The Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) community gathered for the blessing of the newly built Bapa Benny Tudtud Auditorium and the celebration of the 75th birthday of Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ, last 26 September 2022, at the AdDU Jacinto Campus. Invited guests include the AdDU Board of Trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, and students.
AdDU President Fr. Tabora presided over the blessing of the auditorium. He was joined later by Mr. Benjamin Lizada, Chair of the AdDU Board of Trustees, for the ribbon cutting and marker unveiling ceremony.
The auditorium was named after the late Bishop Bienvenido “Bapa Benny” Tudtud of the Diocese of Iligan in Mindanao, who pioneered the efforts of reconciliation and interreligious dialogue between Christians, Muslims, and Indigenous communities in Marawi. He was fondly called “Bapa Benny” or “Tatay Bido” and coined the “Dialogue of Faith and Life,” where dialogue demands “a deep spirituality which enables humans to hang on to their faith in God’s love even when everything seems to fall apart.”
The Bapa Benny Tudtud Auditorium was completed through the expertise of Archt. Donavan Basadre; ACMED Builders by Engr. Allan Medina; Olivair by Oliver Asna; B2B Automations; and OYET Arts and Crafts Manufacturing. Events such as seminars, conferences, symposia, theatrical plays, and such can be hosted in this auditorium.
AdDU dedicates this auditorium to the formation of the youth, the promotion of intercultural and interfaith dialogues, and the expression of creativity and learning through arts.
Shortly after the blessing, the members of the different units in the AdDU community prepared a surprise program for Fr. Tabora. It was a morning full of heartwarming messages from the administrators, students, faculty, and staff. Many other people who worked with Fr. Joel in the education sector – across the country – also expressed their well-wishes through an in-person visit and video messages.
One of the highlights was when the University Publication Office gifted Fr. Joel two books – one compiling some of his selected homilies and the other a compilation of his selected speeches and writings. The books were entitled “God Breaks Through: Selected Homilies (2020-2022)” and “Raising Quality Education in the Philippines: Selected Speeches and Writings.” The sermons were compiled and edited by Mr. Romulo Vinci R. Bueza; while the speeches and writings were collated and edited by Dr. Macario D. Tiu, Dr. Renante D. Pilapil, Ms. Maria Isabel S. Actub, and Dr. Rhodora S. Ranalan. Both books were designed by Ms. Lyd Ejira C. Ducusin.
The Ateneo Community wishes Fr. Joel good health and happiness.