by Louren Aranas, Francis Borja and Angela Cabildo
The Manresa Days has been a yearly tradition of Xavier University’s College of Agriculture. This year, though, the celebration is made extra special as the college celebrates its 60th Diamond Jubilee.
Themed, “60 Years of Brewing Possibilities,” Manresa Days 2013 is slated on August 14-17. The four-day celebration will highlight the college’s 60 years of facing challenges and possibilities alike. For the first time in the history of this annual celebration, there will be a campus exhibit which will showcase the academic and architectural legacies of the Manresa campus
“The College of Agriculture is an important part of the university," said Exhibits Committee head and XUCA Research and Social Outreach (RSO) Director, Dr. Ma. Theresa Rivera. "XU is the only Ateneo with a college of agriculture,” she added.
“Our work has involved Southeast Asia...through the Sustainable Agriculture Center, the Southeast Asia Rural Social Leadership Institute, Food Tech Center, and through all the other centers. [This work of the college] has to be recognized,” Rivera said.
Estrella Borja, who has been teaching in the college for over two decades, recalled that earlier celebrations had a “barrio fiesta” atmosphere surrounding the alternative market.Both the rich and the poor came to see about the fruits, vegetables, poultry, livestock and new technology.
Borja and her committee chose this year’s theme for the image it evokes of brewing coffee. They want everyone to catch a whiff of the rich, inviting aroma of a fruitful future. “There are so many possibilities. They’re ours for the picking,” said Borja.
What, then, can people look forward to in this year’s celebration?
On August 13, an opening mass will be held at the XU Immaculate Conception Chapel, to be followed by an exhibit opening at the Science Center Dry Pond and a parade around Divisoria and XU.
The Manresa Tours start on August 14, giving guests the chance to explore the 64-hectare complex.
High school students are also invited to partake in competitions like quiz bowl, essay writing, and poster making. Development Communication students will present a puppet theatre. The Manresa tours and the DevCom Puppet Theater, as well as the Agriculture Fair and Food Sales, will run from August 14 to 17.
On August 16, a series of skills competitions by the Federation of Agriculture Students in Mindanao will take place. On the same day, the ‘Rodeo sa Manresa’ opening and competitions are set. Spectators from all over the region usually swarm the rodeo arena to see agriculture students show off their skills in pinning down cattle. The Aggie Night will wrap up the day’s set of events.
August 17 brings the Manresa Farm run, the ‘Rodeo sa Manresa’ awarding ceremonies, and the alumni homecoming.
Manresa Farm was acquired in 1955 by Fr William F Masterson who founded the College of Agriculture in 1953. Today, the urban farm continues to become the “home” of the Aggies in XU.