On March 9, 1975, the Ateneo de Naga High School Department held its 30th Commencement Exercises, where 176 members of AdeN batch 1975 proudly received their diplomas and medals. It was a significant milestone in their lives as it signaled their exit from the portals of Ateneo to pursue a higher level of education, as they aspired to make their ambitions in life a reality.
As they pursued their respective careers, opportunities have arisen now and then for members of the batch to meet, reconnect and exchange pleasantries. Significantly, in a desire to make the celebration of the Batch’s Silver Jubilee in 2000 and the years thereafter more relevant, the Batch decided to embark on a series of socio-civic projects through the creation of the Bicol Blue Hope Program in 1999. Their logo symbolizes the group’s mission to give hope to underprivileged Bicolanos in the six provinces, as represented by the Sun and the Rays, and to extend opportunities to improve their lives, as illustrated by the Stairway.
As its maiden project, a medical, dental and surgical mission was conducted at Camaligan, Camarines Sur on April 28, 2000, benefiting some 360 indigents.
Inspired by the success of this initial project, the Batch decided to institutionalize and continue with its newfound commitment. Hence, the Ateneo de Naga High School 1975 Foundation, Inc., a non-stock, non-profit organization was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 9, 2000. Through this foundation, various socio-civic projects were made possible by way of financial contributions, time and talents of kind hearted and generous batchmates and benefactor-partners. The first set of Board of Directors was composed of the following:
President - Dr. Antonio Tanchuling, Jr.
Vice President – Michael M. Yu (+)
Secretary – Carlos Lagdameo
Treasurer – Anthony P. Ferrer
Internal Auditor – Roger Leo A. Cariño
Trustees:
Heriberto P Guballa
PBGen Clarence V. Guinto
Andres K. Moll
Fr. Joel E. Tabora, S.J.
Legal Counsel – Atty. J. Fernando Z. Carpio
Medical/Dental/Surgical Missions (2000 – 2025)
The initial outreach project in early 2000 in Camaligan was followed by another outreach to coincide with the Batch’s Silver Jubilee at the Ateneo De Naga Main Campus on December 29, 2000, where 1,000 indigents benefited. Thereafter, except during the pandemic year 2020-2021, twenty-eight (28) medical outreach programs were conducted in other municipalities in the Bicol Region: two (2) in Camarines Norte, one (1) each in Albay and Ticao Island, Masbate and the rest in Camarines Sur. And just last May 31, 2025, its culminating medical mission was held in Bato, Camarines Sur, where 713 indigents benefitted.
For the past twenty-five (25) years, these series of medical, dental, and surgical missions benefited a total of 12,458 indigents.
Other BBHP Socio-Civic Programs/Projects
In addition to the medical, dental and surgical missions, the batch also embarked on the granting of scholarships to deserving but underprivileged high school students through the Fred Salva Scholarship Fund (in honor of our deceased batchmate). Beginning in 2000 and in cooperation with Ateneo’s Admission and Aid Office, the batch granted scholarships to 21 senior high school students.
In some instances, the Medical/Dental/Surgical Missions were complemented by the donation of books through the Joni Cadiz Book Drive (also in honor of our deceased batchmate). It is also worth mentioning the Fr. James O’Brien Library Project in 2000 which involved the donation of computers and digitized versions of the “Bikol Culture Book” of Fr James O’Brien, along with his portrait.
In 2011, the holding of the Pamaskong Handog was started, wherein school supplies, school bags, slippers and food were given to indigent school children, along with the holding of parlor games. The first Pamaskong Handog was held in December 2011 at Lagonoy Elementary School in partnership with AdeN Batch 79 and Jollibee, where 700 pupils benefitted. This was followed in Brgy. Caranday, Baao on Dec 17, 2015, where 350 pupils benefited and a replica of St. Ignatius Loyola was also donated. Five (5) other Pamaskong Handog were subsequently held in Moriones Parish, Manamao Elementary School in Tinambac in 2019, Tabgon Parish, Caramoan in 2020, Guijalo in Caramoan and the latest of which was on December 18, 2024, at the Ateneo Pacol campus in partnership with eight (8) AdeN batches wherein 470 children benefitted.
After the onslaught of calamities, the batch also distributed relief goods and used clothing. After Typhoon Nina in December 2016, relief goods, used clothing and construction materials were transported and distributed in Lagonoy, Presentacion, Garchitorena, and Caramoan in partnership with other AdeN batches and other benefactors. And, just last October 2024, at the aftermath of Typhoon Kristine that caused massive flooding in the Bicol Region, especially Naga City, the Batch’s foundation immediately responded by donating One Hundred Thousand Pesos to the Bangon Naga Relief efforts and by distributing Doxycycline capsules to residents exposed to waterborne diseases caused by the flooding in Naga City.
Needless to say, the past 25 years have proven to be fulfilling and humbling for the Batch. What started as a modest socio-civic project to make the Batch ‘75 Silver Jubilee celebration in 2000 relevant has evolved into a series of community-centered activities that lasted for twenty-five years. Indeed, this year’s 2025 Golden Jubilee is not only about reconnecting with old time friends and batchmates and reminiscing the memories of our good old high school days, but it is also a celebration of all that the batch has accomplished and contributed to our fellow Bicolanos, through the Bicol Blue Hope Program.
When all is said and done, our Batch would like to express our profound gratitude to the kindhearted and generous batchmates and benefactor-partners who have supported the AdeN HS 75 Foundation, Inc., by way of financial contributions, time and talents. It may be said that the members of Ateneo de Naga High School Batch 1975 have proudly lived up to the deeply rooted Ignatian value of being “Men for Others.”
The header photo was taken during the AdeN HS 1975 reunion on July 27, 2025 by Kuya Jun Viola. All other featured photos by Nonong Tanchuling. This write-up was provided by Lt. Gen. Chito Trinidad, PA (Ret.).