Book of heroes

Bonifacio Day was celebrated with additional pomp at the Leong Hall of the Ateneo de Manila University, with the launch of a unique book. The project, originally intended as part of the university’s sesquicentennial celebration in 2009, was nevertheless a remarkable accomplishment. Entitled “To Give and Not to Count the Cost: Ateneans Inspiring Ateneans, 1859-2009”, the tome collects 150 essays from Ateneo alumni who recall their own heroes from days in school or fellow alumni who have been a source of inspiration.

“It is a call to go beyond ourselves, a call to heroism,” echoed Ateneo president Bienvenido Nebres, S.J., from the foreword.

“Something deep within us longs for role models and for heroes.”

The event itself was a stunning display of the power of the collective. Hundreds of Ateneans from government, the academe, business, social development, and of course, sports, filled the hall.

The heroes, the subjects of the book sat in the middle section, while the authors sat on both sides. The subjects span Philippine history, from national heroes to presidents to teachers to a long-time security guard on campus, all who became significant to the authors’ lives.

The book begins with a section on national heroes called “The Last Full Measure of Devotion”, opening, appropriately enough, with Sen. Dick Gordon’s portrait of Jose Rizal, “Bagumbayan – the Dream of a New Nation”. It also includes memories of Gregorio del Pilar written by Sec. Bert Romulo, personal tales of Ninoy Aquino by Justin Benigno Cruz, recollections of the late Pres. Cory Aquino by her nephew Rapa Lopa, and Nebres’ own account of the sacrifice of Evelio Javier, among others.

The dizzying list of giants and pillars of Philippine culture and history seems endless. From Fernando Zobel de Ayala to Jose Avellana to Soc Rodrigo, Lorenzo Tañada to Claudio Teehankee to Gabriel Singson, each transcended designations and titles. There were many touching stories, such as the lives of Onofre Pagsanghan, Rolando Tinio, and dozens of Jesuits, both Filipino and foreign who gave their lives molding the youth of today and tomorrow. Even TV personality Boy Abunda, who hosted the event, shared the microphone with his idol, his Spanish professor Concepcion Rosales.

“She was the only one who gave me an ‘A’,” Abunda commented with a laugh. “And taught me that it was okay to be Waray boy.”

The book began with the selection of a 20-man panel that generated a list of prominent Ateneans. That hefty list was then trimmed down, and the final 150 were asked to submit short essays on who in or from the school inspired them and put them on their own personal path to success. Many of the stories are poignant and sentimental, written with the lyricism and romanticism seen through the eyes of the distant past. Some are as raw and powerful as if they just happened. Yet somehow, they all connect.

It was precisely that shocking continuity that permeated the evening.

This writer was shocked to find out that many of his teachers had also taught other known personalities of our time. PLDT-Smart Foundation president Butch Meily recounts the theatrical achievements of my own father figure, Onofre Pagsanghan. TV host Bam Aquino’s favorite English teacher, Esperanza Chee Kee, was also one of mine.

And of course, sports contributed mightily to the book, as well. In fact, to highlight how connected the generations of Ateneans were, Blue Eagles head coach Norman Black spoke glowingly about the 2008 UAAP champion team that had struggled so much and faced tremendous pressure before laying the foundation for the next seasons’ title teams.

Smart-Gilas captain Chris Tiu, a member of that squad, spoke fondly of his favorite Atenean, PLDT chair Manny Pangilinan. Pangilinan, in turn, gave tribute to the pioneering and uncompromising philosophy professor Roque Ferriols, S.J.

“For opening my eyes to the world around me and to the soul within me, Fr. Roque Ferriols is my Ateneo hero,” remembered Pangilinan, recounting the times in the 1960’s when he was a simple young man riding the jeepney to school, before being fired up enough to conquer the business and sports worlds, and then some.

It was a humbling task for this writer to compress into the span of two pages the larger than life shadow cast by trailblazing broadcaster Joe Cantada, who succumbed to cancer almost two decades ago. It was fulfilling, though, to hear comments that these memories brought tears to the eyes of others. And it was just the tip of the iceberg. Other unforgettable sports colossi like Moro Lorenzo and Ed Ocampo were also profiled. Carolyn Tan-Chi herself a champion basketball player and outstanding student a few years ago, wrote with glowing fondness of her older brother, Paul, a member of the 2002 UAAP champion Blue Eagles and fellow Ambrosio Padilla awardee for both scholastic and sports excellence. Legendary coach Baby Dalupan received standing ovation from the sportsmen in the room as he shuffled down the steps to receive his token of appreciation, and shouted his thanks back to the crowd. Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes wrote about the three Jesuits who taught him about life through basketball, algebra and friendship.

“We are thankful to all the people who put a face on the Ateneo for us,” said Rodolfo Ang, dean of the John Gokongwei School of Business at the Ateneo, which piloted the book. “There will always be those who may not have been included. But that is the wonder of this celebration, that it cannot be encased in a single book.”