Ateneo helps frontliners, affected communities amid COVID-19 outbreak

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With the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, the need to support our healthcare workers and the underprivileged has been of tantamount importance to stave off the spread of the virus. 

The Ateneo de Manila University has been actively playing a part in making a difference in the lives of frontliners and those adversely affected by the declaration of an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) brought about by the pandemic. 

Just last April 15, Ateneo opened its doors to 23 medical and support staff from the Quirino Medical Center, one of the government hospitals that are leading the battle against COVID-19. The dormitory inside the Institute of Social Order was picked to house the healthcare workers (HCWs). Under the “Project Panunuluyan: Kanlungan at Bayanihan” Ateneo will provide board and lodging for the HCWs, plus a point-to-point shuttle service to and from the hospital, until May 15, 2020. 

Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ, president of the Ateneo de Manila welcomes several medical and support staff from the Quirino Medical Center.

"We consider it a privilege to be of service somehow to our [healthcare workers] by providing this place where they can rest, reflect, and renew their body and spirit," Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, president of Ateneo de Manila University said. "This is panunuluyan during Easter time, a time to open ourselves to how the Spirit is entreating and moving us in the world today.”

Aside from providing temporary shelter to our health care workers, Ateneo is also offering psychological support through the Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Services. The center provides free online counselling and psychological first aid to frontliners who need assistance amid these difficult times. 

Ateneo has also provided over 12,500 meals to the health care workers of the Philippine General Hospital, Lung Center of the Philippines, East Avenue Medical Center, and the Mandaluyong City Medical Center.

In addition, Ateneo has helped in providing personal protective equipment to our health care workers in 96 health institutions. The University, in close coordination with the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH), also gave hazardous material (hazmat) suits to The Medical City. The specifications of the hazmat suit design came from ASMPH Dean Dr. Cenon R. Alfonso, M.D., and produced by Marie Alexene Cabantac and Dennie Tan Ruiz using a fabric called Taslan 80 gsm which makes the suits reusable after proper decontamination.

Dr. Lourdes “Des” Jimenez (center), Chairperson of The Medical City’s Emergency Room Medicine and Dr. Menandro Sandoval (right), Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health Alumnus and ER Medicine staff, received the hazmat suits donation.

The Areté Makerspace team has also assembled more than 1,600 face shields for the use of healthcare professionals in various hospitals in Metro Manila and around the country.

“We are one with our frontliners as they bravely face this disease. What we’re doing for them is just our own little way to help them with their burden as they continue to lead this fight against COVID-19. We are proud to support them and will continue to do whatever we can to make a difference in their lives,” Villarin said.

Meanwhile, Ateneo has also been taking part in assisting communities affected by the declaration of the ECQ. Over 44,600 families have already been given food and relief packs containing various essential goods. 

Tanging Yaman Foundation has also been helping fishing communities in Visayas by purchasing their products. This past Holy Week, Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ and the Ateneo-Jesuit consortium ordered 38 tons of assorted bulad or dried fish that were also added to the relief packs that were given to poor families here in Metro Manila. 

In partnership with the De La Salle Brothers and the Philippine Jesuits, Ateneo has also helped provide a safe shelter to 446 individuals. 

“We believe that this is an opportunity for the entire Ateneo community to come together and help people who need it most. And I am proud that many in our community are stepping up to extend a helping hand during this crisis,” Villarin added.

To know how you can help, visit giving.ateneo.edu.

Tanghalang Ateneo's 36th season with the theme “Navigating Identities” all set to open with Han Ong’s ‘MIDDLE FINGER' on August 1

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As Tanghalang Ateneo, the longest-running theater company of the Loyola Schools of the Ateneo de Manila University, celebrates its 36th season with the theme “Navigating Identities,” will feature Han Ong’s ‘MIDDLE FINGER,’ an adaptation of the famous German play ‘Spring Awakening’ by Frank Wedekind.

The company aims to stage plays that center on man’s exploration and need to find himself and his place in the world.

Featuring a bilingual script using the original by Han Ong and a Filipino translation by Ronan B. Capinding, MIDDLE FINGER is a coming-of-age story centered on two Filipino teenagers, Jakob Rodriguez and Benjamin Lunga, studying in a Catholic school in America. In a world dominated by adults and social constructs, they attempt to find control and establish themselves as individuals.

Guelan Luarca shall play the role of Jakob Rodriguez, a headstrong and rebellious adolescent boy trying hard to break away from the boundaries set for him by the adults in his life.

Joe-Nel Garcia shall play the role of Benjamin Lunga, the best friend of Jakob, this average student only wants the good and simple things but is suddenly faced with the hard reality of life.

The other members of the cast are as follows:

Brian Ramos plays the role of Yachin, the nerd of the group who tries to figure out a balance between his logical way of thinking and undoubting faith in God.

Gab Tibayan plays artistic Wallace who had had the unfortunate luck of having birds nest in his hair.

Avie Alcantara plays Michael, the new American kid in school just trying to fit in with the rest of the boys.

Niki Calma portrays Myrna a prostitute who serves as the ironic authority figure for Jakob, trying to teach him the intricacies of adult life.

Marjorie Lorico will essay the role of Mrs. Rodriguez, who stands as mother and moral compass for Jakob.

Joseph dela Cruz plays the role of Mr. Rodriguez, the unresponsive father figure in the Rodriguez household who seems to have given up with the challenges of life.

Dolly de Leon will play the role of Mrs. Lunga, the stoic mother of Benjamin Lunga who slowly loses to the world.

David Bianco will portray the role of the teacher, and Richard Cunanan shall play the pivotal role of the Counselor.

Members of the ensemble include Juella Bautista, who plays Celia, the quirky love interest of Yachin, Aih Mendoza playing Hilda Rodriguez, the older sister of Jakob who has left home, Soc delos Reyes playing the roles of bartender and Jerome Flor playing Mickey, the older brother of Yachin, driven to insanity by his physical appearance.

The artistic team of MIDDLE FINGER is led by Glenn Sevilla Mas (Artistic Director, Tanghalang Ateneo), Ed Lacson Jr. (Director and Production Designer), Teresa Barrozo (Sound Designer) and Meliton Roxas Jr. (Lights Designer).

The playdates of MIDDLE FINGER are as follows: August 1-2, 4-9, 11-16 and 18-22,2014. The play starts promptly at 7 p.m. Matinee shows start at 3 p.m.(Saturday).

The press preview is set on July 30 at 6 p.m.

All performances will be held at the Fine Arts Black Box Studio of the Ateneo de Manila University.

For details of the show, please contact Acel Go at 0916-480-2195 or email:ta.mpc78@gmail.com.

Connect to Tanghalang Ateneo online through the following social media networks:

Website: www.tanghalangateneo.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TanghalangAteneo

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TAOfficial_

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/tanghalangateneo

Games People Play

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Games People Play, a Palanca-winning play by Glenn Sevilla Mas features theater actors Abner Delina, Thea Yrastorza and Kalil Almonte. Ed Lacson Jr., who also does the production design, directs it while Teresa Barrozo does the sound and music design.

Games People Play is about three characters who try to understand why they are the way they are by revisiting their childhood, specifically the games that they played with each other.

Each game is a rite of passage and it represents a significant moment in their coming of age. The writing of the play was inspired by this quote from child psychologist and writer Bruno Bettelheim:

“The monster a child knows best and is most concerned with [is] the monster he feels or fears himself to be.”

The production will run from April 22 to 26, 2014, 7:30 PM with a 2:30 PM show on April 26, at the Fine Arts Blackbox Theater, Fine Arts Annex, Ateneo de Manila University.

For ticket inquiries, contact John Yap at 0917-722-5399 or visit www.facebook.com/gppgamespeopleplay for more information.

ABS-CBN Sports+Action spikes up the volleyball action on Game 2 UAAP Season 76 Men's Volleyball Championship

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ABS-CBN Sports+Action spikes up the volleyball action as it serves up the Game 2 UAAP Season 76 Men's Volleyball Championship and Game 1 of the Women’s Volleyball Championship live this Wednesday (March 5).

Defending champions National University (NU) Bulldogs can close out the series in Game 2 after defeating the Men’s Volleyball Finals first-timer Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles in three sets last Saturday (March 1). Will the Bulldogs win their first back-to-back championship in the UAAP, or will the Blue Eagles regroup for their first finals win in UAAP Volleball Finals? Catch Game 2 of the UAAP Season 76 Men’s Volleyball Championship beginning at 2 PM.

The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers finally begins its bid for another championship against rival school ADMU Lady Eagles.

The DLSU Lady Spikers have been waiting at the top of the step-ladder series after amassing a perfect record during the season while the ADMU Lady Eagles look to block a four-peat by the dominant Lady Spikers.

Last year, the DLSU-ADMU rivalry in generated record-breaking attendance of 19,638 fans attending their match at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena – the biggest attendance for a sporting event at MOA that time. Will ADMU’s superstar Alyssa Valdez be enough to dethrone the Lady Spikers led by team captain, Abigail Marano and Mika Reyes. Find out as the UAAP Season 76 Women’s Volleyball Championship tips off at 4 PM.

To learn anything and everything there is to about this year’s finals, ABS-CBN Sports+Action will continue part two if its Finals Special, "The Score: The Road to the Volleyball Finals.”

The Score host TJ Manotoc and his guests breakdown the series’, the teams, players and the league’s history for volleyball fans. Catch part two of "The Score: The Road to the Volleyball Finals" on ABS-CBN Sports+Action tonight (March 4) at 9:30 PM. 

Don’t miss ABS-CBN Aports+Action’s live telecast of Game 2 of the UAAP Season 76 Men's Volleyball Championship on Wednesday (March 5) beginning at 2 PM and live telecast of Game 1 of the Women's Volleyball Championship also on Wednesday (March 5) beginning at 4 PM.

Carenival, A Day of Smiles for the Kids of Gawad Kalinga

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Gawad Kalinga Quezon City (GKQC), in cooperation with The Expressions Company, brings Carenival, a day for the children of GKQC villages.

This will be on December 15, 2013 (Sunday) at the Ateneo de Manila University MVP – Roof Deck from 10 am to 5pm. Fun booths and a variety show will be setup to entertain more than 200 kids. Here are ways on how you can take part in this celebration of caring and sharing: Be a volunteer ate and kuya for a day! 

Gawad Kalinga is about inspiring and engaging its workers, partners and volunteers to care for more than just themselves and share the best of their talents, skills, time and resources to help the poor in reaching their fullest potential. I was with CFC Kids For Christ when I was in the north area of Quezon City. Advocates in CFC KFC's passion as bringing kids to the Lord and building a bright new world. 

Join this Carenival event and share this delight to other children.

Everyone is welcome to meet and mingle with the kids. Bring your family and friends too! Donate in kind or in cash. Feeling like you need to outgrow your fascination over you precious Care Bear set, Voltes V action figures, or Barbie doll collection already? Donate them and bring joy to the beneficiaries’ faces. Excess toy donations will also be sent to the kids in areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda. Bring your toy donations on the event itself or leave them at UP Circle of Administrator’s designated drop-off points at UP Diliman NCPAG Lobby or UP Circa Tambayan, until December 13. Cash donations are also welcome and will be used to provide more materials for the children.

Youn can be a volunteer performer. Are you a puppeteer, magician, balloon twister or any kind of kiddie party performer? Share your talent to the kids and be their heroes!

For more information, about the event and future bayanihan opportunities, visit and like GKQC on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/teamGKQC) and

Twitter (@TeamGKQC)

Tony Meoto, as I call him Brother Tony, the head of Gawad Kalinga, inspires many of us where I started in the community of Couples for Christ (CFC). He became an active member of CFC and quickly rose in leadership, becoming instrumental in the setting up of the CFC Family Ministries in 1993. This expanded the reach of the mission beyond couples, to include children, youth and young professionals.

Gawad Kalinga (GK) is an organization geared towards building a nation empowered by people with faith and patriotism; a nation made up of caring and sharing communities, dedicated to eradicating poverty and restoring human dignity.

Gawad Kalinga sparks hope in the dream for a poverty free world – one family, one community and one country. GK777, the vision of building 700,000 homes in 7,000 communities in 7 years was launched year 2003 with the Couples for Christ community members, and all sectors of society to engage with GK. 

Gawad Kalinga espouses volunteerism and relies on able and willing nation- builders in carrying out its mandate. In line with the mission of ending poverty for 5 million families by 2024, GK Youth Quezon City (the youth development arm of GK QC) takes care of 87 communities in the city. The team contributes to community development and youth empowerment through organizing monthly builds, holding of workshops for developing the youth, and undertaking various community-building events.

Blue Market : Weekend Markets at Ateneo

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Here's fun, festive, exciting, and enriching experience, and many things to different people!

In celebration of our silver jubilee, we, the Ateneo de Manila High School Class of 1987, bring you the Blue Market - a weekend fair with a twist. Not unlike the usual Saturday-Sunday bazaars full of great deals, curious finds, and gastronomic delights, the Blue Market serves up all that, and so much more. It is a special batch fundraising project, in support of social entrepreneurs, student business initiatives, and similar micro enterprises, for the benefit of the Tulong-Dunong Foundation and the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus.

Beyond providing a venue for buyers and sellers to come together, the Blue Market is a vehicle for helping social enterprises and student ventures take off at minimal cost, with a ready clientele. As a natural draw for members of the Ateneo community, as well as residents of neighboring villages such as Xavierville, La Vista, and the like, the Blue Market easily assures these incubating endeavors of a constant and loyal customer base. This gives them instant access to a large group of shoppers with tremendous purchasing power, and affords them a unique opportunity to understand, interact and build relationships with a broader spectrum of consumers they would otherwise have little chance of tapping.

For some, an innovative product or a particularly worthy advocacy may find favor with benefactors willing to throw their full support to see such ideas and undertakings to fruition. Aside from this, the Blue Market is also a valuable marketing resource. It can provide significant exposure to the various social enterprises via its website, and promote their products and services to an infinitely wider audience.

For market-goers, this is a chance for spending time with family, touching base with old friends, forging new partnerships, relaxing, unwinding, and sharing blessings while making great new finds and savoring the joys of shopping. It is a simple yet effective outlet for lending support to young companies and apostolate communities, and in so doing, taking part in nation-building and the empowerment of the less fortunate.

The Blue Market is many things to different people. It is a unique and solid launch pad for young, commercial undertakings. It is a practical learning lab for budding entrepreneurs. It is an arena for giving back to the community. It is a fun, festive, exciting, and enriching experience, where everyone can answer the Ignatian call towards being men and women for others.

The Blue Market, a fundraiser by the Ateneo de Manila High School Batch of `87, takes place November 17-18, and 24-25, between gates 1 and 2 of the Ateneo de Manila parking lot in front of the Blue Eagle Gym, right along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City.