390 employees honored online in 42nd University Services Awards
The Ateneo community honored 390 employees and faculty members at the 42nd University Services Awards on July 24 to recognize their years of service and commitment to the University. This is an annual tradition conferred to employees from the Basic Education Unit and the Loyola Schools for every five years of service to the Ateneo. In lieu of the traditional physical ceremony at the Ateneo High School Covered Courts, video messages were posted on the University’s official website and YouTube channel to recognize the awardees. These videos featured messages of gratitude from former University President Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ, and the recipients of the awards. Jillian Lopez
Ateneo collaborates with BPI Foundation to launch Pagpupugay Scholarship Fund
In collaboration with the Bank of the Philippine Islands Foundation (BPIF) and various Philippine colleges and universities, the Ateneo de Manila University launched the Pagpupugay Scholarship Fund. The five-year scholarship program aims to finance the undergraduate studies of 10 chosen scholars who are a deceased medical frontliner’s next of kin. To qualify, they must be currently enrolled in the Loyola Schools or other partner institutions of the BPIF, as well as have a general weighted average of 85% in the previous school year. They must also be the child of a medical frontliner who passed away during the pandemic, or the sibling if the deceased frontliner is single. The scholarship applications closed on July 31 and the results will be announced to the chosen scholars by the end of August. Jillian Lopez
Sanggunian implements Code of Legislative Procedures
On June 10, Interim Sanggunian President Jb Bejarin approved the Sanggunian Code of Legislative Procedures in an effort to improve legislation processes and policy-making within the Central Assembly (CA). According to a memorandum that Interim Sanggunian Vice President Kat Moreno issued on June 15, the code also replaces her office’s Legislation Division to make way for the CA Secretariat, an “autonomous unit attached only to the CA.” The CA Secretariat is tasked to ensure, improve, and execute current systems and the “capacity development efforts” of the legislative body. It also facilitates the creation and maintenance of session journals, the recordings of CA sessions, the official archive for legislations, and the official communications systems for the CA. Currently, Secretariat Shannen Pondoc and Secretary-General Gian Abalos comprise the CA Secretariat unit. Jillian Lopez
Sociopolitical aspects of COVID-19 pandemic discussed in SOSS Series Webinar
The School of Social Sciences (SOSS) Sanggunian, in partnership with various Ateneo student organizations, livestreamed the SOSS Series Webinar on its Facebook page, an initiative that aims to discuss topics such as the history of pandemics and their sociopolitical implications, virus control and prevention strategies, health policies and guidelines, and the effects of prolonged lockdowns on the economy and public health. Through its five episodes, speakers from within and beyond the Loyola Schools explored the importance of various social sciences fields in the context of an international health crisis. The episodes featured key speakers such as Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Charles Jose and Political Science Instructor Javier Tionloc. Vice President Leni Robredo, University President Fr. Roberto Yap, SJ, and Senator Risa Hontiveros were also among those who delivered special remarks. Jillian Lopez
