Commission on Gender Equality sends delegation for #ResistTogether

On June 29, the Sanggunian Commission on Gender Equality (CGE) delegation for the 2019 Metro Manila Pride March and Festival marched together at the Marikina Sports Center. The initiative was pursued on account of the impact that One Big Pride had on the Ateneo community. The demonstration was held in celebration of the individuality of the LGBTQ+ community’s members in spite of the injustice and discrimination they continue to face. A day prior to the event, the CGE planned to host a Pride Tribute to showcase Atenean talent and commemorate Pride Month, but the event did not push through due to class suspensions. The variety show would have featured performances such as a lip sync battle, spoken word presentations, and song numbers from students as a show of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. Frans G. Regala

Ateneo advances the QS World University Rankings 2020

On June 19, Ateneo solidified its spot at #601-650 in the 2020 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, “an annual publication of university rankings” deemed to indicate academic prestige among institutions worldwide. Over the past two years, the University experienced a devastating slip in the QS World University Rankings. In 2018, it placed #551-600 and in the following year, it reached its all time low, placing at #651-700. However, recently, two ranking indicators, namely academic reputation and faculty-student ratio, have notably improved. The University seeks to sustain this momentum for a continued rise in the ranks in the coming years. Frans G. Regala

Organization leaders lauded in Hinirang: The SOAR Recognition Gala 

Over 400 leaders and members of Ateneo’s student organizations gathered at the Leong Hall Auditorium on June 21 for Hinirang: The SOAR Recognition Gala. The Gala served as a culmination of the Student Organizations Assessment and Review (SOAR) and as an induction ceremony for accredited student organizations and their new set of leaders. Among the four newly accredited organizations are the Blue Consulting Group under the Business Cluster, Ateneo Hinomoto under the Intercultural Relations Cluster, Institute of Skin Divers of Ateneo under the Health and Environment Cluster, and Barefoot Philippines under the Sector-Based Cluster. The program featured messages from Associate Dean for Student Formation Leland Dela Cruz, PhD and Sanggunian President Quiel Quiwa. Council of Organizations of Ateneo (COA) President Philip Ventigan then headed the oath-taking while Kit Bautista, SJ facilitated the blessing of student leaders. The program was capped off with a dinner reception at the Leong Hall Roofdeck. Frans G. Regala

ACSent holds seminar on social entrepreneurship

From July 29 to July 30, the Ateneo Center for Social Entrepreneurship (ACSent) launched a two-day workshop entitled Social Entrepreneurship 101 in collaboration with the Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia (ISEA), the John Gokongwei School of Management (JGSOM) Social Entrepreneurship Professor Benjamin Mirasol, and ISEA President Marie Lisa Dacanay, PhD. The event is in line with ACSent’s goals of social transformation and nation-building and discussions mainly revolved around the models for social entrepreneurship in today’s times. Participants included aspiring and veteran social entrepreneurs and members of civil society, government, and business organizations. Frans G. Regala