The Jesuits established Ateneo de Naga eighty-five years ago in 1940 upon the invitation of Archbishop Pedro P. Santos of the Diocese of Caceres. Working with Fr. John F. Hurley, S.J., the Superior of the Philippine Jesuits, he sought a Jesuit-run school for boys in his diocese, leading to the foundation of Ateneo de Naga.
The first Jesuits who came to Bicol with Fr. Francis Burns, S.J, as the school’s founding director, were Fr. Bernard Lochbölher, Scholastics Gregory Horgan, Albert Grau, Saturnino Monzon, and Richard McSorley. Honesto General (AdeN HS 1947) attributed the lyrics of the school hymn “Regnum Dei” to Fr. McSorley. In 1941, Frs. Matthew Reilly and Joseph Bittner, Scholastics Francis Lucas, John Nicholson, and Edward Sullivan joined the Jesuit community in Naga.
(Editors’ Note: Illustrating the apostolate connection of Ateneo de Naga with the Jesuit Bukidnon Mission, Fr. Gregory Horgan, S.J. and Fr. Joseph Bittner, S.J. would later become pioneering parish priests of the mission stations in Baungon and Dangcagan, Bukidnon. Fr. Horgan subsequently served as the first director of Pangantucan Community High School, from 1968 to 1975. Earlier, Fr. Bittner established the Santo Niño High School of Dangcagan in 1958. Fr. Godofredo Alingal, S.J., who became the first Filipino principal to serve AdeN, was a parish priest in Talakag, Bukidnon. Later he returned to mission work as the parish priest of Kibawe where he lost his life in service to the farmers and workers.)
Contrary to popular belief, Bro. Sergio Adriatico, S.J. was not among the prewar Jesuit community in Naga. He was instead listed originally as part of the Jesuit mission in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental. Fr. Hurley, the Father Superior, eventually sent him to Naga, as may be gleaned from the Woodstock letters of Scholastics Grau, Sullivan, and McSorley.
The school initially operated in a building formerly used by the Camarines Sur Catholic Academy (now the Naga Parochial School). Classes formally began on June 5, 1940, with 100 elementary and 550 high school students. Meanwhile, Archbishop Santos initiated the construction of the new school’s main building on a 6-hectare property donated by the diocese located near the Cathedral.
The new construction with its iconic “four pillars” facade along with the Jesuit residence were nearing completion in December 1941. The students were supposed to attend classes in the new building right after the Christmas holidays. However, this did not happen as World War II broke out in the Pacific on December 8. The Japanese Imperial Forces occupied Naga by mid-December and immediately ordered the arrest and incarceration of all American Jesuits. They also converted the newly constructed building to a prison camp. Bro. Adriatico was spared as he was the lone Filipino.
Post war years
High school classes resumed in 1946 after the war. On June 1, 1947, Ateneo de Naga was granted full recognition by the Department of Education as a standard four- year high school. On June 5, 1947, the College was opened with 87 male students. Six year later, on October 26, 1953, the Ateneo College became coeducational with the admission of five women.
Several young and dynamic Jesuits were also assigned to Naga, most notably Fr. James B. Reuter, S.J., who in 1948 founded Blue and Gold, the school’s official publication, and formed the Cathedral Players, the renowned theater group. It was in these formative postwar years that the Ateneo de Naga began building its tradition of excellence—in academics, sports, oratory, theater, campus journalism, and even in the annual military parade during the Peñafrancia festivities.
The four-year Bachelor of Science in Commerce course began in 1947 along with three two-year programs, Associate in Commercial Science, Associate in Liberal Arts, and Pre-Law. Subsequently new offerings were added: in 1948 Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; in 1951 the four-year Bachelor of Arts course; in 1954 Bachelor of Science in Education. Other programs followed: a Secretarial course (1956), Pre-Engineering (1959), Science (1960), Psychology (1977), a program combining Liberal Arts and Commerce (LIACOM) in 1978.
In 1955 the gymnasium-auditorium was completed. In 1961 a science building housing laboratories and classrooms was constructed and named after Archbishop Pedro P. Santos. In 1968 Burns Hall was inaugurated and named after the Ateneo’s first rector. The 1980’s witnessed the construction of two modest structures: a multi-purpose hall and a seminar complex.
Various Jesuits served the Ateneo de Naga as rectors from the 1940’s to the late 1980’s. They were Francis D. Burns, March 1948 to 1949; Eusebio G. Salvador, July 1949 to 1953; Vincent M. Mcnally, January 1954 to 1959; Vincent P. Towers, June 1959 to 1960; Robert A. Rice, May 1960 to 1966; Luis G. Candelaria, 1966 to 1967; Maximo S. David; June 1967 to 1972; Oscar Millar, May 1972 to 1978; Jose Ma. B. Fuentes, President, September 1978 to 1982; Eugene G. Moran, President, June 1982 to 31 March 1989.
Becoming a university
The steady growth of Ateneo de Naga called for improvements in its governance. The 1940 Articles of Incorporation were amended, and new By-laws were adopted in 1979, transferring the school’s high governing authority to the Board of Trustees, the majority of whom were Jesuits. In the same year, the College and the High School were the first in Camarines Sur to be accredited by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU).
Through its more than half century of existence, the Ateneo made significant breakthroughs amid serious setbacks. Economic difficulties during the Martial Law years led to a dip in the college enrolment. In the 80s there were rumors of the school’s closure. However, as the school marked its Golden Jubilee in 1990, this time with Fr. Raul Bonoan, S.J. as President, there began a remarkable turn-around and recovery.
Fr. Bonoan forged strong and fruitful partnership with the alumni, which raised funds to support the rehabilitation efforts for Ateneo. There was a speedy infrastructure development in the 90s, with the construction of new buildings, such as the Bro. Richard Fernando, S.J. Hall, Bro. Sergio Adriatico Hall, John Phelan, S.J. Science Hall, and Francis Dolan Hall. The James O’Brien, S.J. Library, the most modern library in the region, was built in this decade.
Fr. Bonoan’s administration invested in faculty development to improve the quality of instruction in the Ateneo and sourced out scholarship funds as two of the priorities in the CorPlan 2000. During his tenure, new courses were introduced, namely Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education (1988), Computer Science (1993), Legal Management (1995), Electronic Communications Engineering (1995), Information Management (1997) and Computer Engineering (1997).
In 1991 the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports listed the Ateneo among 18 excellent universities and colleges in the country. The Graduate School, which had a brief existence in the seventies, was revived in 1993. On September 16, 1996, Fr. Bonoan issued a memorandum declaring the separation of the different colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Commerce, and the College of Information Technology and Engineering. Almost a year after, the College of Education was created.
University status was granted to the Ateneo de Naga on November 11, 1998, upon approval by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Its conferment and the installation of the first University President, Fr. Bonoan, was celebrated on February 20, 1999. Unfortunately, barely three months after this milestone, Fr. Bonoan died of a heart attack in Baguio. Fr. Joel L. Tabora, S.J. was installed as second University President on August 28, 1999.
In the initial months of his administration, Fr. Tabora called together representatives from all sectors of the University to review and streamline Ateneo de Naga’s direction in the next ten years. The resulting approved CORPLAN 2010 became the working document to translate the University’s mission-vision into action.
Concrete endeavors resulting from the CORPLAN 2010 guidance emerged. Seven buildings rose on campus, among them the Christ the King University Church, Xavier Hall, the Arrupe Building, an Engineering Building, and the new Jesuit Residence. Moreover, Ateneo de Naga established itself as the premier academic institution in Bicol by being the only one with a PAASCU Level III accredited status. This distinction was granted on May 14, 2004.
From Bagumbayan to Pacol
On June 23, 2003, the Ateneo de Naga High School moved out of the Bagumbayan campus to its new ten-hectare home in Pacol. For the first time in its 63 years of existence, the High School admitted 185 girls into its student population. In the following school year 2004-2005, the University opened the College of Nursing, increasing the total number of its colleges to six at the Bagumbayan campus.
Under Fr. Tabora’s administration, three academic support offices were established: the Academic Council, serving as think-tank and coordinating arm on administrative and curricular concerns; the University Research Council, keeping AdeNU’s academic standards abreast with international criteria of research; and the University Social Involvement Council, planning and coordinating the outreach efforts of the different units in ADNU and sharpening the University’s impact on Bikol communities.
In 2007, the Ignatian Formation Center (IFC) was created, and the Ignatian Formation Program framework established. The IFC has since become responsible for promoting Ignatian Spirituality in the ADNU community. The University took part in the Sesquicentennial Anniversary of Jesuit Education in the Philippines. In 2008, it became the only University in Southern Luzon to be granted by CHED with Autonomous Status.
ADNU had the most Centers of Development in the region: Information Technology, Business Administration and Entrepreneurship; and Center of Excellence in Teacher Training. In 2009, it was one of the three universities in the country to obtain Institutional Accreditation from PAASCU. It was given recognition for having the Best Student Services in the region and Best Student Leadership Program in the country; for achieving topnotch performances in the board exams for teachers, accountants, librarians and engineers; and for the first-ever PAASCU accreditation of its Civil Engineering program in Bicol. These achievements have made ADNU the region’s best and one of the country’s finest academic institutions.
In 2010, the University celebrated its 70th Foundation Anniversary. The occasion became more meaningful as it coincided with the 300th year of Bicol’s devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia or Ina, the patroness of Bicol. The two historic events allowed the University to not only renew its commitment to the same Christ-centered mission of the Society of Jesus and strengthen Jesuit-Lay collaboration but also reflect on the true essence of devotion to Ina.
The year 2011 ushered in leadership change in the University. With Fr. Tabora’s election as president of Ateneo de Davao University, the ADNU Board of Trustees on September 22, 2010, elected Fr. Primitivo E. Viray Jr., S.J. to be the third University President in Naga. He assumed office on May 11, 2011.
Under Fr. Viray’s watch, the university maintained its Centers of Excellence and Development status. New offices were established, among them the Center Arts and Culture, Innovation Center, Management Information System unit and Computing Systems and Innovation Office. The University Research Council was reconstituted to improve the University’s research capability. A four-story facility, named after Fr. Bonoan, was built to house the University Cafeteria, new classrooms and offices.
In 2012, in response to the K to 12 educational reforms, ADNU opened a pioneering Career Academy for Senior High School which started during Fr. Tabora’s administration. In 2015, in response to the growing demand in Naga City and neighboring towns for excellent Catholic basic education, the Grade School in the Pacol campus was established. In the same year, the university concluded the three-year celebration of its 75th Foundation Anniversary (2014-2015).
In 2016, ADNU opened its College of Law – Juris Doctor Program as a response to the region’s need for legal education. A year after, the college launched its apostolate arm called Ignatian Legal Apostolate Office (ILAO). The newest structure on the Bagumbayan campus, the 6-storey Fr. Godofredo Alingal, S.J. Hall became the hub of the College of Law.
In 2017, Fr. Viray was elected Father Provincial of the Philippine Society of Jesus. With this, in January 2018, AdeNU welcomed its fourth university president, Fr. Roberto Exequiel N. Rivera, S.J. He oversaw the completion of the Senior High School building in the Bagumbayan campus, which was named after Fr. Hilario Belardo, S.J., longtime teacher and counselor.
In February 2019, following the collective decision of Bicol’s state universities and colleges to shift its calendar to synchronize with international practices, AdeNU was the first private university in the region to change its school calendar. For the higher education units, school year 2019-2020 began on July 1, 2019, instead of June. The school opening was moved up further in August 2020.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck the country in 2020, AdeNU carried out its instruction and formation programs and services via online flexible learning modalities. By the school year 2021-2022, the university implemented limited face-to-face classes for selected subjects, following CHED policies and Inter-Agency Task Force’s standards and protocols. A new course offering, Bachelor of Science in Architecture, was introduced in the school year 2022-2023.
New leadership
With Fr. Rivera’s term ending, the Board of Trustees elected Fr. Aristotle Dy, S.J., as the next AdNU President at its meeting in August 2023. Fr. Robert continued in a “holdover capacity” to await the completion of Fr. Ari’s final year at Xavier School which would end on March 2024. The transition period allowed plenty of time for proper attention to be given to turnover matters.
Fr. Ari arrived in AdeNU on July 16, 2024, to begin the turnover processes. As he went about meeting and getting acquainted with the school administrators and staff, he was greeted, “Maogmang pag-abot sa maogmang lugar!” He began his term as the 5th University President on August 12 and his formal installation took place on September 12, 2024. Shortly thereafter, he led the Ateneo during Naga City’s 100th anniversary celebration of the Canonical Coronation of Our Lady of Peñafrancia.
On October 23, severe tropical storm Kristine brought challenges to AdeNU with unprecedented flooding in Naga City. Low-lying classrooms and offices in the Bagumbayan campus were inundated causing widespread damage to equipment, schoolbooks and documents. Classes were suspended following city guidelines. The university’s Tabang Bicol initiative was activated to raise funds, engage in rescue and recovery and assist the Ateneo community and affected residents in the city and nearby towns of Camarines Sur. Soon after, severe tropical storm Pepito made landfall on November 16 and ravaged more communities in Bicol further taxing the weary Tabang Bicol teams.
Cultural Exchanges
On November 2024, AdeNU signed a MOU with Quanzhou Normal University (QNU) to pursue mutually beneficial educational projects. It hopes to welcome Chinese language teachers to Naga and to organize study trips to China for faculty and students, as it did during Fr. Tabora’s term. QNU has invited ADNU to participate in a research project delving on Southeast Asia languages.
In January 2025, cultural exchanges were made with Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu under the Lakbay-Atenista: Sinulog 2025 program, resulting in meaningful sharing of learning, culture and unity between the Naga City and Cebu City students. On February 20, Fr. Ari Dy signed a MOU with De La Salle University Dasmariñas President, Bro. Francisco De La Rosa VI FSC. The areas of collaboration include benchmarking, research, and faculty exchanges.
On March 6, AdeNU College of Education welcomed four pre-service teachers from Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia as part of the SEA-Teacher Exchange Program sponsored by Southeast Asia Ministers of Education Organization. From March 4 to 22, 2025, the teachers from Indonesia shared their expertise and experience with the AdeNU Senior High School Department. In turn, AdeNU College of Education sent four teacher interns to Universitas Brawijaya, strengthening the mutual exchange of knowledge and experiences between the two institutions.
On March 7 following a MOU signed in 2023, AdeNU hosted six students accompanied by two teachers from Bunkyo University from Koshigaya City, Japan, for the second face-to-face run of the “B Project.” During their 14-day visit, the Japanese students engaged in cultural immersion, built connections with Filipino student organizations, and participated in community outreach initiatives in Naga City and Camarines Sur. The AdeNU Office of Student Affairs (OSA), led by Rodolfo “Sonny” SB. Virtus Jr., managed the project and organized a team of student “buddies” to support the activities.
In April 2025, students from the senior high school went on a cultural exchange trip to Quanzhou. They explored museums and sights in this bustling port city of Fujian to learn how it played a crucial role in the maritime trade between China and Southeast Asia. Many Filipino Chinese trace their ancestry to this Chinese province.
In May 2025, delegations for this year’s international student exchange programs traveled separately in teams of 12-18 students with adult companions to: Hiroshima in Japan (Hiroshima Gakuin High School and Notre Dame Seishin High School) and to Macau (Ignatian CulturaLink hosted by Colégio Mateus Ricci). The journeys provided powerful lessons beyond the classroom for the delegates and deepened their understanding of history, strengthened cross-cultural friendships, and embodied the Ignatian values of dialogue and compassion.
University gym renovations
Friends and benefactors of Xavier School, Greenhills, San Juan, as their parting gift for Fr. Ari who served their school as President for eleven years, sponsored the renovation of AdeNU’s University Gym in the Bagumbayan campus. This consisted of the installation of synthetic floor tiles, the repair of bleacher seats and stage flooring, and the repainting of walls. The work was completed in April 2025, and in May, the gym became the venue for the championship games of the Oragon Basketball League.
The University Gym was built in 1954, during the time of Fr. Vincent McNally, S.J. It was designed by renowned architect Gines Rivera who also designed Ateneo de Manila’s iconic Blue Eagle Gym. Through the years, the AdeNU gym has served as an important venue for sports, social engagements during special events, as well as refuge for evacuees during times of calamity.
Rise and renewal project
To commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Ateneo de Naga University (1940 – 2025), Fr. Ari Dy, S.J. has launched Project: Rise & Renewal, the restoration and expansion of the university’s historical Administration Building. The sweeping design calls for the preservation of the concrete façade with the iconic Four Pillars as a heritage edifice and the construction of a modern U-shaped building to replace the old wooden structures. The P300 million new construction will be built in phases and house the university’s administrative spaces, including a Heritage Room, the University Press and Shop, and Administration offices (Human Resources, Finance and Treasury, Quality Assurance and Student Formation). The building wings will feature rooms for teaching, learning, wellness and social communications.
AdeNU invites alumni and benefactors to sponsor select spaces and offers naming privileges for the following: Finance and treasury, Teaching and learning, Human resources, Social communications wings – P5 million each; Training Room – P3 million; Classrooms (4) – P2 million each; and Small offices – P1 million. In expressing gratitude for the generous support by alumni and friends, Fr. Ari states, “As a benefactor of this crucial endeavor, you will not only become a part of the Ateneo de Naga University’s ongoing history, but you will also contribute to the development of our Bicol youth.”
To make a donation or request information on AdeNU’s Project: Rise & Renewal, the restoration and expansion of the university’s historical Administration Building, please contact: Aaron G. Infeliz, Administrative Assistant, Office of the President, Ateneo de Naga University, by email: ainfeliz@gbox.adnu.edu.ph or phone: (6354) 881-4102.
This article was written by Jojo De Jesus (AdeNU HS Class 1967) for Dateline Ibalon based on the following references: AdeNU staff manual and employee handbook, The Ateneo de Naga at Seventy by Danilo Madrid Gerona (University Press, 2010), Saysay Bikol (FB post, June 5, 2025), Ateneo de Naga University (various FB posts on student cultural exchanges, 2025), Project: Rise & Renewal donation brochure (AdeNU, January 2025). The header image features a perspective of the proposed construction of the AdeNU administration building.