Student Activities and Leadership Formation at Ateneo de Manila University, and Sir Tats Quiblat himself, Director of AdMU OSA.
Stories From Marawi
Another rare opportunity that the student leaders were able to take part in was the Fireside Chat, where Monrea Agustin from SEED Philippines and Gabie Tomboc from Gawad Kalinga, were able to impart stories of recovery and survival from the people at Marawi, and engage in an inspiring conversation that highlights what their organizations are doing today to help Marawi rebuild their lives after the tremendous impact of the siege.
Mindful Leadership in a Disrupted World
The last day was still filled with insight, as Sir Tats Quiblat gave his keynote speech to the delegates before everyone left San Mateo. The OSA Director discussed the changes and advancements of today and what it has transformed people’s interests into, noting that it should be embraced, as there is no point in yearning for the old normal that will only stagnate the society’s growth in a fast-changing world. He also emphasized the need for “mindfulness” in dealing with this transformation, and in everything that one does, especially when it comes to choosing between the good and the magis, or “the more loving option.”
Student leaders were also left points to go back to and ponder on once they return to their own institutions– “outcomes are what we work for, but impacts are what we hope for.” Student activities shall not end only with the results, rather be a ripple to a significant wave of change the organizations are meant for. They are also reminded that, when at some point of discernment it becomes tedious, it is helpful to take a pause and go back to what the Ateneo’s mission is and to remember who it is for. “Huwag mong itanong kung mahirap, itanong mo kung mahalaga.”
Texts: MJ Reyes
Photos: MJ Reyes, ADMU OSA, Monrea Agustin
