AnimoAteneo

Published on page 2 of the October 2 issue of the Guidon written by Jan Lane G. Canseko

The article can also be found online at http://theguidon.com/news/ateneans-buil … ome-online


THERE IS a new tambayan in the Ateneo. But unlike hangout places such as the smockets, benches, Manang's, or the zen garden, this one is online.

Animoateneo.com is a web site that is all about the Atenean spirit and all good things about the Ateneo, according to its homepage.

Internet-based community

Founded by alumni such as Ramon Cualoping (AB Comm '04), Jason Nalupta (BS LM '92), Romelo Santos (BS CS '05) and Christopher Rigor (BS CS '05), the site includes articles, a forum and a list of cheers and songs.

Asked why it was conceptualized, Cualoping said that when he was still studying, he would always log on to Atenista.net, an all-Atenean site with various forums, as it gave him a sense of community even if he was off-campus.

Atenista.net, however, lacked maintenance and eventually became less popular. This led some Ateneans to transfer to Gameface.ph, a site dedicated to basketball.

"In between those days, there has been a clamor among ourselves to talk about things beyond basketball," Cualoping said.

The concept of Animoateneo.com was thus born. Launched on August 30, it aims to be a venue for Ateneans to interact with fellow Ateneans, despite limits in accessibility.

"It's a good way to get all people who love the Ateneo together in an online community of friendship and camaraderie," agreed Bonifacio Yuhico III (III AB IS).

Own version of HP

With the UAAP season at its peak, basketball is the most talked about topic in the forums.

To further boost school spirit, especially during Ateneo-La Salle games, English Lecturer Miguel Antonio Lizada posted a parody of Ateneo titled "The Battle of Ateneo" on the site.

Based on the seventh book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the parody is a satirical take on Ateneo life—the culture, the language, and the rivalry with De La Salle University.

Lizada is also a contributor, chief content editor, and chief moderator of the site. He said that he did not expect his story to be given so much attention.

"I was so surprised. I never realized how it was so popular because people have been texting me [for] something that I never really intended," he said.

Originally, Lizada's story was just done out of boredom. But with encouragement from people, he decided to polish it and upload it in the site. Feedback was good as readers enjoyed Lizada's parody.

"I loved the way he was able to put Harry Potter and Ateneo into one cohesive and ingenious whole," said Yuhico.

"It's funny because if you know the profs, you can really relate to what the author is saying," Stephanie Sia (III BS CTM) added.

"Sarap maging Atenista"

Updated weekly, the site seeks to strengthen the connection among Ateneans as their tagline, Ang sarap maging Atenista, goes.

Cualoping also encouraged students to contribute ideas for the site.

The entire AnimoAteneo.com community would like to congratulate the Ateneo Lady Eagles for winning it all this season in the Women's Basketball Division of the UAAP's 70th Season.

Animo Ateneo!
Lady Eagle, the Queen!

Photograph of the AnimoAteneo.com people with the Lady Eagles by Ben Alegre

This started as three separate entries in my blog I must be honest and say that this was nothing but a mere product of boredom. I wrote this after re-reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and after asking myself "What would Ateneo be like if it was attacked by Voldemort and his dark creatures". 

Friends who read my blog forwarded this to their friends who in turn forwarded it to their friends. At the request of my colleagues here in AnimoAteneo.com and people who have enjoyed this, I have edited and polished this story as well as added a few new elements to it. 

Just a few pre-reading reminders:

This, in essence is a parody of Ateneo life. Yes, there are of course anti-school and UAAP-based jokes here and there but this mainly satirizes Ateneo life – the people, the language, the culture etc.

This is also a parody of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Its ending resembles the ending of the Harry Potter book. So if you have not yet read the book and you do not wish to be spoiled, I must warn you to read at your own risk.

My thanks to those who have enjoyed what-used-to-be-just-a-time-filler and to those who contributed several suggestions.

Raul Manglapus wrote Blue Eagle, the King in the summer of 1939, shortly after the Ateneo had adopted the Blue Eagle as a symbol. After trying it out first on friends, he had it performed by baritone Serafin Garcia before a committee of faculty members and student leaders when classes had re-opened. The music was transcribed and orchestrated by noted Filipino composer, Lucio San Pedro, who was then the Ateneo bandmaster. Blue Eagle, the King was immediately and unanimously approved, and was soon accepted as the Fighting Song of the Ateneo.

Fly high!
Blue Eagle fly
And carry our cry
Across the sky!
Cast your shadow below
Swoop down on the foe,
And sweep up the fields away!

Fly high!
Over the trees
Make known to the breeze
Our victories!
Spread wide each wing
For you are the King
Blue Eagle the King!

Oh the Eagle's the King of them all
And his blue feathers never will fall
For the Blue and the White
And the Eagle in Flight
Ateneo will fight today!

Fly high!
Over the trees
Make known to the breeze
Our victories!
Spread wide each wing
For you are the King
Blue Eagle the King!

To hear how it goes, visit our Cheers & Songs page!