DENR hails Ateneo as one of top eco-friendly schools in 2013

The Ateneo de Manila University placed third in the college category for the national level in the 2013 National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools. Ateneo won P30,000 and a plaque of recognition. The other winners in the college category for the national level were Visayas State University in first place and Miriam College in second place. The two schools received P50,000 and P40,000, respectively, as well as plaques of recognition. The National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools contest aims to recognize the achievements of academic institutions that are committed to implementing comprehensive environmental programs. The contest is a collaborative project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources through the Environmental Management Bureau, the Department of Education and the  Commission on Higher Education, with the support of Nestlé Philippines, Smart Communications Incorporated, One Meralco Foundation and Petron Foundation. Bianca N. Martinez

Chris Tiu receives 2013 TOYM Award

Former Blue Eagle Chris Tiu (BS ME ‘07) was among the nine recipients of The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award of 2013. Tiu was cited by the TOYM Foundation for his contribution to youth leadership development, having “channeled his celebrity status to help form values of today’s Filipino youth.” Aside from having basketball and hosting careers, Tiu is a former Sangguniang Kabataan chairman and is currently a barangay kagawad in Urdaneta, Makati City. He also serves as an ambassador for Caritas, Habitat for Humanity, World Vision and Pilipinas Eco Warriors. The TOYM Award is given to men who have accomplished tangible results in the pursuit of excellence and in the service of others. This year’s awardees also include the following: Emerson Atanacio (Social Entrepreneurship), June Cheryl Cabal-Revilla (Community Service), Nicole Paula Curato (Sociology), Custer Deocaris (Science Communications), Miguel Rene Dominguez (Government and Public Service), Alonzo Gabriel (Food Science and Technology), Karl Michael Reyes (Medicine) and Paolo Antonio Silva (Medicine). Ennah A. Tolentino

Presidential Medal of Merit awarded to Ambeth Ocampo

History Department Associate Professor Ambeth Ocampo, PhD received the Presidential Medal of Merit from President Benigno Aquino III on December 12, 2013 in Tokyo, Japan. Ocampo is currently a visiting professor at the Faculty of Foreign Studies at Sophia University, an international partner schools of the Ateneo in Japan. Ocampo was acknowledged for his contributions that propagated the Philippine character and heritage, which include his services as an intellectual and a professor, and his published works on Philippine history, art and culture. Among the courses he is currently teaching at Sophia University are Philippine history, Philippine film, Christian iconography and art in the banknotes of countries part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Mariel L. Zamora

Allan Pastrana wins Best First Book Award

Interdisciplinary Studies Department Lecturer Allan Pastrana won the 13th Madrigal-Gonzales Best First Book Award with his book, Body Haul: Poems, published under the University of Santo Tomas Publishing House. The announcement was made during the Writer’s Night 2013 held at the University of the Philippines-Diliman last December 6. The panel of judges were award-winning writers Charlson Ong and Mookie Katigbak-Lacuesta and Shirley Lua, PhD, the De La Salle University Bienvenido N. Santos Creative Writing Center Director. Tristan B. Gamalinda

Ateneo donates academic journals to libraries nationwide

To help rebuild the libraries ravaged by Typhoon Yolanda in Visayas and Mindanao, the Ateneo, in collaboration with the Rizal Library and the Philippine Librarians Association, Inc., began donating academic journals to libraries of higher education institutions in the said areas last December. It is an ongoing project that aims for knowledge and resource sharing. Those interested in donating may inquire at the Office of the Associate Dean for Research and Creative Works’ Journals Office. Joline S. Acampado

Ateneo celebrates first Volunteerism Week

With the aim of inculcating a culture of volunteerism in the Ateneo, the university’s first Volunteerism Week was held from January 8 to 10. It was organized by the Council of Organizations of the Ateneo’s Sector Based Cluster (COA SBC) and the Office of Social Concern and Involvement (OSCI) Volunteers, the student arm of OSCI. In order to engage the student body with regard to doing volunteer work, COA SBC organizations and non-governmental organizations set up booths in the Zen Garden as part of the Volunteerism Fair. Two talks on volunteerism were also held on January 8 and 10, respectively, as part of the week’s activities. JC S. Rosales

Visiting professor gets new book published

English Department Visiting Professor Ian Campbell Ross, PhD is the editor of a new book entitled The History of Jack Connor written by William Chaigneau. It features notes and an introduction written by Ross. The book was published under Four Courts Press. Ross is a specialist on 18th century literature and has published around 20 books, including the fourth revised edition of Umbria: A Cultural Guide last year. He is a Fellow Emeritus at Trinity College, Dublin and will be teaching in the Ateneo until March. Athena A. Batanes