“A SONG for Mary” has transcended its origins as a school anthem, becoming a symbol of excellence, tenacity, and unity in Philippine collegiate sports. Revered far beyond Loyola’s walls, the hymn stands as an emblem of tradition that has united generations of Blue Eagles across different eras.
Recent University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) seasons saw key moments punctuated by the anthem, such as the Men’s Basketball Team’s Season 85 crown and the Men’s Swimming Team’s nine-peat. As a culmination of these milestones, the hymn encapsulates these achievements with deep pride, embodying Ateneo’s spirit in both victory and defeat.
Echoes of tradition
“A Song for Mary” was composed during a period of massive change in the University—its relocation to the Loyola Heights campus. This shift marked not only a new era for Ateneo as an educational institution, but also transformed the University’s approach to nurturing its students before their eventual descent from the proverbial Hill.
An ardent devotee of Ateneo since his college days, Biology Department Chair Ronald Allan Cruz, PhD describes the hymn as a reminder of what an Ateneo education stands for. “The fact that we choose Ateneo means that we are committed to engaging with society,” he mentioned.
Meanwhile, having been raised in the Blue and White community, Ateneo Track and Field Team Captain Joaquin Ipapo further stressed on the legacy of the school hymn in both reaffirming long-standing traditions and honoring all Ateneans who have previously represented the University. “It holds so much power because no matter what generation we’re in, we’re able to uplift the Ateneo name and those who came before us,” he expressed.
Testament of values
Beyond the One Big Fight maxim, the hymn also has its way of reminding the Ateneo faithful that success alone does not define a Blue Eagle.
Following this, Cruz further highlights Mother Mary’s salient role in the ode as both the great intercessor and the University’s patron. “The Ateneo fight is not only for itself, but for Mother Mary, God, and the people,” he explains.
In addition to its spiritual tribute, the line “win or lose, it’s the school we choose” further amplifies the root definition of an Atenean—a powerful declaration of unwavering loyalty and pride regardless of the outcome.
While “A Song For Mary” is sung at every game in sports like basketball and football, athletes from certain disciplines, like in track and field, typically hear it only after winning a championship or a gold medal. “The frequency of hearing that song is low but when I do hear it, it means the world to me,” Ipapo shared.
A timeless anthem
At the heart of every game, the Blue Babble Battalion stands as the ode’s custodians, leading the way in the resounding rendition of the school hymn. Brass Captain Darti Sebastian shares that keeping this tradition alive has instilled a profound sense of belonging.
“This is what it means to be in a pep squad. Leading the crowd with the cheers means [being] the sixth man, the sound behind the fight,” he expressed.
The emotional connection from holding the anthem in such high regard also fosters a deep-seated reverence integral to the Blue Eagle identity.
Nurtured in the thrill of the UAAP scene growing up, Season 86 Men’s Badminton Most Valuable Player Lyrden Laborte expressed how belonging to a community that celebrates the hymn has extensively shaped him. “I idolized the top players from Ateneo. It’s a dream come true to be a part of the Ateneo community which I was just dreaming of before.” he shared in a mix of English and Filipino.
Heart of a Blue Eagle
Transcending the boundaries of space and time, “A Song for Mary” has always deeply resonated with the Blue and White in every game. The pride that comes with the words being sung reinforces a lasting identity in the heart of a Blue Eagle. “The lyrics mean so much more because of what it constitutes. No matter what happens, we’ll still be [Ateneans],” Ipapo shared.
For Laborte, meanwhile, the song serves as a reminder of a Blue Eagle’s purpose and the shared dreams they chase. “[It] reminds me na para sa’tin, para sa Blue and White talaga. It [is] a dream that makes you want to keep fighting,” he expressed.
(The song reminds me that this is for us, that it’s really for the Blue and White. It is a dream that makes you want to keep fighting.)
More than a hymn, “A Song for Mary” is a timeless testament to Ateneo’s enduring spirit and sportsmanship. A declaration of pride, resilience, and hope, the anthem has become a powerful reminder of the legacy and identity shared by all those who faithfully don the Blue and White.
