07/08/2026
Philippine Jesuit Alumni Mark Historic First Participation at XI WUJA Congress in Yogyakarta
YOGYAKARTA, INDONESIA — Philippine Jesuit alumni marked a historic milestone with their first organized participation in the XI World Union of Jesuit Alumni (WUJA) Congress, held from July 29 to August 02, 2026, at Sanata Dharma University in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
The Philippine delegation brought together representatives from four Ateneo universities - Ateneo de Cagayan, Ateneo de Davao, Ateneo de Manila, and Ateneo de Naga along with one High School, the Xavier School San Juan, in what organizers described as a significant step toward strengthening the country's engagement with the global Jesuit alumni community.
The Philippine participation was coordinated by Fr. Ari Dy, SJ, Assistant to the Provincial for Education, reflecting a growing commitment to fostering collaboration among Jesuit alumni institutions nationwide and strengthening ties with the worldwide Jesuit network.
Among the participating institutions, Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan brought the largest delegation. The Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan Alumni Association, Inc. (XUAAAI), headed by President George S. Goking, was joined by Fr. Frank Dennis Savadera, SJ, and eight other delegates namely Atty. Gil Galarrita, the XUAAAI's Vice President and Xavier Ateneo Law Alumni Association Incorporated President, Junelyn Chavez, the Alumni Relations Officer, Jamaica Pueblos, President of Computer Studies Alumni Association and XUAAAI's Secretary, Engr. Erwin Li, XUAAAI's Treasurer and College of Engineering Alumni Association President, Roger Lee, XUAAAI's PRO and XU College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Association President, Virgil Kim Navales, XUAAAI's Board of Director and the current Grade School Alumni Association President, Ms. Ma Linda Bajuyo, School of Business and Management Alumni Association Officer. Their participation underscored Xavier University's commitment to advancing the Ignatian mission beyond national borders through active engagement with the international Jesuit alumni community.
Held every four years, the WUJA Congress gathers Jesuit-educated leaders, professionals, and alumni from around the world to reflect on the enduring mission of Jesuit education and explore opportunities for global collaboration. More than a convention of alumni associations, the Congress serves as a platform where shared Ignatian values are translated into partnerships, dialogue, and concrete action in service of society.
For the Philippine delegation, the Congress provided opportunities to exchange ideas, forge new relationships, and learn from Jesuit alumni communities across different cultures and regions. The gathering reaffirmed the enduring relevance of the Ignatian ideals of faith, excellence, service, leadership, and being men and women for and with others, while highlighting the vital role alumni can play in advancing the mission of Jesuit education long after graduation.
A defining moment came on July 31, 2026, the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the foundation day of WUJA, when Philippine delegates approved in principle the formation of the Federation of Philippine Jesuit Alumni Associations (FPJAA).
The proposed federation aims to unite Jesuit alumni associations across the country under a common national platform, strengthening cooperation among member institutions while providing the organizational structure needed for fuller participation in WUJA, whose membership is organized through national federations.
Once formally established, the FPJAA is envisioned to harness the diverse expertise, leadership, and resources of Filipino Jesuit alumni in support of the Jesuit educational mission and collaborative initiatives for nation-building and service. The move also represents an important step toward giving Philippine Jesuit alumni a stronger and more coordinated voice within the global Jesuit alumni network.
The Congress likewise underscored the importance of forming the next generation of Ignatian leaders. The participation of youth delegates alongside established alumni enriched discussions with fresh perspectives and demonstrated that the values of Jesuit education continue to inspire young people to lead and serve in an increasingly interconnected world.
For many delegates, the experience in Yogyakarta was more than an international gathering. It marked the beginning of a new era of cooperation among Philippine Jesuit alumni. Beyond celebrating a shared educational heritage, the Congress challenged participants to transform that common identity into sustained collaboration and meaningful action for the greater good.
As Philippine Jesuit alumni move toward the formal establishment of the FPJAA, their inaugural participation in the XI WUJA Congress stands as a landmark achievement. It signals a renewed commitment to building stronger national partnerships, deepening engagement with the worldwide Jesuit alumni community, and carrying forward the Ignatian mission of forming men and women for and with others.
The Congress may have concluded in Yogyakarta, but for Philippine Jesuit alumni, it marks the beginning of a more united, globally connected, and mission-driven future. AMDG!
