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“Hanggang sa huli, nanatiling laan para sa nakararami ang puso ni Jeneven,” wrote Ateneo associate
professor DM Reyes. Photo from Jeneven Bandiala’s Facebook page.

CULTURE

‘What he did was heroic’: Tributes pour

in for slain Ateneo security guard
Jeneven Bandiala
His death should also spark a serious discussion on the plight of security
guards in the country
ANCX Staff | Jul 25 2022

 facebook twitterviber

Three lives were lost in the shooting incident that happened Sunday inside the Ateneo de Manila
University (ADMU) campus: former Lamitan, Basilan Mayor Rose Furigay, her long-time aide
Victor Capistrano, and campus security guard Jeneven Bandiala. Following the news of their
death, messages of sadness and sympathy poured out on social media for the three, but Ateneo
alumni and community members were especially heartbroken by Bandiala’s demise.

A member of the Ateneo community (who asked that his name not be mentioned) shared on
Facebook a conversation he had with the Ateneo guards stationed at Gate 3 hours after their
comrade was killed. “They recounted what happened earlier this day and how SG Jeneven
Bandiala tried to stop the gunman from entering the campus,” he wrote.

According to the Loyola School of Theology student, the security guards were mourning the
death of their colleague who they remember as “kaibigan, kumpare, at kakuwentuhan.” But
while they are heartbroken for losing Bandiala, they said he did what the situation called
for. “Ginawa niya ang tama at baon niya yun kung saan man siya ngayon. Di yun mawawala sa
kanya. Mas mabuti pa rin gumawa ng kabutihan kaysa kasamaan,” the security guards said. 

Other members of the Ateneo community also took to social media to express their gratitude not
only for the slain Bandiala but for the other security guards on campus who over the years have
not only provided the studentry and faculty protection but also comfort and friendship. 

“The guards greet us in our halls—and with big smiles they wish us good morning and bid us
goodnight, day in and day out,” Paulina Alejandro shared on Facebook. “We share laughs with
them, occasional inside jokes and some selfies, sometimes they scold us when we don’t have our
IDs (but usually they just let us off easy and just say ‘next time po ah’). Some lend us umbrellas
when it rains, or keep us company when our rides are running late.”
Ateneo security guards manning Gate 3 hours after the shooting incident.

For playing a big part in their academic lives, Alejandro says some Ateneo students even give
the security guards their blue roses on their graduation as a gesture of gratitude. “They remember
our faces and we remember theirs. Ateneo is our home, these people are our family. We mourn
our losses and we condemn this unjust act of violence. Rest in Peace, Sir Jeneven Bandiala.”
 
On Twitter, @gabrielle_ayen attested to the warmth and kindness of ADMU security personnel.
“Not only have they made it a habit to greet students ‘good morning/afternoon/evening,’” she
said in a tweet, but also the guards say “good luck!” when students enter the university during
finals. “Ngiti nila ang sumasalubong sa bawat pagtapak ko sa Ateneo,” the rest of her tweet
went. 
 
Wheng Aguilar Florano posted a message on social media on behalf of the Ateneo Security
Detachment who shared their pride for their comrade’s heroism as well as their sadness for
losing a team member. “R.I.P sayo SG Jeneven Bandiala...proud kami sayo bayani ka sa ginawa
mo sobrang nakakalungkot lang dahil Hindi kana namin makakasama at makikita kahit kailan
Isang alamat ito Hindi Hindi ka namin makakalimutan....snappy salute para sayo...Mula
samin...”

ADMU philosophy professor Marc Pasco proudly acknowledged Ateneans who thought of
“putting a face” to Bandiala. “It is a good reminder that there are so many others like him who
lose their lives (sometimes slowly) but are not recognized as individual human beings. As
Levinas says, a Face is a singular and irreplaceable Other.”
 
ADMU alumnus and former Pnoy speech writer Gian Lao also paid tribute to Bandiala for his
selfless act. “Hearing a gunshot, he chose not to run from it, but towards it. What he did was
heroic,” he wrote. “And as someone with loved ones in Ateneo, I am indebted to him.” 

Lao also acknowledged the need for the nation to have a serious discussion about the plight of
security guards, famously underpaid despite the fact that they risk their lives every day for the
protection of others. “I hope we can have a real conversation about what it means to be a security
guard in the Philippines—about what we ask of them, and what they get in return.”

David Michael San Juan echoed the same sentiment, pointing out that many security guards in
the country do not receive proper compensation and the work benefits due them. “Daming sekyu
ay kontraktwal or ‘renewable forever,’” he said, “at kundi man minimum wage [ang sahod]
e slightly above minimum wage na taxable pa. Wala ring supplementary health benefits bukod
sa PhilHealth na alam naman nating halos useless sa mga matagalang pagpapaospital atbp.
Sana nga ay mapansin naman ang kanilang sitwasyon.”
 
Meanwhile, labor leader, human rights activist, and ADMU alum Atty. Luke Espiritu urged
Filipinos to fight impunity and barbarism in our society, and uphold democracy and human
rights. “Hustisya sa mga napaslang sa Ateneo kanina, lalo na sa manggagawang security
guard na si Jeneven Bandiola na nagbuwis ng buhay para maipagtanggol ang mga inosenteng
estudyante,” Espiritu said in a tweet.
 
The respected poet and Ateneo associate professor DM Reyes wrote a moving tribute a few
hours ago to Bandiala’s heroism and selfless act, commending the security guard for performing
his duty as protector of the ADMU community to the very last. Here are a couple of excerpts
from his Facebook post: 

“Hanggang sa huli, nanatiling laan para sa nakararami ang puso ni Jeneven: sa mga estudyante
na nagtamo ng karapatan na magdiwang sa araw na iyon. At nang bantaan ang karapatan nila,
si Jeneven ang unang nakakita. Tumugon siya para magtanggol—maliksi ang isip at walang
takot. Iniharang niya ang sariling katawan laban sa mga balang walang habas na ipinuputok ng
birador.”

“Hanggang sa pinakahuling sandali, iginalang at walang-dayang sinunod ng security guard na

si Jeneven ang mga alituntunin ng paglilingkod. Noong araw na iyon, may munting bayan siyang
dapat pangalagaan. Noong araw na iyon, may katipunan siyang dapat ipagsanggalang.
Hanggang sa huli, nanatiling tapat ang puso ni Jeneven sa kanyang munting bayan.”
From left: Rep. Toff de Venecia in a bangus-themed barong; First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos in a Lesley
Mobo creation; Sen. JV Ejercito’s Gibi Oxfords

STYLE

What they wore to the SONA: From

classic ternos to protest shawls and a
bangus-themed barong
Looks like everyone prepared for their SONA red carpet moment.
ANCX Staff | Jul 26 2022

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As requested by the memo issued by House Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza, attendees
of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s first State of the Nation Address Monday wore the
appropriate formal garb: barong Filipino for men and Filipiniana dress for women. Attires with
political messages were banned but we spotted a few attendees who couldn’t help but carry a
statement detail here and there. Many were clearly excited about their looks they were taking
pictures and posting their OOTDs online even before they hit the senate halls.

First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos

The two-toned terno of the First Lady was designed by Aklan-born fashion designer Lesley
Mobo and made of piña calado, Victorian lace and a heavy stretch georgette. Her shoes were by
Lila Almario.
Photo from @lesleymobo on Instagram

Sen. Nancy Binay

Veteran fashion designer Randy Ortiz made the all-piña terno of the senator. The sleeves feature
calado embroidery while the front and back bodice were accentuated with sampaguita cutouts.
to from Senator Nancy Binay's Facebook page

Sen Risa Hontiveros

The senator wore Joel Acebuche’s modern take on the traditional baro’t saya. It’s made from
Aklan piña fabric which were hand-embroidered in Lumban, Laguna. She completed the look
with a hand-woven Tikog bag from Samar and a pair of Marikina-made pumps.
Photo from Sen. Risa Hontiveros' Facebook page