September 19, 2009

An homage to the humanities

As part of the Ateneo de Manila University's 150th anniversary celebrations, the Loyola School of Humanities staged "Magis" (Latin for "more," which summarizes the Jesuit ideal of the pursuit of excellence) on September 9. It was a three-hour cultural gala that celebrated and paid tribute to Philippine national hero Jose Rizal, the university's most eminent alumnus, and to the Ateneo's performing artists, composers, filmmakers, popular entertainers, journalists, outstanding teachers, National Artists, and recognized figures in Philippine theater, literature and visual arts. The show ended with a procession of the images of the Immaculate Conception and St. Ignatius, after which everyone, from the performers to the audience, stood up to sing "A Song for Mary," the Ateneo de Manila's alma mater song.

singing the Song for Mary at the end of Magis, the Loyola School of Humanities' cultural gala

12 comments:

  1. Looks like a good evening. Glad the audience got to join in!

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  2. It sounds as if you had a wonderful evening at the event. Did it leave you wanting 'More'?

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  3. Well, that's impressive. Great photo, too!

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  4. Wish I could see Filipinos perform again. I know we have a lot of talented people.
    Thanks for visiting my blog, Hilda.

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  5. What a wonderful time you must have had. How was your singing voice?

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  6. You captured the grand finale wonderfully.

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  7. Sounds like a fabulous evening Hilda!

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  8. Beautiful people. Very inspiring setting!

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  9. Magis, you say? That is a great motto.

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  10. A Jesuit, which I remember fondly, was my mentor, of all things, of cinema. He founded the first film society here and, in the early 70s, he was proud to show every kind of movie with almost no censorship.
    When asked why the movies, he usually answered: Ad majorem Dei gloriam, Magis, exactly.

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