“The training received training alumni continues to bear fruit.”

César Izquierdo, Professor Emeritus the School Theology, traveled to the Philippines between July 17 and 31 for the second alumni meeting alumni University of Navarra, held in Palo, on the island of Leyte. The trip was in response to an invitation from Fr. Dennis Yu, a priest and former student the School Theology, who is one of the driving forces behind the alumni community in the country. The meeting together nearly sixty alumni the three Schools and followed up on the first meeting, held two years ago in Makiling, near Manila.

The meeting part of a project alumni , which seeks association consolidate a association and hold regular meetings every two years, alternating with meetings of alumni the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. Russell Bantiles, who holds a doctorate in Philosophy the School , was elected president at this year's meeting and will be responsible for organizing the next meeting, scheduled for 2027 in Davao. Overall coordination is the responsibility of Fr. Dennis Yu, who is in charge of promoting and coordinating the various initiatives.

Before the meeting Palo, Professor Izquierdo held various institutional and ecclesiastical meetings on different islands throughout the country. In Manila, he was received by Cardinal José Advincula, archbishop of the capital. He also visited the bishop of San Pablo, Monsignor Juni Maralit, together with priests alumni the University of his diocese; the bishop of Tacbilaran, in Bohol, recently appointed archbishop of Cebu; and shared a dinner in Cebu with the outgoing archbishop, Monsignor Palma. Once in Palo, he met with Archbishop Du. According to Professor Izquierdo, these conversations sparked interest in the possibility of sending students to Pamplona for training.

During the "2nd UNAV Alumni Grand Reunion, " held from July 28 to 31, Professor Izquierdo gave several theology sessions and meditations, as well as holding personal meetings with numerous attendees. In this context, he emphasized the value of the training by the alumni : "It was very exciting to reconnect with alumni hadn't seen in many years and to see how the training continues to bear fruit."

meeting spoke very highly meeting from a human perspective. "I was impressed by the enthusiasm with which everything had been prepared and the obvious affection for the University,"he said, referring to the organization of meeting the details prepared by the alumni, such as graphic materials, T-shirts, and gifts bearing the University's coat of arms.

The Eucharistic celebrations, concelebrated by the participating priests, occupied a central place in the meeting program. As Don César Izquierdo explained, these moments helped to strengthen the bonds between the participants and to give spiritual unity to the conference. Overall, the atmosphere during those days was described by the professor as warm and deeply academic.

In his final assessment, Professor Izquierdo highlighted the human and academic value of the experience and the vitality of the Filipino alumni. "You come back feeling that you have received much more than you have been able to give,"he concluded at the end of the trip, emphasizing the alumni desire alumni remain connected to the University of Navarra.