From the University President

In his speech at the 2024 Traditional University Awards ceremony held in November, Lux-in-Domino awardee Alberto ‘Toto’ M. Malvar (GS 1961, HS 1965, AB Economics 1969) expressed his joy, humility, and grace in responding to God’s call: “After I made the decision, I felt a deep peace that can only come from God. I was afraid, but I was given hope.” 

Toto left behind a thriving agribusiness and government career to answer a higher calling: to heal and restore humanity’s relationship with Mother Earth. He uprooted his family to the mountains of Antipolo, courageously confronting challenges as he helped reshape the Upper Marikina Watershed, a vital water source for Metro Manila that plays a critical role in flood prevention during typhoons. Today, the MPNR Foundation, which Toto co-founded, is a key player in watershed rehabilitation, working hand in hand with the Dumagat indigenous community in the area. 

Toto exemplifies the competence, compassion, conscience, commitment, and faith we strive to instill in every Atenean. His story reveals a lot about Ateneans and who we are as a community. And what a community we have!

From our young learners in Basic Education to our college and postgraduate students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni, we take great pride in knowing that everyone who passes through our doors has changed for the better, living more authentically connected to the community around them, extending their minds, hearts, and hands to others, especially the last, the least, and the lost.  

At 76 years young, Toto’s enthusiasm for the environment and our common home is contagious. As St Ignatius has taught us, we are called to social responsibility, and you, our dear alumni, have responded with great generosity.  Like Toto, you have given yourselves, standing firm in your faith and boldly moving forward to engage and care for one another.  As you read on, you’ll meet fellow alumni with varied talents and interests working to nurture the integral ecology that Pope Francis called for in his encyclical Laudato Si’.

Thank you for making our mission matter—for continuing to challenge yourself to think about how to lead lives of purpose, seeking to do everything in love and faith, and being at service to others and, ultimately, to God. As our 2024 Lux-in-Domino awardee reminds us, ”Panginoon, kapag ika’y pumasok sa puso ninuman, hahamakin ang lahat masunod ka lamang.”