ANNUALLY, THE University Service Awards recognizes Ateneo personnel for every five years of service to the school. This year, however, the ceremony also recognized outgoing University President Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, SJ’s 17 years of service.

For every five years of service to the Ateneo, personnel from the grade school, high school, Loyola Schools and the Professional Schools are recognized at the University Service Awards.

The night was about appreciation for the personnel’s services to the school. Nebres was one of those who expressed their gratitude to the people.
“Thank you for many years of dedicated service. Thank you, on a very personal note, [for] everything that you gave to Ateneo,” Nebres said during his address.

The University Awards ceremony was held at the Ateneo High School Covered Courts on November 25.

Ateneo is home

Silver jubilarian Severino Sarmenta Jr, Communication Chair, shared how he found a family in his co-workers.

“[Ateneo] is not a magical Disney-like place. We work hard, we face problems and we work together to solve these problems. We care so much. We build each day to deal with shortcomings. We help each other out [in] building our home,” he said.

He added that Ateneo has become more of a home than work since he is having fun. “Time just flies. We have stayed because the place [Ateneo] is really home” he added.

Same Values as Ateneo

Meanwhile, Philosophy Instructor Jope Guevara said that he stayed with the Ateneo for 10 years already because the values he upholds align with those of the University’s.

“You can teach in [the University of the Philippines] or in La Salle, but Ateneo is different. In the future, if I have a child, I will also choose for him to study here,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Emily Ann Inocentes-Lombos, a lecturer from the Psychology Department, who has been with the Ateneo for five years said that teaching is her way of giving back to the Ateneo community as she is also an alumna.

“I find it fulfilling… [to stay] in school with the values that speak more of giving enough and not counting the costs,” she said.

Insipiration from colleagues

Although sometimes work is tiring, Guevara said that it is important to have someone you can look up to for motivation.

“Sometimes you get tired, but when you see people that can be models, you get inspired,” he said.

Lombos agreed and said that despite her being part of the corporate world for a longer time, the recognition made her feel that she made the right decision of choosing to teach instead.
“[The award is] like an affirmation of my decision to go to teaching,” she said.

A tribute to Fr. Ben

As Ateneo will have a new president next year, Nebres was presented with a medley rendered by several university personnel. A part of the lyrics said, “Here is where the story begins. This ain’t goodbye. Thank you Fr. Ben, the man we love. Thank you for all the joy you’ve brought us.”

In response, Nebres said that he is really thankful for everyone that has been part of the community.

“To all the staff, [for] all the generations of Ateneans, you are heroes to them,” he said.