Starting ‘em young: Ateneo booters see action during Kadayawan Football Fest

Ateneo booters 6 & under see action during the Kadayawan Fest at the Tionko Field last Satuday, August 22.. (l-r) Reino Martin Swan, Brylle Juris Carillo, Zane Garfin, Shan Tranquillan, Balahay, Clark Catolinan and Gabby Cuevas.


The Ateneo de Davao University has become popular not only for producing academic scholars, but also for producing top-notch football players who are making a name for themselves not only in the Philippines but in Europe as well.

Just recently, the Ateneo de Davao booters came back from Europe after joining the world’s most prestigious youth football tournament, the Gothia Youth World Cup, where they represented the Makati Football Club and the Philippine Team.

This time, the Jesuit school is starting them young by fielding representatives six years and under to the Kadayawan Football Festival held at the Tionko Field Saturday, August 22, 2009.

“The regular players are usually 14 and under, 12 and under and 8 and under but we are encouraging young players in the 6 and under category to participate in the sports development to prepare them early for the sports,’ Ateneo de Davao University Grade School Coach Nonoy Garfin said. Coach Lance Borromeo supervises the coaching of the 6 & under players.

He said keeping the children in the fields and into sports is one way of making sure they grow up to be A
disciplined individuals and productive members of society. At the Ateneo, he added, even Pre-schoolers and Grade 1 students who are interested in the sports undergo regular football training as part of their overall development.

The Ateneo 6 and under football players were composed of three teams namely the Footballers, Kickers and Fighters. The Ateneo 6 and under players competed with 6 and under football player from other schools like Southpoint and Sakya.

Ateneo Still Center Of Excellence In SM

Ateneo, UIC: Two Schools in Southern Mindanao Enjoying Autonomous Status

There are 85 private and public higher education institutions in Southern Mindanao and only two of them---the Ateneo de Davao University and the University of Immaculate Conception are enjoying the Autonomous Status.

“The autonomous and deregulated status is given by the Commission on Higher Education to private HEI’s that have shown exemplary performance in their education program including research and extension services,” CHED XI Education Supervisor Engr, Luis Perez said.

Ateneo, a private Sectarian institution, was the first higher education institution to have been given an Autonomous Status in the region for 5 years. The status was renewed last November 2007 and will last up to November 14, 2012 after ADDU once again proved it was qualified to be deregulated. The University of Immaculate Concepcion has just been given the Autonomous status.

Perez said a school with Autonomous status is no longer directly supervised by CHED administrative-wise. The school can open new programs without getting approval from CHED. Schools with Autonomous status enjoy a lot of perks aside from independence since they are the priority in case of financial assistance from CHED. These schools also get the first chance when there are scholarship programs like the Faculty Development Programs.

One of the most obvious benefits of being an Autonomous School is that they are no longer required to get a Special Order or SO. This is an order required by the CHED to certify that the school’s educational program is already certified. Autonomous schools like Ateneo and UIC are no longer required to get an SO since they are no longer regulated by CHED.

There are certain criteria before an institution is given an Autonomous Status and one of this is that most of the school’s programs are already accredited by PAASCU or the other private accreditation agencies which signifies that the institution is offering quality education. The institution should also prove that it is a center of excellence, a status also given by CHED to schools that meet certain criteria. “A high percentage in Board results is a big factor in granting the center of excellence status to an institution,” he said.

The State Universities like the University of the Philippines and the University of Southeastern Philippines are however a different story since these are chartered institutions created by law and financially supported by the government. State universities also enjoy administrative freedom so they can operate as many programs without CHED intervention. The state universities are governed by a Board of Regents which is headed by the CHED Chairman,

“Schools that enjoy an Autonomous Status are schools that are over and above the minimum standards set by the government,” Perez said. Thus, you can always rely on these schools to provide quality education.(published, THE EDGE, April 2008)

Ateneo de davao Stude is 2007 Bar No. 9

Ruby M. Luy, a student from the Ateneo de Davao University College of Law placed 9th in the 2007 Bar Examination.

This is not the first time that students from the Ateneo de Davao College of Law topped the Bar. In fact, there was one time when two ADDU-Law School graduates got two of teh Top 5 ranks and that was the time when Dexter Lopoz placed No. 2 and Roger Largo placed 4th.

It is good to note that students of law school outside Imperial Manila are making it to the Top 10. There are other law schools in Davao though including the University of Mindanao Law School and Cor Jesu College. Who knows, these schools will also have their own graduates in the Top 10 in the next Bar exams.

Congratulations to friends and classmates who made it!
Atty. Connie Liza
Atty. Genevieve Tutica-Valles (whos husband Atty. Joel Valles must be proud of)
Atty. Leah Librado (hello ninang!)
Atty. Antonette Rabanes
Atty. Karen Cacabelos
If I missed anyone just howl!

The 2007 Philippine Bar Topnotchers are

1. Mercedita L. Ona of Ateneo De Manila University-83.552
2. Jennifer Ong of the University of the Philippines-Diliman-83.353
3. Yvanna BL Maalat of the Ateneo-82.754
4. Jennie C. Aclan of the University of San Carlos-82.105
5. John Michael F. Galauran of the University of Nueva Caceres-81.606
6. Karen S. Canullas of the San Sebastian College-81.407
7. Cecille L. Mejia of the Ateneo De Manila University-81.35
Sheryl Ann D. Tizon of the University of the Philippines-Diliman-81.358
8. Marforth T. Fua of San Beda College-81.209
9. Ruby M. Luy of the Ateneo De Davao University-81.1510
10. Christian B. Llido of the University of Cebu-80.90
Vivian S. Tan, University of the Philippines-Diliman, 80.90

Davao City has 5 Nursing Board Topnotchers; 2 Davao Lady Reporters Passes Board

Davao City has proven one again that it is not only an investment haven but also an educational haven as well. This after five students from various schools in the city made it to the Top 5 of the December 2007 Nursing Board Exam.

Two Davao City lady reporters, Ethel Cantor Constantino (of the National Broadcasting Network) and Girlie Balaba (formerly of ABS CBN) are now full-fledged nurses after passing the Board.

Among the five topnotchers are:
3 Joanna Kaye Binoya Remolar San Pedro College-Davao City 86.80
4 Neil Niño Sugitarios Navarra San Pedro College-Davao City 86.40
6 Richard Baguio Saavedra Ateneo De Davao University 86.00
9 Ayn Portia De Luna Galamgam San Pedro College-Davao City 85.40
9 Mary Lenin Pepito Talisic San Pedro College-Davao City 85.40