After Christmas, I will be in radio silence for 5 days (afternoon of Dec. 26 to the morning of Dec. 30). I’ll be participating in a Jesuit vocation seminar in Sacred Heart Novitiate in Novaliches, Metro Manila. I hope this exciting experience will lead me closer to where God wants me to be. Please include me in your prayers.

Merry Christmas everyone!

12 Little Things every Atenean can do to help our x.U. community.

The celebrations of Xavier @ 75 brought to the surface a great sense of pride on our shared heritage. The explosion of chorography and festivities ignited a sense of community among young and old. The remembrance of our past through documentaries and exhibits brought forth a sense of history and destiny we all share. Xavier @ 75 indeed made an engraving impact in our consciousness as a University. It deeply reminded us of our way of living, of our common destiny, of our great mission, and most importantly of our being Atenean.

Amidst the colors, events, and lights of this celebration, let us refocus our lenses to the true call of this celebration – our being Ateneans.

I am quite sure that after accomplishing your FFP Class or your NSTP requirements, you have shaped your own concept of what it is to be Atenean or most likely what Xavier is trying to form you. Either way, we might ask ourselves what really does one get when we enrol in this school. Instantly, I could recall the 3 C’s which we were made to memorize when I am faced with that question. We are made to be individuals with competence, conscience, and commitment in service for others. This basically hits the point straight and clear but in a visual generation; it is hard to picture this standard, much more grasp and follow as a concept. I am struggling to really find a simpler definition of what it is to be Atenean. Open your student manual and everything is there. But I am looking for meanings not scripted in manuals but meanings lived out around campus, meanings that we can all relate, value, and do. So I propose that the best way to define an Atenean is not by laying out concepts but by pointing out things, little things we can do. I guess having a “to do list” is more appealing than a litany of standards or a highfaluting paragraphed lengthen sentence. In my observations, I’ve come up with my own 12 Little Things every Atenean can do to help our XU community.

1. Understand your lessons. (Play hard, relax harder, Study hardest) – It should always be reminded that we enter into the halls of Xavier with a primary goal. That is to learn. Therefore, it is an obligation to ourselves, to our parents, to our country, and to our God to give justice to this opportunity of studying in a university by doing our best. Of course, never forget that all work and no decent play make an Atenean dull.

2. Properly Wear our ID’s in campus – for the sake of our security and safety, the least we can do is to wear our IDs properly. It looks good with our uniform but when its washday, it turns into an fashion nuisance. So with that, we could always innovate and accessorize our IDs as long as it’s proper and not tampered.

3. Clean as you go – from the canteen to the streets, let us make sure to respect others by cleaning after our waste, after our plates, after our shakes and throwing them to proper bins. This is one basic value we should never forget. Let us also help our janitors and service crew by simply cleaning our own waste (which includes the toilet). We have no right to complain the filthiness of our campus if we ourselves have not done our part.

4. Pray before exams. Or better yet, pray always. – Let us never forget to talk to the Supreme Being, or to discern the movement within. The value of prayer and reflection is vital in our Atenean life. It spells a sense of spiritual maturity that can help us proceed every single day with a gratitude, optimism and hope.

5. Join an Org. or make one. – To make more out of our university life, let us grab the opportunity to be in an organization of your interest. The school offers an array of student groups which we can choose from. This will help us greatly in our formation; in the development of our personalities, enhancement of our skills and talents, and most especially the discovery of ourselves. If you don’t seem to find one that suits your interest, find others that share yours and make your own org and leave a legacy.

6. Befriend a teacher or two – Don’t see it as “friends with benefits”, see it as an opportunity of mentorship. It is advisable to really win the heart of our teachers. It does not only bring goodwill, it also brings out a partnership of learning.

7. Turn off the lights, electric fans, faucets if not in use. - This is respect to school property and an effort to save energy. It does not limit to turning off but it also calls us not to vandalize or intently destroy school property. It is a very basic value we should master by now since we learned it as a child.

8. Fall inline. Be fair. – During tuition payments, enrolments, internet, borrowing of books etc. let us not forget to fall inline. Falling inline creates order and brings fairness to all the people waiting for their turn. This also means avoid cutting lines and asking friends to line for us. Let us just be fair and remember the golden rule.

9. Vote – this is only once in a year responsibility. By actually voting, we make the student leaders accountable to us. It helps us exercise critical judgement, weigh platforms and ensure that we have a clear voice in your government. Remember, we will always get the government we deserve as long as we took part in the democratic process.

10. Be courteous to our service crew. – They are the unsung heroes of our community. They are the guards, the janitors, the ladies at the photocopy station. They are persons who in one way or another contributed much from our safety, to our handouts. The least thing we can do is to be polite and courteous to them.

11. Have a sport, exercise. – Balance is the key. Exercise our brain as well as our body. We can join sports group in school raging from Frisbee to taekwondo. Another subtle exercise is using the sky bridge and stairs when walking around campus. As for the elevators, let us make use of our healthy joints and give way to those who really need it. Let us exercise.

12. Study in the library, not in the canteen – We should recognize that we have a little canteen. And a canteen is intended for eating. If we study there, we deprive others the chance to eat properly especially when it gets crowded. Let us be sensitive and leave once we are finish eating. On the other hand, by studying in the library, we didn’t just make use of school service; we enhanced our chances of absorbing our understanding of the lessons.

Malcolm Gladwel, an author said “do not underestimate the power of little things. They can spur a revolution.” In his wisdom, I would definitely agree. I believe these little things are magis, cura personalis, not many but much and many other Ignatian principles reduced into digestible and doable terms. It is basically these little things that spur personal change that leads to cultural change that we all silently and deeply aspire for. And I believe this formation which makes us conscious of improving ourselves having the others in the forefront of our minds and hearts makes us unique, makes us Atenean.

(Stc 505, 9:45am) – While listening to our RS35 lesson on Characteristics of Liturgy, I received a text message from the Director of Student Affairs simply instructing me to get a letter in the office. As the letters preceding the word letter spelled out; a – y – a –l –a, my heart began to beat faster. In that moment I know the time of patient waiting is over. I know the result of the Ayala Interview is at hand. It was still a good twenty minutes till I have the chance to exit the room and proceed to get the letter. It was in that span of twenty where I try to swallow the surprise in SMS. It was a good moment to retrace the course of my application in an instant, to prepare my self what ever the result is and finally savor the rare moment where my optimistic expectation meets a subtle sense of fear and anxiety – come what may. The bell rang, we prayed and off I went the office to get the letter. As I held the thing white Ayala labeled envelope, I planned in my head to open the letter inside the Chapel. Now sitting in a lonely corner, I slowly opened the envelope and first saw a beautifully written form of my nickname - a great personalized touch. As I pressed the corners to reveal the content, I saw the word in bold letters: Congratulations! With that I stood up and went back to the office to tell them the great blessing.

I guess, because of my effort to record the event, I rate this opportunity as highly valuable. It excites me to think that young people of the Philippines who Ayala sees as future “movers and shakers” gather to learn from the experience and personally from each other. It is also a tremendous opportunity to gain insight, forge networks, and enrich that already solid community of ordinary students who simply desire to make a difference.

The Congress will be on Feb. 10 - 13 2009 at the San Miguel Corporation - Management Training Center in Alfonso, Cavite.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!

Crisis and Leadership

By the grace of this decisive experience, I have come to realize and discovery one very important aspects of leadership. It is that the quality of leadership shines the brightest during very tough times. And this I didn’t just got from a book or stories from history, but I felt it first hand in the situation we are in. With this I have come to realize that there are only 2 enemies during any crisis. It is losing any sense of hope and the unfair and illogical limitations we set in our very selves. Curving these things will spell the difference between salvation and annihilation. And being a leader, it entails that you should be the last one to surrender to these enemies. If all seems to loose hope, you will be the one to bring hope. It is hope that is not blind optimism; rather hope that is backed up by a believability of what we can still do and what we can achieve together. We have to balance imagination and science for hope to be inspiring and fruitful. Having a solid foundation and a clear sense of purpose why we lead in the first place is the key to ward of these evils. It is a challenging roller coaster ride of daily awareness. Like mustard seeds, it should be nurtured by rich experiences and deep contemplation for it to grow tall and strong so when the time comes that we are tested, we are prepared, we are grounded, we cannot be swayed. And of course this can never be done alone. Having the strength to carry on with great optimism derived from within is only good as it is, but it can burst into trumednous and contagious energy when you draw your inspiration from others. Win their hearts first before you ask them their hand for inspiration and support.

All of us should invest time to deepen and understand our very core and the source of energy of that core. It is by truly holding this core that we can overcome the most hopeless situation.

As I come to detach myself and have a critical analysis on the situation, I have seen the power of perseverance and intelligent planning. This situation may be a product of misguided judgements and hasty decisions but the value is far grater than its lapses. What we can do is to face what we’ve orchestrated in the first place. But face it with a stronger resolve that we are doing this not for ourselves but fore something far greater, far reaching that will even outlast our very selves. Just stay focused, calm and organized.

The Ayala Experience

I had the rare opportunity to travel to Makati, Philippines for the final stage of the application process of the 11^th Ayala Young Leaders Congress – the dreaded interview with Ayala’s top executives. This Ayala experience was both nerve racking and insightful. It was nerve racking in the sense that you have to astound the executives of who you really are and insightful because it gave me a one day teaser of what it is like to live in the hustle and bustle capital of Corporate Philippines. Aside from these personal observations, I also felt that sense of profound gratitude and subtle pride about making this far. Even though this is the interview level, this is a great accomplishment in itself because I had the privilege to interact with top Ayala executives and know my peers who I know holds great promise in the future.

I like to start my narrative in the moment when we, wearing executive attires walked from our hotel to the Ayala Tower for the orientation and interview. This sequence of steps I took on the sidewalk of Makati’s Business Center is quite surreal. It seems like I was in New York City being one with self-driven career men eying for success. It was also in that span of time that I felt the rush of things, having little time to pause and appreciate the majestic structures standing side by side. After these reflections in mobile, we entered the Ayala corporate headquarters (which is I don’t know how many floors). I was just awed by the magnificent Christmas tree which greeted us in the lobby. We were then guided to the 24^th floor for the orientation. It’s good to note that going up and down in a high-speed elevator could significantly disturb your hearing due to the rapid change in air pressure. We were then gathered in a room where the formal orientation began. During the orientation, I just can’t help but to look outside the building and observe the Makati skyline, the tiny people, the snail traffic, and the smog hovering above. It was a perfect picture of development. Now to fast track the narrative, I was interviewed by 3 top executives on the 30+ something floor. The interview was not at all intimidating. What I love about it was its casual conversation atmosphere. I don’ wish to divulge their questions, methods and styles so to preserve the sense of mystery surrounding this sought after event. I just came up smiling and relieved of the interview but still never expecting for the best – just hoping. The tips I have for the future interviewees is be and know your self - Plain and simple. After that “self articulation and evaluating” experience, I spent the rest of the evening exploring the urban jungle of Makati. The picture shows much what I and my acquaintances did in the evening.

Now looking back on what happened, I was simply astonished by the variety of commerce in the area and the rush of the people. The buildings also captured my imagination. The malls like Greenbelt transmitted to me the buying fever since Ayala generously gave a “refund”. It is an area where capital (in financial terms) is written in all caps and I think it is where most of the Philippines’ value is being governed. It was an extraordinary place to be in especially for a small city boy like me. It showed me in a day the complexities of corporate Philippines and the lifestyle in entails. On the other hand, it also showed me the elegantly unsophisticated idea of a leadership community and the sense of mission it brings. Stripping away the illusory corporate experience, I think this is the essence of this congress. It is that sense of being one in a network of leaders having that connectivity to multiply and magnify our little acts of making a difference in our own areas at home. If collated and coordinated together brings significant impact to our world. Even though I’m still in the interview stage still not knowing if I will be accepted in the congress, this wonderful experience of being in Makati, talking to great peers and executives have a tremendous human value for me.

Thoughts from a Volunteer

I had the privilege to give an informal talk to the new batch of volunteers on a banig in the Student Center 2^nd floor open area last Saturday. I talked about important points on volunteerism which I believe it is worth sharing. Just to note, these points I shared to an interview with Crusader Publication last semester. The 3 core points that we should put in mind are purpose, mission and formation. The three share common denominators but have distinct roles to play in the lifestyles of volunteers. First is purpose. I got this definitely from our high school principal’s (Fr. Gorge Esguerra, S.J.) message to the community every first day for four years is: “Why me?” I think this question pose a profound challenge for us to really explore the mystery of the why; the why or the reason of being placed here on this road less travelled or the reason behind the willingness to enter in such road. I believe that by merely invoking this mystery inside us opens a great sense of eagerness to pursue the answer. And most of the time; the answers can be found clearly and the whole process will enter into a new level of realization and start all over. This questioning leads to an endless cyclical movement of divine energy inside us. We just want to know more. Next is mission. I believe that mission flows from purpose. Having a clear grasp of our purpose or even having a strong sense of purpose leads us to a quest we call mission – a calling for something greater than yourself. Mission then becomes a sort of goal we willingly pursue. It is like a heroic homework given by someone who made us in the first place. So I ask volunteers to really check what their mission is. And when I say mission, the words that instantly flash in my head are the immortal words of Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J, “what captures your imagination?.” So I ask them what captures their imagination, what quickens their heart especially in the context of volunteerism. Is it teaching children how to read? Is it preserving culture? Is it organizing rural communities to empower? Is it planting trees? Is it forming young leaders? What ever your mission is, fall in love with it because it will decide everything. Lastly is formation. Formation for me is the process of moulding the person to be the best that he/she can be for others. If a person volunteers having in mind a personal need to be formed then he opens himself/herself up to be “filled”. This “filling” could be new experiences of achievement or failure, suffering or pleasure, power or powerlessness. It is like saying I am ready to be tested; to see the quality of my responses to different situations. This openness to the experiences how positive or negative may it be, if processed well leads to personal growth, the product of formation. I also believe that when we are open to “being filled”, this is where leadership rises to the surface. We should acknowledge that being filled with new insight, rich experiences, new and advanced skills are gifts, are graces that entail us to share it to others. This is then the beginning of leadership.

As they say, the strongest heart is a heart of a volunteer.

First Week of Classes

My first week in this new course is complete. It is an academic week where I saw myself being placed in terrarium being tested for the quality of my responses to certain new things about college life. Now, I am back to my former nomadic ways. Meaning I don’t have a home block which also means I am constantly being with different kinds of people every subject. But luckily, I got 3 subjects being with my old block mates of both Management Accounting and Accountancy. In this situation, I could really see how I change with the composition of the class. It’s good to note that I can sharply feel the temperatures of the different classes, some being overly boisterous while others are awkwardly silent. And in these different temperatures, my approach to things also changes. So finally, I have the situation to gauge my responses to lessons, to seatmates and class mates. This is a great opportunity to practice flexibility. And one good trait I can also practice is detachment. For me, detachment is simply not letting things go under my skin that could highjack me and pollute my judgement. Sounds out of context but this trait could be applied fruitfully in my nomadic ways. For example, I should not feel “less interested” in classes because I don’t feel the crowd or I’ll stick entirely to this block because I feel them. I should give equal responses to all of these classes and in this way; it can lead me to be more fruitful and accommodating to all my partners in learning.

Aside from these personal realizations, my slate of teachers is really delightful. teachers to highlight are my very passionate teacher in Natural Science, my witty and humorous teacher in Business statistics, and my intellectually “kikayish” teacher in Marketing. All makes my MWF and TTh a bit spicy and interesting. I also have 2 teachers that I have gone through before so I just treat it as advantage now that I had dealt with their styles before. On the other hand, I got a bit disappointed because our Sociology teacher didn’t show up for the week. Sociology is of great interest to me so I hope he/she finally shows up this week.

In the community, I got an early start in advocating for social causes this week. For this week, I have begun working for the Anti-aerial spraying campaign starting with the Directorate and the college deans. This is happening in Davao where families are terribly affected by the aerial drift of the pesticide. This movement has started a year ago but still the case is pending in the Court Of Appeals. You can visit www.dirtybananas.org if you want to help. It will be deeply appreciated. This week also marks to conception of a sort of student environmental coalition that we hope to start building this month. This is patterned after Ateneo’s “Ateneo Environmental Management Coalition”. The school has just started a solid waste management program so it is timely that we reinforce it through this collation. It hasn’t got an official name yet. I’ll keep you posted on this one. This week also is politically historical with the election of the first African-American President – Barack Obama. I’ve composed a post earlier about the campaign’s influence in me and I don’t wish to elaborate further because it will just eat up all the space. I just feel fired up and the same time envious seeing the power of democracy at work in the USA. In KKP, we implemented this new system of formation and leadership called “cells”. It’s much like discipleship. I am given around 7 volunteers to nurture and form. And this thought invigorated me further because leadership formation is one thing I am deeply passionate about.

So far, these are the things that I recalled. Other engagements are routinely done that does not offer some interesting things worth sharing. Looking back at the week, I saw how rich it was and a pattern again is being set. As I always say, be sensitive to the trend because prayers can be drawn from them. To all my new partners in learning, God bless and Welcome! To all my co-“want to change the world” volunteers, God bless for an interesting and inspiring semester to lead!

the picture i took flying over Sabah on the way to Singapore. It reminds me of heaven and how small I am.

AMDG!

Obama and i

I saw him on TV when he declared his bid for the presidency in the old statehouse of Springfield Illinois two years ago. And since then, I have been keenly observing and studying his campaign and the US presidential election process. Now, America made history by electing the first African-American President Barack Obama.

Here are some thoughts about how the US elections affected me.

First is his charisma. I found Obama profoundly interesting because of the magnetism of his persona. I just instantly feel the connection and magnetism of his personality. And I believe this is one key element that defined his optimistic political image. His innate ability to project authenticity and passion made it easy or him to inspire people to mobilize for his cause. And most importantly, he used his charisma to deliver a message of hope, not just of what a nation could become but what individual people could achieve.

Second is his ability to clearly articulate the promise and the great ideals held deeply by a nation. Obama is a brilliant orator, using precise words that paint an image of an ideal America which listeners immediately can relate to. And I believe he proved that the power of words could truly inspire and mobilize an entire community.

Third is the brilliance of his political machinery. Obama ran a brilliant campaign by tapping the technologies of the 21^st century. His online funding and communities and SMS messaging proved to be very highly effective in informing and mobilizing voters. Aside from these, his campaign’s strategy of “bottom-up” movement or community organizing proved highly effective in encouraging people to vote. This grassroots movement made Obama a sort of populist that made him a man of common Americans. This proves that technology, when used properly can bring about tremendous progress in the life of a democracy.

I feel quite honored observing his campaign and connected to the celebrations of his victory even though I am not an American and I live half a globe away. For me, he symbolizes a universal idea of hope and all other great ideals humanity stands for. These ideals which he brilliantly articulated reminded me of my own ability to achieve, my own ability to aspire, my own ability to bring about change. Embracing these ideals made me aware of my own fears and doubts about the world. And I know that as a citizen of the world, in a world facing so many odds, the last thing I need to think of are fear and cynicism.

Lastly, I hope and pray that that this new leadership of the most powerful nation on earth will lead the whole world to where it is meant to be. And I know this all starts in me. It starts in us. And Yes, we can!

I stand together with other young idealists of the world in congratulating Barack Obama, President -elect of the United States of America.

Ignatian Leadership

Seeing Through My Armor:

Self-awareness and the ground work of leadership

1. Ignatian leaders are called to be sensitive in understanding the totality of their being

The 25^th Buklod Atenista emphasized the importance of self-awareness as the foundation of Ignatian Leadership. As mentioned by Fr. Joel E. Tabora, S.J. from his welcoming message, the primary question one should be constantly asking are “what am I about?” and “what is the quality of my desires?” These two questions invoke inside us the formation of our own unique identity and purpose. If constantly asked and answered, it carves a complex yet clearer self image and self worth and this leads to the acknowledgement of our vital individual roles in the “greater scheme of things”. Having a solid grasp of our own desires and our being ultimately enables us to see clearly and act responsibly. It makes us freer from attachments and prejudices. Self-awareness aligns our thoughts and behaviours in order and enables us to proceed more effectively and efficiently. Moreover, the awareness of our strengths, weaknesses, desires and values clarifies what we have been in the past and visualizes what we could become in the future.

I am Change:

We are called to be Agents of Change

2. Ignatian leaders are called to be counter-cultural

Also inspired by the words of Fr. Joel E. Tabora, S.J., he mentioned that our being is a struggle between having the willingness to make a difference and being different. Ignatian leaders are called not just to make change but to be counter-cultural in lifestyle. This then calls us that we should be reasonably disturbed by the realities surrounding ourselves and our communities. We should be keenly aware of the situations and events that has happened and are happening. This awareness and “disturbance” of our world should compel us to change our mindset and behaviour that has become a habit contrary to what is right or better. This change manifested through our thoughts and actions should be geared towards the development of a better human society. This also calls us to challenge structures that profit from unjust causes, structures that have become malignant, and structures that have become stagnant. We should utilize all possible peaceful means of challenging these social structures to reform and to develop. The 25^th Buklod Atenista highlights the complexities of modern times. These are characterized by ideologies and beliefs competing for allegiance, erosion of values, institutionalized injustices, and many acts of social injustice. The poor who are acutely vulnerable to these injustices are the ones who need preferential option. We should proceed having them in the forefront of our thoughts and actions. God channels his special grace through the poor and we should do our very best to protect and enhance their dignity.

Blessing in disguise: my course shift

This is one historical and divine day. Historic because this is a crossroad in my life’s direction and divine because the series of events that happened this day seems to be in unique order orchestrated from up above.

Let us get to the point. I have shifted from BS Accountancy to BS Business Economics. The story behind this is quite funny. At the start of the semester, I calculated that I only need to get two D’s in order to proceed for 2^nd semester. Unfortunately or fortunately, I was so lazy not to check my manual for the equivalent of D that I assumed it was 1.5 which is actually 1. So for the entire semester, I was holding up to a false hope that I only need to maintain 2 D’s while actually I need 2 C’s. This culminated this morning when I received my evaluation form with no signature of the chairman. I got suspicious of my previous calculations that I viewed the manual inside the office. I was shocked to see that D = 1. Poor me, deceived by my one stupidity. I just sat their and processed that sense of confusion inside me. Then all came back to me. I then became happily suspicious of God’s intention for me and the confusion ended there. I released all intentions of appealing for a chance to proceed and I wholeheartedly accepted my fate because I know deep inside me, there is a that great sense of liberation.

Prior to this near epiphany, statements I consistently declared to people came rushing back such as my intention not to take the board exams, my disinterestedness to corporate life, and my weakness on rigid technical application. These things seem to create a picture I readily understand. I don’t one to spend another year dragging my feet and relying only to my extra-curricular activities for emotional strength. Then I simply said accounting is definitely not for me. But I have no regrets entering in this program. I have learned so much such as critical thinking, patience, the value of quality study time, and practice. And in the words of one accounting teacher who texted me after I shifted:

“Blessing in disguise na…sometimes you have to go through a lot of experiences and found out that those experiences will lead you to another one closer to what you really after off…hahaha mga peculiarities in life.”

I definitely agree with his message. And because of accounting I have realized what I do not want. I do not want to calculate the depreciation of a machine, argue the difference of cash and cash equivalents, debate over the “debitness” or “creditness” of an account, penetrate the meaning of prepositions in a problem and all these technical hullaballoo. I also realized that this is a golden opportunity to purse what I really want which I consistently tell people before. I want to go to research, study economic development and promote micro-financing. Recounting all my “what I want to be when I grow up” statements, it is fairly consistent. I want to research on economics, analyze the trend of the stock market, study the causes of the Great Depression, the factors that caused the Miracle of the Rhine, the economic implications of political thought, understand how people, how institutions, how nations play and interact with a social order and how human development brings about. And this is very close to what I really desire – Development Studies, my first course in college that was dissolved because of poor enrolment. I guess accounting is simply a tool for it and I don’t want to dwell in that tool. I want to understand the whole picture and rearrange it. Therefore, the most practical course to shift is BS Business Economics. I know this course provides the intellectual space I need to explore new school of thoughts in both micro and macro economic concepts and its application and I am afraid that accounting does not provide that intellectual creative space. Now, I finally can study want I want to study. That is economics – this is dealing with concepts, social structures and people’s behaviour. And I tell you, I never felt so confident with my decision like this before. And like a sign saying that you made the right decision, Sir Ivan of SACDEV texted me while I was getting my schedule that I have qualified to proceed to the interview stage of the Ayala Young Leaders’ Congress. I will be interviewed by the top CEOs of Ayala Group this November. This is an all expense paid trip to Makati, Philippines. Only 2 qualified in XU. And this for me is the message God wants me to share. Always be sensitive to the yearnings of your heart. Always be sensitive to trends of your past because prayers can be drawn from them. And it is in this awareness of our desires and histories that we know and see clearly our intended direction God laid for us.

Blog Entry Reflections on Academic Survival through involvements

It was quite awhile since I last posted an entry. I took time to really review the past weeks and somehow, I’ve got to uncover some things about the world I live in.

I also took time to prepare for a very busy month of August. By the grace of God, I’ll be going to Cebu this August 1 and 2 with Sir Ivan for the 3^rd Aboitiz Future Leaders Summit and to Bandung, Indonesia with Donj and Ma’am Enerio for a Catholic values conference with other Jesuit and catholic schools. And in the middle, the KKP Barkada and I will be participating in the Service Learning Program of the KKP-SIO with foreign students coming from different Jesuit universities in Asia. I’m gearing up for this.

Now here is the thought. I’ve pondered on the relationship between my studies and my campus involvements. I evaluated my performance and concluded that I really don’t have a grave difficulty in balancing it and I credit this to one discovery. What I discovered is the great moral incentive involvements could bring in my academic life. Before, as I realized, I unfairly peg my satisfaction to the grades I’m getting. So basically, my world revolves so much around grades. My so called “happiness” was derived from being academically “sound”. When I started to really invest time in campus involvements, I realized that academics can never reach its full purpose if it is only caged in our brains, in the teachers’ class record, our in our transcripts or grade slips. Moreover, it can be translated into tangible things if we apply it in our involvements. Another idea is the great moral incentive it gives. If ever I get a low score or fail especially in my majors, I resolve to do better next time and I get to recovery quite quickly. I credit this “quick” recovery to a sort of “emotional stockpile” extracted from that sense of having a role in a reality bigger than myself. The great sense of fulfillment somehow could offset a sense of academic despair. Thus this gives a tremendous amount of energy to do better for the next time. It’s is like having 2 tanks of fuel. If one is depleted, you could get it from the other one.

I think in the end the wisdom is simple. Never forget that we are students first. Always invest quality time. But do not settle from being just a student. Be more than that because we are all destined to be great anyway because we are created by a great God. It is through immersing ourselves in these venues that we get to know what we are made of, what we are capable, what our possibilities are. Having that sense of growth, fulfillment and friendship will just follow. And academics will actually be more fun if it is intertwined with involvements in or out of campus. The glue that sticks the two together is a good mixture of discipline and good time management. So dare to join! At the end, it will just sharpen us.

GOOD NEWs SIRAJ!

Another good deal from a very good ally! I am happy to announce that Ma’am Lennie Ong, the University treasurer immediately agreed on the prioritization of Muslim students during the semi-final payment weeks with a special window. This is so because those dates fall under the Holy month of Ramadan where they fast and contemplate intimately with God. This special consideration help reduce any physical burden induced by waiting long lines thus aiding them in their spiritual exercise. In behalf of the Directroate and of Siraj! I thank Ms. Lennie Ong for such great support! I can confidently declare that the Treasurer’s Office is one the most student-friendly offices in the University!

Globalization, Technology and Humanity

The Role of Catholic Higher Education in Promoting the Civilization of Love and Solidarity as Response to the Economic and Cultural Globalization

Ernesto B. Neri

I sit in front of a computer screen for about an hour and a half everyday with the intention of knowing what is new about the world. Yes, the internet has been an integral part of my daily life. I began this daily routine since my parents agreed to have an internet line linked at home way back when I was in 5^th grade. Then, I didn’t know any better about the great implications of the internet. Now that I have reached an age of reason, I have just begun to ponder on the great implications and possibilities of the internet. I am mesmerized what has been done and what it could do in the future. I cite the internet as a clear manifestation of a borderless, connected, smaller, and accelerating world society. The internet somehow equates with the term globalization and everything that goes with it such as economic and cultural.

This idea brings me to my other reflective point. The pace of human development has reached an exponential growth rate, so fast so hot that it made me stop and reflect upon delicate relationship of humanity and its technology. I have come to the realization that some pockets of this global society have the illusion of being on track yet its rails have become rusty and dangerous – unchecked. It fears me to think that technological growth has surpassed the growth of it very inventors – humanity. This may be fact or fiction but today’s news suggests that this is the present picture of our world. The accelerating technologies that we have resulting to a smaller world have oftentimes detracted us from the fundamentals of our humanity. In a sense, the fundamental values of our humanity are being slowly eroded and replaced by superficial values derived from materialism and the “need to be ahead of the game” in the global perspective. This is an alarming state. If this will go on unchecked, if humanity continues to produce new things, continuous to draw itself together without any sense of contemplation about its congruence to our morals and truths, it may lead us to our own demise as a civilization.

This grim picture can be lightened up. I have high hopes because people throughout the world have returned to the very values of humanity before venturing out into the world of globalization and technology. And one particular set of values is that of our Catholic faith. The Church has always been a steadfast protector of the true essence of humanity and it is needed than ever before to guide us, to protect us, to lead us, to remind us of the values that could never be compromised by technology and the demands of globalization. The most strategic way to do these noble tasks is through forming young men and women with good moral values anchored in a deep and profound faith and love in Jesus Christ. Therefore it is the crucial tasks for Catholic educational institutions, higher education in particular to reinforce what the Church has been doing.

Catholic higher education ought to focus on the holistic formation of the person to prepare him/herself for the greater challenges ahead. Sharp competence, deep and profound conscience and compassionate commitment are the key elements Catholic higher education can contribute to the modern globalizing world. We having been taught the importance of the interplay of experience, reflection and action in our daily lives could anchor ourselves on eternal truths that would secure us with ourselves and our faith in a very fluid fast paced world. The Ignatian pedagogical paradigm in particular has greatly influenced the formation of minds equipped and ready to face the greater community. Having the raw experience of learning and being with the community especially with the poor and the oppressed induces us to feel and extract meaning to what we have experienced. These insights drawn from our personal experiences derived from our faith in Jesus Christ and being with the community produces an insurmountable moral energy that leads us to act accordingly. It is in this manner that our Catholic higher education can produce young men and women ready to rebuild a civilization anchored in a profound love of Christ and bridge communities, cultures and economies with a strong unbreakable sense of solidarity.

Indeed, the Catholic higher education is crucial in reforming the world. Globalization in itself is not bad. It will be so when our humanity is being compromised because of it. Injecting young Catholic catalysts into the global arena can slowly but surely start to mold a global world with Love as its foundation, not money and competition and start to connect a world with the fibers of solidarity instead of the fibers of the internet.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!

Xavier University @ 75

I cried!

Xavier has been and will forever be part of me

It runs in my blood, it moves in my mind, it shows in my bodily movements

Memories run beyond my years of first reason all with in Xavier

Within its walls I learned what is true, what is eternal

My first discovery, my first eureka, my first awe moment, all in Xavier

Warm is its classrooms and fertile is its gardens

I explored, I questioned, I understood all started in Xavier

The becoming of me can be traced intimately with its walls

Now, I see what I can be and see what I am meant to be

With great gratitude, I thank the Creator for the grace, for the mission which is Xavier

May it grow to form men and women who inspires, who moves people to be the best that they can be.

Why XU-URO should be part of the decision making process

I should first address the cloudy judgment based on the secularization of government. The separation of church and state is an established political norm. I have foreseen that this concept will be the foremost argument applied as reason of disallowing the XU-URO into the decision-making process of the government. I would like to argue that the XU-URO is not a church. It does not espouse any particular religion; it is actually a combination of all kinds of faiths. XU-URO is an umbrella student organization whose focus is the spiritual formation and growth of its members and the student body through its activities.

Flowing from this, my second argument is the very mission and purpose of the Central Student Government as stated in the constitution.

ARTICLE III. DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES & MISSION

Section 2. The XU - CSG shall envision a government that is socially – aware and involved, rooted in a clear grasp of reality and vigilantly responding to the general interest of its constituents in a dynamic, effective and united effort; a governance that is founded on the principles of authentic Christian humanism, thereby it shall be a pro-student, pro-people, pro-country, Christ centered and gives due recognition to the rights of those of other religious denomination. It upholds genuine student participation and democratic representation in a dialogical, consultative and non-violent manner.

Our student government happens to be in Xavier University, a Jesuit Catholic university. Rooting from its identity as a non-secular school, a Jesuit school, it is self-evident that one of our prime objectives is to develop and enhance a sense of deep and profound spirituality in the student body, regardless of Christian, Muslim, or Lumad. Admitting an umbrella student organization in the decision making process of the student government suffices the need to meet this mission.

Lastly, it is our duty to constantly adapt our ways and means based on the demands of the times or else we die out. Now that Xavier University is continually expanding its reach through out the different cultures and faith in Mindanao and the country, it is only fitting that we, as the student government of Xavier University channel this effort into the grassroots, the students through this governance improvement.

It is not only our duty to include XU-URO, it is also our obligation to think of better systems and mechanisms in ensuring that voices of different faiths are heard loud and clear. We should nurture diversity. (hint: creation of a tri-partite body)

XAVIER STUDENTS' ACTION CENTER

Historic day and a personal fulfillment! The Xavier Students’ Action Center is now activated. From an idea coined during summer, an enactment made by the directorate, now it has been formally launched witnessed by students and administrators. It is historic not because it’s new, but because it’s simple. The concept behind XSAC is very simple. It gives a friendly, concrete and approachable face of CSG’s STRAW, it establishes a clear articulated process addressing complaints and concerns, and it has a touch of personal care through the person of the case officers, the heart handling the individual cases and concerns of the students. The STRAW now has a center, the abstract, now is concrete. As what Mr. Pimentel said, we should not limit the center for receiving complaints but make sure it is an advocacy center of students’ rights and responsibilities. Therefore the challenge for all of us from the central office is to give justice of the letter “A” of the XSAC. Who knows, ten years from now, it could have its own office.

This proves the power of innovative ideas made real.

FIRST WEEK HIGH!

The first week of the school year has passed and I begin to gather and recollect all the things that happened.

I could still recall the festive air when I entered XU on the first day. I saw lots of young people gather in circles and I bet they are freshmen still sharing there new found world with their high school friends. New people equate greater possibilities and knowing that my accountancy block has a mix of new people brings excitement in me. I welcome Mark, Steph, Shaira and others in block ACB! The first week was also a bustle for me. I found a new vocation, which is formal hosting. I found it uncanny that I feel confident so this means God wants me to sharpen it and I will just do that. The teachers are starting to enter the classes. In terms of teachers, it is quite depressing. I could only count 3 teachers that I feel will inspire the class compared to last year. Still this poses a challenge for us to extract every “inspiration” even in the most boring teacher. In governance, we had a huge success in the 110^th Independence Day Campus Celebration. It was innovative. We had a parade and a stage set up in with huge crowd. Keep the momentum as we always say. We also had our first NSTP session. It was a surprise to know that my FPO is Mr. Pimentel himself. He said we will soon handle a special class for special students. Very intriguing and I look forward for that with my new partner, Crystal. The SLDP 3, a lecture about volunteerism also gave me fresh new ideas and inspiration in how to ignite a fire and how to constantly feed it while taming it. The first day was a hype of activities but as I always say, it is good to always pause and look back. These series of events are signs, are signals, and are puzzles that if we connect together, if we put together will reveal a clearer picture, will speak to us about our destiny. So always be mindful of the patterns! Prayers can be drawn from them.

Corbita Home Work!

1. What are some symbolic meanings of birds and doves as mentioned in paragraph 4?

Birds being the generic term encapsulating creatures that fly. Meanings derived from a bird include universal values such as freedom, simplicity, and humility. These are freedom in flying, simplicity in its nest and humility when it picks sticks from the ground. Doves as suggested in the paragraph are a specific image of a bird. A dove therefore also shows a more distinct meaning from that of the generic flying creature. Dove symbolizes peace, purity, and inspiration. In the Christian context, the white dove gives us the hope of peace, the purity of its spirit, and its gracious flight and posture that inspires us to be the same.

2. What is beauty? What is aesthetic emotion? Relate aesthetic emotion to art.

Beauty is our senses being captured by a pleasing sight. Beauty as I understand it is the connection between the truth and the natural. Truth which means the innate universal rules, images of the ideal/ transcended world (heaven) and the natural world, what our senses can capture. When the two meet, there is beauty.

Aesthetic emotion is a response that surfaces when meaning can be seen in an object. It is a weird mix of reason and emotion induced by what a person sees from a piece of art. Whet it connects, it creates that emotion.

Aesthetic emotion is a response to art. Art as being an expression of a transcended order, an attempt to immortalize a moment, creates in itself meaning and essence. When this meaning is picked up by the one who sees it and it binds with his reason and feelings, it creates a strong emotion referred to as Aesthetic emotion.

3. Explain the relationship between art and culture. Give examples.

Summing up what I understood, art is the humanistic expression of the transcended form of nature, how it is and how we perceive it. Art somehow satisfies the ultimate quest for man to put order in a seemingly spontaneous and juggled universe. Within this context of reality, there exist a set of norms that binds the society as one mega-organism. It is through this cultural fabric of a society that one inculcates his view of the world, this nature of the transcended. Having this norms clearly established in a society, one can now have a solid foundation of deriving such concept of transcended order which is art. Art and culture are intimately interconnected. One can’t exist with out the other. Art can’t exist with out the framework of a culture, while culture can never be called as such if it has no art, no expression of a transcended order binding its cultural framework.

For example, Higaunon art is derived from their norm of natural forces and worship of deities. There art’s medium is commonly soil mixed with water, elements of nature. Another example is the art derived from the Aztecs. Their fierce belief in human sacrifice and sacred warfare produced art emphasizing mutilated human forms, sometimes even painted with real human blood.

4. Explain the statement in paragraph 16, “All the languages of art have been developed as an attempt to transform the instantaneous into the permanent.”

It is always a fundamental truth that man has infinite desires and one in particular is the desire to immortalize a moment of beauty. What is true and beautiful are oftentimes preserved as something rare, something that comes along once in a blue moon in this accelerating world. This yearning to cherish forever what seems to be flicker of happiness is the underlying current of art. Nevertheless, this quest to immortalize a beautiful moment has been inducing humanity to venture, to develop, to master a sort of skill that captures that moment, to transform the instant into eternal. Art is the clear manifestation of such desire and it has been with humanity since we first decided to be one.

5. Explain and give examples: “Art does not imitate nature, it imitates a creation, sometimes to propose an alternative world…”

As I would translate it, Art is not a mere reflection of what is there but it is the expression of what could be, what is transcended. It can never be called an art if one is simply a photocopy of what is obvious. It has no added value. Art is considered a reflection of creation because it (within the Biblical context) has to do with everything that is to become. It is somehow capturing that singular moment of mystery where everything is placed into its proper place yet in the same moment it ceases to be static because it moves, it is becoming to what it is suppose to be. That is similar to art. When it is created, it is in its proper form, as an expression of a transcended order, yet it has its essence that gives it its meaning. That innate quality of art makes it move, it is also becoming as seen through the eyes and interpretations of those who relish it. It proposes an alternative world because it is the expression of what can be to what is. It elevates us from the present reality and captures our imagination to what is beautifully permanent. One good example is the closing part of the story. It suggests an alternative world in which a bird is warm and living in a cold and harsh backdrop.

6. Explain the meaning of paragraph 19, what is the purpose of the ending?

The ending gives a sort of imagery or a backdrop that provides the context where the object is at present. This gives it a feeling sensation which makes art alive. The imagery given in the last part shows us a contrast between what is real and what can be immortalized from that harsh reality. What is real is the freezing temperature that no birds could live. Having the sculpture of a bird, having the imagery of warmth and life is in high contrast to what is real. This is how I see it. The carved bird is image of a transcended possibility which can never be present in a harsh cold winter. I believe that the purpose of the ending gives as a sense of transformation, a picture of immortalized beauty in a cold harsh context. That is what art do. It transforms a harsh reality into one that is living and beautiful, one that has a sense of feeling thus giving it tremendous value.

WELCOME

SY

2008-2009

A few hours from now, school will start. With this new beginning comes another array of possibilities, another set of challenges, another structured span of time pressured, bombarded from all direction. Junior year seems to be a make or break moment but focusing to much on its criticality induces much burden and anxiety. It is always a tradition of mine to allocate an hour or two the night before the beginning of the school year just thinking, just reflecting, just feeling the movement inside, just flashing in my mind all the good possibilities of the uncharted path ahead. By doing so, I could prepare myself to embrace what is possible. My only rule when I will enter the day tomorrow is to embrace the richest possible potential of every moment, as what I always say. Being in the University has its fair share of great possible moments (seeing old friends, meeting new ones, being tasked, being mentored, learning etc.) and by just embracing when it comes, the richness of it will simply fill you up with the overwhelming feeling of gratitude, feeling of rejuvenation and an immense feeling of hopefulness. The only way to do this is to cultivate a closer affinity to the self whose center is God.

God loves you!

YES WE CAN!

I thought this day would never come and I never thought that it would happen in my generation that an African-American could be the next leader of the free world. I’ve been tuning in to US Politics since it all started last year. It’s quite interesting for me to see how a mature political system works contrasting the immature politics of ours. One candidate in particular caught my interest, Barack Obama. His massage of change and his creed of hope have so appealed to the senses of the people that he broke the racial walls of a nation and inspired millions to participate in the democratic process. His charisma and youth also made him rise above the usual. A man like this, whose message of hope moved a nation, should also move us to look for leaders who can inspire. The country seems to be in short supply of this.