A Saturday Morning at Ateneo

During last week's get-together, I was told by my friend Tanya that diplomas for DS '05 grads are already available at the Office of the Registrar. So I thought that going there on a Saturday morning was a great idea.

I took pleasure in walking from Bellarmine to Admin (Xavier) because of the good weather and less human traffic. There were only few students who took Saturday classes and as Rick Olivares wrote in his blog, "that was a blessing because on a day like this the solitude and nostalgia were in perfect communion with the leafy greens and wide-open spaces."

But earlier, when I was to be dropped at Bellarmine, I was surprised to see a traffic build up in front of the Church of Gesu. It was only after I saw the Jesuits and some nuns that I realized it must have been the funeral mass of Fr. Honti.

Many of us, Filipinos, may have never met Fr. Hontiveros during his lifetime. But for sure, we have all sang the words of his mass songs. His music stays with us.

Click here to read Pananagutan and Fr. Honti, an Atenean's write-up about Fr. Honti's passing.

Anyway, I realized that it's been nearly three years since I left the Ateneo. Aside from the new buildings which grew like mushrooms all over the Loyola Schools complex, I noticed too that there were more ATM machines. It was a good thing coz I needed one that morning.

Just for kicks, I thought of visiting the Archives to look at some yearbooks. It was a bit embarrassing coz I asked for older yearbooks only to realize that Rick O was the guy who sat in one of the tables. Anyway, I think he's too busy to notice what I asked the lady for.

So after secretly laughing at the yearbook pics and write-ups of some people I know through work, I decided that it was time for me to go home. Of course, I did not forget to drop by the college chapel. I thought I was lucky coz there were confessions but apparently, they were for a class who's having their recollection. I think I'll come back before Ash Wednesday. I miss confessing to a Jesuit.

I went to have lunch at Shakey's after. I did not mind pigging out alone since I used to do that a lot, especially when my college friends/flatmates were out. But just when I thought I had my own peace and quiet with pizza and chicken, a group of 30 college kids came in. Ayayay! But hey, it wasn't as if I never became a part of such group. I remember trying out all the restos in Katips and Libis with my blockmates as a college frosh...

Okay, I'll stop at this point.