At the end of every semester, the Ateneo community looks forward to a long-standing tradition of the Blue and White: The Bonfire. As an event that celebrates the victories of various teams in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), the Bonfire is open to Ateneans, alumni, and fans. This festival is unique to the Ateneo because no other UAAP school hosts regular public events in celebration of their season. The most recent Bonfire, entitled Dynasty, was held on November 23, 2019, and celebrated repeat champions in four divisions namely, the Men’s Basketball Team, the Women’s Badminton Team, and the Men’s and Women’s Swimming Team.
With the recent cancellation of Season 83 and the abrupt end of Season 82, it may take some time before this long-standing tradition can make a return. Through this photo essay, The GUIDON’s Photos and Sports staffs take you down memory lane as we look back on some recent highlights, a perspective behind-the-scenes, and a little bit of the history behind the Bonfire.
Hours before the event, early-goers gather together to watch replays of prominent UAAP games.
To cap off the UAAP season, the second semester Bonfire of every school year includes the Athlete’s Night, which commemorates the achievements of notable student-athletes—most especially the graduating seniors.
Although the Athlete’s Night began as a small dinner among team captains in the Gonzaga cafeteria, the event now invites all UAAP athletes.
Student managers of the Blue Babble Battalion and members of the Company of Ateneo Dancers production team are often tapped to help with the production side of the event.
Fans begin to pour in, donning blue and white shirts to show off their school spirit.
Isaac Go of the Men’s Basketball Team takes photos with fans before joining his team for the main event.
The hosts of the main event are typically alumni or current and former courtside reporters such as Martie Bautista and Frannie Reyes. Among the hosts’ responsibilities for the night is to introduce champion teams and recognize these student-athletes’ invaluable contributions to the Blue and White.
As the leaders of school spirit and pride, the Blue Babble Battalion captivates the crowd with a jaw-dropping routine to kick off the event. Throughout the night, these cheerleaders work hard to keep the Ateneo community on their feet.
The main program itself recognizes the teams and athletes who won championships that semester. After a showcase of season highlights, the champion teams are called onstage while every player’s name is announced. The hosts also conduct interviews where the graduating athletes are given a chance to give one last speech to the Ateneo community.
– Thirdy Ravena
The biggest Bonfire to date was held in a muddy Bellarmine Field to celebrate Ateneo’s first UAAP basketball championship in the five-peat era in 2008. Because of the Bonfire’s success, a new tradition was born to celebrate all the champion teams who donned the Blue and White in the UAAP. The legacy of celebrating a basketball championship continues with the current dynasty on a three-peat.
In 2014, a more dynamic atmosphere was introduced into the Bonfire following the rise of Ateneo volleyball in the UAAP. With the women’s team bringing home several championships in recent years, a new group of dedicated fans of the Lady Eagles became regular fixtures in the Bonfire. The new faces not only brought greater numbers to the second semester Bonfire, but also a livelier and louder vibe.
Marck Espejo receives the Xavier Excellence Award during his final Bonfire as a Blue Eagle. This award is the highest honor an Atenean student-athlete can attain. Previous recipients of the award were Alyssa Valdez and Kiefer Ravena.
Being a yearly tradition for the whole Ateneo community, the Bonfire is often a homecoming for alumni young and old. Phenoms Kiefer Ravena and Alyssa Valdez are regular fixtures in the annual event.
The team captains and the most valuable players of the champion teams come together to light the Bonfire. This marks the climax of the event and is the main tradition that has been passed down since the 1970s where teams would host their own informal pocket bonfires.
The main event is wrapped up with the singing of a Song for Mary and a fireworks display.
The Blue Babble Battalion leads the crowd in a final round of cheers to officially cap off the Bonfire.
After the final round of cheers, other members of Babble and some graduating athletes join a long-standing tradition, better known as palo, where they try their hand at beating the drums.
Over the years, the Bonfire has become more than just an event. For many athletes, it has become an inspiration to win a championship for the Blue and White as it is a chance for all sports to be recognized by the Ateneo community. Ultimately, the Bonfire serves as the student-athletes’ farewell to the season and to all the hard work they put in to representing Ateneo.
Countless people have worked tirelessly to provide the Ateneo community with memorable Bonfires. Among them is Benjo Afuang, who was brought on board to organize the event and has spearheaded every Bonfire since 2008. As the man in-charge, the Bonfire is a very important part of Sir Benjo’s career. With every year that passes, his main goal is to ensure that the Bonfire is an enjoyable experience for all those who attend.
Prior to 2013, Bonfires were only celebrated if the Men’s Basketball Team secured a championship that season. However, under Jose Ramon “Jett” T. Villarin, SJ, the Bonfire was transformed into a biannual event. Since the 2008 Bellarmine Field Bonfire, no Ateneo Bonfire has been held without at least one gold medal finish.
The Bonfire is a celebration of the accomplishments of the student-athletes, an inspiration for current and upcoming Ateneo athletes, and an intimate gathering for the entire Ateneo community. It has become a unique part of the University’s identity and has become a welcomed tradition year after year. Time and again, the Bonfire has been a testament that the success of Ateneo sports goes beyond the sports teams, but rather it is an effort that the entire community commits to.
