The Name

When I say where I went to college, people would ask me what does your school's name mean?

The word ATENEO is a Spanish derivation of the word Atheneum, the first school in Rome established during Emperor Hadrian's time (abt. 135 A.D.). Atheneum drew inspiration from the Greek temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, the goddess of wisdom, where men (no women were permitted, then) may discuss anything and everything under the sun.

British Application
During the Renaissance, the Atheneum's popularity gained momentum as a place of learning. English admirers of the Atheneum brought the idea to their shores and created the Athenaeum in 1823. The club remains a premier men's club to this day. It's like a hoity toity club for the intellectually-gifted. This concept was eventually adapted by other countries.

Note: In 2002, members voted to admit women (finally!).

Philippine Story
The coming of the Spanish conquistadores onto our shores brought the Jesuits and their own system of education, shaped by St. Ignatius of Loyola's Spritual Exercises. In 1590, the order formally opened Colegio de Manila (aka Colegio Seminario de San Ignacio) in Intramuros. It became both a papal and royal university (by virtue of the confirmation from both Pope Gregory XV and King Philip IV of Spain) in 1621 and 1623, respectively.

Jesuit Suppression
When the Jesuits were expelled from the Spanish realm in 1768, due to political maneuverings not unlike what we experience now, they relinquished the college to civil authorities bringing on the school's ultimate demise.



Return to Philippine Shores
In 1859, they came back to the country and established missions mainly in far-off Mindanao. The Ayuntamiento or city council subsequently requested Governor-General Norzagaray (1857-1860) to fund a primary school run by Jesuits. Thus, the Escuela Municipal was born. When it offered secondary education leading to a bachillerato, its status was elevated and was renamed Ateneo Municipal de Manila. (photo at left: from the University of Vienna website based on a booklet by Austin Craig published in 1909 by the Philippine Education Publishing Co.)

American Jesuits
During the American colonial rule in the 1900s, the Ateneo lost its government subsidy and became a private school, dropping the word Municipal from its official name. Interestingly, the Ateneo de Manila celebrates its 145th anniversary (and return of the Jesuits) to the Philippines.

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Inspired yata ako mag-type he he...

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Jesuit college of LaFlèche is where was planted the first seeds of all my later accomplishments and for which I am eternally grateful to the Society of Jesus.
René Descartes