The truth about Ateneans

Hilariously offensive text jokes about the different Manila colleges have been filling our email inboxes for some time now. We would get a kick out of how the last college in question, represented by one student’s behavior or reaction, would crack the punch line—be it about eating habits, campus vernacular, or mode of dress. But this kind of characterization, actually, isn’t anything new; it’s as old as the classic Ateneo-La Salle rivalry. A generation or more before, people were already circulating their own jokes and preconceptions.

For the Ateneo in particular, it has already received flak for varied things: the "Arrneow" English accent, its liberal arts core curriculum, its drive for excellence, and even for its alleged elitism. These are things that are more "evident" to the outsider—to a high-school graduate applicant, to the parents who pay the tuition fees of their children, and of course, to students and alumni from other colleges. For the school itself, these outside observations are either held in silent agreement or are brushed away carelessly—we don’t really think about them that much. It’s probably because most Ateneans feel that they have nothing to prove anyway.

So what have they been saying? Now it’s time to hear what Ateneans have to say about what people say about them. Below is a short collection of responses given to seven questions that plague the Atenean’s image.

What do you think about the coño perception? That we value porma above studies—form over function?

Ingrid Villafuerte, II-AB-Communication: I think that to some extent the form over function is true, especially when it comes to the tech facilities and equipment. (There are a lot of buildings being constructed but present facilities which are not in proper order are not fixed)…But that also doesn’t mean that just because a person dresses well, he or she is stupid…Ateneans aren’t all about pretty packaging; they also have skills to perform.

Mika Tacujan, III-BS-Biology: It’s no secret that there are lots of rich people in the Ateneo, and a lot of them are considered what we term coño, but you won’t really last here if you didn’t have the brains.

Ronald Galinato, IV-BS-Psychology: "That we’re coño, yes. But that we prioritize being that above our studies, I don’t think so. There’s a difference. No, not all we do is party. Staying here is hard."

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What do you think about the comment that we’re too mayabang for our own good? That we’re full of hot air with nothing to prove for it?

Cathy Candano, III-AB-Economics Honors: It’s a stereotype that comes from the liberal arts background and the perception reinforced by a small group of people…Otherwise it is false.

BJ Carreon, IV-BS-Management Engineering: This notion that Ateneans are just filled with hot air is, to my opinion, brought about by the (immense) self-confidence we project. But the reason we have this self-confidence is due to our knowledge that we do have something to be proud of…

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What can you say about the comment that we produce bano graduates? That we specialize in corrupt politicians and unethical businessmen?

Rhyan Uy, IV-BS-Management Engineering: I think that’s the exception rather than the rule because our education strongly advocates the exact opposite.

Enzo Tanedo, IV-Communications Technology: Don’t really think it’s the school’s fault. Both ways—I mean whether you screw up or do good, it’s not because of your school. You are not your school.

Sep Mahino, IV-AB-Interdisciplinary Studies: Although there have been Ateneo graduates that we can’t be proud of, that statement unfairly generalizes Ateneans. Just like any school, there are good and bad students here.

Maita Sayo, IV-AB-Political Science: I’d say that’s a generalization. The system doesn’t foster that, maybe student attitudes do…But we do have the privilege of education , and this capacitates us to manipulate the system.

Don Lim, IV-BS-Management Honors: I think it’s an unfair and baseless, sweeping generalization.

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What do you think about the preconception that we’re elitists? That we "condescend down the hill", have a messianic complex, and have no true moral backbone?

Martin Gonzales, II-AB-Communication: I agree that we’re a bit elitist but that doesn’t necessitate condescension on our part. After all, we can’t help our elitist image because most of the population comes from well-to-do families. I believe it’s a privilege of the rich to reach out to the poor so whatever you may call it, messianic complex or otherwise, at least we’re doing society some good. But I totally disagree on that morals charge. That’s a poor attempt at attacking Ateneo and must have come from mealy-mouthed hypocrites. Carol Pan, IV-BS-Management: Most people make that assumption on the basis of tuition fees. I doubt that they even take the time to see whether or not the students/the school actually participates in some form of social involvement. Also they make that assumption because Ateneans are not prominent figures in pro-masa/anti-bureacracy movements and with that there’s the cliché, "If you’re not with us, you’re against us." Ateneans are not elitists. We do not believe in the system and we do have our own means to induce change. They may seem elitist in the manner of execution but that is only the result of education. And about morality, who are they to judge people?

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What do you think about the comment that bumobobo na ang Atenista? That we’re not as competitive as other schools, and that our standards are lower?

Harry Cua, IV-BS-Management Engineering: I certainly don’t agree! But we can’t generalize for the whole student body. In terms of competitiveness I think we are still one of the best, as seen from my practicum experience.

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What do you think about the preconception that we’re mukhang pera, that we sell-out? That the only thing we are sure of is that we want to get rich?

Bea Ledesma, IV-AB-Communication: Generally, I’d have to agree. Success here is counted in monetary terms. It’s because the most affluent, most powerful are also the wealthiest.

Jovi Ong, IV-BS-Management Engineering: I think that if we look mukhang pera, more so other schools who don’t emphasize ethics and morals…

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What do you think about people’s comments that our liberal arts education is not relevant, that its one reason why we can’t adjust to the "real world"?

AJ Jalandoni, IV-AB-Communication: I don’t think people who say that know what the real world is…I think the liberal arts makes us versatile and well-rounded.

Jeline De Dios, IV-AB-Philosophy: The view is unjustified and fails to acknowledge the complexity of reasons why Ateneans cannot "adjust" to the real world. The liberal arts education can deepen the sensitivity and appreciation of culture, human thought, and feeling in general, IF pursued with diligence and with openness.