A SLEW of appointments are being made before Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, SJ eventually steps down as University President.
One of the more recent appointments is that of Hector Guballa as the Assistant Vice President (AVP) of the Office of the University Development and Alumni Relations (OUDAR).
Guballa said that OUDAR was previously headed by Fr. Tito Caluag, SJ. “But when he left the position it was never filled up, so the different offices were then split up to different groups that all report to Fr. Ben.”
He added that this was a temporary. A review was conducted and it was suggested that there is a need to fill the position once more.
“My appointment to this position was based on the previous study; also I think Fr. Ben wishes to get things in order before he leaves and before the new president comes,” he said.
Guballa was the Office Director for Development of OUDAR for two years, in 2007 to 2008 and 2009 to 2010. He graduated from Ateneo with a degree in Economics in 1975, taking his Masters in the university as well.
Things come in threes
As the new AVP, Guballa said his plans for OUDAR and Ateneo comes in threes. He initially clarified that OUDAR is not simply a fundraising office.
“It is important to note that what OUDAR hopes to attain is to [first] engage, educate, and enlist aid from donors, alumni, parents and friends of Ateneo,” he said. “We do not simply go to someone and ask for their money right then and there.”
Guballa said that the key task he will focus on would be building relationships. “What [you have here] is not a business transaction,” he said.
However, Guballa said that aside from money, there are other things that the community can give. “[My second point is that] each one can contribute either their time, talent or treasure. I would like to reiterate that we are not simply after their money.”
“If you can’t give any amount why not offer your time or talent?” he said.
Finally, Guballa said he also has concrete plans for Ateneo. “We have three main goals: first is to raise an additional 500 new scholarships for the students; this is a follow through of the 500@150 fundraising project.”
He added that it is also their goal to have at least one professorial chair per department hopefully by 2015 and to improve existing infrastructure such as the Fine Arts building, a track and oval field and the ASMPH (Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health) by 2018.
A reliable leader
Events and Logistics Head Mariejo Mendoza said there is no difference working with Guballa, whatever position he was in. “He has always been easy to deal with…you can talk to him about anything, whether it is [about] work or not. He’s [also] very accommodating.”
Office Manager Hilda Abola agrees with Mendoza and said, “He does not have a temper…he is very easy to work with…[and] he listens.”
Abola said that, aside from his good work ethics, Guballa is qualified for the position based on other characteristics. “Actually, number one in this case would be strategizing… [Second] definitely is marketing; his background is marketing, so that is his strength.”
Mendoza added that being an alumnus of Ateneo is also an advantage for him since he would be familiar with the alumni who can aid Ateneo.
“[It] is always an advantage when you are working [here, and] you are from Ateneo because you know what Ateneo is—the goals and other aspects—especially now that our focus is to raise money for scholarships and the infrastructure,” said Mendoza.
Both Mendoza and Abola said that positive things will happen under Guballa’s leadership.
“I believe he was given the position because he was someone who can lead us towards the target we hope to meet, given the specific deadlines,” said Mendoza. “I am optimistic he will deliver well.”
