October 20, 2008

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.

Marian walk in the Loyola Schools of the Ateneo de Manila

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.

Immaculate Conception in the Marian walk of the Loyola Schools in the Ateneo de Manila

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.

15 comments:

Olivier said...

elle est très belle et très simple, on pourrait dire pure

it is very beautiful and very simple, one could say pure

marley said...

Its a green oasis amongst the buildings. Lovely.

Lisa Wilson said...

Very beautiful, and what an elegant sculpture!

Saretta said...

I've never seen a Madonna with a moon at her feet, it is truly elegant!

Nice to see that you have women in positions of power at your university!

Joy said...

Yes, I really enjoyed what I saw at the Ateneo a few years back. I wish La Salle had as much ground, but we're an inner city university so not much hope there.

Ateneo has the space one needs to think and beautiful spaces they are indeed!

Thanks for visiting Norwich Daily Photo and leaving your comments. How's your Monday so far?

joy
A Pinay In England
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I, Woman

rob said...

Never seen a Madonna with a moon at her feet either. Can you tell us why?

Ken Mac said...

what an unusual statue of Mary. Kind of streamlined and un-romantic if you get my drift. Very modern!

Hilda, that doorway is #58 Barrow, the reglar entrance to Chumley's was 86 Bedford.

Gerald (SK14) said...

A truely interesting post.

Webradio said...

She is like "Santa Maria", the mother of Jesus, in catholic...

Nice photos...

Louis la Vache said...

A lovely garden. "Louis" doesn't often like modern sculpture, but this statue of Mary is quite fine, in "Louis's" view.

 gmirage said...

Wow that is really lovely! I always go to Ateneo but only to the Gym and football areas (covering UAAP events) so I only can remember stones and grasses....That is a wonderful effort on their part.

tr3nta said...

Looks like a very nice place to study...

Unknown said...

What a lovely garden!
I've never seen a moon on a catholic image like that one. That's interesting!

Layrayski said...

I didn't know most of that Hilda. Thanks. And the statue of Mary, Immaculate Conception is delicate, lovely.

Debbie Courson Smith said...

I've never heard anyone say "flurry of landscaping..." but you're right!