PHILIPPINES, 2009, from a souvenir
sheet (see below) honoring the 150th anniversary of the Ateneo de Manila
Horacio Luis de la Costa, SJ, an outstanding historian particularly on Philippine history and culture, graduated from the Ateneo of Manila in 1935, and entered the Jesuit novitiate at Novaliches. He returned later to the Ateneo to teach philosophy and history and became known also as a writer and radio figure. In 1946 he was awarded the Medal of Freedom by the US government for his role in helping American escapees from Japanese prison camps. In 1951 he received his doctoral degree in history from Harvard University. Two years later he rejoined the faculty of the Ateneo teaching history, and later became its first Filipino dean and in 1969 the first Filipino Jesuit provincial superior in the Philippines. In 1971 he became general assistant and consultant to the newly elected Jesuit superior general Pedro Arrupe. During all this time he authored many books and articles, played key roles in a variety of organizations, and received many honors for his accomplishments. A key document of the Jesuits' 32nd General Congregation, Jesuits Today, was entrusted to him to prepare and was accepted by the fathers of the congregation virtually as presented. Father de la Costa died of cancer in 1977. More
PHILIPPINES, 2009, the 150th anniversary of the Ateneo de Manila
