In a momentous event last 13 May 2023, the Board of Directors (BOD) of the Ateneo Alumni Scholars Association (AASA) paid a courtesy call to Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ, President of the Ateneo de Manila University.

During the courtesy call, the BOD took the opportunity to express their deepest gratitude to Fr. Yap for his unwavering support to the organization and its scholars. As a gesture of appreciation and to mark the occasion, the BOD greeted Fr. Yap an advanced happy birthday and presented him with a cake, an alumnus scholar’s shirt and other meaningful gifts, symbolizing the unity and camaraderie shared among the AASA community.

Dr. Ronald Allan L. Cruz, the outgoing President of AASA, took the floor to present a comprehensive report on the association’s notable achievements in recent years. The report showcased the positive impact of AASA’s initiatives, highlighting the number of AASA scholars graduated so far (198), the number of currently enrolled AASA scholars (62) of which 30 are graduating this school year, the number of AASA endowments (15 endowments to date) that add up to Php 52M in total, the Php 8.1M raised this fiscal year so far, and the mentorship program, among others. Dr. Cruz’s report also emphasized the growth of the scholarship program and the continuous efforts to achieve our vision of becoming the leading scholarship benefactor of the Ateneo de Manila University.
In response, Fr. Yap shared a heartfelt account of his personal journey as an Ateneo scholar. He recounted being accepted with a full scholarship and a dorm scholarship, making him feel a deep connection with our organization of scholars. He also expressed joy upon learning that the most recent AASA endowment was named after Mrs. Concepcion C. Calasanz, with whom he had a personal experience. He recalled how Mrs. Calasanz was a calming, kind, and motherly figure who was always there to help. Fr. Yap also reminisced about his transformative immersion with fellow scholars back in 1975, which solidified his vocation. He emphasized the special place scholars hold in his heart and commended AASA for promoting the spirit of paying it forward. He highlighted the importance of mentorship and its ability to inspire others to serve. He also mentioned upcoming university plans that will involve a significant scholarship component, potentially requiring the support of the organization.

The visit reached a pivotal moment as the BOD, along with Fr. Bobby Yap, gathered for a significant photo opportunity. In a proud display of achievement, they posed with a large check amounting to Php3,700,000—the sum raised for the AASA-Concepcion C. Calasanz Endowment. The endowment represents a milestone in sustaining the organization’s mission of providing continuous support for future scholars and creating a lasting impact within the Ateneo community. It also aimed to honor the late Mrs. Calasanz for her dedicated service in helping build the Ateneo College Scholarship Program in its early years, especially caring for both benefactors and the scholars.
The courtesy call not only celebrated AASA’s achievements but also reinforced the strong bond between AASA and the Ateneo community. The discussions and exchanges during the visit further emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnership in creating a positive impact on the lives of scholars. Both parties expressed their commitment to continued cooperation and exploration of new opportunities to empower Ateneo scholars.
