Fr Mars P Tan, Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan President, led the blessing of the Andrew L Gotianun Sr Center for Integrated Technologies (ALGCIT) on May 28, 2023. The ceremony was attended by XU Senior High School administrators, ALGCIT students and scholars, and the benefactor of the complex and the scholarship program represented by Mr Jonathan T Gotianun, Chairman of the Board of Filinvest Development Corp, Filinvest Land, Inc and East West Banking Corporation. The blessing rite was done on all buildings of the complex including the Mercedes Gotianun Hall, named after the matriarch of the Gotianun family, which holds classrooms and laboratories; the Alvarez Hall, which provides offices, classrooms, and workshops; and the Filinvest Hall, the dormitory which houses the ALGCIT scholars. The blessing came four years after the pioneering batch of ALGCIT scholars were taken in for the academic year 2018-19.

Paul Laurence A Mondelo , Outstanding ALGCIT Graduate of the Zeta Batch, spoke on behalf of the ALGCIT scholars. He recalled the life-changing moment when he received news of his scholarship and said that being able to study at XU through the benevolence of the Gotianun family is a blessing that they are all grateful for. With this, he encouraged all scholars to turn this blessing into a “responsibility we must all embrace with utmost seriousness and dedication. We have been given the chance to make a positive difference in society, and it is our duty to seize this opportunity wholeheartedly.”


In his message, Fr Tan SJ expressed gratitude to the Lord for “His gifts to us of several people, generous to share their resources, skills and time to make this project, the ALGCIT buildings a reality.” He specially mentioned his predecessor, Fr Roberto C Yap SJ, and the Gotianun family who paved the way for the development of the complex which has given the marginalized accessto education and a chance to pursue their dreams. “Needless to say, your family’s exemplification of love and generosity has inspired many young students to pursue studies, giving them hope and concrete opportunity to gain employment after studies, help their families, and contribute positively to the local community,” Fr Mars said as he thanked the Gotianun family for their generosity. He also urged the ALGCIT scholars to show their appreciation by taking their studies seriously, working hard, and making their “contribution to the betterment of our society.”

In response, Mr Jonathan T Gotianun regaled those present with the long history of his family’s friendship with the Jesuits which started with his grandparents becoming Catholics in Xiamen. He said that this led to a long-standing relationship between his family and the society which resulted in their trust to bestow XU the funding for the ALGCIT complex, the biggest so far made by the Gotianun Foundation. He explained that initially, his family intended to give their donation to Laguna, but “thanks” to his sister,” they decided to go to Mindanao guided by Pope Francis’ words to go to the peripheries and help the marginalized. He pointed out that they finally decided on Mindanao where there is a high poverty rate, birth deaths, malnutrition, and unemployment. He ended his talk by sharing these words which he said he lived by. “What you do with your life is in your conscience. Go beyond being grateful. Get out of your way to help. Do something.

The Andrew L Gotianun Sr Center for Integrated Technologies (ALGCIT), located in Fr Masterson Avenue, Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, is XU’s technical-vocational senior high school program with specializations in Machining Technology, Instrumentation Technology and Mechatronics Technology. Currently (AY 2022-23), it has a total of 143 students, 124 of whom are scholars, and 19, non-scholars. ALGCIT is headed by VP for Basic Education Dulce R Dawang Phd, SHS Principal Rogelio L Gawahan PhD, ALGCIT OIC-Director Oliva E Lim, and Filinvest Dorm Manager Tyron V Sabal.

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Photo Credits: Valentino Martinito and Marlowe Chan, XU-DevCom