HEARTS ON FIRE: Mr. Kenneth Isaiah Ibasco Abante, HS Class of 2008

A consistent valedictorian who later continued his studies at Harvard University, Mr. Kenneth Isaiah “Ken” Ibasco Abante (HS Class of 2008) chose to come back home to the Philippines to serve our country despite opportunities to continue to work abroad. A graduate of BS Management Engineering and Minor in Philosophy in Ateneo de Manila University

HEARTS ON FIRE: Fr. Jed Anthony F. Peña, HS Class of 2007

Wrapping himself with white bed sheets, taking cuttings of the unconsecrated hosts he found in his house, putting all of those on a table, and then playing mass as a child—that’s how Fr. Jed Anthony “Jed” Peña (HS Class of 2007) recalls the beginning of his vocation. For a child like him, it was merely

HEARTS ON FIRE: Fr. Erwin Blasa, HS Class of 1996

Fr. Erwin Blasa (High School Class of 1996) shared the story of his youth as he journeyed towards becoming a priest. When asked to describe his high school experience, he said, “It was one of the happiest years of my life.” He described it as ‘maugmahon,’ emphasizing that he was once an active youth volunteer

HEARTS ON FIRE: Mr. Jose Eos Trinidad, HS Class of 2009

“I wouldn’t have had as much in terms of achievement if not for the foundations I’ve had in high school,” Jose Eos “Eos” Trinidad (HS Class of 2009) shares. And he attributes this to the wonderful people who were around him and influenced him in high school. He had teachers (with special mention to Sir

HEARTS ON FIRE: Mr. Jerome Mendoza Hipolito, HS Class of 2005

With a passion for teaching and writing, Jerome M. Hipolito (HS 2005) continues to inspire young minds through his advocacy on Bikol Literature. Concerned with the limited numbers of Bikolano writers who write in Bikol, Jerome — a teacher, writer, and literacy advocate — intends to contribute in sustaining Bikol Literature by providing writing workshops

HEARTS ON FIRE: Mr. Javier Leonardo V. Rugeria, HS Class of 2009

Impelled by a Manila (or Tagalog)-centric historiography, stereotypes and misconceptions from those who hail from the metropolis, and sentiments of marginality among those who come from the peripheries, Javier Leonardo Vitug Rugeria—Djai to his peers and colleagues—is an advocate of local and Bikol history, which he forwards through his classes and his own research. From

HEARTS ON FIRE: Mr. Jonas Soltes, HS Class of 2002

Never had Mr. Jonas Cabiles Soltes (HS Class of 2002) thought that he would be in a life of public service. But, as his experiences as a student-journalist came through, he realized how important public service is in every profession and that it prepared him for the path that he is taking. His experiences all

HEARTS ON FIRE – Mr. Ronald Muroda, HS Class of 2001

“My High School life was so meaningful. Diyan ko mas namidbid an Diyos, sadiri ko, asin pamilya ko.” (My high school life was so meaningful. It is in high school where I better knew God, myself, and my family.) Having been from an elementary public school before entering the Ateneo community, everything was new to

HEARTS ON FIRE – Ms. Reycel Hyacenth Bendaña, HS Class of 2015

At an early age of seven, Reycel Hyacenth “Hya” Bendaña (HS 2015) had awoken to the social injustices that plagued her society. Upon opening her eyes to the harsh reality in this world, a flame had ignited within her, and that very flame called her to her life’s purpose; to amplify the voices of the

#QUARANTHINGS – Genrev Ezra Reyes Sinogba

It was March 15, 2020 when the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) took effect all over the Philippines. At first, it didn’t bother me at all because while everybody is panicking about the pandemic, I was pre-occupied by a whole week of various performance tasks. My goal those days was to meet the deadlines. That’s all!