Ateneans have gargantuan big blue hairy balls – and I want to indicate in the strongest possible terms that I mean this as a metaphor for how we know when to be a man and swallow our pride.

(I don’t have firsthand knowledge if that above statement can be taken literally though – if any girl out there has photographic evidence of their Atenean boyfriend’s nether regions that indicate that it’s accurate, then drop me a link for posterity. I happen to know mine are a nice comfortably tan color…)

Here’s what Mr. Jesse Paredes, the dude who actually had the planks with the DLSU names written on them had to say:

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Fr. Bienvenido F. Nebres, SJ
President
Ateneo de Manila University

Dear Fr. Nebres,

I write this letter for two reasons. The first one is to own up to producing the materials with the names of the Green Archers and placing them prominently in the woodpile before the bonfire for all to see.

Secondly, I sincerely apologize to you for the queasy situation you are in as a result of the backlash it created.

While the nature of this letter is a personal apology to you, please feel free to extend it to parties you may deem fit to receive it.

Sincerely,
Jesse Paredes
HS’54, AB’58

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And here’s what Fr. Nebres, AKA Big Daddy Ben, had to say to Bro. Armin from DLSU.

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2 October 2008

BROTHER ARMIN LUISTRO, FSC
President
De la Salle University System
2401 Taft Avenue
Manila

Dear Bro. Armin,

I would like to extend my deepest apology to you and to the La Sallian community for what some alumnus or student did at the Ateneo Bonfire, namely, write the names of the La Salle players on the wood. Unfortunately, none of us saw it ahead of time, because the wood pile was covered by a tarp against the rain until the time came to light it.

Despite our rivalries in sports, we are both committed to Christian values and what was done is certainly a violation of values we share.

Once again, my deepest apologies to you and to the La Sallian community. We are trying to find out who is responsible for the act.

Sincerely yours,
BIENVENIDO F. NEBRES, SJ
President

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And there you have it. One big fight, all!