Ateneo de Manila University

Ateneo de Manila University was started when Spanish Jesuits established the Escuela Municipal de Manila, a public primary school in Intramuros for the City of Manila. In 1581, the first Spanish Jesuits arrived.

While primarily missionaries, they were also custodians of the system of Jesuits known as ratio studiorum formulated around 1559. They founded one of the first colleges in the Philippines, the Colegio de Manila (also known as the Colegio Seminario de San Ignacio) under Antonio Sedeño SJ's leadership, and formally opened in 1595.

The motto "Lux in Domino" first appeared as part of the Ateneo seal for the 1909 golden Jubilee, introduced by Father Rector Joaquin Añon SJ. The schools of Ateneo are grouped into three units: Basic education (grade school, junior and senior high school), Loyola Schools, and Professional Schools and each unit is led by the vice president.

The Ateneo de Manila University (Filipino: Pamantasang Ateneo de Manila; Spanish: Universidad Ateneo de Manila), also known simply as the Ateneo de Manila, the Ateneo, or AdMU, is a private, research, basic and higher education institution founded and run by the Society of Jesus in Quezon City, Philippines. 

The Ateneo de Manila University's Soul. To fully understand Ateneo de Manila University's soul, its origins, current state, and future plans, it is important to know the motto Lux in Domino. This is the Light of the Lord. These words, from the Ephesians 5-8 to the letter to St. Paul, capture Ateneo's spirit and are her best contribution to God's work of transformation.

Being light in Christ requires that you are steadfastly and intentionally focused on God. Then, identify the problems that this centering causes and move out into the world in search of new and better ways to build the structure, plant the garden and paint the masterpiece that God has created in your life. Be the light of God in the world. Vision and Mission Fr Bienvenido NEBRES SJ University President 1993-2011 wrote a document about Ateneo's future that was prepared to be presented to Loyola Schools faculty.

While most schools and apostolates aim to produce leaders, the Ignatian vision as expressed in the dynamic of the Spiritual Exercises, seeks to help people develop their talents and push them to new heights of service. It is not just about seeking the good but also the greater good. The magis. The magis.

It helps to understand Ateneo de Manila's Vision-Mission statement. Ateneo Way: What Ateneo is about, how it shapes itself, its origins, its goals, and the future of Ateneo de Manila can all be understood by the motto Lux in Domino Light In the Lord. It isn't the original school motto. Al meritoya a la virtue In Meritud and in Virtue was the Escuela Municipal's original motto from 1859.

The school was renamed in 1865, and again in 1901. This motto has remained constant. It was first used in the Ateneo seal by Father Joaquin A. on SJ during the 1909 Golden Jubilee. This motto is derived from Paul's letter to the Ephesians 5.8.

You were once dark, but now you live in light. Living as light-loving children is the best way to live, because light brings out every goodness, righteousness and truth. The break with the norm is a deeper appreciation for what Ateneo de Manila represents. Ateneo's goal is more than just merit and virtue.

It is the Lord s light that Ateneo seeks to bring into darkness and broken places. Ateneo enables you to discover God's light and to help others. Living as light-bearing children requires a constant movement towards God in order to illuminate truth. Then, one must move outward into the world and effect positive change.

Jesuits