Association History
Sometime in the year 1527, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, a soldier-turned-saint, founded the Society of Jesus, more popularly known as the Order of the Jesuits. The Jesuits were superb educators who placed great emphasis on “scientia, sapientia, eloquencia”, i.e., on science, knowledge, wisdom, and eloquence, in the curriculum of all Jesuit schools. This is the essence of a liberal education which has always been the touchstone of a Jesuit education. The objective is to mold young men and women who are expected to excel not only in the academics but also in sports and other endeavors. In pursuit of this objective, the Ateneo has always adhered to Ignatian concept of being a “Man for Others”, in the service of his fellowmen, particularly the poor and the downtrodden. In doing so, every Atenean has embraced the motto adopted by Saint Ignatius of Loyola – “For the greater glory of God” – Ad majorem Dei gloriam – which every Atenean has made his own.
Finding inspiration from this simple but powerful motto, a group of Ateneans transplanted into the Washington, DC area organized the Ateneo Alumni Association of Metropolitan Washington, DC, in the fall of 1989. Elected to lead the group were Domingo L. Ordoveza (GS ’51, HS ’55, AB ’59, LLB ’62) as President, Ramon A.P. Paterno (GS ’58, HS ’62, AB ’66), Vice-President, Alumni Affairs, Marcelo J. Bueno (GS ’50, HS ’54, AB ’58), Vice-President, Operations, Miguel B. Quintos (GS ’51, HS ’55, AB ’59), Treasurer, and Nery Mangosing-Koeppen, (MA), Secretary.
Although not everyone attended the same school years, there was one common bond among them – their Ateneo experience which remained constant through time. It was quite a unique experience, an education which everyone can be proud of, and one whose imprints on the character of the Atenean seem to show in his daily dealings with family, friends, neighbors, and business associates.
The Ateneans found it worthwhile to organize themselves for the following seemingly altruistic objectives: TO foster and encourage Ateneo spirit and instill loyalty in their Alma Mater – the Ateneo, to facilitate networking among members and Ateneans from outside of the DC area, to instill social awareness and consciousness among members with the objective of helping the poor and underprivileged, and provide scholarships to promising students.
The association has been engaged in fund-raising activities for professional endowments and scholarships for young and aspiring students from all walks of life. Many young students rely on scholarships in pursuing an Ateneo education. The association has established a funded scholarship that has benefited many scholars since its inception.
Scholarships are given to students from less financially endowed Jesuit schools and public schools in the Philippines. Outstanding intellect is not the sole criterion. Careful consideration is given to the overall qualities of the young student and the overall impact of a Jesuit education on their community, their families and all those around them. The whole concept of the Ateneo scholarship program revolves around the premise that every young student from all segments of society, especially the poor and underprivileged, deserves a good education. With this idea in mind, the Ateneo places great reliance on its alumni, friends and benefactors for continued assistance in funding and replenishing its scholarship programs.
The association played an important role in organizing the Philippine-American Support Committee for the Jaime V. Ongpin Institute of Business and Government. The Institute was organized to honor the memory of former finance Secretary Jaime V. Ongpin, who was himself an Ateneo alumnus. The JVO Institute was intended to serve as a bridge between the private and public sectors with the common objective of sharing in the task of national development of the Philippines. The association spearheaded the fund-raising activities of the JVO Institute within the Philippine-American community in the United States.
On July 31, 2004, a new set of officers was elected to head the association. the new officers of the association were: Felipe “Jojo” Mendoza (GS’72, HS’76, BS’80) – President; Catalino “Ninoy” Buktaw (GS’57, HS’61, AB’65) - Vice-President for Alumni Affairs; Jun Anthony Quion, (HS’80) - Vice-President for Operations; Hever, “Joby” Bascon (LLB’88) – Secretary; Ramon “Buster” Olivares (GS ‘76, HS ‘80, BS ‘84) – Assistant Secretary; Marianne Tengtio-Dunne (BS’77) – Treasurer; Jerry Chaves (BS’89) - Assistant Treasurer; Paulo Ordoveza (GS’90, HS’94, BS’98) – PRO.
The newly elected officers immediately undertook a number of social and fundraising activities such as an annual Potluck Picnic, Christmas Party, Valentine’s Party, Bowling and Golf Tournaments.
On October 15, 2005, the association held its first Ball in sixteen years at the tony DC suburb of Mclean, VA. The black tie fund-raiser, dubbed “Ateneo Blue Ball 2005”, proved to be a smashing success and was attended by over 300 alumni from the Ateneo School System. The event was graced by the Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Albert Del Rosario. The occasion’s keynote speaker was none other than the Ateneo University President, Fr. Bienvenido F. Nebres, S.J. who briefed the Alumni body on changes in the University, the institution’s strategic direction, and the Ateneo Scholarship Fund.
Through their fund-raising efforts, the association has expressed its unequivocal support for Gawad Kalinga (GK) and the Ateneo Scholarship Fund. In December 2005, AAAMWDC President Jojo Mendoza presented two checks of $3,000 each to the Ateneo University President, Fr. Bienvenido F. Nebres, S.J. at the annual Ateneo Alumni Homecoming in the Loyola Heights campus.
On July 29, 2006, association members elected a new set of officers at its annual Potluck Reunion Picnic. Catalino “Ninoy” Buktaw (GS’57, HS’61, AB’65) assumed the association’s Presidency from Jojo Mendoza. Other elected officers include: Felipe “Philip” Ty (LLB ‘67), VP - Operations; Dennis Soliven (GS ‘76, HS ‘80, BS ‘84, LLB ‘88), VP – Alumni Affairs; Ramon “Buster” Olivares (GS ‘76, HS ‘80, BS ‘84), Secretary; Gabriel “Bing” Gavino (HS ‘61), Treasurer; Christina Sison (BS ‘93), PRO; and Edward (Biboy) Ducut (GS ‘91, HS ‘95), Assistant Secretary.
The new set of officers has remained fully committed to their social and fund-raising objectives and has embarked on a new round of activities towards this end, not least of which is the 2007 Ateneo Ball: “Flying High, A Gathering of Eagles” on October 20, 2007. Net proceeds from the ball will again be used to support Gawad Kalinga as well as the Ateneo Scholarship Fund.
As an organized group, the Ateneans in the DC area have been able effectively to harness their collective resources in an effort to accomplish their goals and objectives. In order to ensure that its goals in helping improve the plight of the poor and underprivileged may be achieved, the association makes an urgent appeal for support. To those who have already given their support in the past and to the others who have pledged their support, the association owes a great debt of gratitude.