Category: News & Events

The Ateneo de Davao University School of Nursing (SON) celebrated its silver jubilee with a Gala Night on the 7th of August 2026, at the 4th Floor of Martin Hall, marking 25 years of forming nurses grounded in competence, compassion, and care. Founded in 2001, the school has since produced generations of nursing graduates and 16 board topnotchers across the region.
The evening brought together university administrators, generations of alumni, and nursing faculty, honoring the school’s topnotchers and celebrating the people whose dedication and service have shaped 25 years of nursing excellence at Ateneo de Davao University.
The program opened with a cake-cutting ceremony led by current SON Dean Dr. Liza Floresca, former and first Dean Dr. Patria Manalaysay, and Hildegarde D. Ang, RN, MN.
Floresca reflected that the past 25 years had brought sweeping changes to healthcare and nursing education, from emerging diseases to global pandemics. “Through every challenge, Ateneo nurses have demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to caring for others,” Floresca said. “Nursing is more than a profession; it is a vocation rooted in compassion and sustained by hope.”
Notable alumnus Dr. Iñigo Carlos S. De Peralta delivered the first inspirational message of the evening, recalling how nursing school taught him to adjust not just his pace, but his approach to each patient. “Not just finding another gear, but recognizing who that gear is for,” he said of the lesson.
Turning to the future of the profession amid the rise of new medical technologies, De Peralta urged fellow nurses not to lose sight of the patients at the center of their work. “We must not forget to see the whole person,” he said. “We keep advancing, smarter and more efficient, but hopefully we may not lose touch with what it is to be human. AI cannot replace humans, as humans are integral to healthcare.”
Dr. Patria Manalaysay, MAN, RN, the founding dean of AdDU’s School of Nursing who served the school for 22 years, delivered a message reflecting on the program’s founding, followed by the presentation of a plaque and flowers in her honor.
“What we have accomplished was never the work of one person alone; it is the work of many hearts united by one vision and one mission,” Manalaysay said. “May the next 25 years continue to be guided by the same vision that gave birth to this school — a vision rooted in excellence, inspired by faith, committed to justice, and dedicated to serving humanity,” she added.
The evening also recognized the SON topnotchers over the years, including Top 3 Julius Junatas, RN, of the June 2025 nursing board exam batch, and Top 7 Julialuz Quitayen, RN, of the November 2024 batch.
This was followed by alumni testimonials from notable graduates of the program. Among them was Ms. Mae Cathleen R. Sia, RN, MCN, a member of the school’s pioneering batch, who delivered the closing inspirational message of the night.
“We all share one common story. We were once students here, we sat in the same classroom in the fundamentals lab, we dreamt about our futures, and someday we all believed that somebody would believe in us,” Sia said.
University President Fr. Karel S. San Juan, SJ, closed the evening with remarks looking ahead to the next 25 years, one marked by continued excellence in licensure examination performance, teaching, research, service, and community partnerships, as he expressed.

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The Campus Ministry Office (CaMin), together with the Ateneo Religious Organizations (ARO), staged this year’s Knights with Iggy, an overnight faith and spiritual formation gathering held annually to celebrate the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus and patron saint of Ateneo schools.
Held under the theme “Steadfast in the Spirit: Leading with Heart, Discerning with Grace,” the event gathered delegates from the Ateneo community for a night of formation talks, fellowship, and worship, continuing CaMin’s tradition of forming students in the Ignatian spirit of faith, community, and service.
CaMin and ARO welcomed delegates with an opening program marked by fellowship and prayer. Campus Ministry Office Director Mr. Patrick Jose Cavan formally opened the event, encouraging the participants to approach the night with a spirit of genuine encounter, central to the University’s formation mission.
After the portion of getting to know each other, Fr. Jessel Gerard “JBoy” Gonzales, SJ, delivered the evening’s first keynote formation talk on “Steadfast in the Spirit,” inviting the delegates to reflect on remaining rooted in faith and hopeful despite life’s challenges. Gonzales reminded participants that steadfastness means continually choosing God through every season, not the absence of struggle.
Members of the Jesuit community, Fr. Fr. Antonio “Tony” M. Basilio , SJ, Fr. Eric Escandor, SJ, and Fr. Errol Nebrao, SJ, offered enriching insights and experiences on Ignatian spirituality, faith and vocation, and servant leadership to the participants during the “Meet the Jesuits” segment, paving the way for an interactive discussion while reinforcing Jesuit values and ideals that anchor the University identity
Alumni and former university student leaders, Mr. Paul Angelo Gastanes, Engr. Christian Mark Labiano, and Ms. Hidden Zeal Corpuz led the second keynote talk, “Leading with Heart, Discerning with Grace,” speaking on leadership rooted in compassion, discernment, and faithful service, underscoring that leadership is measured not by position but by one’s willingness to serve others. This echoes the institution’s broader formation of servant leaders across its student organizations.
Included in the event is the game “Do You Know Your Jesuits?”, a game highlighting the lives and legacy of the Society of Jesus, followed by a fellowship break over snacks and coffee.
The evening session closed with a Praise Jam of worship and prayer, organized in partnership with Ateneo Religious Organizations Youth for Christ (YFC) and Subdominant 7.
On the following day, delegates began with a morning prayer and Shibashi exercise, a session of mindful movement intended to foster both physical wellness and spiritual readiness. The gathering concluded with a Holy Mass, capping a program that reflected CaMin’s continuing commitment to nurturing the University’s Ignatian faith community.

On the 30th of July 2026, the Ateneo de Davao University, through the Human Resources Management and Development Office, recognized the dedication and years of service of over 159 administrators, faculty, and non-teaching personnel at the 36th University Service Awards, held at the 4th Floor of Martin Hall. 
Awardees have served the university for more than a decade, with the longest-serving among them reaching four decades, the highest service milestone recognized this year. Awards were given in five-year brackets, from 10 to 40 years of service.
For this year, Awardees Atty. Manuel P. Quibod, Dean of the School of Law, and Fr. Agustin L. Nazareno, Director of Pre-Bar Review, reached the 40-year milestone, along with retiree Ms. Alma Raymonda S. Bartolata.
Vice President for Administration, Mr. Jeremy S. Eliab, reflected that it was rarely the work itself that kept people at the university. “It is the friendships that grow over time, the mentors who guide us, and the students whose lives become part of our own story,” Eliab added. “[It is] the pleasant realization that this place is more than just our workplace. It has become home.” 
Awards for the Grade School, Junior High School, and Senior High School units were presented by their respective principals, Ms. Xenia G. Gonzaga, Dr. Maria Carmela S. Abay, and Dr. Joan Grace A. Palconit. The awarding ceremony was interspersed with an intermission singing performance by university alumna Ms. Praise Varian.
Recognition then continued to the Higher Education Unit, the College of Law, and the College and University Support Offices, led by Fr. Antonio M. Basilio, SJ, PhD, the outgoing VP for Higher Education and incoming VP for Research, Innovations, and Community Engagement; Atty. Manuel P. Quibod, Dean of the School of Law; and Mr. Jimmy E. Delgado, Vice President for Finance and Treasurer and one of the administrators celebrating 25 years of service.
The program paused for a moment of remembrance, with an audiovisual tribute honoring members of the university community who have passed away and celebrating the lasting impact of their service. 
Special awards for retirees were presented by Dr. Gina L. Montalan, Vice President for Basic Education, with retiree Ms. Alma Raymonda S. Bartolata delivering a response on behalf of this year’s awardees. Bartolata shared how the university had shaped her education, faith, values, and the person she has become. “Forty years of service had been a journey marked with growth and grace,” she said. 
Bartolata recalled a particularly difficult period in her life, during which she said the support of her colleagues became a constant source of strength. “Their encouragement, quiet acts of care, and unwavering moral support reminded me that I never walked alone.”
University alumnus and Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 6 finalist Mr. Ralph Merced performed a special tribute to the awardees and honorees, with their families and friends offering personal bouquets and words of appreciation.
University President Fr. Karel San Juan, SJ, PhD, delivered the President’s Address, reflecting on what draws people to stay at the university beyond benefits, vocation, and professional growth. “Why have I stayed? Why haven’t I left? What makes us stay?” he asked.
San Juan pointed to three answers: trust, love, and faith. Trust in the community, administrators and coworkers alike, gives rise to a sense of belonging, he said, which in turn deepens into love for the university as a second home. That love, he added, deepens further into faith — in the university’s mission, in others, in oneself, and in God.
The program concluded with the singing of the AdDU Blue Knight Song, followed by a celebratory dinner in honor of this year’s awardees.

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