About Us

On a December day some 22 years ago, some of the first graduates of the Ateneo de Naga came home. They talked about old times, relived old memories, sang old Ateneo favorites, ate, played, laughed and danced. They talked about the war; remembered those who were no longer around. They told old jokes over and over again and they liked what they did. And because they liked what they did, they organized the Ateneo’s great big family — the alumni association.
But the Ateneo de Naga Alumni Association did not start from that first homecoming in 1946. It began in 1941 when the first batch of fourth year students graduated from  pre-war Ateneo. They billed themselves the “mighty eighty-six” because that was the number of graduates. From that first batch, the AdNAA had just about started to grow roots when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor igniting World War II and stunted its growth.

UNSUNG HEROES

The war may have stunted the growth of the AdNAA, but it produced some real, if unsung, heroes among the alumni. For no sooner had the war broke out when many of the fresh graduates heeded the call to the colors. Iluminado Bongon, one of the bright stars of the pre-war Ateneo, died in Bataan. Gimeno Pilapil lost his right arm in battle. Lorenzo Padua joined the guerilla outfit of his father, became quite a legendary leader and his name spread terror among the occupation troops. His feats and exploits are still remembered to this day. There were many other alumni who actively participated in the fight for liberation. Although most of them did not engage in actual battles, their propaganda work boosted the morale of the people.

FIRST HOMECOMING

That gathering of alumni in December 1946 was an informal one. Because the day was the 27th, they resolved to hold a homecoming every year on the same day. However, it was not until the next gathering in December 1947 when the first election was held. Honesto General, HS ‘47, was elected first AdNAA president. During that homecoming, most of the alumni present thought it propitious to draft the association’s constitution. But President General silenced all proponents of a constitution with this one solid argument: “The Ateneo spirit that binds us all is enough to guide and govern this association.”

For 16 years, the AdNAA was without a constitution. It took another General to do what an older General did not believe doing. In 1962, when Eusebio General was elected president, he saw the root of the problem. The AdNAA, he thought, was not an association in the strictest sense. There were no rules and regulations to guide the members; the officers had no fixed tenure of office; the association had no definite goals and objectives. Homecoming had become one day fellowships. In sum the AdNAA was not a functioning organization. True, the Ateneo spirit more than ever held the alumni together, but a formal constitution and bylaws had become a necessity.

In the summer of 1962, General formed a committee to draft a constitution which was presented to the alumni body during the homecoming that year. After several amendments, the draft was approved and ratified and the AdNAA at last had a Constitution after 16 years of existence.

ALUMNI CHAPTERS

The first alumni chapter outside Naga was organized in Manila in 1963. During a post Valentine party given by alumna Lorna Urcia, many alumni friends attended. After the non-alumni guests had left, the alumni stayed behind to lay the groundwork for the organization of the AdNAA Greater Manila Chapter. At their next meeting Ronald Remy was elected president, but no sooner had he assumed office, the first president of the chapter resigned his post because of the demands of his profession. Honesto General and Joaquin Olaño were tapped for the presidency and vice presidency of the chapter, respectively. The chapter officers were inducted by Rev. Fr. Robert Rice, S.J., then AdeN Rector, at an inaugural ball at the Manila Hotel’s Winter Garden no less.

Dr. Senen Asuan was elected third president of Greater Manila chapter. During his term, the chapter acquired its temporary headquarters. He also initiated a scholarship fund drive.
Aside from the Greater Manila chapter, the only other chapter organized so far is the Camarines Norte Chapter. Frank Timoner, immediate past AdNAA president, heads that chapter. Plans to organize chapters in Sorsogon, Masbate, Albay and Catanduanes failed to materialize.

SCHOLARSHIP FUND DRIVE

The AdNAA scholarship fund drive started in 1963. This fund goes to the support of poor but deserving talented students. The campaign for funds has been very frustrating work. Since it started, the association has by far collected a minimal sum insufficient to defray the scholarship of five students. The fund raising activities of the association are all geared towards enough support for this drive, but this project has yet to meet the response of most of the alumni.

THE JOB AHEAD

The AdNAA on its 21st year has a total membership of 3056 alumni. It grows as the Ateneo de Naga grows. It is growing to be a more functional organization. However, work is far from complete.
The AdNAA is faced with several pressing projects.

1. The publication of the first ALUMNI DIRECTORY. Answering a directive from Fr. General, the AdNAA is preparing an up-dated alumni directory. Upon completion, we shall have answered the basic need of the association. A more functional AdNAA may soon find representation in the national federation of Ateneo alumni and finally in the international Federation of Jesuit Alumni.
2. The Revision of the CONSTITUTION. There is a great need to revise some provisions of the constitution to make the AdNAA a more practical and functional organization.
3. FORMATION OF CHAPTERS
   So far, there are two chapters formed, the Greater Manila Chapter headed by Dr. Senen Asuan and the Camarines Norte Chapter headed by Mr. Frank Timoner. Chapters have to be formed in Masbate, Catanduanes, Albay and Sorsogon.
4. Scholarship Fund Drive
   In 1963 the total scholarship fund collected was P497.00. There has been no other collection after that.

The AdNAA story is a story which cannot really be told completely — for its real story is in the heart of every alumnus and alumna of the Ateneo de Naga. In a letter from Anastacio Prades, HS ‘58 and Antonio Ferrer HS ‘57 who were in Koror, Caroline Islands a couple of years ago, are these lines... “We have planted the Ateneo de Naga flag on Koror Island... and we hope to conquer.”

In many offices all over the island, in a confessional box, in a classroom, in a hospital, on the farms, in the courtrooms or even on the screen, an Ateneo de Naga alumnus is giving a part of himself in shaping this nation. In each of these lives, the AdNAA story is being told. In each of them, a cry is silently said:
FIRST, THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

By Jean Llorin
Written in 1968