Cagayan de Oro’s Xavier University has new president

Father Roberto Yap.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 11, 2010) – The Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City has a new president – Father Roberto Yap – who was elected this month by its Board of Trustees.

Yap will replace Father Jose Ramon Villarin who was also elected president of the Ateneo de Manila University.

The Xavier University, initially known as Ateneo de Cagayan, was founded in 1933 by Father James T.G. Hayes, who became the first archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro.

Ateneo de Cagayan was given its university status on August 27, 1958 and the name was changed to Xavier University. It was the first university in Mindanao, and the first Jesuit institution in the Philippines to be granted a university status. (Bong D. Fabe)

Mindanao IT Enthusiasts Called To Propel Global Advancement

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines - The Ateneo Information Management Society (XU-AIMS) and the Xavier Computer Enthusiasts' League (XCEL) will be holding the first Mindanao-Wide Quantum and Information Technology Convention (QITC) to gather active individuals from different schools in Mindanao not only to test their competence but also to guide them with additional knowledge and to develop their skills in Information Technology.

The event will commence from the 25th of January and will conclude on the 27th of January of this year, 2008 at the Country Village Hotel, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City. The theme of the said event is "Networking Mindanao IT Enthusiasts to Propel the Sphere of Global Advancement."

There will be topics on Open Source, Java Management, Trends in Web Technologies, Google Applications, and Careers in Software Development that will be presented by well-acclaimed speakers, Ms. Yolynne Medina of International Open Source Network ASEAN+3 Sub-Regional Node, Aileen Apolo of Google Inc., Calen Martin D. Legaspi, SCEA and Jan Michael Ibañez of Orange and Bronze Software Labs, and Matt Arnilo Baluyos of Syntactics Inc.

XU-AIMS and XCEL are two recognized organizations of Xavier University- Ateneo de Cagayan establishing the profound significance of information technology to its members and the community. More details are provided in the QITC website: http://qitc.xu.edu.ph.

CONTACT:Jim Paul Padayhag
Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayanqitc2008@gmail.comhttp://qitc.xu.edu.ph

Blue Eagle Alumni Invited To Join Fr. Bill Kreutz's Nov. 12 Farewell Bash

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Mike Banos / 05 Nov) The Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU)-Ateneo Alumni Association (AAA) is inviting all alumni and alumnae to join the "despedida" for Fr. William "Bill" Kreutz, S.J. to be held Sunday evening, November 12, at the Pearlmont Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City.

Fr. Bill has been with the University for the past 17 years – the longest President ever to serve the University. Under his watch, the Ateneo de Zamboanga attained University status, grew in academic excellence, infrastructure development, formation programs for Christians and Muslims alike, and contributed significantly to peace and development in Western Mindanao.

After his term, Fr. Kreutz will take a well deserved rest for a suitable period of time and then he will take over as Rector of the Jesuit Residence of Ateneo de Manila University.

Carmencita "Baybee" Balatbat-Macasinag, alumni relations director, is coordinating the activity together with some local AAA members. Incoming ADZU President Fr. Antonio Moreno, S.J., who will assume his new post in May 2007, has also committed to join the affair.

The affair will start as 6:30 p.m. at the hotel's Edelweiss function room on the ground floor. (Mindanao Examiner/Kagay-an.com)

Fr. Tony Moreno Is New President Of Ateneo de Zamboanga

Fr. Tony Moreno.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Maria Elizabeth Soriano / 13 Oct) – Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan) is very proud of Fr. Antonio F. Moreno, S.J.

Fr. Tony, XU Vice-President for Social Development and concurrently Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, has been elected by the Board of Trustees of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University as the new ADZU President.

Fr. Tony is a true blue Atenean. He studied at XU from grade school to college. In 1981, he went to Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) for his AB Pre-Divinity; for his novitiate and juniorate; and his MA in Sociology.

In 1987, he taught at the Ateneo de Zamboanga High School. Two years later, he finished his Bachelor in Sacred Theology and MA in Theology at the Loyola School of Theology at ADMU.
Later, Fr. Tony went to the United Kingdom and earned a Master in Philosophy of Development Studies and proceeded to get a doctorate degree in the same field at the University of Sussex, Brighton (a university known for its groundbreaking interdisciplinary approach, political engagement and activism).

This young and distinguished member of the Society of Jesus has animated the spirit of civic engagement on campus and in the city by initiating lectures, discussions and fora on socio-political issues.

Fr. Tony chairs the One Voice Movement in Cagayan de Oro and just recently hosted a forum on the impending Power Crisis in Mindanao.

In addition to his previous appointment as Dean of the XU College of Arts and Sciences, Fr. Tony was appointed October last year as Vice President for Social Development by XU President Fr Jet Villarin, S.J.

In this capacity, Fr. Tony was tasked to design and implement a blueprint of the University's social development agenda for Mindanao in general and Region X in particular, in consultation with various socially oriented organizations and offices in the university; streamline, coordinate, consolidate and strengthen our school-based social formation programs in concert with the Deans and KKP.

And engage with civil society organizations and development NGOs, the private sector, government agencies, local government units, faith-based organizations and the Jesuit social apostolate network in addressing the concerns of development, governance, poverty reduction, and sustainable development in Region X and Mindanao.

On top of all these, the Office of the Vice President for Social Development was also responsible for those units in the University that have been involved in the life of local communities. These units include, among others, the Xavier Science Foundation, SEARSOLIN, and KKP, XU Center for Legal Assistance, and college-based extension or outreach programs.

Fr. Tony will replace Fr. William H. Kreutz, S.J. as ADZU president by March next year, as soon as the graduation of batch 2007 is completed. Fr. Bill is scheduled to visit Cagayan de Oro on November 12, 2006 for a thanksgiving dinner meeting with local ADZU alumni whom he wants to thank for their support during his tenure, according to Ms Carmencita Balatbat-Macasinag, director for alumni relations.

During the holy mass he celebrated at the XU Loyola House Chapel for the members of the Circulo Zamboangueno on Thursday, Fr. Tony acknowledged the enormity of the task facing him but remains confident God will give him the strength to do a good job as reflected in his brief homily, "What can you do for Zamboanga?"

As long time Circulo regular, Joe Nebrao later put following the “cena communal” at the XU canteen for over 80 members and their families who joined the get-together, "Cagayan de Oro's loss is Zamboanga's gain." (With a report from Mike Banos)