MOA SIGNATORIES. (L-R): Engr Lennie K Ong (XU Treasurer), Fr Mars P Tan SJ (XU President), Jose R Soberano III (Cebu Landmasters Chairman & CEO), and Jose Franco B Soberano (CLI Executive Vice President and COO). Supplied photo. 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan and leading VisMin real estate developer Cebu Landmasters Inc (CLI) have officially signed the memorandum of agreement on Friday morning, August 20, to construct the “Campus of the Future.”

“This project is so huge and of immense importance to the Xavier Ateneo community and to the Society of Jesus,” says XU President Fr Mars P Tan SJ in his message during the signing ceremony.

“I said to myself that if the Vatican would approve the project, then it is meant for Xavier Ateneo and if no approval, then there might be other opportunities God had in store for the university,” Fr Mars recounts while waiting for the final decision for over two years.

After consultations and dialogues with various stakeholders, the Father Provincial of the Jesuits endorsed the plan to the Superior General of the Jesuits in Rome, whom after careful review and discernment with his counselors, endorsed the plan to the Vatican for its approval. 

XU President Fr Mars P Tan SJ

Campus for the new normal

“We firmly believe that this new campus project is what Xavier Ateneo needs to move forward to become a leading ASEAN university — more resilient and more responsive to the needs of the new normal and beyond,” Fr Mars shares.

“This is God’s special gift to Xavier Ateneo, to us, and we are all called to make this a reality.”

XU was included in the list of Top 650 Asian universities in the 2021 Asian University Rankings released by London-based education and career consultancy Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), regarded as one of the most influential university rankings in the world.

“As we look to the future, this campus for the new normal is ‘a road less traveled by,’” says Francisco Guerra III, Chairman of the XU Board of Trustees.

“We do not know what lies ahead but we certainly know what we want and the Ignatian values that have guided us will enable us to travel this road for the future.”

XU Board of Trustees Chairman Francisco "Frank" Guerra III

Guerra was joined by other members of the Board of Trustees, Ateneo presidents, XU’s key administrators, and CLI leaders during the MOA signing on Zoom.

Former XU President (current Ateneo de Manila University President) Fr Roberto “Bobby” Yap SJ also shares the importance of a new campus for the new normal.

“The new normal will require XU to have a green campus with lots of natural ventilation, with a variety of spacious and open green areas, wide roadways, bike lanes, water recycling, integrated waste management systems, a campus powered by renewable energy as much as possible,” Fr Bobby says.

“Yes, a green campus. But a green campus with a blue heart.”

Philippine Jesuit Provincial Fr Primitivo “Jun” Viray SJ 

‘New campus is God’s project’

The new campus features state-of-the-art school buildings and administration facilities to cater to the academic courses of XU’s colleges and schools. It will be adaptable to developments in academic disciplines, 21st-century learning curricula, and technological innovations.

“We venture boldly into the future yet ever mindful of preserving the heritage of Xavier Ateneo and providing the best Jesuit education, forming our youth to be men and women for and with others,” Philippine Jesuit Provincial Fr Primitivo “Jun” Viray SJ shares in his special message. 

In honor of the great visionary Jesuit, Fr William Masterson SJ, who foresaw the potential of Manresa in the 1960s, the new campus will be known as the "Masterson Campus.”

The main masterplan elements include an abundance of open and green spaces – the main plaza, interconnected courtyards, campus-wide wireless connectivity, bike lanes, sports facilities, an amphitheater, and a University Forum which incorporates a museum, theatre, and a gallery.

Cebu Landmasters Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Jose “Joe” Soberano III

Post-pandemic learning spaces and opportunities

The Masterson Campus will be constructed on a 21-hectare land in Manresa, adjacent to the 14.3-hectare township to be known as “Manresa Town.” The 25-hectare forest reserve and animal sanctuaries will be retained in the uptown property.

“We are not just building a university campus, but a university township, surrounded by the 25-hectare forest reserve that can blend in to pursue the sustainable environment the Campus of the Future truly deserves,” shares Cebu Landmasters CEO Jose “Joe” Soberano III, adding the possibility of constructing a hospital (for medical and nursing courses), wellness center for elderly Jesuits, and other smart facilities. 

“This is going to be a product of synergy and complementation — when we will come up with our own project beside the Masterson Campus, we are thinking of residential condos and dormitories that could serve also the students who will be attending their classes in the new campus,” he adds.

Cebu Landmasters Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President Jose Franco Soberano

“There is no better way for Xavier to be prepared for the next 100 to 200 years than with this new campus that’s greener, more adaptable, and that really synergizes with Cagayan de Oro in the best way it can,” says Cebu Landmasters COO Jose Franco Soberano.

The development of the Campus of the Future is set to begin in the second quarter of 2022. This project forms part of the university’s expansion of its post-pandemic learning spaces and opportunities on its road to centenary in 2033 and to catalyze the growth of the CDO and Mindanao. ∎

Loyola House Jesuit Community Rector Fr Ismael Jose III V Chan-Gonzaga SJ

Former XU President and Current Ateneo de Manila University President Fr Roberto "Bobby" C Yap SJ

Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar "Oca" S Moreno

Xavier Ateneo's key administrators, members of the Board of Trustees, and special guests attend the MOA signing ceremony through Zoom.