The Atenista Ako! Maligdong, a campaign that promotes integrity, was launched by the Arrupe Office of Social Formation at the Thibault Atrium on 2nd February 2015 during the activity period.

At the launching, the corps of Arrupe Vols put up a simple exhibit that featured a few noteworthy persons (mostly alumni of the Ateneo system of education) who are recognized as exemplars in their own respective profession and advocacy in the area of good governance, environment, arts and culture, education, peace, social entrepreneurship, and medicine.

For the next two weeks during the activity period, the Arrupe Vols will facilitate the showing of a video/film on good governance at the exhibit area, including an advocacy video clip filmed by an Arrupe Volunteer and Mass Communications student, Anju De Vera.  Later in the month, the Arrupe office will partner with some Theo 131 classes (Christian Morality & Spirituality) for the rollout of the module on Ehem! Anticorruption Sensitivity Workshop to be facilitated by selected Arrupe Vols.

A noontime mass was offered by the Arrupe office to kickoff the observance of the Maligdong Month. During the mass, a special prayer was offered to the 44 fallen men in uniform constituting the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police who lost their lives in a bloody encounter with different armed groups in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.  The afternoon launching also paid special respect and tribute to these fallen heroes whose untimely death galvanized the entire country in a state of mourning and grieving. They were recognized for their extraordinary example of living a life of integrity in dispensing their function to “serve and protect” the country and its citizens.

This month-long Maligdong campaign aligns itself with the mission of the Ateneo de Davao University in the promotion of social justice, the common good, and good governance. In more general terms, the Maligdong campaign for good governance aligns itself with one of the five-point policy statement of the Society of Jesus Social Apostolate, along with the advocacies on asset creation and redistribution for the poor, environmental stewardship, cultural regeneration, and Mindanao’s peace and development. (By Arrupe Communications & Advocacy)