Thanksgiving: This is the Ateneo Way

Fr. Ben Nebres during the homily

I honestly don’t know how other schools celebrate their championships but for the Ateneo, each season ends with a thanksgiving mass. The Ateneo Blue Eagles is a team that a lot of Ateneans look up to and are considered role models. That is why a lot of students and Alumni expect a lot from the players and from the team. They are at the forefront of Ateneo sports. At the same time, the Ateneo is a University that prides itself with traditions that a lot of Ateneans embrace and one of them is giving thanks to the Lord for all the blessings he has given. Last October 8, 2009 the Ateneo community achieved a rare double back to back championship which was last achieved in the NCAA in the year 1975-1976. Fr. Ben Nebres S.J presided over the mass together with Fr. RB Hizon S. J who is the High School Principal. After the mass, Fr. Nebres called representatives of the champion teams to give a short speech.

Rabah AL-Husaini was all smiles and he was in a jolly mood. He thanked the Ateneo community and also apologize for being hot headed most of the time. He thanked Coach Norman Black who he said believed in him and that prompted the Coach to do extra time with him to work on his game. He said words cannot really express what he is going through and that he will savor the moment first before making any plans.

Nonoy Baclao thanked the Ateneo for giving him the opportunity to play basketball and to become what he is now. Nonoy is well loved by the Ateneo community and he is very happy he made the right decision. He mentioned that he was suppose to play for FEU. " FEU na sana ako" he said but after being advised by someone very dear to him, he later on found himself Katipunan bound. He even laughed when his adviser said "Eh ano naman gagawin mo sa FEU?" Nonoy was just thankful he went on to don the Blue and White.

Jai Reyes started out by getting back at his cousin Ice " Ako si Jai Reyes, pinsan ko po si Ice, mas mayabang sa akin iyan!" Jai was more prepared than Nonoy and Rabah and he mentioned "I actually wrote this thank you's for game 2 but we lost!" He then read his list of thanks and narrated the ordeal his family had when Typhoon Ondoy flooded their area and a chopper was there to the aid of his family. He paid tribute to his father Len who he said is the perfect example of a great father. He went through all the people he needed to thank and he said jai ended by saying "Ang Sarap Talaga Maging Atenista!"