The Loyola Informer

Palace declares no classes; Ateneans still go to school
by Candice Montenegro

QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Ateneans are sometimes stereotyped as students who spend a lot of time studying. This typecast is not about to change anytime soon as Ateneo sophomores, juniors and seniors go to school today when all the other college students are still tucked snuggly in bed.

Proclamation 1345 from the Malacañang declared August 3 a no-school day for high school and college students all over the country. This is to allow students aged 15-17 to register for the Sanggunian Kabataan (SK) elections this October.

Kostka School, Ateneo de Manila High School, Miriam College and Miriam College High School called off classes, while Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) called off classes for college freshmen only.

An official memo from Dr. Assunta Cuyegkeng, Vice President of the Loyola Schools of ADMU emphasized that only freshmen classes were going to be canceled. Classes for second to fifth year as well as graduate classes will go on as scheduled.

The memo stated that students from the higher years who fall within the age bracket of 15-17 are also excused from their classes, but it is their responsibility to notify their teachers and show proof of their age.

The Office of the Vice President refused to comment on their decision to cancel only the freshmen classes, saying that the memo should be able to explain everything.

Ateneans speak up

The announcement that sophomore to senior classes are not suspended caused a stir among ADMU college students.

Students were confused because news about the presidential decree was circulated while emails and instant messages saying that ADMU has classes were passed around online.

A BS Environmental Science student who asked not to be named said that he got annoyed when he found out about ADMU’s different announcement.

“It’s annoying because all other universities followed the announcement except Ateneo. Does this mean we’re greater than Malacañang, that we can just decide not to follow their orders?” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

ADMU’s Sanggunian President Karl Satinitigan explained that it would be a waste to cancel classes for the upper years because they would not get to register for SK anyway.

“The SK registration is only for students aged 15-17 and freshmen are the ones who fall under this age bracket,” he said.

AB Communication junior Michael Tan said that he understands why another cancellation of classes is unnecessary.

“I can’t blame [Cuyegkeng] for not following the presidential decree,” he said. “Lately, PGMA creates holidays every now and then and it gets in the way of our classes.”

He said jokingly that he was disappointed just because he did not want to go to school. “However, I agree with [Cuyegkeng]. I respect her decision, and I think it was the right thing to do.”