Ateneo Alumni of BC Celebrates Community, Purpose, and Generosity at Annual Christmas Gala

By Jake de Guzman
December 13, 2025

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The Ateneo Alumni Association of British Columbia (AAABC) on Thursday, December 11, gathered hundreds of alumni, families, community partners, and Filipino-Canadian business leaders for its “Not-So-Blue Christmas Part 2” celebration, filling an entire Richmond ballroom with music, fundraising, and festive connection.

More than 200 alumni, friends, and family from all the Ateneo schools in the Philippines gathered in Vancouver, BC, to celebrate Christmas and raise over CAD 2,500 to support its scholars in the Philippines. (Photo by: EJ Joel Santos)

In her welcome remarks, AAABC President Gigi Grey-Ricarse affirmed the heart of the event. “Tonight, we celebrate our shared connection as alumni and also the spirit of community and support that embodies the Ateneo values of being ‘Men and Women for Others,” Ricarse said.

Gigi Grey-Ricarse, President of the AAABC dedicated to “deepening our relationships by creating new memories,” while supporting the association’s scholarship program. (Photo by: EJ Joel Santos)

Media personalities and Ateneo alumni, Heidi Ng-Liang and Jake de Guzman, hosted the evening-long program. With musical performances, raffle prizes, and a silent auction for hotel vouchers to Paris, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Hawaii, the night created new memories and raised funds to support the education of young Filipinos with an Ateneo education.

Heidi Ng-Liang (L) and Jake de Guzman (R) energetically hosted the evening’s exciting program filled with many spontaneous moments of fun. Here Gigi Grey-Ricarse awards a raffle prize and takes a camera selfie. (Photo by EJ Joel Santos)

A highlight of the evening was a powerful address by former AAABC President GG Francisco, the driving force behind the AAABC Scholarship Program, now nearly 25 years strong.

Reflecting on its roots across five Ateneo universities in the Philippines, Francisco emphasized that its sustainability comes not from large, infrequent gifts but from “small, steady contributions from many,” a model that has allowed scholars to graduate year after year.

He challenged alumni to reflect on the deeper meaning of their Jesuit formation: “As Jesuit alumni, what does your education really mean to you?” he asked, reminding attendees that Jesuit tradition calls them to stand with the marginalized and work toward justice in a society still marked by inequality.

GG Francisco shares the work of nation-building and shared Jesuit values through the scholarship program. (Photo by: EJ Joel Santos)

As the evening closed with music and dancing, the AAABC celebrated not only Christmas but also its shared mission: forming “men and women for others” and uplifting future leaders who will help build a more just and humane society.