Ateneo Terminology

Since I studied in Ateneo for such a long time - 16 years and will probably reach 18 years after I take my MBA degree, I learned the Ateneo’s way in terms of their terminology from grade school to college. I know there are lots of words in Ateneo terminology, but what I am going to place in my blog are words that are really well-known. 

Grade School Days

Pal - refers to a fellow Atenean you don’t know. The Atenean may come from the upper batch or the lower batch. 

“Pal, excuse me pwede maki- shoot”. This is the phrase that I always hear when I am playing basketball alone since most Ateneans don’t bring their own basketball. They consider bringing a ball as a hassle because it takes most of the space of your bag. Also, sometimes you can get bullied by students from the upper batch. You will end up crying because you cannot get your ball from them. 

GLC - literally means “Grade Level Coordinator”. But for grade schoolers, it means be alert or danger of being scolded for violating school rules

Fightings and brawls among students are unavoidable. Some are bullies, while some are willing to fight those bullies for another student’s welfare. In order to subside the quarrel, a student must shout “GLC”. Peace and order will be restored…. for a short period of time.

High School Days

MAGIS - refers to a brilliant and exceptionally intelligent person. Can also mean excellent effort

Magis literally means “doing more”. In high school, there is an award called the Magis Award for a student getting A’s or a QPI of 4 (highest possible score) on all of his subjects. I did not attain this title since my highest QPI was only 3.43.

Interaction - refers to socializing, specifically having DATES

Because Ateneo High School is only a boy school, having interaction with all girl schools became mandatory. Through this, we get to know other girls to mingle with and share our ideas. But actually, high school students refer interaction as having or looking for a date. 

College days

Pa-bum - refers to having a free cigarette from a friend or from someone you only know by name

When I was already experiencing extreme stress having an average of 3-4 hours of sleep, I became nicotine-dependent. As I observed in the SMOCKET (Smokers’ Pocket Garden), some students don’t bring their own case of cigar. Instead, they will tell someone “pa-bum”. That someone will pull out a cigar and give it to the one who said “pa-bum”.

Attention: Ateneo Aegis Members 2007

I would like to address this message to Ateneo Aegis Members batch 2007. I have been trying to search for information regarding the release of Ateneo Yearbook 2007 since I am going to leave the country soon. I recently heard news by surfing the web that the estimated release is on October 27, but when I searched the site it is indicated that it was October 27, 2007. 

I also browsed your livejournal website. Apparently, I am very disappointed on how disorganize the website is. There are google ads blocking the articles you posted making them very HARD to search and read. I also requested to join your yahoogroups to know updates regarding its release, but apparently no one is complying upon my request.

I am the kind of person who does not rely on people to do things on which I am solely responsible for. I really don’t like asking favors from my friends in which I know I am capable of doing. Also, I am a person who treasures memories and Ateneo has been a part of my life. I spent 16  years of my life being molded by the Ateneo way.

Overall, I just want to have some updates. Thank you.