Konted's Make My Day 2: Ateneo de Manila at Loyola Heights

Ateneo de Manila at Loyola Heights

When my two sons, Alex and Allen, were studying at the Ateneo de Manila in Quezon City, I made it a point to look, once in a while, at their test papers kept in their school bags. I would do this when the two would be fast asleep. At midnight. This was during their grade school and high school days.

What I would notice was an inscription somewhere near the top of their test papers. There was this little cross with four letters below it: AMDG . I was trying to figure it out what those letters meant. Was it a magic formula they would invoke to ask the Almighty to provide them with the right answers?

I would learn later that AMDG is short for Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam. It is Latin which means For the Greater Glory of God. It is a motto. It is a a reminder for Ateneans that anything they do, they do it for God. When you read or hear this, it reminds you of Ateneo de Manila.

Ateneo de Manila was established by the Jesuits in 1859. Its original site was at Intramuros in Manila. One of its illustrious students was national hero Jose Rizal. Its patron saint is Saint Ignatius de Loyola who was the founder of the Society of Jesus. Ateneo's training is anchored on its maxim "A Man For Others". The school wants each and every student to be "a man for others".

Yesterday, I had the chance to roam again the wide campus of Ateneo de Manila along Katipunan. The old trees that line its wide streets still stand proud and the grass of the football field greener than ever. A long walk took me to the Moro Lorenzo gymnasium. Several varsity players were practicing, working on their shooting skills. At the south end of the playing area was a big banner with an all too familiar line: Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam. Again, a reminder for everyone to do it for the greater glory of God.

Player with jersey #15 was shooting with impunity. His shots were sinking in. Ring less. Swishing through the net. Clean as a whistle.

- Konted

The Blue Eagle Gym at the Ateneo de Manila University. The
Eagle has been Ateneo's mascot since the 1930s, presumably to symbolize Ateneo's dominance in basketball and its ability to soar high in academics. Blue and white colors represent the colors of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Entrance to Ateneo Grade School

There is now better traffic management within the Ateneo campus.

Ateneo's theater for the performing arts

Huge billboard near Gate 3

ADMU's main library

The Ricardo and Dra Rosita Leong Hall houses the School of Social Sciences.

A statue of St. Thomas More can be seen by motorists passing through University Avenue.

Hall named after Blessed Peter Faber who was close to St Ignatius de Loyola. The Accounting office is housed here.

Xavier Hall houses Ateneo's administrative offices.

Across Xavier Hall is the Bellarmine Field where ROTC drills are held. Bonfires after significant victories in the UAAP are also held at the Bellarmine Field.

The Church of the Gesu. It is the mother church of the Society of Jesus.

Main road lined with trees

Approaching Ateneo High School

High School's closed gate

Library of Ateneo High School

High School is at the northernmost part of the Ateneo campus.

High School seniors have this Tulong Dunong program where they reach out to residents of various communities.

St. Kostka Chapel. St. Kostka is the patron saint of the Ateneo de Manila High School.

A place conducive to learning

The Moro Lorenzo Gymnasium

Moro Lorenzo was an outstanding Ateneo basketball player who became a member of the national team. He was also the owner of Pepsi Cola Bottling Company.