Ateneans from grade school to college levels filled the San Pedro Cathedral during the Eucharistic celebration in honor of the feast day of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the 65th founding anniversary of Ateneo de Davao University Tuesday, July 30.
Bishop George B. Rimando presided the mass together with Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ and other Jesuit priests.
In his homily, Bishop Rimando revisited the humble beginnings of Ateneo de Davao University as the first Catholic school in the city and was then named as St. Peter’s Parochial School.
“Through the years, Ateneo had been growing in faith, blossoming, bearing fruit,” the bishop said.
“Surely, they will continue to bear good fruits,” he added.
The mass was then followed by a short program at the Rizal Park. Some intermission numbers were presented. Fr. Tabora also danced upstage during the community dance that brought smile in the faces of everyone.
But what really made the audience happy, especially the faculty, was the announcement of the president about their salary increase.
“The levels of enrolment were not as high as the other year but the levels of commitment and work [of the faculty] were as high as ever. Therefore, we are announcing a six-percent across the board increase in salaries and compensation,” Fr. Tabora said.
The faculty was very grateful about the announcement.
College Faculty Union President Albert B. Jubilo said they are very happy that Fr. Tabora gave that increase.
“The faculty also really exerted effort to attain academic excellence,” he expressed.
The six-percent increase will be directed to the account of the faculty 2:00 in the afternoon.