Women

Since the year 2000, the Ateneo de Manila University has experienced a flurry of landscaping—among other, more serious matters, of course. This is especially true of the spaces between buildings which used to be covered only with crabgrass. Now, flowers, rock gardens and charming paths beautifully set off the campus' gorgeous trees. Earlier this month, traditionally the month of Mary for Catholics, a Marian walk between Gonzaga Hall and Berchmans Hall was blessed.



Mary, especially in her form as the Immaculate Conception, is the patroness of this Jesuit university. She is usually depicted with the moon at her feet, though I've seen versions with clouds or cherubs and various combinations of these three elements.



2000 was the year when the university's School of Arts and Sciences was split off into four schools (Humanities, Science and Engineering, Social Sciences, Management), each with its own dean, and all under the Vice President for the Loyola Schools. The first VP was Dr. Anna Miren Intal and the current VP is Dr. Maria Assunta Cuyegkeng.