Hardwork pays off. Gianna Marie Therese C. Bacareza, Johanna Vaugh O. Dejito, and Jannies Shyne S. Briones, together with their coaches Ms. Angelle Marie D. Aquino and Mr. Johnedel Laciapag receive their respective awards in the recently held Regional Schools Press Conference in Cateel, Davao Oriental.

Visiting Her Majesty Queen Aliwagwag. One does not simply stay in Cateel, Davao Oriental without visiting the majestic Aliwagwag Falls. 1,110 ft. tall with a series of 130 cascading falls, her majesty looks like a stairway to heaven when viewed from afar.

Quick-thinking. Ideas come quick to student-journalists as they are trained to produce a publication-worthy output in as short as 60 minutes. These photos are results of such training. Ordinary scenes infused by creativity become publish-worthy.

Justice in the Global Economy

March 11, 2016

3:00 – 6:00pm

Pakighinabi Room, Community Center

Ateneo de Davao University.

Lead Discussant:

Dr. Germelino Bautista

Director

Joint Ateneo Institute of Mindanao Economics

Economic and financial markets have become extraordinarily significant in our times. Their behavior affects the lives of most human beings on the planet and impact the environment. Poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, economic gaps between countries, migration patterns and violence are highly interdependent forces impacting our common future.

The global economic crisis that began in 2008 was anticipated by some economists, but surprised many others who did not foresee the events and damage that would follow. This crisis prompted many to take a closer look at the “fundamentals” of our global economy and the policies that led to the excesses causing the collapse.

Since the beginning of his Pontificate, Pope Francis has repeatedly called both the Church and the larger society to turn their attention to issues of justice in today’s global economy. In many of his talks and homilies, and especially his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, and his Encyclical letter, Laudato Si’, Pope Francis has called both Christians and all people of good will to give serious attention to some of the major challenges of justice that arise in our social and economic life today. The Pope calls for actions that include alleviating the suffering of the poor, reducing inequality between rich and poor, overcoming the patterns of exclusion that cause so much conflict and violence today. In addition, he has called for sustainable development in ecologically responsible ways, a theme to which he devoted an entire encyclical. “We are faced not with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather with one complex crisis which is both social and environmental” (LS, n. 139).

Building inclusive and sustainable communities stands as a major demand of our times: communities that allow everyone to share in the wealth accumulated by generations, with special concern for the most vulnerable; communities that are committed to protect the environment. This is the challenge taken up in this [pakighinabi], to reflect on how current economics are affecting inclusion and sustainability and to explore ways in which economics can better respond to the needs of the poor and the environment. [from the Foreword  of “Justice in the Global Economy,” in  Promotio Iustitiae, 2016 ed. Vol. 121, Rome: Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat, 2016.]

Please contact Mr. Uwe Panimdim (2212411 local 8201) or Mr. Vinci Bueza (8745) of the Office of the President for seat reservation. We can only accommodate 50 persons.

The Ateneo de Davao University, through the University Physical Plant Office, has strengthened campus security in the Jacinto campus through continuous dialogues with concerned offices and establishments within the vicinity of the University once a month.

Attending the consultative meeting on security for the month were representatives from the AdDU Campus Security Office, DASIA Security Agency, Aldevinco Security, Fireball Security Agency, Philguard Security Agency, Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC), Marco Polo Hotel Davao, The Royal Mandaya Hotel, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Task Force Davao (TF Davao) and the Davao City Police Ofice (DCPO).

The MAAGAP Security Cluster, composed of Marco Polo Hotel Davao, Ateneo de Davao University, Aldevinco Shopping Center, Gaisano Mall of Davao, Aboitiz Power (Davao Light and Power Company) and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), was formed to improve coordination and overall security protocols among the members and the vicinity.

The monthly security meetings were conducted as part of the University’s responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of its students, faculty and staff, and the general public inside the campus and also the immediate environs of the Jacinto campus.

STEP: Embracing the Global Challenges of the 21st Century

Society for Technology in Education Philippines (STEP) holds its three-day conference at the Ateneo de Davao University, Finster Auditorium, inviting various educators and learners from Mindanao to take part of the technology leap last April 6 to 8, 2016.

The program was aimed to inform the participants about the global challenges of the 21st century in the educational arena – coping up with the developing technologies (digital era) through a three-day seminar.

On the first day, the talk was hosted by Mr. Andre Joseph Fournier, MBMP QUT.

He briefly explained a lot of matter about the digital era. He taught about the different applications that a teacher must know, from MS Word, Facebook, to YouTube and many more programs that are advantageous for both parties (educators and learners).

“Teachers must be creative in their job in order for students to be enticed in being engaged to learn while being entertained,” Fournier said.

On the second day, various workshops were available for the participants to enroll which still involves the theme which is aiming in technology catch up.

The teachers’ idea about the matter expanded as new inputs were shown and offered by the authorities thus, a productive day for them.

The third day of forum was headed by Ms. Eddelyn Gupeteo, PhD which concerns about – ‘ICT Integration: Embracing the Future’.

She shared about her experiences in bringing the ‘techy reality’ into her classes. In addition, she allows her students to bring their gadgets at school because of its educational purpose.

“We should start an edge about riding on with the new era regardless of our age gaps and other circumstances to reach the valued quota of education,” Gupeteo added.

She also indicated that it is a way for the students to be creative through a digital manner.

On the other hand, Ms. Mary Anthony Sieras’ of Microsoft Philippines talked about digital citizenship, on how internet affects individuals specifically social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).

She highlighted the matter about being conscious of how the teachers must act with the matter (etiquettes; do’s and don’ts; advantages/disadvantages).

“We should be careful of what we post and be mindful of the people we interact on social media,” Sieras’ supposed.

Sieras’ point on the proper etiquette of teacher’s online is essential since some requires their students or student’s parents to interact with them online. Their attitude online affects their credibility as educators hence the caution they need to practice in social media.

Sieras’ talk also focused on how the internet affects the students’ learning ability. She emphasized that with proper guidance, the internet is not a hindrance in learning, in fact it is a big factor for our young learners to acquire more and advance in their education.

Exhibit of learning materials were placed at room 711 and 712 of Finster available for the participants to explore, giving ideas on what materials to use on their classes, applying their newly acquired knowledge of digital learning.

The three-day forum ended with a little fun, giving small tokens to the participants. STEP organizers are looking forward to another forum next year to be held at Cebu City

By: Mark Mariscal & Kardy Ogtip

Read more about the COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES (CCCH)

here

Read more about the “Grounding” peacebuilding in Mindanao by Rufa Cagoco-Guiam

here

Read more on Maintaining Security During the Period of Transitions: The Bangsamoro Good Practices by Datuan M. Magon

here

More on the Titayan Symposium Synthesis (Day1)

here

More on the Titayan Workshop Synthesis (Days 2-3)

here

The Cardoner Volunteers is a year-long volunteer service program offered to graduates and faculty members of the Ateneo de Davao University. As part of the over-all social formation track of the university, the program seeks to strengthen the social spirituality of every Atenean, translated into volunteerism and service for and with the marginalized and vulnerable sectors of society. These volunteers will commit themselves for a year (10 months to be exact) of service and will be integrated to partner communities/institutions which has specific set of needs that can hopefully be addressed by the volunteer and the program as a whole. Moreover, it aims to harness holistic growth of volunteers as they encounter a transformative experience through interreligious and intercultural dialogue.

There are two (2) categories of Cardoner Volunteers; the Graduate and Faculty.

(1) Graduate

A graduate refers to a college graduate of the Ateneo de Davao University. Anyone who is preferably 21 years of age or older shall be accepted. An aspiring volunteer should be self-motivated, mature, healthy and willing to undergo a formative encounter. S/he must show interest to grow in the areas of spirituality, social justice, peace, and inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue.

Since this is purely volunteer work, a volunteer will not be compensated but shall modestly be entitled of the following privileges:

i. Monthly Living Allowance (mobility, communication, personal essentials)
ii. Board and lodging courtesy of a foster family and/or institutional billeting
iii. Medical and Accident Insurance Plan to cover the duration of deployment
iv. Basic deployment kit
v. Opportunities for transformative growth thru formative sessions and experiential learning

(2) Faculty

Faculty Volunteers consists of bona fide faculty members of the Ateneo de Davao University regardless of rank, position and employment status. Any faculty who has the heart to do volunteer work and is eagerly interested to share his/her expertise in their own field is welcomed. There are two (2) sub-categories for the Faculty Cardoner Volunteers, the Auxiliary and Full-time.

(2a) Auxiliary

These volunteer faculty members will be organized to act as resource persons and mentors in their own fields of expertise. They are ready to be deployed to assigned areas for several days or assist in the skills enhancement and capacity building of our partner schools/institutions.

An Auxiliary shall modestly be entitled of the following privileges:

i. Honorarium per activity facilitated
ii. Board and lodging in the duration of the service
iii. Transportation
iv. Accident Insurance to cover the entire duration of deployment
v. Corresponding merits to the rank and promotion scheme (Formation, Instruction and Engagement)

(2b) Full Time

These faculty, like the graduate volunteers, shall be deployed for a year of service in any identified areas of deployment. S/he must secure an approval from his/her immediate supervisor to temporarily relinquish his/her current post and be given a consent for a special assignment as a Full-Time Faculty Cardoner Volunteer. The Faculty shall be sent to mission as part of his/her formative program.

A Full-time volunteer shall modestly be entitled of the following privileges:

i. Retention of employment including rank and position upon returning to AdDU after one (1) year of volunteer service.
ii. Monthly cost of living allowance.
iii. Food and Accommodation courtesy of a foster family and/or institutional billeting
iv. Medical and Accident Insurance Plan to cover the duration of deployment
v. Corresponding merits to the rank and promotion scheme (Formation, Instruction and Engagement)

Deployment Areas:

a. Bangsamoro Areas through the Madaris Volunteer Program (see www.teachmadaris.org)
b. Lake Sebu, South Cotabato (Lake Sebu Indigenous Women Weavers Association)
c. Taunggyi, Myanmar (St. Aloysius Gonzaga English Language Institute)

By the Cardoner River, St. Ignatius was moved by a transformative experience where “he sat down for a little while with his face to the river which was running deep. While he was seated there, the eyes of his understanding began to be opened; though he did not see any vision, he understood and knew many things, both spiritual things and matters of faith and learning, and this was with so great an enlightenment that everything seemed new to him. It was as if he were a new man with a new intellect.” It is our hope that those who will join this volunteer program will also encounter this transformative experience, this joy that flows like a raging river, in the active building of friendship and in dialogue through witnessing.

To volunteer or for inquiries kindly contact:

KARL ANTHONY P. EBOL, RSW
Coordinator
Cardoner Volunteers
Arrupe Office of Social Formation
Ateneo de Davao University
E. Jacinto St., Davao City
Tel no. (082) 221-24-11 local 8329-8330
Mobile no. (+63) 917 722 2910 | (+63) 998 580 9800
Email Add kapebol@addu.edu.ph | eboy.karl@gmail.com

Community leaders and stakeholders held a ground breaking ceremony for the Tboli Sbú Senior High School (TSSHS) at Barangay Lemdalag, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato last May 16.

Among the notable people present were Rozanno Rufino, DepEd Indigenous People’s Education Director, Crispen Soliven, DepEd South Cotabato Division Schools District Superintendent, Eufemia Faller, Project Manager of Special Projects – IP Education of Ateneo de Davao University, members of the Municipal Tribal Council, and the Barangay and Municipal Local Government Units.

Faller said what made the Nungkul Yóm Gónóen Mdà Tboli Sbú ground breaking ceremony unique was the ritual done along with it.

Karl Sandino Lozano, assistant to the Project Manager of Special Projects – IP Education of the Ateneo, further explained in an interview, the Tbolis call the ritual demsu.

He said the ritual began at daybreak because the belief is that when they do something, they have to start before the sun rises.

“They have set up an altar with a tambara on the side. There was also a hen and a rooster. They strike the soil around the altar with the parts of the kawayan which will be used in the construction of the classrooms. So, they had another way of ground breaking,” Lozano narrated.

Lozano said Datu Benito Blonto, former municipal tribal chieftain, led the ritual along with other male elders. During the ceremony there was also a sharing from the different stakeholders.

“Before we become fully whole, we are from somewhere, we are a part of something. Yes, we are from Mindanao, from Region 12, from a municipality, from a province, from a community and from a tribe. One of the important roles of education is to let the people realize they are part of something, to let the Filipinos know they are a part of a nation that values its culture,” Rufino said.

Rufino also emphasized that the TSSHS is one of the essential instruments that shows what its like to be a Filipino, to value cultural preservation.

There were also cultural and dance presentations from the students and a pledge of commitment from the people in the community.

“Part of the ritual is for everyone to share with the cooked chicken…the ritual ended with a breakfast,” Faller said in an interview.

With the help of the donations from stakeholders, the TSSHS will start to operate with makeshift classrooms made out of bamboos and designed like a traditional Tboli Gnó or house. The construction began last May 24 and is expected to be finished before the class starts on June.

Some members of the Ateneo de Davao University will be assisting on the construction of the make shift classrooms under DepEd’s Brigada Eskwela.

TSSHS is the first indigenous and culture-based Senior High School in the Philippines.

By: Aivy Rose N. Villarba
Photos By: Karl Sandino Lozano

Female athletes from Luzon and Mindanao convened for the 3^rd Ateneo de Davao University Women’s Basketball Invitational slated June 1 to 4, 2016.

Basketball players from the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU), De La Salle University (DLSU), Ateneo de Cagayan- Xavier University, Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) and Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) convened at the Martin Hall court for the competition.

DLSU topped the basketball cup after ending the final game with a 23-point lead against AdMU 68-45. HCDC bagged the 3^rd place after beating AdDU 72-56.

Meanwhile, teams from Australia and Dubai have expressed interest in joining next year’s tournament after watching the Facebook live streaming of the championship games, a first in the event’s history.

By: Angel Mae Porras
Photos by: Noe Petel, Dave Daryanani, Coreen Ostan

Ateneo de Davao School of Business and Governance (SBG) will hold the 4th National Business and Management Conference (NBMC) on July 22 to 23 at the Ateneo de Davao University.

With the theme, “Tackling local, national, and regional challenges through responsible management and sustainable business practices,” students, researchers and professors of Business & Management are enjoined to attend the conference to have a personal experience on sharing of ideas  with other participants on the best business practices. 

The event is organized together with De La Salle University (DLSU) and University of San Carlos (USC) and in collaboration with  the Philippine Academy of Management (PAoM).

The first three legs of the conference were hosted by the University of San Carlos in Cebu City (2013), De La Salle University in Manila (2014) and St. Louis University in Baguio City (2015), respectively.  

For more details and inquiries, interested parties may contact the Ateneo de Davao Center for Business Research & Extension at +63 82 221 2411 local 8355.

The first Filipino-produced film to be shown in the Vatican, Ignacio de Loyola will have its Philippine premiere on July 27.

“The film highlights the dramatic life of a soldier-saint’s conversion from a life of vice and violence, continuing through his near-fatal injury at the Battle of Pamplona, his attempts to turn his life towards the light, his intense struggle with guilt and depression, his trial before the Inquisition, and his ultimate vindication,” said the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Ignacio de Loyola was produced by Jesuit Communications, the media arm of the Society of Jesus in the Philippines. It was shot primarily in Navarra and the Basque Country in Northern Spain last year.

Special effects and post-production were done in the Philippines. Renowned Filipino composer Ryan Cayabyab created the musical score, which were interpreted by the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra and the Ateneo Chamber Singers.

In celebration of the Feast of St. Ignatius on July 31, the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) has scheduled block screenings for its students and alumni on July 27 and 28  at the SM City Cinemas in Ecoland, Davao City.

AdDU President Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ, “requests everyone in the community to join myself, the Jesuit Community, and one another in watching Ignacio de Loyola, produced masterfully by our very own Jesuit Communications (JesCom).”

“Bring your family and friends to be inspired by Ignatius’ enduring saga of courage, hope, and faith,” added Fr. Tabora.

St. Ignatius of Loyola founded the Society of Jesus, a male religious congregation of the Catholic Church. Jesuits, as society members are called, are engaged in evangelization and apostolic ministry in 112 nations on six continents. They work in education, intellectual research, and cultural pursuits. Besides giving retreats and ministering in hospitals and parishes, Jesuits also promote social justice and ecumenical dialogue.

The Philippines is home to 9 Jesuit schools, including Ateneo and Xavier Schools and universities.

Researchers share their work with the University community during the second day of Anthropology Research Presentation. Photos by Ago Tomas.

To provide an opportunity to share the fruits of their work with the University community, the Department of Anthropology and the Ateneo Institute of Anthropology (AIA) conducted a series of research paper presentations at the 7th Floor Finster Hall Boardroom last July 19 and 20.

The two-day affair gave the two bodies an opportunity to share a selection of their combined work with the University community, and more importantly, to benefit from the critical appreciation of academic colleagues and students from other disciplines in the University.

The series of presentations marked the commemoration of Anthropology Month, an annual event which the two bodies wish to institutionalize within the University.

The department has focused on training the next generation of Filipino anthropologists, and the Institute has developed and pursued its research focus on land and resource issues, and the combined efforts of these two bodies provide a synergy that encourages graduate students to engage in ethnographic projects alongside their mentors. They also enabled the faculty to enrich their instructional tasks with the realities of fieldwork.

As a result, the Institute and the Department have completed 9 research projects, within a span of only four years.

Most of these studies have clear implications for policy-making, and have been presented and discussed in various fora— from large-scale conferences to small community meetings.

The paper presentations were organized in terms of themes.  The first day focused on two papers on land and resource tenure and management, the central research agendum of the Institute.  The papers were results of the “Land Access Study on Indigenous Peoples Using Ethnographic Methods“ done in Malita, Davao Occidental, and Sen. Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat.

The researches were done to provide policy inputs in the further development of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-led community development programs particularly in IP communities.

For the second day, another two papers were presented on Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Processes, a theme that grows out of the two bodies of engagement with resource issues, and yet goes beyond it, to embrace other aspects of Philippine culture.

The first paper “Revisiting the Tboli Sbu of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, Philippines:  Towards the Development of a Culture-Based Pedagogy and Curriculum for the Tboli Sbù Senior High School“ was a preliminary research done to support the ongoing partnership work on IP education in the area.

The second paper focused on Gender, Land Rights and Participatory Decision-Making, with a case study of the Dulangan Manobo and the Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) in the renewal of an Industrial Forest Management Agreement (IFMA) in Sultan Kudarat.

Participants to the two-day presentation included graduate students from Anthropology and Theology (under the Saint Alphonsus Theological and Missiological Institute or SATMI ), friends from civil society, and faculty from the other departments.

The presentations hopefully enriched the University community’s appreciation of, and engagement with emergent and increasingly urgent conversations on peace and social justice, the environment, indigenous peoples’ rights, the concept of federalism, and indeed, the question of what it means to be a Filipino of the 21st century.

The Department of Anthropology and the AIA were both established in 2012, thanks to the vision and support of Fr. Joel Tabora, S.J.

From Left to Right: DENR Secretary Gina Lopez, President Rodrigo Duterte and AdDU President Joel Tabora, SJ., stands before the 4,000 students and members of several civil society groups during the Kasaulogan sa Kinaiyahan, one of the activities of the Oya Mindanaw held at the Martin Hall. Photo by Javin Rubillar.

Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU), co-organized together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), hosted the first Mindanao environmental summit dubbed as Oya Mindanaw! State of Mindanao Environment Day last August 4.

Series of environmental protection and conservation activities were done during the gathering. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte graced Kasaulogan sa Kinaiyahan, an event held at the University’s Martin Hall.

The 1st President from Mindanao island said before the 4,000 students and members from the several civil society groups in attendance, “Let us take care of our nation, we only have one.”

“An island as fragile as Mindanao there will never be a tomorrow for our children,” Duterte said.

Duterte has been a known supporter of the mining ban in Davao, to protect the city from its harmful effects to the environment. He even lauded the members of the city council for coming up with a resolution that effectively legislated the ban.

Moreover, DENR Secretary Regina “Gina” Lopez also engaged into dialogue with the different stakeholders and Indigenous communities in Mindanao during the summit.

During the dialogue, Lopez emphasized the importance of social justice in the region.

“My commitment for Mindanao is social justice. The definition of social justice is that the resources of Mindanao must necessarily be enjoyed by the people of Mindanao,” Lopez said.

The DENR Secretary already suspended mining companies that do not comply with environmental safety standards, in consonance with AdDU’s own advocacy on defending the integrity of creation and protecting our common home.

In one of his columns, AdDU President Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ., said, “as a Jesuit university we are to serve the faith, promote justice…and preserve and protect the environment.”

AdDU also participated in the strategic planning workshop regarding the plans of the DENR for members and representatives of different civil society groups at the Davao Convention Center.

With a president from Davao City, AdDU plays a more vital role in promoting social justice through consensus building and being one of the venues for critical collaboration with the Philippine’s new administration. (ARV)

Watch the Pakighinabi with DENR Secretary Gina Lopez during Oya Mindanaw here.

For more photos during Oya Mindanaw visit the Ateneo de Davao University Gallery here.

Light a candle. Students of the Ateneo de Davao University offer their prayers, as part of the Community Prayer Vigil last September 5, in memory of those who died in the blast at the Roxas Night Market. Photo by Igy Castrillo.

“We, the Salam: Ateneo Muslim Society, the Al Qalam Institute, and the Muslim community of the Ateneo de Davao University condemn the heinous attack at the Roxas Night Market last September 2, 2016, Friday, here in Davao City.

It was a sad and horrifying night for the Davaoeños and for the Philippines.

Fourteen (14) lives lost and more than 60 people injured.

On Saturday morning of September 3, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte declared a “state of lawless violence” in the Philippines following the deadly explosion in Davao City. The Filipino people, especially the Davaoeños are in a state of fear and grief.

This is the reason why we do and advocate dialogue among and between people of different faiths, ideologies, and cultural traditions. We strongly condemn this bombing attack because violence has no place in this world. Innocent people are victimized in this reign of terror and the future of our generation and generations yet to come are at stake. We, Muslims are tired of hearing terrorist attacks being carried out by inherently violent and ignorant people who hijack our religion.

The Abu Sayyaf Group who claim to be Muslims are not Muslims. What they do is not, in any way, according to Islam. This is not Jihad Fyi Sabilillah. Muslims too are killed by these same radicalized terrorists who show a clear manifestation of ignorance in Islamic teachings. Terrorism and Extremism has no religion.

Allah (SWT) forbids the killing of innocent people. According to the Qur’an, one of the greatest sins is to kill a human being who has committed no fault:

“…If someone kills another person, unless it is in retaliation for someone else or for causing corruption in the earth, it is as if he had murdered all mankind.” —(Surat al-Ma’ida: 32)

Will it take yet another news of a horrifying terrorist attack – supposedly carried out in the name of religion – to remind the world of the violence in our midst?

In this context, we find it impossible to practice tolerance in such forms of violence. We will not tolerate violence in the name of Islam!

We need now to unite ourselves, regardless of our differences, in condemning this act of violence. We join together to eliminate the evil plots of people behind these terroristic acts and the narco-pandemic in the country.

We will fix this country together with our President, to stand by him and to collaborate with him.

Let not this heartbreaking event make us helpless and overpowered.

We are stronger than this singular act of violence against humanity.”

Members of the Ateneo Muslim community and the larger Davao City Muslim populace gather in a reflection and sharing session days after the Roxas Night Market blast. Photo by Karlo Alexie Puerto.

By Karlo Alexie C. Puerto

The Al Qalam Institute for Islamic Identities and Dialogue in Southeast Asia of the Ateneo de Davao University organized a reflection session last Sept. 7 with the Muslims of the Ateneo Community in memory of the Roxas Night Market blast.

Students and faculty, religious leaders and religious scholars in the larger Davao Muslim community gathered to dialogue about the supposed claims by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) that the bombing incident in Roxas Avenue last Sept. 2.

“This event will be dedicated to this task… to reflect on the message of Islam; hearing reflections from faith leaders across traditions; and joining together in prayer and call for unity in our country,” Al Qalam Institute director Datu Mussolini Lidasan said in his opening statement.

Fatima Star Lamalan, Secretary General of the Salam: Ateneo Muslim Society expressed terrorism has no religion.

“A Muslim cannot be a terrorist, a terrorist cannot be a Muslim,” she said.

“The Abu Sayyaf Group who claims to be Muslims are not Muslims. What they do is not, in any way, according to Islam. This is not Jihad Fyi Sabilillah. Muslims are also killed by these same radicalized terrorists who show a clear manifestation of ignorance in Islamic teachings. Terrorism and Extremism has no religion,” the joint statement by the Salam: Ateneo Muslim Society, Al Qalam Institute and the Muslim community of Ateneo read.

Read the whole statement in the Al Qalam website and check out the video recording of the session here.

Participants listen to the resource speaker during the NVivo training. Photo from SRTDO.

The Social Research Training and Development Office (SRTDO) conducted a two-day NVivo Training last September 19 and 20 at F600, Ateneo de Davao University.

Dr. Nicamil K. Sanchez, the resource person, provided the participants an overview on conducting qualitative as well as mixed research methodology.

NVivo is a qualitative data analysis software for researchers working on Windows and Mac operating systems.

The key functions of NVivo PRO enabled the participants to learn how to efficiently and effectively manage, code and analyze structured, semi-structured and unstructured interview data.

The participants learned how to process data such as multimedia data sources, social media contents, Evernote files, Excel spreadsheets, Access databases, and bibliographic references.

The teaching method used was hands-on, supported by presentation, demonstration, reflection, insightful exercises, discussions, question and answer, and clinic sessions.

Students, together with artist and environmentalist AG Saño, paint the mural outside the Ecoteneo Office.

By Aivy Rose Villarba

The Office of Ecoteneo, the advocacy group for environmental protection and conservation of Ateneo de Davao University, formally opened last October 4 at the 5th floor Martin Hall.

The event started with a Holy Mass at noon presided by Fr. Ramon Prudencio S. Toledo, S.J., followed by the blessing of the new office by Fr. Carlos G. Cenzon, Jr., S.J.

A short program followed after the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Rodne Galicha, Ecoteneo Jacinto director introduced the Ecoteneo Roadmap, which was based on the recommendations of the Ecoteneo Advisory Board in 2014.

“Every roadmap push management team will meet and act on targets identified,” he said.

Galicha also said that the office will always be open for students as he wants it to be student centered.

Moreover, General Assistant to the President Jeremy Eliab shared, “We hope that our Ecoteneo efforts in this campus will be at par with what is happening in the Matina campus.”

“Matina campus has been awarded by the ASEAN and in the national level because of their management in terms of waste segregation and recycling,” Eliab said.

Eliab added that since the Jacinto campus is larger in terms of population, it will be a also challenge to build up awareness.

“We hope to make our campus green and sustainable,” Eliab said.

SAMAHAN President John Chin also expressed his excitement towards working with Ecoteneo.

“We are really looking forward with our partnership with our Ecoteneo office,” Chin said.

AG Saño, an environmental artist was also invited to lead an open mural painting on a wall beside the new office. Students and members from ArtCo participated in the mural painting.

“We are painting murals about the environment and campaigning for climate justice,” Saño shared.

Together with Albert Lozada from Greenpeace, they walked along the path that St. Francis walked when he was still alive.

“We traced some of his his journey in the forests of Assisi and we were inspired to illustrate that in the paintings to be shown in the office of the Ecoteneo,” Saño said.

After the program, students, administrators and guests enjoyed the lunch which served organic food.