Movers and shakers. L-R: Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, SJ; Br. Armin Luistro, FSC; Chief Justice Renato Corona; and Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ. Photo by Pia B. Guballa
While his predecessor, Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, SJ, focused on addressing the poverty gap and the competitiveness gap during his presidency, as evidenced in his work for public schools and the Ateneo’s partnership with Gawad Kalinga, Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin proposes a more varied approach to nation building.
Last August, Villarin released a memo supporting a Sanggunian rally against Shoemart Development Corporation (SMDC)’s Blue Residences. This open letter of support hints at Villarin’s more confrontational political stance when it comes to pressing issues.
Villarin espouses a role for Ateneans to be change catalysts, who can better serve society as facilitators rather than main actors. He says that “in other social sectors, it is better for us as an institution to enable the mobilization and convergence of various actors in society.” Where direct action is needed, he says that the goal should be to “[make] social templates that can be eventually replicated and multiplied by others.”
Seeing Ateneans as strategic thinkers, Villarin noted that the Ateneo should “help society do some higher-order thinking,” especially on complex problems such as poverty and conflict.
Viewing Ateneans as culture shapers, Villarin highlighted the role of the arts and humanities in cultivating love for the country. He believes that this strengthening of the Filipino identity is particularly important in order for the country to “participate meaningfully in the global track of development,” especially in light of the Filipino diaspora.
