On 13 August 2022, the Ateneo Alumni Scholars Association (AASA) celebrated its 35th. Anniversary. Past and present AASA Board of Directors (BOD), alumni scholars, AASA Scholars of School Year 2021-2022, benefactors, and some special guests attended the event.
The program began with a Mass presided by the founder of the organization, Fr. William “Bill” Kreutz, S.J. His homily was centered around love, compassion, and charity. Using the story of the good Samaritan, he encouraged everyone to help and serve one another regardless of inherent differences—to “go and do likewise.” Fr. Bill’s concelebrants were Fr. Antonio Samson, SJ, Fr. Norberto Baustista, SJ and Fr. Rene Tacastacas, SJ.
The event proper, hosted by alumni scholars, Mr. Briane dela Peña and Ms. Victoria Tulad, started with the singing of the National Anthem and a prayer led by Ms. Lorna Datiles-Fabian, the AASA Vice President. Immediately after this, Ms. Anna Theresa Benedicto-Yu, BOD member and Head of the Anniversary Committee, delivered the opening remarks.
The first raffle draw followed the opening program. Ms. Lidel Badjao, a Scholarship Officer from the Office of Admission and Aid (OAA) and also a member of the BOD informed the audience that four raffle draw rounds would occur during the event, culminating in the round where small appliances were to be given away. Cheers filled the Rizal Library lounge as the ten winners of the first round’s P1,000 cash prize were announced.
Everyone at the event had another big reason to celebrate: Fr. Bill’s upcoming 87th Birthday. AASA BOD Members Ms. Fabian and Ms. Maria Lourdes Mercado gave Fr. Bill two beautifully decorated mini-cakes generously provided by Mary Grace Cafe as the attendees sang him the birthday song. He responded with a speech that echoed his Homily, reminding everyone to come to each other’s aid and to remain steadfast in this mission.
Near the end of the hearty merienda that followed, the Scholars of AASA–those scholars whose financial aid grant comes from donations of alumni scholars, the members of AASA–showcased their talents and gratitude through a special presentation. They recited an original poem, showed a heartwarming video detailing their experiences with AASA, and sang “Connected,” from the movie, Barbie in a Diamond Castle. During the song, they gave out hand-crafted blue roses to the AASA Board of Directors and AASA Office Team. The presentation was simply magical and touched the hearts of the attendees.
In a special video presentation prepared by the AASA BOD and staff for the anniversary, Fr. Bill narrated the humble beginnings of AASA. The video also featured messages of gratitude and congratulations from the University President, Fr. Roberto “Bobby” C. Yap, S.J. and AASA President Dr. Ronald Allan L. Cruz, along with alumni scholars who have become important benefactors of the organization.
The video presentation was followed by the Scholar Story and Benefactor’s Speech of Mr. Manolito Tayag, the Country Managing Director and President of Accenture, Inc. (Philippines). He shared his life story, particularly how he became a scholar of the University through the hope and conviction of his father, and how his journey went full circle when he became a benefactor of numerous scholars. He also encouraged scholars to take on the lifelong responsibility of giving back, and to fight the temptation of deferment.
A highlight of the event was the launching of AASA’s 15th. Scholarship Endowment, which was named after the late Mrs. Concepcion C. Calasanz, the scholarship officer under Fr. Bill’s term as Director of the Office of Admission and Aid (OAA). The endowment was established in honor of Mrs. Calasanz’s dedicated service in helping build the Ateneo College Scholarship Program in its early years, caring for both benefactors and the scholars. Her grandchildren, Leangel “Joel” Clemeno and Rossbenita Michelle Antiqueño, delivered brief responses that celebrated the recognition of their grandmother.
Linar-Mae A. Orbista, a class 2002 graduate of AB Diplomacy and International Relations with specialization in East and Southeast Asian Studies, with the distinctions of Summa Cum Laude and Program Awardee, spoke on behalf of her fellow graduating AASA scholars. In her speech, she enumerated the three most important things provided by the gift of Ateneo Education: (1) access to more resources, (2) the space to breathe and take on life with ease, and (3) the responsibility to pay forward the kindness they received. As she concluded her address, she invited everyone to continuously find ways to support the marginalized, underprivileged, and disadvantaged sectors of society.
The floor was then handed back to the hosts for the announcement and awarding of the alumni batches that won special awards for their fundraising efforts for the 35th anniversary. The awards and the respective winners were:
- “Kami ang Una” Award
- Batch 2003
- “Ang Galing” Award
- Batch 1991 (First Place);
- Batch 2019 (Second Place); and
- Batches 1992, 2003, and 2007 (Third Place)
- “Waging-Wagi” Award
- Batch 2003 (First Place);
- Batch 1986 (Second Place); and
- Batch 1995 (Third Place)
The “Kami ang Una” Award was given to the first batch to hold a meeting with more than ten attendees. Meanwhile, the “Ang Galing” Award was given to the batch with the greatest number of members who contributed to the fundraiser. Lastly, the “Waging-Wagi” Award was given to the batches with the highest amount of contribution to the 35th Anniversary Fundraising Project. The winning batches received certificates and the first place winners received cash prizes.
Once the winning batches had been recognized and awarded, the two remaining raffle segments took place. Five attendees won P3,500 cash, while ten attendees received brand new small appliances. In a final special raffle held the next day, other winners received MyEasyTrip RFID Load Credits worth P500 from sponsor MPT DriveHub.
AASA President Dr. Cruz ended the program with his President’s Report. A few highlights of his report were as follows:
- AASA was able to collect donations totalling P3.7 Million through the fundraiser for its 35th Anniversary;
- AASA has raised a total of 15 endowments;
- AASA has graduated a total of 198 scholars since its establishment in 1987;
- AASA has 18 graduating scholars this 2022;
- AASA has built a strong and steady brand identity; and
- AASA’s mentorship program has proven to be successful.
The program ended around seven thirty in the evening, with the singing of the Ateneo Hymn, the photo-taking session with all the attendees, and the recognition of the event’s sponsors:
Smart Communications, Inc.
Accenture, Inc.
Axelum Resources Corp.
MPT DriveHub
Greenbulb Communications
Crimson Hotels & Resorts
Liberty Insurance Corporation
Mary Grace Cafe
CrossPoint Technology Solutions
Penguin Random House
Before heading home, the graduating scholars were each given a Mary Grace cake as a congratulatory gift from AASA.
Staying true to Fr. Bill’s homily, everyone walked out the halls with a renewed passion to pay kindness forward and to continuously support those in need, whether that be as individuals and as an organization.