Ignatiana days...

The month of July reminded me of the feast day of St. Ignatius of Loyola. It was during this month when the week-long Pintakasi Festival at the Ateneo was being celebrated. It involved games among the first year up to the senior high school students of the Ateneo. I fondly reminisce those days when we had the campfire during the night till the wee hours of the next day. It was fun specially during the Ateneo's 50th anniversary when some of the famous alumni of the Ateneo de Naga graced the Pintakasi event. I think that was the last time when these alumni: Raul Roco, Luise Villafuerte, and Jessie Robredo came and graced the school's event together (politically free!). After that, they have parted ways with Jessie Robredo joining Raul Roco's party instead of his relative Luise's. Those were the days when the Bikolano's dialect was being greatly promoted by the then President Fr. Raul Bonoan, S.J. It was during those days when the then lanky young Professor Danny Gerona published the book which fully defines the Bikolano's strong spirit, magnificent character, beautiful dialect, and rich culture. I miss the Ignatiana days, I miss the Ateneo's four pillars, I miss the Bikolandia... From Isarog, to Bikol land, to lofty Mayon peak, our flag is carried flying high in victory or defeat! One Big Fight to the never ending economic plight of my fellow Bikolanos back home....Keep up the courage, continue the cause of uplifting further our region!