What makes an ATENEO HEARTER?
An ATENEO HEARTER is someone who embodies the values and ideals of the school, rooted in the Jesuit tradition. They are individuals who possess a strong sense of ethics and a commitment to making a positive impact in the community. They are well-rounded individuals who strive for academic and personal excellence, and continuously seek to improve themselves through lifelong learning. They are proud and loyal members of the Ateneo Hearter community, being men and women for others.
Core Values (4C's)
CHRIST-CENTEREDNESS – demonstrates close friendship with Christ through making decisions and actions grounded on Christian values and animated by Ignatian spirituality
COMPETENCE – possesses 21st-century skills, attitudes, and values that promote excellence in leadership, conduct, and life-long learning towards social transformation and commitment to greater good
CHARACTER – exhibits self-mastery in doing what is right and resiliency amidst difficulties and recognizes God’s presence in all things
“COMPASSION” – exemplifies faith that does justice for the marginalized in society, especially the poor, and works for ecological conversion
Other Core Values and Mottos
The Jesuit motto Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (AMDG) is a Latin term meaning “for the greater glory of God.” St. Ignatius of Loyola used the phrase many times in the Constitution of the Society of Jesus. However, not only Jesuits are called to live out this motto. All Ateneo Hearters are called to live out this motto in our daily lives.
To live for the greater glory of God is to know Jesus more clearly, love Him more dearly, and follow him more nearly. It is to seek God in all things, in all people and in all experiences. It is to devote all of our thoughts, words, efforts, choices, and actions into what we discern gives God greater glory. Since we know that Jesus called us to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves, to live AMDG is also to offer our lives in service to others especially those who need the most help. Thus, AMDG covers all aspects of an Ateneo Hearter’s life—in academics, in sports, in arts, in relationships with others, in service, and more importantly, in faith—even after graduation.
Magis is a Latin term meaning “more” or “better.” In seeking to live for the greater glory of God, all Ateneo Hearters are also called to live our the Magis. This means, we are called to do more and be more for Christ. In our daily tasks, we always push for what we can do better; we are not contented with mediocrity. We seek excellence not to reap rewards but to live for God’s greater glory. We serve others as best as we can, not to be noticed but to show our love for God’s people. We do not compare ourselves with others; rather, we look to Christ our model. With our gazes fixed on Christ, with St. Ignatius we pray for the grace to be generous: to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and ask not for reward. We seek only God’s will in everything. This is what Magis means for us.
Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu’s motto is Lux Oriens. Lux Oriens is the Latin term meaning “Light Arising in the Land of the Morning.” “Land of the Morning” refers to the Philippines from the English translation of our country’s National Anthem. To be an Ateneo Hearter is to root ourselves in love and respect for our country, its traditions, and history. We understand that what we do and how we live affects not just our family, school, and community but our nation and eventually the world. As Ateneo Hearters, we value not just our country’s history but also the special tradition and mission of our school in being a Chinese-Filipino School.
As Ateneo Hearters, recognize that Jesus is the true light of the world and that as His followers, we seek to share His light concretely to others—in acts of excellence, leadership, and service. We share our God-given talents to give greater glory to God. We lead others not for the pursuit of honor or riches but to help build God’s Kingdom. We serve others so that we can share God’s mercy to them. The light we bring to others is not our own but it is the light of Christ.
Thus, Lux Oriens reminds all Ateneo Hearters of our history, our identity, our mission, our goal, and our inspiration.