Ateneo de Manila University and Ateneo Alumni Association engage in yearly tradition with wreath-laying ceremony at Rizal Park

One week before the Ateneo Grand Alumni Homecoming 2024, Ateneo de Manila University and the Ateneo Alumni Association engaged in their yearly tradition with a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of Dr Jose Rizal, Ateneo’s most distinguished alumnus.

The ceremony was attended by University President Fr Roberto “Bobby” Yap SJ; Ateneo Alumni Association President Mr Eugene “Gene” Manalastas; AAA Vice President Atty Stephanie Gaile “Steff” Baltao-Basilio; Board of Trustees member Atty Joshua Emmanuel “Emman” Cariño; Mr Gaudencio “Goody” Hernandez Jr; Mr Fred Syling; Mr Romeo A Dalandan; and Mr Jovito Victoriano P Basilio. Also present were HS ’99 Homecoming Batch President Paolo Bugayong and Office of University Development & Alumni Affairs Director F. Norberto “Kit” Bautista SJ. The Silver and Golden Jubilarians from Ateneo Batch 1999 and Batch 1974, spanning from grade school to college, were also in attendance.

This solemn occasion was followed by breakfast and the recognition of this year’s Golden Jubilarian awardees at the Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros, Manila. The awards honor alumni who exemplify Atenean ideals and have generously provided their service to the school, community, and country. The HS ’74 alumni awardees are Gerardo Cabochan Jr., the founder and managing director of Pandayan Bookshop, and former Senator Hon Manuel Roxas II. Meanwhile, the Coll ’74 awardees are Jose Escobar Jr, former President of the Ateneo Alumni Association in South Carolina, and Francisco Paulino Cayco, Chairman and CEO of Arellano University.