Fabilioh!

Cong Corrales .

“Fabilioh! Halikinu.” — Ateneo traditional cheer

I AM an Atenean although I would rather call myself a “Xavierian” for emphasis. These insecure sphincters hate that. What with all the “branding” this certain university president wants and all.

But for all intents and purpose, I am an Atenean at heart. I bet even the national hero Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda yelled that same cheer above when he attended the Jesuit-run school in Manila.

Look, I understand where these people are coming from. Heck, as I’ve said, I have spent most of my formative years in Xavier-Ateneo — that’s what they want to call it now, not Xavier University, as it should. Pabalik, yes. Fabilioh, no.

Here’s the skinny, in its July 17 statement, the Cebu Landmasters Inc. received a “notice of interest” from Xavier University for “the development of the latter’s Manresa, a 63.5-hectare property. The Jesuits in Cagayan de Oro wants to build the “campus of the future.”

One, it is their property. Two, it is their property.

By the way, a cursory check on Google about the impending sale of the Xavier University-Corrales campus will show you how it is supported by a number of groups. Many of my “Spartan” batch mates support it, too. Mind you, we were not mere “transferees.” Most of us in Batch ’91 started our Jesuit education since Kinder 1.

However, when you include a troll in your advocacy to oppose the sale, you can be sure your campaign will fail. Its very presence reeks of bovine excrement and political ambition. Believe me, because I have been at the worst end of this thing’s social media drive in the midterm polls.

I mean, the thing is the very textbook definition of a pathological liar.

Saying that this piece of excrement is an Atenean and that it has every right to express its thoughts on the matter at hand is naive at best. Women and men for others can, certainly, do better than this. It has already announced its ambition for the mayoral seat only months since its spectacular loss in the midterm polls.

Saying that this advocacy transcends political lines is way worse. I have been told that the organizers have been able to enroll a few politicos in their cause. But was it the only one given the podium to speak last week? Its foul mouth will spell the failure of this advocacy. Even its own batch mates know why it is riding the opposition of the XU sale — to earn political brownie points. It will create more enemies than allies to the cause.

I know my agaw Antonio Montalvan II does not support this sale as is evident in his series of columns, but I know he will agree that he would not want to trek this campaign with the main architect of the deluge of fake news online since 2016.

So, good luck with who you go to bed with on this journey, my beloved Atenistas. Have a field day in getting alums to support the cause with this sorry excuse of an Atenean at your side. Pfft.