IT WAS the bonfire seen on thousands of computer screens.
Last September 30, Ateneans of different ages trudged through the thick and sticky, rain-soaked mud to support their champion teams in the Big Blue Eagle Bonfire held at Bellarmine Field.
The event, which celebrated first place wins by the Junior Tankers, the Lady Tankers, the Ateneo Small Basketeers of the Philippines, Ateneo High School Blue Eaglets, and the Blue Eagles, was kicked off by a mass presided by University President Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, SJ at the Church of the Gesu.
Festivities then moved to Bel Field as the community was treated to an array of performances by bands from the Ateneo Musicians Pool and the Blue Babble Battalion. Videos were also shown to show the long road to victory for Team Ateneo.
The community’s celebration, however, would be short-lived. In the days after the event, photos of the firewood used in the bonfire spread across the Internet, especially on networking sites like Multiply and Facebook.
Some of the firewood had the names of De La Salle University Green Archers, along with Coach Franz Pumaren, written on them.
Hall of famers
The program was hosted by a number of Ateneo personalities, including current UAAP courtside reporters Kamae de Jesus (IV BS CTM) and Portia Silva (III AB Comm).
But the night’s spotlight was on the Blue Eagles who claimed their first championship in six years. Co-captains Chris Tiu (V BSM AMF) and Yuri Escueta (MBA) were awarded citations that paved their entry into the Ateneo Sports Hall of Fame in 20 years time.
“This is how we celebrate a clean, honest victory over an inferior team,” said Fr. Adolfo Dacanay, SJ, head of the Theology Department and Ateneo basketball fan.
The night was capped off by the lighting of the bonfire, where the infamous firewood came into play, and a fireworks display accompanied by the singing of the school hymn, “Song for Mary.” This ushered in the different bands to culminate an unforgettable night. The mood was light, festive, and gratifying as the community acknowledged the blessings they had been given.
Aftermath
Students and alumni from La Salle, and even from the Ateneo, labeled the incident with the La Salle names distasteful, a sentiment echoed by the Ateneo admin.
In a letter addressed to De La Salle University System President Br. Armin Luistro, FSC, dated October 2, Nebres apologized for the incident.
“Despite our rivalries in sports, we are both committed to Christian values and what was done is certainly a violation of values we share,” he said.
Nebres explained that the wood pile, along with the firewood with names, was covered by a tarp for protection against the rain. “Unfortunately, none of us saw it ahead of time,” he said. The firewood was only revealed when time came to light it.
In a news article published in the October 6 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Br. Bernie Oca, FSC said “Our community accepted [Ateneo’s apology].” Oca is La Salle’s representative to the University Athletics Association of the Philippines board.
