TheCrusader September Tabloid

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the road now taken. Fr. Bobby takes the spotlight during the academic convocation of his investiture as 10th XU president.

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It’s official: Fr. Yap is 10th XU prexy By Glenn Paolo A. Goopio

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r. Roberto “Bobby” C. Yap, SJ, was formally installed as the 10th president of Xavier University on the Feast of Our Lady’s Assumption, August 15, 2011. Fr. Yap was selected by the University Board of Trustees last year following then-University president Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin, SJ’s pending installation to the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) – likewise as university president. Enter the 10th Fr. Yap’s investiture commenced with a Eucharistic Celebration with presider Fr. Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ D.D, Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro, and homilist Fr. Jose C.J. Magadia, Provincial Superior of the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus. It was followed by an academic convocation. Fr. Magadia assisted Fr. Yap’s 89-year-old mother, in her wheelchair, as she bestowed her son the Presidential Medallion, formally commissioning the new president to his ministry. Dr. Patricia B. Licuanan, Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education, handed the University Charter while Engr. Elpidio M. Paras,

Chairperson of the University Board of Trustees, passed on the University Mace, setting Fr. Yap’s presidency into office. The convocation was followed by salutations from Dr. Licuanan; Atty. Casimiro B. Juarez, Jr., president of Capitol University; and Fr. Antonio F. Moreno, SJ, president of Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) and Chairperson of the Jesuit Higher Education Commission. Fr. Yap proceeded with his inaugural address vowing to continue the three University Development Goals set by the previous administration (Stronger Formation, Greater Societal Engagement and Better Administration) while revealing plans of his own. The Investiture Ceremonies closed with remarks from Fr. Daniel P.L. Huang, General Counselor of the Society of Jesus and Regional Assistant for Jesuits in Asia-Pacific Region. Attending the celebration were a majority of XU’s staff and student leaders, members of the Society of Jesus and the provincial government, the private sector, and other distinguished guests. A dinner reception was provided at the Covered Courts later that night.

A BABY PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. Fr. Yap delivers his inaugural speech during his investiture .

Bobby in the making Before his presidency Fr. Yap was teaching for the Department of Economics at AdMU – where he is currently on leave. As the Province Treasurer of the Jesuits – a position he still keeps today – he is often esteemed by colleagues for his expert management. The president graduated cum laude of BA Economics in AdMU; at which time he, along with

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close friend Fr. Villarin, were active student leaders. Fr. Yap entered the Society of Jesus two years after graduation, in 1982. As part of his formation, he took up a Master of Arts in Economics at the New School for Social Research in New York. He finished several other courses and degrees, namely: Bachelor in Sacred Theology from the Loyola School of Theology as summa cum laude; Master of Arts in Theology from AdMU; Master

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Magis Student Complex formally opens By Hannah Mae S. Salugsugan

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he fourth part of the evolution of the Magis Student Complex (MSC) site was successfully carried on in a blessing ceremony and official opening held at the Xavier University (XU) main campus on August 15. Fr. Ramon “Jett” T. Villarin SJ, immediate past University President, administered the blessing ceremony, and headed the unveiling of the MSC dedication along with Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ at the Magis Atrium. Engr. Elpidio M. Paras, chair of the University Board of Trustees; Dr. Lina G. Kwong, Academic Vice President; Irene Grace A. Guitarte, Director of Student Affairs; deans from the different colleges; XU faculty and staff; and student leaders from various college councils and organizations also graced the unveiling which was followed by a short program at the university cafeteria. “This new Magis Student Complex marks another giant step forward in our commitment to carry out our responsibilities of being stewards of the goods of creation in our services as men

and women for others,” Fr. Villarin said during the opening rite of the blessing. Fr. Villarin, who is now Ateneo de Manila University president, along with other Jesuit priests, came to the city to witness the investiture of Fr. Yap which was held in the afternoon of the same day. Fr. Yap underlined in his opening remarks that he contended to schedule the blessing of the MSC on August 15 to make sure that Fr. Villarin gets to preside the blessing ceremony, citing that “the MSC is his [Fr. Villarin] building.” Even so, the new University president accepted the dispensation of the MSC from the past administration of Fr. Villarin. Meanwhile, the new bookstore housed in the said building was also officially opened to start servicing the XU community by exclusively selling books and Ateneo merchandise. During the short program, Guitarte presented a short introduction of the Php 41-million MSC. It was supplemented by a video presentation on the

magis begins here. Fr. Jett presides ribbon cutting to formally open Magis Complex.

four phases of the Magis Complex site evolution: groundbreaking, coin tossing, construction and blessing. Fr. Villarin said in his closing message: “I’ll tell you a secret but I think you know this already. You [students] are the inspiration of the faculty and staff.”

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The three-storey structure, designed by XU High School alumnus Arch. Lawrence Jeffrey Maceren, had its soft opening last July 14, following a series of discussions during the first semester of last year. Construction started on October after the approval of the blueprint on August.C


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