The Loyola Informer

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

QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Ateneo college sophomores, juniors and seniors go to school today despite Malacanang’s suspension of classes for high school and college on August 3.

Palace Proclamation 1345 declared the suspension to allow students aged 15-17 to register for the Sanggunian Kabataan (SK) elections this October. SK is a group representing the youth in local and national issues.

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

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

The memo stated that upperclassmen 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 age.

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

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 email and instant messages saying that ADMU classes were not suspended had been forwarded online.

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

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

ADMU’s Sanggunian President Karl Satinitigan explained that it would be a waste to cancel classes for the upperclassmen 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.

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