Sino ang Atenista???

Was about to leave Xavier University when a grimy old man approached him. The complete stranger asked him to buy him some ice water. To his surprise, that old man was bleeding, blood flowing from his forehead and there was a noticeable burse in his face. The student caught by surprised abandoned his intention to go home and decided to help this old man. His instinct led him to go to the Rizal Hospital knowing that the service there is free since the money he had was just enough for him to travel home. From the front gate they travelled all the way to the back but only faced a locked gate. His second option was the Loyola house, residence of the Jesuits. Unfortunately, the porter told him that nobody was home. So the distressed student has lost all thinkable options but thankfully enough, in that moment the porter spoke and suggested to call the KKP Director’s office instead.

After Sir Ermin and I finished a fruitful conversation inside his office, the phone rang. I wondered who the caller was since I noticed a slight change of tone of Sir Ermin’s voice. I got patches of information from his replies and made the assumption that it is something of an emergency. Once the call was over, he shared what it was all about. I felt shivers climb up my spine.

I immediately recalled our earlier conversation. We talked about ways to creatively foster a deeper appreciation of Atenean values and behold, as we where talking about it, this student was living it out in that very moment.

He then arrived at the KKP office. Since he has no extra cash, the office provided assistance. He accompanied the old man to the Hospital. His deed did not just stop there; he went all the way to accompany the old man back to his home in Carmen. This is magis.

Atenean heroes are true and living. The amazing story of this student highlighted the truth that a Good Samaritan still does exist. I hope his story serves as an inspiration for all of us ateneans. May his story emphasize that our identity as ateneans is not so much defined by our status, the way we speak, academic loyalty, or even wearing all ateneo shirts and accessories but it is defined by our DEEDS coming from a true concern for others especially the poor.