By Gretch on September 22, 2003 for INTACT

Magis, magis, magis. More, more, more. How often do we hear these words spoken around the Ateneo campus? In fact, during my first four months as a freshman, I’ve heard “magis” no less than a hundred times – honestly.

Looking back, I first encountered the word through a DISCS seminar. Then, I even thought that “magis” meant wise men – referring to the three kings who offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to baby Jesus. Somehow, in my naiveté that made sense since Ateneans are renowned for their wit and intelligence. It was only later on through friends that I discovered what “magis” really meant.

So, how do we define the term “magis”? It is a Latin word meaning more, to a greater extent, and most of all. It is the root of “magister” meaning adviser or guide. Jesuits often invoke the term “magis” to inspire in others an endless desire to reach even higher levels of excellence. St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order, used the word significantly in his teaching to depict the attitude that he wished his followers to possess and promote: the attitude of always doing more.

As a college student, “more” for me is through excellence in the academic field. I strongly believe that the aim of education is the knowledge not of facts, but of values (William Ralph Inge), and that education should teach us how to think rather than what to think (Anon). I know that the Ateneo will equip me with the best education possible.

Now, I ask myself: Have I accepted the Ignatian challenge to exceed expectations and to strive for perfection? Have I gone out of my way to be a woman for others? Profound as these questions are… at this point in my life, I can only promise to reach for the stars and to live each day to the fullest – cliché.