Erica Joy B.

Escopete
AM11
Growing up, I have always wondered what the missions, visions, and core values are for. I
read it on business establishments, websites, schools. And then we learned about what its technical
meanings are — mission is the purpose; vision is what is seen as a goal in the future; and core
values are the principles of an entity to live by. But as I grow older, these three words have been
gaining a heavy bearing in my life. I understand that mission, vision, and core values are not just
for businesses or other establishments, it’s universal. The mission is not just a mere purpose, but
also the reason as to why and how to live our lives. Our vision is not just simply a goal, but it is
also our worthy and goodly destination. Core values are not only sheer principle, it is also our
foundation in living, and this should be moral and respectable.

As a student of Ateneo de Naga University for the past two years and for the next four, I
should apply its mission, vision, and core values to my life to really honestly live an Atenean life.
What I find the most significant in its mission is that it “seeks to imbue its members with the desire
to strive for excellence in every sphere and activity in life”. From a personal standpoint, the word
excellence in this statement does not mean becoming an elite or striving for perfection. For me,
“to strive for excellence in every sphere and activity in life” means to execute with worth, quality,
goodness, and to do everything wholeheartedly because doing actions with good intention and
with all your heart will make you achieve the highest excellence. The second one that I also find
significant is “to form men and women for others who will find God in all things, always seek his
greater glory and respond generously and courageously to Christ’s call to serve first God’s
Kingdom”. This is also significant for me because I know that when someone puts God as his/her
reason or the center of his/her life, there aren’t any strong uncertainties because no matter what do
in the name of Christ, we are always walking on the right path.

For Ateneo de Naga’s vision, what I feel as the most significant to me is the phrase “They
(the graduates of AdNU) are globally competitive but locally responsive and environmentally
sensitive”. This shows about how Ateneo de Naga cultivates its students to be not self-centered
individual. For me, this shows humility, to show that the knowledge given to us by Ateneo is not
for us alone. We should always look back and be sensitive to other people and also the
environment. In terms of core values, the most important to me are Magis and Christ-centeredness.
I have been in AdNU for two years now and I always hear the word Magis. In my view, it means
“going an extra mile” because we, Ateneans, should always perform with our best, even if it’s just
Erica Joy B. Escopete
AM11
a little thing. This is our way to be appreciative of small or big things, by doing with our full
efforts. The second is Christ-centeredness because I always pray to God that no matter what
happens in my life, or what stage I am in, I will always be thankful to Him. I pray to God for Him
to help me understand that I am worthy of the good times and that He is just making me stronger
through the bad times.

Learning about the university’s mission, vision, and core values, and realizing that it’s
somehow related to mine feels like I am growing in the right place. It feels nice to know that I am
educating myself in a university in which of principles are aligned with mine. To be able to
resonate with the university’s mission, I should be able to live my life honestly in the eyes of God.
I should also empathize with the people who need helping hand so that I can properly think what
actions I can do considering that I am still a student. I should mostly help the people that are mostly
forgotten. I should also understand the story of St. Ignatius Loyola. I should always remember that
his life changed when he started to fight for God, instead of Princess Catalina. St. Ignatius felt
unworthy when he failed as a soldier of Princess Catalina, but when he became a warrior of God,
he didn’t feel the need or want of giving up. It’s all different good when it is about God. In addition,
I must also not forget about God. People tend to forget Him when they are happy, when in fact
they should be remembering Him more during these times. I must put God in every direction I am
taking and say that whatever I do, I offer it firstly to Him and secondly to my family so that I will
really be inspired to do my best.

For the university’s vision, what I can do to show it is to not forget the school’s mission
and apply it for a long time. When I graduate, I should not only think about my betterment but also
the development of others. I need to think that I am nurtured by Ignatian spirituality. I should be
personally, socially, and spiritually responsible all the time. My goal should be to help other people
and contribute to the progress of our country, especially Bicol even just by doing small things. I
should humbly boast about my Ignatian education by extending a hand and remembering God at
all times. For the core values, I must be able to apply them starting now. I should remember that
God is always with me (Finding God in all things), to promote equity by helping majority of the
needy (Service of the faith that does justice), to sympathize with others and help to uplift my
family, friends and other people (Cura personalis), and to make sure that I am always “extra” in
what I do but not in the extent of I am stepping on the dignity of others (Magis). I should also be
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able to think morally, logically, and objectively and to listen to my conscience all the time. And
lastly, I should know that the world needs a constant change to fully drive for improvement that’s
why I must be able to engage and apply my knowledge.

As a freshman, I honestly and sadly cannot do anything yet to make a big impact. To show
that I am not only an Atenean by name — to show Ateneo’s mission, vision and core values — I
need to start within myself, then I can influence my family, after that I can help and make a change
to the bigger society. I need to reboot myself so that I can be effective in influencing my family. I
should refrain myself from complaining and pushing myself every time to the point that its
mentally unhealthy. I must see God in all things, talk to Him every day, and ask for guidance. I
must also know my worth. I can also join the university when they have opinions that are needed
to be heard by the public. I can also extend a hand during outreach programs because this is the
only way I can help other people for now. When I know that I am growing, I should also persuade
my family towards the better path. With my family, I know that I can do better and bigger things.
We can help other people in my hometown. Like for example, instead of celebrating the Christmas
with ourselves, we can invite other people, kids especially, to celebrate with us. We can also do
reverse caroling to put smiles in the children’s faces. By doing these small things, we can show
the good deeds of God for us. Then, when I grow older and after I graduate, I can help other people
seek and promote justice. I will not turn a blind eye to the society.