In a retreat conducted a long, long time ago for an Ateneo graduating class, which I attended, the retreat master, Fr. James Reuter, SJ, planted in our minds the idea that there are two kinds of Ateneans—the real ones and the fake ones. The real ones are those who believe that “they are men for others” (Ateneo was not coed then). The fake ones are those who believe that “they are better than others.”
Since Noynoy Aquino assumed the presidency, no thanks to hocus pocus, he has done nothing but rant and attribute all the ills of the Republic to his immediate predecessor while presenting himself as the messiah who will deliver the Republic from the quagmire that his predecessor created. Never mind that today, the reforms instituted by his predecessor, Gloria Arroyo, are bearing fruits. Well, P-Noy is fast in grabbing credit for these fruits. But these fruits of the reforms that Arroyo initiated will not last long since P-Noy has cancelled, if not modified, many of her policies.
During the funeral Mass of Father Reuter, the Jesuit provincial superior, Fr. Cecilio “Jojo” Magadia, SJ, said in his message that one of the substantial elements of Ateneo formation is to do “edification” and avoid “dis-edification.” Edification is to build a person and dis-edification is to avoid saying or doing anything that will put down a person. Father Reuter, all throughout his life, edified people and avoided words and actions that would put down a person. This is the same charisma that the Jesuits have passed on to their students. It seems that P-Noy was “Noynoying” (lazing around as if with no worries) when this valuable lesson was being instructed.
Maybe, the “rumor” is true that P-Noy failed the Ateneo College Entrance Test, and his late mother Cory just begged Fr. Catalino Arevalo, SJ, to appeal to the Office of Admission and Aid to accept P-Noy. What a tragic mistake Ateneo made.
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How could Arroyo be present in Congress?
Having read the news that Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo is one of those with most absences in Congress, I was appalled. This was clearly black propaganda. How could she attend sessions in Congress when she has been under hospital arrest? Her detention is also in question because of unproven allegations of plunder, which were obviously filed against her by higher authorities linked to Malacañang.
I do hope that the media will be more circumspect in reporting news stories that tend to besmirch the reputation of people quite unnecessarily and unjustly.
—PAOLO ESGUERRA,
paoesgg@gmail.com