Aquino encourages Ateneans to dedicate self for
others
President Benigno S. Aquino III attended
Saturday the Ignatian Festival 2013 and encouraged the Ateneo de Manila
University community to relive the life of St. Ignatius de Loyola who had
selfless dedication to help others.
“Bilang mga Atenista, ito nga po ang isa sa mga
pinakamahalagang aral sa atin ni San Ignacio: Lumabas ka sa nakasanayan mong
espasyo; piliin mong makipagkapwa-tao. Kailanman, huwag kang matakot na
bagtasin ang masalimuot na daan ng katuwiran, at umiwas sa madaling landas ng
kamalian,” the President said in his message to his fellow Ateneans.
Every Atenean is honed not only academically but
also on how to face real life challenges, the President said. It is the
obligation of every Atenean to help find the solutions for society’s problems and
correct the flaws of the system, he said.
The President said he wants to seize the
opportunity Saturday to encourage every member of the Ateneo community to be
part of the country’s transformation and progress.
“Huwag ninyo sanang ikukulong sa mga gusali’t
pasilyo ng paaralang ito ang diwa ng inyong pagka-Atenista. Saanmang silid kayo
nag-aaral o nagtuturo, saanmang opisina kayo nagtatrabaho, saanmang ahensiya
kayo nagseserbisyo—isabuhay ninyo ang diwa ng inyong pagka-Atenista; maging
man-for-others kayo, na hindi lamang nabubuhay para sa sarili, kundi lalo’t
para sa kapwa,” he said.
Ateneans should always bear in mind that they
are Ateneans for better or for worse and they must be part of nation building,
the President said.
The President also expressed his gratitude to
his teachers and mentors in Ateneo for honing him in the field of economics and
other areas as well as by providing him spiritual advice during trying times.
The Ignatian Festival 2013 aims to gather Ateneo
alumni, students, faculty and staff to commemorate the annual Feast of St.
Ignatius de Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits.
The gathering is a venue to reflect and
celebrate the spirit and tradition of St. Ignatius and the Jesuits, the
Ignatian spirituality and the identity of the Ateneans as an Ignatian.
Launched in July last year, the Ignatian
Festival was a success and it had generated interest among the members of the
Ateneo de Manila community. This year’s Ignatian Festival has for its theme
“Lahing Loyola Para sa Kapwa.”
Also present during Saturday’s event were Father
Ben Nebres, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, PCGG Chairman Andy Bautista
and MWSS Administrator Gerry Esquivel.
PND (as)
