OCTOBER 2007 ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

Transcription

note
We all enter college in hopes of further
discovering who we are professionally,
personally, mentally, and spiritually. The
culture and values inculcated by De La Salle’s
longstanding traditions play a big role in the
challenges of academic pursuit and our social
maturity as students. As Lasallians, our history
and unfolding story never cease to affect us.
We all become a small but integral part of our
University’s history as our culture and other
factors continue to change, whether for better
or worse. With nearly a hundred years already
gone for DLSU, one cannot help but look back
on what has gone, what goes on, and what’s in
store for our Lasallian identity.
In celebration of The LaSallian’s 47th
anniversary, the Menagerie’s theme for
this October revolves around the Lasallian
identity. Our cover story tackles De La Salle’s
successful establishment as a brand name
considering the great profit it gains by proudly
declaring its green identity through shirts,
jackets, mugs, and many other merchandise.
In light of the original pursuits of St. La
Salle, one long feature takes a closer look at
how effective the required academic courses
in religion and community service are in
instilling charity. In contrast to this, the
Fearless Forecast subsection makes a bold
prediction that despite its establishment by
Christian Brothers, Lasallians will continue
to allow a decline of Christianity to occur in
the community. Our infographics subsection
gives us a breather with interesting facts about
our university. The 25 Cents’ subsection will
make students rethink their fear of the ever
so “infamous” professors and if it’s really
practical to avoid them during enrollment.
Lastly, we feature 20 people who, through
their leadership, intelligence, and example,
define what it means to be a Lasallian today.
Angela Velasco
Menagerie Editor
COVER CREDITS:
Airi Beltran
Kevin Ang
Table of Contents
3
LONG FEATURE
Lasallian Generations:Then and Now
Nazca Castro, Paola Galvez, Maria Dominique Rustia
6
Rant and Rave
Marielle Antonio, Stephanie Chua, Yasmin Najib
8
VIGNETTE
20 MOST INFLUENTIAL LASALLIANS
12
cover story
La SALLe clothing & lifestyle, inc.
Jeff Salvado, Jose Unson II, Samantha Modina
15
crossword
are you lasallian enough?
Jeremy Magnaye, Monika Ortega, Allen Silva
16
Long Feature
Charity and Lasallians
Stephanie Chua, Roch Santos, Marie Angeles
18
Infographics
Tickle me Info
George Chan, Marie Angeles, Jabin Landayan
20
Long Feature
the crumbling walls
Darcy Reburiano
Read on and enjoy!
credits
e
ditor’s
LAYOUT:
Carmela Prado
Jeremy Magnaye
Johnalene Baylon
Airi Beltran
26
25 cents
Fond memories of sheer terror
Jose Unson II
27
Art Essay
say what you mean, mean what you say
Airi Beltran, Kevin Ang
Long Feature
The LaSallian Anniversary Special
02
03
A
pair of slippers can take
a person a long way.
An ordinary rubber
slipper can be a sufficient
accompaniment while
walking through the path of
life’s everyday encounters. It
could be as simple as it is, but
through time and constant
improvements, an ordinary
slipper that manages to last
through rain or shine must
have then established an
identity—just like a pair of
Havaianas. It started out as an
ordinary slipper which then
gained a well-known identity.
The same thing could be said
about De La Salle.
continued to page 4
GRAPHICS BY JV UY
04
Long Feature
It is this capacity to balance
work and play that has
characterized Lasallians
through the years.
A Blast from the Past
On one of those irregular spells of
boredom, taking an extensive tour of the
University may not always be the wisest way
to kill time. Celebrity-hunting has become a
common practice among Lasallian students,
who sometimes find themselves observing
the pictures of graduates framed on the
walls. It’s amusing to see students pointing
at some of their discoveries: the CEO of
Globe Telecom, the President of SM, and
some other notable alumni .(For some, back
when they still had hair!) Oftentimes, others
cannot help but mutter in disbelief, “They
were Lasallians?” Despite the inspiration
that it can provide, the ominous presence of
these famous personalities cannot help but
emphasize the growing differences between
the Lasallians then and now.
Of all the past Lasallian generations,
the 70s batch would probably reveal the
most significant differences. The 70s was
deemed as the most revolutionary period
for the then De La Salle College. It was during those years that La Salle became co-ed,
accepted students of different religions,
gained the university status, adopted the
trimestral system, and gained a more liberal
atmosphere. As Jess Coson (BSC, ’72) says,
“The 70s was considered a time of testing the
school policies and regulations and a time
for the school to listen to the students.” In
truth, Lasallians today owe much gratitude
to the generations that preceded them. Today, students live with the traces of the\70s’
battles for rights--freedom boards, student
rights awareness activities, and publications
which continue to enlighten the student
body on some of the latest issues.
The Many Shades of Green
Through the years, De La Salle has
been relatively open to some of the changes
of the times. The University has virtually
lifted the dress code, permitted the use
of slippers, and provided more avenues
through which students can voice their
concerns. DLSU has also adhered to the
demands of the more technologically advanced generation by providing students
with their own accounts, which they can use
to access their grades, enroll, and perform
other tasks. Indeed, life is much easier now
for the Lasallian student. However, does this
more convenient lifestyle really equate to
better working habits?
“There are too many distractions
today,” says Dr. Lilia Silao, who has been
teaching in La Salle since 1973. “There’s
the TV, the cell phone…I think it’s the
training of the students at home. They lack
discipline in that sense.” It is often said that
Lasallians today lack more maturity. As Dr.
Quebengco, says, “There were no computers then (in the 70s) and no malls unlike
now so their free time was spent hanging
around with their friends on the campus
or the house of one of them or watching a
movie.” Before, independent studying and
billiard sessions would comprise most of the
students’ breaks. Today, students have mastered the art of maximizing break periods,
whether through quick trips to the SM Mall
of Asia or brief DOTA tournaments, and
coming to class just in time for the roll call.
Ironically, it is this capacity to balance work
and play that has characterized Lasallians
through the years. Indeed, many generations of workaholics and “multi-taskers” have
been bred through this training, and despite
some occasional bouts of laziness, Lasallians
still manage to excel in their chosen fields
and land their respective spots in the Dean’s
List. This is a trend that the University has
successfully managed to maintain throughout
many generations.
Break Free
It’s not easy being a Green Archer. The
stereotypical image of Lasallians remains an
issue today. Though some of the descriptions
are true, such as the way some Lasallians take
work lightly and the way things can sometimes
be more lenient in the University, others fail
to see the better side of these traits. Through
the years, Lasallians have been trained to become “well-rounded with [an] emphasis on
both academics and Christian values,” as CEO
of Equitable PCI Bank Rene Buenaventura
puts it. Morals are still stringently emphasized
and instilled through the maintenance of
order and discipline in every facet of student
life. Aside from this, Lasallians have also been
trained to manage their “college freedom”
well. Long breaks are granted to students,
but this only challenges them to make wiser
decisions with the use of their time. Contrary
to the stereotypical image of the elite Lasallian, students of various generations have
also proven their eagerness to serve their
fellowmen by reaching out to marginalized
sectors of the country. With the establishment
of the Center for Social Concern and Action
(COSCA), students have been given a chance
to experience what it is like in the real world,
where one must stand on his or her own in
order to survive.
It’s different to see the world behind a
pair of green-tinted glasses. Society today may
want to look more carefully. For the past few
Long Feature
years, Lasallians have dominated all sorts of
industries, ranging from music and arts to
businesses and enterprises. Even the government has some Lasallian graduates to flaunt,
such as the likes of Ralph Recto and Alberto
Romulo. Lasallians have truly taken the hands
of time to their advantage. After seeing these
notable graduates of De La Salle whose faces
may be found around the campus, one may
ponder on the secret behind their success.
Could there be a formula to the breeding of
an ideal Lasallian?
It would be unfair to compare the previous generations and the Lasallians of today.
It would be equally wrong to judge students
today as more carefree, apathetic, and languid
than their predecessors. With the implementation of transformative learning, Lasallians
now have the challenge of being protagonists
of their own education. This is the same independence that allowed the Lasallians of the
past to prioritize their work above other things.
Now that there are more than 37 organizations
available and breaks reaching up to four or five
hours in a day, students are further encouraged to allow their talents to be harnessed by
these groups. At the same time, they must keep
pace with their academics, since the pace of
the trimestral system is undeniably fast. This
ability to multitask is the same skill that was
honed in the Lasallians before. Though there
are still many obstinate students today, the fact
remains that Lasallians through the years have
gained a reputation of being able to juggle
multiple tasks and still come out successful,
sometimes even joking about it. These traits,
coupled with the Lasallian values of faith,
service, and community, may not always seem
present in the students, but they are, without
doubt, the very ingredients of a Lasallian who
will truly stand out wherever she goes. The only
difference is in the will of these Lasallians to
make use of what has already been instilled
in them.
The New Breed
Artists may continue to wonder if they
will be the next Barbie Almabis or Edu
Manzano. Business students and engineers
ask how they can be just like Jose Cuisia, Jr.
and Gerardo Ablaza. Many cannot help but
compare and look up to these prominent
figures that seem to be so distant. In the end,
it’s not about what this generation has done,
but, rather, what it is capable of doing. With
students constructing the first solar car of
the Philippines, writing award-winning works
and putting up small enterprises like the ANIMOISM shirt business, living up to the legacy
With students
constructing the first solar
car of the Philippines,
writing award-winning
works, and putting up
small enterprises like
the ANIMOISM shirt
business, living up to the
legacy of those legendary
alumni is not actually far
from reality.
of those legendary alumni is not actually far
from reality. Armed with the necessary skills
to face the world, many Lasallians can hope
to see their faces framed on the university
walls someday.
As the Student Handbook states, “we
could end this little vignette saying that the
only real trophies from La Salle’s glorious
past are actually those men and women who
have walked along its halls.” In truth, there is
only a thin line that separates the past generations from the Lasallians today. Though the
method of instruction and habits may be different, the same down-to-earth characteristic
remains with Lasallians. The proof? Simply
watch a UAAP Men’s Basketball game and
notice how alumni from various generations
and current students suddenly become one
community. Indeed, it will be hard to tell the
difference.
Lasallians in the past were bred to become focused workers whose main purpose
was simply to get the job corresponding to
their abilities. Today, just like a pair of Havaianas slippers, the new breed of Lasallians carry
the same skills and serve the same purpose,
but have a certain prestige to safeguard. But
even the best pair of slippers can snap every
once in a while, and it all depends on the
one who’s wearing it how she will be able to
withstand the rest of the journey.
05
06
A
Written, Produced
and Directed by Nix
Lanas, Nisha Alicer, and
Caren Crisologo
rating
r
Rant & Rave
ant & rav
Movies, Music, and Books made by Lasallians
By: Marielle Antonio, Stephanie Chua and Yasmin Najib
t first glance, Doble Vista is much too
surrealistic to be appreciated by an
ordinary moviegoer. Approximately 25
minutes long, this film was an entry in
Cinemalaya 2007’s short film category.
However, those whose interests lie in
the colorful world of film will find this
portrayal of forbidden love immensely
interesting. The story is simple enough,
and there is a bit of a “twist” factor
regarding who’s married to whom in
the film. The main character, Javier
(Jake Macapagal), is an artist whose
main occupation is screenplay writing.
His love interest, Lola (Lily Chiu) is
a naughty and somewhat mysterious
personality, who lives a second life
in the arms of another man, Anton
(Ryan Eigenmann). Toward the end
T
rating
4.0
rating
he notes of their music rise and fall
in time to a mesmerizing drumbeat and
chords of an electric guitar. As you bop
your head to the beat or sway alongside
the music, you realize that you can’t
put your finger on exactly what kind of
music it is your hearing—that’s exactly
what Halmista is. A blend of different
forms of rock yet enticingly pleasant
to the ear, this band of green-blooded
boys gives willing eardrums its own beat
to rock out to.
Unique is how this up-and-rising
band characterize themselves and their
music. With Skitz Trinidad on vocals,
Kris Gomez on lead guitar, Jet Tengco
A
pioneer in its concept in the
Philippines and catering to the
exposure-hungry crowd of collegiate
masses, Rush TV on Studio 23 airs
from Monday to Saturday, from 6 to
7:30 pm. The idea behind this show is
that students from college campuses
all around the Philippines are invited
to showcase their talents through
different segments and competitions.
As a chosen student photographer, for
example, you get to be an apprentice
to a professional photographer, and
take photographs of models and
critique them as a real photographer.
M O V IE
Doble Vista
of the film, it is revealed that Anton is
actually Lola’s husband, even though
she is shown frolicking passionately with
Javier at the start of the film.
The film looks like a very good
experiment on visual effects.
Considering its debut as a thesis project
for the Communication Department,
its technical quality is excellent. The
film is clean in terms of editing. Effects
such as color accents or the emphasis
of a single color in an entire shot, and
a variation of the “split screen” effect
are used not only to prettify but also to
help the audience understand the story.
Javier is introduced as a scriptwriter. At
first, it seems as though he is writing a
screenplay taken from the top of his
head. Later on, the reverse situation
presents itself as the truth: Javier is
actually writing his personal story. The
main character’s love affair with Lola
is actually his own, and the writing
climaxes in a dramatic scene where
Lola is forced to leave Javier forever.
Third Year Communication
Arts major Jason Lopez calls it a
“contradiction in film” because of
its highly experimental style, while
fellow film student Neil Medina is
all praises for the film’s “excellent
cinematography.” All in all, fans of
independent films will enjoy watching
Doble Vista and deciphering the title’s
many implications throughout the
film. Watch for the last scene, which is
especially profound and fitting to this
homegrown rule-breaking effort.
B AND
Halmista
on bass and Raymond Villar on drums,
Halmista is a band that started out on
the hallowed high school grounds of
La Salle Greenhills. Four young soundcrazed boys realized their common
passion for music, and banded to form
this group that rocked out to what they
describe as a fusion of progressive,
trash, and metal rock.
Influenced by bands such as
Megadeath, Opeth, Metallica, Anthrax,
and Slayer, it’s no wonder their music
turned out to be the mix that it is.
Songs such as “Tears of Luna” and
“Black Heaven” are original band
singles that will surely be in the radio
T V
waves before long. And Halmista is
following the straight path of any
band’s success recipe: They will be
playing at Kublai’s, Katipunan on Oct.
20, and just had a gig at Maru Bar on
Jupiter St. Makati on the 13th.
Halmista follows the road taken by
many others, but with a drive to seek
excellence. Where will the future lead
these talented boys hailing from the
Green Nation of La Salle? No one
knows, but as a group known for always
bringing the brilliance of “rock” to
their normal everyday lives, Halmista
is one band we all should look forward
to.
SH O W
Rush TV… Atin ‘to!
A communication student or anyone
who loves the world of videos and
television can make a segment on any
topic under the sun to be shown to
the rest of the nation. If your talent is
being on stage and on camera rather
than behind the scenes, the show has
segments for models, singers, bands,
and dancers to showcase the myriad of
abilities of today’s college students.
The show is one for students
and made by students. And our own
campus is not one to get left behind,
as the DLSU Rush TV team has already
produced a segment on choosing the
right course, aired last Oct. 3,2007. The
segment had a Lasallian featured as
Rush TV’s first student photographer,
two models from the first batch of the
Rush Model Search, and singers for
THE HITS! segment. As the director
of the innovative show, Bong Agustin
says: “It aims to give these students
valuable exposure, added learning,
and experience that promotes positive
values and direct benefits to their
lives after leaving college.” So send in
your work. You just might be the next
representative of DLSU on national
TV.
Rant & Rave
L
Co-written and
Directed by Jose
Javier Reyes
rating
M O V IE
Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo
ast year’s Metro Manila Film Festival
controversy over the award for Best
Picture involved DLSU alumnus Jose
Javier Reyes. Awarded Best Director
for his film Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo, which
starred Judy Ann Santos and Ryan
Agoncillo (who, incidentally, is also a
graduate of DLSU-Manila), Reyes also
shared the award for Best Screenplay
with the film’s writer, Mary Ann Bautista.
The fantasy-comedy Enteng Kabisote 3
eclipsed Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo for the
Best Picture award in what was deemed
an unacceptable turn of events at the
Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF)
last year. Nevertheless, movie critics and
of course, movie fans, dubbed Reyes’
film as the more deserving one, and
the real winner in the race for quality
entertainment.
W
rating
written by
Marjorie Evasco
rating
The film chronicles the struggles of
a young couple, Angie and Jed, (played
by Santos and Agoncillo, respectively)
through courtship and marriage. Jed’s
mother, a wealthy socialite (Gloria
Diaz) disapproves of Angie as her
son’s fiancé because of the latter’s
family background. Meanwhile, Angie’s
mother (scene stealer Gina Pareno) is at
odds with her estranged husband, but
makes an effort to swallow her pride
as she asks him to meet the parents of
their daughter’s fiancé. The wedding
itself becomes a cause for commotion,
as the two parties cannot agree upon
the arrangements. Finally, Angie and
Jed decide to get married on their own,
but the problems do not end there.
They continue to plague the young
couple in the form of an illicit affair on
the part of Jed. With Angie pregnant,
the marriage only seems to get worse at
every turn. However, a happy ending—
or profoundly speaking—beginning,
arrives with the birth of their baby boy.
The film won a total of 10 awards
at the MMFF, including Best Director,
Best Screenplay, Best Actress, and Best
Supporting Actress. The film is an
emotionally uplifting and refreshing
take on the age-old challenges of getting
involved in a serious relationship. As
one of the most respected directors in
mainstream Philippine cinema today,
Reyes does not fail in giving moviegoers
value for their peso with the hilarious
and dramatic twists and turns in the
story. No wonder the debate on who
should have won Best Picture went on
for so long.
B AND
ith the beats of rock and the chilling
effect of metal, Salamin’s music will
get you hooked into the angst of
their out-of-the-ordinary compositions
and intimidating melodies. With
DLSU student and lead singer Paolo
Valenciano singing the message of
their songs, Lasallians have even more
reasons to be proud of in the arena
of rock music doused with a Filipino
touch. Other members of the band are
Mike Bersales on bass, Sho Hikino on
lead guitar, Miguel Dualan on guitar,
and EO Marcos on drums.
A gathering of UP and DLSU
students which started out under the
name “Bastogne,” the band got their
first offer from Viva Records in August
2005 but declined it since they just
I
Salamin
started and weren’t ready for such an
offer. As they began to progress as a
band, so did the music genres they play.
Their heavy pop, metal, and rock music
impress their audiences in every gig
they perform. One of their best gigs
was on December 2005 at Café Saguijo,
and the band got its second recording
offer from Star Records early January
2006. Now under Nugen Records,
Salamin was able to release their very
first album.
Salamin has produced songs
influenced and inspired by the music
styles of Rush, Incubus, Led Zeppelin,
Iron Maiden, DT, Mars Volta, and
Sparta. Their songs “Euphoria,”
“Umaga,” and “Perfecto” are just some
of the singles that should be in the
playlists of Salamin fans, as these bring
out the energy hidden within Pinoy
musicians. As they are on their way
to being level with the popular Pinoy
bands of today, all it takes is support
and enthusiasm to bring the best out
of these rockers.
In terms of music quality, it’s kudos
to them. The songs are easy to listen
to, and have clarity and precision. Also,
the fact that they added a Pinoy touch
to foreign rock genres make them even
more interesting and unique.
If you’re curious and want to find
out more about Salamin, check out
their websites: profiles.friendster.com/
salaminmusik, www.myspace.com/
salaminmusik, and salaminmusik.
multiply.com/.
B OO K
Kung Ibig Mo: Love Poetry by Women
t is clear that Evasco’s goal in
publishing Kung Ibig Mo: Love Poetry
by Women (1993) is to decipher the
meaning of the world’s most popular
literary inspiration: love. To quote from
the preface, “Love is a difficult thematic
thread to weave with coherence because
as a matter of poetic contention, it is a
most common human affliction of
aspiration.” We’ve all had our ups and
downs in trying to think up a good love
poem for the special people in our lives,
but that’s the fun of such a creative
challenge, isn’t it?
Another challenge of a poet would
be the language to use that could
touch the hearts and imagination of
the reader. All the poems published in
the book are written in either English
or Filipino, and each describes love or
the experience of love in different ways.
Growing old, being in love, the irony of
loving are what Evasco calls “new ways
of loving.” Some of the best English
poems to read are Gift by Ma. Fatima
V. Lim, How Nonchalant I am at a Crisis
by Betsy Romualdez-Francia, Mostly I
Was by Tita Lacamba-Ayala, and lastly,
Jouissance by Marjorie Evasco herself.
Sa Lalaking Sinisinta and Lihim ng Isang
Pag-ibig mula sa isang Nagsisimulang
Feminista by Joi C. Barrios and Kung
Ibig Mo Akong Makilala by Ruth Elynia
Mabanglo are, on the other hand, some
of the most creative Filipino poems
written by renowned women all over
the country.
Kung Ibig Mo is a book filled with the
Filipinos’ many perspectives of love that
both love-struck and stone-cold hearts
should read.
Navigating through the difficult
and profound lines may prove difficult
for minds that are not often inclined
toward literature, but in the end, there
is a poem in the collection for everyone
who understands the language of
love.
07
08
20Lasallians
Vignette
most influential
Influence, as the annual
TIME 100 lists emphasize,
is not popularity. Rather, it
is—and decidedly so—about
the power to inspire and
move others to reflect, and
more importantly, to act.
From Milette Zamora to
Ren-Ren Ritualo, our list of
influential people is a more
humble roll of Lasallians
who, amid their differences,
have in common the pursuit
of excellence—and the same
Animo that binds us all.
Br. Armin Luistro
photo by francis garrucho
To Lasallians, Br. Armin is a visionary
who is now working to give more
scholarships to less fortunate students. To
the rest of the nation, he is an advocate of
government and educational reforms who
joins rallies and forums to demonstrate
the Brothers’ dismay about issues that
drag the country down the immoral arena.
When “Hello Garci” broke out in
2004, Br. Armin risked his reputation by
calling for President Gloria Arroyo to
resign. Despite being criticized by alumni
and other parties, he remained on the
side of the truth. Converting his advocacy
into community development, the
Brother is now looking ways to generate
scholarship funds throughout the region.
And when the University faced
controversy in the UAAP, Br. Armin
remained calm yet determined to take
out the skeletons inside the closets of
our sports program. “A major overhaul
is certain. This is a wake up call for the
whole sports development program,” he
said. Since then, the University has gone
from suspension to vindication, thanks to
a hard-earned basketball championship
care of the senior men’s team. This
season, Br. Armin is also focused on the
values formation program of our studentathletes.
Drawing strength from the sons and
daughters of De La Salle Philippines, Br.
Armin is not only an icon for Lasallians
to look up to, but also a chief inspiring
officer who motivates students to strive
harder, alumni to excel in their endeavors,
and the whole Lasallian community to
make this country a better place to live in.
Paul Darwynn Garilao was Editor in Chief of
The LaSallian (2005-2006)
Joseph
Evans
Casio
photo by jennerson ong
Someone once said that nice guys
always finish last. Well whoever that
was, she has probably never met Jvee.
Jvee is a very thoughtful and generous
person. He’s very close to his family
and he involves them when he has
important decisions to make. He is
definitely one of the nicest, friendliest, and humble guys you could ever
meet.
He treats his friends as his brothers and sisters. Even if he has a busy
schedule due to basketball practices,
he makes sure he has time to bond
with his friends. And for Jvee, being
a student comes first before anything
else because he takes his studies seriously--he’s a Dean’s Lister. He always
lives up to everyone’s expectations.
Jvee is the essence of a true Lasallian who excels and fights with all his
heart in everything he does. What’s
nice about Jvee are his simple ways of
motivating everyone. That’s why his
classmates, friends, and teammates
call him “Sir Jvee.”
Jackie Maralit is the girlfriend of JV Casio
Vignette
John Paul
Lizardo
photo by erika serrano
Japs’ 2005 SEA Games gold medal
wasn’t an instant prize for him. He
started learning taekwondo back when
he was 11, and from then on worked
his way up with perseverance and
dedication.
To Japs, a member of the National
Team, every battle is not just plain
competition, but an opportunity to
learn and prove oneself.
Japs is a responsible person. He
envisions himself studying again and
supporting his family after college. A
respectful son, a trustworthy friend,
and a well-rounded individual, Japoy
is also good in basketball, dances well
enough, and is a drummer. And Japoy
sees to it that his education isn’t neglected by his busy schedule and many
commitments.
At the end of the day, what sets
him apart from the rest is that in spite
his success, his feet are firmly planted
on the ground. His warm personality
makes a difference not only to the
lives of the people who know him well,
but to the people he smiles to in the
cameras and signs autographs for.
Noey Arcinue
Kristel “Kitel” Desembrana is a close friend
of Mr. Lizardo
ICONS
BR. ARMIN LUISTRO . NOEY ARCINUE. JOHN PAUL LIZARDO. JOSEPH EVANS CASIO
Noelle Angeli Arcinue is a person of passion. Whatever
challenge or task comes her way, she puts her whole heart in it.
She believes that without the sincerity and genuine desire for
something you truly want to achieve—whether it’s for you or
for other people-- nothing will transpire or will even come near
to success if you don’t have passion.
I guess this is why she is also a person of influence. People
see through you when they see the purest of intentions that
emanate from you. Noey is one of these pure-intentioned
people: Through her words of wisdom and gestures of love
and concern, she definitely knows how to touch and inspire
people’s lives through words and deeds.
As an excellent Student Council officer and intellectual
student, one can see Noey constantly offered the best jobs
while sharing her expertise in leadership through corporate
programs and projects. But that’s not even what passion completely is for her.
Because for Noey, passion is being at the forefront of nation-building—working with slum communities, orphanages,
religious youth groups, and unions—and more importantly,
having faith in our country and in God. She is indeed a very
patriotic Christian citizen.
I know that the people who have met and have been
touched by her example continue to live by her words and
deeds, seeking to touch and inspire others as well.
Noey—a person of passion, influence, service, and faith.
She is what every young Filipino should be.
Kaisie del Carmen is Chief of Staff of the Office of the Student Council
President
09
10
Laureen Velasco
photo by william cruz
There is something to be said
about being an influential person.
Influence can come from money,
power, or fame. It sometimes
means that people want to be
like you, believe in you, or just do
what you say.
The one that applies
to Laureen the most is the
persuasiveness of what she says.
The adage reminds us constantly
that the word is mightier than
the sword… (Okay, I paraphrased
that.) But the important thing is
that the words which move people
to do things are mightiest.
Yet, influence is not having
people always agree with what
you say. It is when people break
out of their narrow-mindedness,
and question things around them
that can make for very successful
change. Laureen is one of those
people who speak and make
people listen.
She has gotten people to
change their values, ideologies,
and ethics—or if not, at least
question them.
The difference between an
influential person and a charlatan
is the result of the changes
around them, whether positive or
negative. A charlatan is tolerated,
or at least sometimes, but an
influential person is asked about
her opinion on things. And boy,
are Laureen’s opinions as quite
potent as they can get. Just ask
those who have questioned their
faith, and you’ll see…
Milette Zamora is a Marketing and
Advertising Management Department
professor and a friend of Ms. Velasco
Vignette
Gerardo Largoza
To say that his love for reading
and learning is what we admire
most about him is a complete
understatement. Undeniably one
of the most brilliant professors in
De La Salle, Mr. Largoza (or “Sir
Bombit” as he is usually referred
to) has more “green” pumping
through his blood than most
Lasallians put together—and
that is to put it mildly, especially
when we’re talking about his
appreciation for UAAP Men’s
Basketball.
A true Lasallian at heart,
Sir Bombit is one of the most
compelling professors to listen to
from the Economics Department.
Inside the classroom, there is
no time for minds to wander
because his discussions are always
challenging, no matter how easy
the topic may be to understand on
paper. In fact, this is a reflection
of how deeply he sees most things
we often take for granted. Despite
his calm nature and resolute
silence, he has an uncanny sense
of humor and that unwavering
fortitude to remain principled
regardless of the circumstances.
With a well-deserved doctorate
degree tucked under his belt,
we’d normally expect him to
be part of that revered and
detached few roaming the halls
of DLSU. Instead, he still humbly
acknowledges those he admires,
and gives time to make sure there
are people in DLSU who can
continue this institution’s history
of excellence.
Nicole Villarojo is the Student Council Vice
President for Academics
Franz Pumaren
A disciplinarian. A
father. A coach. A legend.
In the colorful history of
De La Salle sports, few
people are a chapter unto
themselves like Franz
Pumaren, architect of
five UAAP senior men’s
basketball championships
and mentor to the Green
Archers for nearly a
decade now. Opposing
teams may not admit it,
but his system and track
record with the Green
Archers is the standard
against which other
collegiate basketball
programs and coaches are
judged.
Call it the Pumaren
Connection: The feared
full-court press aside,
Coach Franz’s genius is
in seeing and bringing
out people’s potentials,
in making the little but
important adjustments—
like what he has done
all season long with this
overachieving batch of
Archers. (And with walkins like Mark Cardona.)
Other than the
many college basketball
trophies to his credit, the
fact that he has never
lost three straight games
in UAAP competition
speaks volumes about his
basketball acumen. And
his character.
MENTORS
BR. CECI HOJILLA. FRANZ PUMAREN. MILETTE ZAMORA.
LAUREEN VELASCO. GERARDO LARGOZA. ANTONIO HILA.
Vignette
Antonio C. Hila
Br. Ceci Hojilla
It must have been ten
years ago when I met the
Brother who helped me
understand what it means
to be a true Lasallian. He
was simply wearing a pair
of shorts and shirt in a
formation session in La
Salle Green Hills. He is, as
I discovered during that
encounter, gifted with the
force to influence through
the power of words. But
it was his compassionate
heart that moved me to
likewise make a difference
to those I meet. Years later,
I found myself living with
him in a community that
worked to respond to the
formation needs of the
Lasallian Family. And in
those years, Br. Ceci was
a motivating, inspiring
influence to us all.
Br. Ceci reminds me
of the music of John
Denver, which is soothing
and disturbing at the
same time. One never
tires of listening to his
stories, revealing a world
and a people that may be
broken but definitely filled
with hope. A number of
times he strikes me with
words of wisdom that
seem incomprehensible,
but actually offer value
and meaning. He draws
out from people the
inspiration to do and
give more than what is
expected.
Br. Ceci does not rest;
he disturbs and moves
people in the face of
complacency. Whether
he is in the quarters of
the UAAP basketball
players, in the classroom
for special encounters
with students, or in places
where he holds formation
activities, the Brother is a
force that pushes one to
dream and pursue one’s
dreams relentlessly.
As he influences
people of all ages with his
words and compassionate
acts of love, Br. Ceci
remains a force that
touches lives.
Josie Burgos is part of the La Salle
Green Hills Lasallian Animation
and Formation Team (LAFT)
Dr. Antonio C. Hila is a
teacher-historian par-excellence.
He teaches not only with
intellect, but also with his mind,
complementing mere knowing
with sensitive understanding.
As a junior faculty, I learned
much from him not only
from informal talk, but also
through classroom discussions.
In several instances, I’ve
witnessed him teach like a true
grandmaster. I’ve sat in both his
undergraduate and graduate
courses, and it’s obvious in his
style of teaching that he really
inspires students and moves
them to be achievers through
diligent study.
An excellent leader and
an admirable colleague, he
was chair of the department
for eight long years, and
managed superbly. He dealt
with us, his junior colleagues,
fairly and treated us as equals,
emphasizing the fact that
learning is a two-way process.
A trailblazer, he pioneered
fusing history with music by
tearing down interdisciplinal
walls to achieve a holistic
understanding of our cultural
past. His writings have enriched
Philippine historiography,
precisely through inter-textual
merging, such as with history
and music, which have served
as both veritable texts and
contexts.
Jose Victor D. Jimenez is a fellow faculty
member at the History Department and
a former student of Dr. Hila
Milette Zamora
photo by william cruz
I am a firm believer that a teacher
is effective if she causes a long-term
change in the lives of the people she
instructs. Definitely, Ms. Zamora can
be described as “effective,” albeit she
is such in unorthodox (yet very much
welcome) ways.
Frankly speaking, Milette Zamora
is one of the few professors who lead
students to extensively reflect, consult,
and contemplate on whether to take
MARKET1 with her or not. Thus,
Zamora MARKET1 classes are filled
with people who really want to learn
about marketing (despite having a
lower grade), and those who have ran
out of slots yet are itching to graduate
on time. In the end, the term ends
with the same people (some of them,
of course, have dropped) possessing
an elevated level of tenacity, and not
to mention, a fried brain.
Oftentimes, professors teach just
for the sake of teaching, if not for
bolstering their credentials. They
fail to be as effective as Ms. Zamora
though, because they stick to the
books too much, failing to recognize
that professions, industries, and life
itself are not book-bound.
Students of Ms. Zamora would
firmly attest to how she has gone
out of the book in being able to
conceptualize and provide what
consumers want and need—this
being no less than what she teaches:
marketing. Suffice it to say, she truly
understands how to give value for
the money that our parents have
worked hard to produce to pay for our
tuition—an understanding absent in
some or many other instructors.
Francis Siasat was a student of Milette Zamora
11
12
Cover Story
La Salle
& Lifest
D
e La Salle is everywhere,
literally. Aside from the
eighteen campuses under De
La Salle Philippines and the other
Lasallian schools all over the world,
La Salle has also infiltrated the world
of everyday items. From stationery
items, apparel, to coffee mugs, the
two bookstores of the Manila campus
proudly carry an array of De La
Salle-branded items for Lasallians
to enjoy. What does this spell for
the University? Have we crossed
over from educational instruction to
consumer goods? Even worse, can
it be said that the University has
sacrificed its integrity, like an athlete
or an artist that “sold out” to the lure
of money?
We’ve Got It All For You!
Before we get ahead of ourselves, a look at what’s going on
is needed. As it is, there are hundreds of items on sale like textbooks and stationery items in ordinary, everyday bookstores. In
De La Salle, however, a slew of specialty items bearing the name
of the University can be found in droves. They range from the
functional—such as pens, binders, and folders—to the things
that make us wonder why they were made, like clocks, watches,
paperweights, and miniatures of the Yuchengco Hall.
An interview was conducted with one of the bookstore personnel to gain more insight about the La Salle branded items
they sell. According to the respondent, the jackets and shirts,
supplied by Universidad and Campus, bring in the highest
sales in terms of volume among the DLSU branded items. The
novelty items, particularly the coffee mugs, are usually bought
as souvenirs or tokens for resource persons when a seminar is
conducted inside the University.
The most obvious factor in sales of DLSU-Manila merchandise is the University Athletics Association of the Philippines
(UAAP) season. According to supplier Universidad, sales improve whenever the Green Archers win a game, and decline
whenever they lose. Then again, there’s a lot more to it beyond
the basketball court.
The UAAP, generally speaking,
doesn’t affect the brand or the
image of the University.
Cover Story
13
e Clothing
tyle, Inc.
ARTWORK BY FRANK HERRERA
De La Salle TM
Why is De La Salle such a strong brand? The answer can
be found in understanding branding and brand management.
Professor Liongson of the Marketing Department explains that
a brand is an image of a company or institution which, in many
ways, is its most valuable asset. Because of its importance, companies take good care of their brands and in many cases, even
hire personnel dedicated to brand management.
This also holds true for DLSU-Manila. The Marketing Communications Office (MCO) is in charge of taking care of the
University’s image and making sure that information about is
properly disseminated. Among other things, they inform incoming freshmen about the advantages of availing a Lasallian education, as well as releasing various publications (2401 and Abut
Tanaw) that showcase the achievements of the students, faculty,
and alumni of DLSU. The MCO also manages the trademark
registration of the University, ensuring that the DLSU name or
logo is not used improperly.
The University’s brand is no laughing matter. Don’t expect
any hoop-related promotion from them, though. “We are tasked
to disseminate information about the university aside from
sports,” says MCO Public Relations (PR) Coordinator Gian
Carlo E. Vizcarra. Looking out for the rankings and the centers
of excellence outweigh focusing on the UAAP products: “The
UAAP is seemingly a make or break situation for the university
but generally speaking, it doesn’t affect the brand or the image
of the University,” says Vizcarra. Scuffles and wrong spellings
are taken lightly. “It’s not something that shows the intellect
of the students in the university,” says Anne Alina, another PR
coordinator of MCO.
Image vs. Reality
Image is not everything. Companies must back up their image
with the actual quality of their product or service. In some cases,
products fail and simply fade out. DLSU-Manila however lives
up to its image, as evidenced by the recognition it has gathered
from local and international bodies.
Not only is De La Salle one of the so-called “top four” academic institutions in the country, but it entered that league at
a very young age. Compared to its colleagues, DLSU-Manila is
the youngest, having been established only in 1911, as opposed
to the 396-year old University of Sto. Tomas (UST), the 148-year
old Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU), and the 99-year old
University of the Philippines (UP).
It is also the only private Philippine university to be a member of the ASEAN University Network (AUN). Last year, the
University was ranked 392nd in the world—making it second
in the country behind the University of the Philippines, which
was 299th.
Further proof of the effectiveness of DLSU-Manila as a
brand is its Gold Award as a 2007 Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand,
along with the University of the Philippines and University of
Santo Tomas, in the university category. The magazine surveyed
7,000 readers from its seven Asian markets (Hong Kong, India,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand).
According to the magazine, the Gold Trusted Brand is awarded
to brands that are well above their competitors in terms of six
core qualities: “trustworthiness, credibility of image, quality,
value, how well each brand understands consumers’ needs, and
its ability to innovate.”
Fashionable Manila
It is important to recognize though that more than just being
the best, the De La Salle brand is considered elite. According to
the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, the elite is “a group of
persons who by virtue of position or education exercise much
14
Cover Story
power or influence.” De La Salle is perceived
as an “exclusive” institution, accepting only
the top ranks in society, which apparently
adds prestige to the name.
Wanting to have the De La Salle name all
over one’s clothing makes sense, given that
it’s a name that tells the world you are one
of the best. It has become a status symbol
for some, gobbling whatever DLSU-Manila
merchandise they can find to show the world
they are part of or are affiliated with this
institution. This is where being elite stops
and being an elitist begins.
Some people take being elite as setting
oneself above others and being arrogant.
The confusion begins with the fine line
dividing the terms elite and elitist. Being an
elitist means consciously vying for a place in
an elevated position in society. The word elitist is more of a derogatory term synonymous
to snobbery, and is not reflective of Lasallian
elitism. It is not about having an exclusive
club where you only mingle with who you
think is worthy. According to Professor
Liongson, elite is something much more
than just being the best. Being elite means
being learned and pulling other people up.
This is where the entire concept of Lasallian
Christian Achiever springs from, and why
the University is seeking to increase the
number of scholars on campus.
Ambassadors of the Brand
The De La Salle name is so attractive to
have on one’s jacket because it offers Lasal-
Being elite means being
learned and pulling
other people up. This is
where the entire concept
of Lasallian Christian
Achiever springs from,
and why the University
is seeking to increase the
number of scholars on
campus.
lians the chance to associate themselves with
the University, show their affiliation with the
best, and express pride and boost school
spirit. But much more than that, being affiliated with DLSU-Manila means that you
reflect its values and the image it wants to
portray—which does not include being the
enclave of the rich and famous. De La Salle
is first and foremost a respected institution
of learning, which has established itself despite its young age; and more importantly, is
a training ground for people with integrity
who practice charity.
Every time the La Salle name is on someone’s jacket, shirt, bag, pin, mug, or slippers,
there’s no doubt that that person is reaping
the benefits of not just a Lasallian education,
but also the very name and brand of St. La
Salle. Prof. Liongson describes the relationship between La Salle students, graduates,
and the brand as a symbiotic one. What the
brand does for every Lasallian and what
every Lasallian does for the brand is very
critical. If the image is cared for by every
member of the Lasallian community, every
graduate and student will continue to reap
the benefits of this strong and influential
brand. As such, we all have to realize that
every Lasallian is an ambassador for the
brand. It is not just the job of Br. Armin
and the men’s basketball team to represent
this proud institution, but the entire community.
Being
affiliated with
DLSU-Manila
means that
you reflect its
values and the
image it wants
to portray
Crossword
Crossword
0.0
Are you Lasallian enough?
1.
2.
3.
5.
4.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
12.
11.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
DOWN
ACROSS
1.The name of that Stephen Foster tune you
long for to leave that boring last class
3. An outsider who keeps telling you about
school announcements then begs for coins.
2. Velasco Hall’s “former job” before it began
tormenting engineering students full-time
5. Name the resto that is said to be overly expensive and received a 0.0 in Rant and Rave
4. CLA and ____ used to be in the same
college until one day the disciplines decided
to go liberal and make a college of its own
(Acronyms)
6. What cheer of La Salle means “the right to
rule”?
7. The least noticed building near William and
Miguel Halls
8. Currently the tallest school building in the Philippines and has 1,046 steps in both stairwells
10. 2007 candidate for senator who forgot to
get his grad pic from the second floor of SJ
9. Kicked Br. Athanasius Gym off the University’s
map and appeased everyone with good bathrooms
13. A BS Business Administration graduate
who later on decided to become a senator
11. A Lasallian Brother who was taken away
during World War II and never seen again
12. The color green was adopted from this country, where the first batch of Philippine Brothers
originated
14. The surname of the design principal of that
close by building with a kick-arse, never-beenused-before design
15. The High School team of La Salle used
this nickname before 1939.
16. This building is named after a former
DLSU president and also houses the DLSUPUSO
17. Last name of the man who decided to pull
off his own heroics and sang the Alma Mater
song Ilonggo style during Animo Night.
15
Answers: 1) Beautiful Dreamer 2) Hospital 3) Jenny 4) COS 5) Charly Brown 6) Rektikano 7) Mutien Marie 8) Andrew 9) Yuchenco 10) Pichay 11) Xavier 12) Ireland 13) Recto 14) Calma
15) Greenies 16) John Hall 17) Rodriguez
16
Long Feature
Charity
and
Lasallians
O
n a typical day, you prepare
for school. Glancing at the
time, you anticipate a journey
of scholastic exploration
and condition your mind for
the day’s agenda. Yet on the
way to school, your focus is
sidetracked. There is a tug on
your arm, and a weary child
is asking for some change.
As a student of one of the
most powerful educational
institutions committed to the
service of God and country,
what can you do?
No matter the day’s routine, the sprawling cancer of
the city cannot be overlooked. The response of the University to this has been to create courses that lend a hand
to those that need it most. Still, it seems charity is deemed
a cliché and that students do not live it in everyday life. If
it is, such is considered the road less traveled.
To what extent do theology courses revolutionize a student’s awareness? Does the fact that they are requirements
affect a student’s dedication to serve the community?
Balancing Weights
A survey of 115 students from all colleges who have
taken community service courses reflected their thoughts.
Sixty-four percent agreed that they sincerely wanted to
render service regardless of the grade. Conversely, only
46.96 percent would still take the courses if given an option
not to. Forty percent further disagreed that the courses
were as important as minor subjects and should be part
of the computation for the GPA. A look into the course
requirements should shed light on the discrepancy between
the actual service and the grade.
Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA)
brings students firsthand toward the road less traveled.
By means of the National Service Training Program–Civic
Welfare Training Service, students come up with their own
project proposals to assist selected communities. Families
are the main priority, with proposals covering literacy (reading and writing), creativity, resource mobilization (arts
and crafts), evangelization, and advocacy. Once they’re
approved during the Formation Phase (C1), students go
ARTWORK BY JUN RENTON
Long Feature
through Community Service (C2), wherein
Lasallians interact with participating families
through actual project implementation.
Further along the curriculum, religion
classes also require community service as 10
percent of the grade. Although this is a small
proportion, the subject matters of the four
religion classes have now been modified.
There was a “need to rationalize the course”
which took about three years, according to Dr.
Rito Baring, chair of the Theology and Religious Education Department (TRED). One
concern was to realign the course content
to fit the students’ maturity level. Originally,
RELSONE classes lectured on the scriptures,
which were later found to be inappropriate
for freshmen. Now, TREDONE classes offer
an exploration of different religions, which
Dr. Baring observes as more enjoyable for
the students. TREDTWO then deals with
advocacy and morality, which currently
includes a community service requirement
under COSCA. So far, only the first two are in
operation. The final two courses, TREDTRI
and TREDFOR, have also been organized to
integrate community service.
To Be or Not to Be
Student reactions to the service requirements vary. Program evaluations conducted
by COSCA reveal common concerns about
transportation by jeepney, the time spent
traveling to the site, and the cleanliness of
the environment. Kimberly Baraoidan, third
year Psychology major and former CWTS
class coordinator, says that the absence of
the facilitator in the field affected their communication with the community. “Though it
was a way to teach us responsibility,” she notes,
“it would have been better for the facilitator
to always be present. He or she should be the
middleman, since we are inexperienced to
handle any problems that may take place.”
Margarita Flores, another junior Psychology
major, recounts that their class was not fully
oriented about the community they were
assigned to, which left them clueless once
they got there.
Though isolated cases, the troubles set
about by communication between those
involved is another concern. In the long
run, Kimberly Baraoidan thinks that the effects of the programs on the communities
may diverge. She notices how there is a lack
of continuity once the course is over. The
knowledge imparted to children and the happiness seen in their brief interaction could
be short-lived.
Freeze Frame
With the successful repositioning of
course requirements, are students actively
conscious or just going with the flow? Despite
the student’s gripes, Maning Sambale, NSTPCWTS coordinator, says students are able to
finish and complete the course well, giving
appreciation to the people in the site. As a
result, the number of positive feedback from
the communities is increasingly high.
Once in a site, there was a student who,
by the end of the tutoring, had read a Science
book verbatim and continuously. Another
coordinator recounted how a number of
mothers were starting to become attached
to students, asking them when their next
visit would be. Jorge Veneracion, third year
Industrial Engineering student, noticed that
the service allowed their class to console the
children victims of human trafficking, as they
expressed their grief and sadness. Kimberly
Baraoidan is also optimistic about the program serving as a means to lessen apathy.
“Though the changes may not be drastic, at
least it’s a headstart,” she remarked.
Same would be true for the religion
classes. So far, the change in the religion
courses has gotten more positive feedback
from the students. Dr. Baring says that it has
given them a better grasp of the community
service as an indispensable part of the course.
17
Though it seems that the 10 percent weighs
heavily on students, he concludes that “the
percentage is not an issue; rather, the issue is
the significance of the component in relation
to the course.”
The Road Further On
There is faith in that 61.74 percent of
those surveyed agree that the programs have
raised their sincere interest and desire in
reaching out more to the underprivileged.
Furthermore, 60.87 percent concur that
the values instilled by the programs have
affected their personal way of life. Angeline Beroin, a COSCA student volunteer,
believes in empowering volunteerism and
social responsibility. Awareness of issues is
not enough to enact change. Wanting to
encourage religion students undergoing
COSCA orientations, she advises them, “You
may go into it for the wrong reason, but at
least you’re staying for the right ones.” Joseph
Rosal further concludes that there are quite
a number of alumni who volunteer as part of
the Lasallian Volunteer Program or in other
non-government organizations. Dr. Baring
affirms that the transformation is similar to
a “revival of the old glory” of the principles
of St. La Salle. The results seen now are very
much in keeping with the mission and vision
of the University to produce graduates that
work and strive for the betterment of the
Philippines.
As people for God and country, DLSU
students, through community service, are
brought closer to the needy in hopes of breaking the boundaries of class. While striving to
take a role in society, they are challenged to
prove that they could do more than just feel
blessed. It is through these programs that
Lasallians do not have to raise millions to have
the opportunity to feed the hungry, clothe
the naked, or educate the substandard only
to prove their concern for others.
18
Infographics
tickle me
INFO
ARTWORK BY SAMANTHA ANG
Have you ever wondered how many comfort rooms
there are in DLSU? Or how long it really takes to go from
the South Gate to Andrew? How about which book has
been borrowed the most times from the library? Of course
you haven’t, because none of it affects you even in the most
indirect of ways. We scoured the entire University for these
little known facts--manually and academically--because
some things are just worth knowing. These space fillers may
come in handy when you hear the crickets in the dead air
of random conversations.
83 834
1046
steps in both
Andrew stairwells.
security
personnel
hired by the
University.
For
those
who are in
need of a fullon work out, look
no further. Whether
you’re on your way to
the 21st floor, rushing
to another distant
building, or just simply
annoyed with the horde
of people, remember
that the stairs are there
for a reason.
6.69
times the Publication
Manual of the
American Psychological
Association has been
borrowed since 2004
According to the Security
and Safety office, there are
58 personnel in the day
shift, and 25 in the night
shift. Hats off to these
personnel who ensure
the safety and order of
our University round the
clock!
minutes, on average, to
get from South Gate to
Andrew
using all possible routes and the
average walking speed. Now you can
calculate your travel time despite
that downfall at the LRT station or
your accumulated tardiness with
your monstrous professor. For the
shortest route, take the stroll along
Taft Avenue. C’mon, you know you
can forego that parade along SJ walk
and opt for a spiff of pollution.
39
Brothers
rooms in
La Salle
Building’s
fourth
floor.
In addition, the Brothers
have their own elevator and
a rooftop garden. A red light
on the fourth floor flashes
as a signal for emergency.
The LS fourth floor is outof-bounds except during
annual open-house.
making it the most loaned
book in the Library’s history.
The book contains guidelines
and rules for citations and
other writing. This is the book
to get when the professor
wants it APA style.
Infographics
266
frames of
graduates
inside the
campus.
These frames with black and white
pictures of graduates are found at La
Salle Building, Velasco Hall, and St.
Joseph Hall. While their hairstyles may
or may not be the “in” thing right now,
they remain to be respected as a few of
the first who were able to finish their
studies in DLSU.
348
cars can
be parked
inside the
Sports
Complex.
With the number of students enrolled in the
University that have their own rides, this is just
a drop in the ocean. Prepaid Parking Tickets
are available at the nearest Accounting Office.
But wait a minute: Is the Sports Complex near
La Salle Building?
65
11
the modulo number
used to determine a
student’s ID number.
The ID numbers are not determined
in numerical order—for example,
10535475 will not be succeeded by
10535476. It is however, determined
using a system of modular arithmetic.
(Geeks.) Only the significance of the
number 11 remains a mystery.
paracetamols consumed in
the clinic daily (average)
The two clinics in the University serve
well over 14, 000 students and staff. Not a
lot may get sick, but they surely are ready
to give out instant relief for cold and flu
symptoms. LBM is another story.
104
test tubes broken during
Term 1 SY 07-08
Accidents happen. According to the
Chemistry Supply Room staff, test tubes
are always the most easily broken apparatus because of the number distributed
to laboratory groups (around 18 per
group). Just try not to break a separatory
funnel—that would cost P2,500 or even
more.
202
comfort
rooms are
accessible
to students
throughout
the entire
school
33
No matter where you may feel that
little rumbly under your tumbly,
do not despair! You have that
many options to find a decent
spot where no one is around, the
vent is on, and a Bidet is in plain
sight. Truly, the University caters
to your every sanitary need.
letters in the longest
name of a professor
Hint: A graduate of a rival university, she
belongs to the International Studies department. With three first names along with her
surname, one would have to wonder how
many relatives she was named after. Or which
name she prefers to be called by.
3
official
mascots
of the
university
Gordo, a fat archer, Flaco, a thin
archer, and Sally, a lady archer.
Now where are they during the
games?
19
20
Long Feature
The
Crumbling
Walls
A once little-known book called the Holy
Bible tells the story of Joshua, hero of the
Israelites, who managed to conquer the
land of Canaan for his people. Fighting
in the name of the likewise once littleknown god Yahweh, one of Joshua’s most
astonishing feats is his famed conquest
of the walled city of Jericho. Using only
the voice and trumpets of his fellow
Israelites, he managed to destroy the
seemingly impenetrable fortress. From
his descendants would come Jesus Christ,
the founder of Christianity.
While one would be hardpressed to
call DLSU as an “impenetrable fortress,”
the campus is nevertheless under assault.
As a Catholic university, it is ironic that
a lot of DLSU’s students do not practice
the University’s credo of being molded
“for God and country”—especially the
former. Like Jericho, the Catholic foundation of De La Salle is under assault.
The Coming Tide
In the west, the situation for Christianity,
especially Catholicism, is dire. Historically
the proud bastion of the Christian faith for
hundreds of years, Europe has seen the most
dramatic decline in church attendance compared to anywhere in the world. The Swedish-based World Values Survey conducted in
2000 shows that the percentage of people who
“never” or “practically never” attend church
is as high as 60 percent in places like France.
Much more pressing is the fact that this percentage has increased from two decades ago.
This worrying trend is now spreading to other
traditionally predominant Christian countries
like the Philippines, where today’s pace of life
has left little time to even say a prayer, much
less time for religion.
A liberal Western mindset has also begun
to take hold of the youth of today, who are
breaking away from the “traditional.” When it
comes to religion, young people are becoming less interested in cultivating a relationship
with God; the cutie in the other side of the
room is far more interesting. This generation
is, after all, largely hedonistic: “Puro pasarap
na lang ang iniintindi ng mga tao ngayon (Pleasure is what people all care about today),” says
third year Literature Student Robin Sebolino.
Some are starting to define religion by this
interpretation instead of the official church
dogma, as seen by the increasing number of
young Christians who claim to be more spiritual rather than religious, since spirituality
is more flexible.
Defense Against the Decline
In working toward developing Christian
achievers for God and country, DLSU has
incorporated religious education to complement the academic courses in the curriculum.
These are not merely extensions of high
school’s Values or homeroom periods, but
rather subjects that aim for a deeper understanding of life through faith, others, and
oneself. How well do these courses help in
developing students into holistic resources
for church and nation?
Despite the course name changes because
of the transformative learning paradigm,
religious education in DLSU remains rooted
on the same values: TREDONE is about
man’s search for meaning through religion;
TREDTWO focuses on the development
Long Feature
as a morally upright Filipino Christian in
changing world; TREDTRI and TREDFOR
on Christian life and faith.
It may be noted that the courses emphasize Christianity, which implies tolerance for other Christian denominations in
Catholic-dominated Philippines. However,
it is inevitable that the professors’ beliefs will
permeate lessons no matter what curriculum
is in place. Stephanie Chua (II-CAM) relates
that there may be instances when TREDTWO
lessons may not fit the spiritual aspect of some
students’ lifestyles and may be in the context
of a single religion’s beliefs alone. This leaves
students either reaffirming previous convictions, forming new ones, or simply ignoring
the lessons.
At a time when it is easier to be apathetic
than to comprehend, professors should be
more concerned about the implications of
their lessons and the values that they cultivate
rather than the content of their lectures.
For example, in a lesson about sexual morality, the lesson should not be augmented by
sharing personal encounters, but by understanding the repercussions of such actions.
Furthermore, students should feel the necessary urge to learn and enrich themselves,
other than nurturing the misconception that
religion-based general courses are either
a chore or a free pass to boost one’s grade
point average.
Foreshadowing the Fall
Defenders of cities of old knew that to
succeed they had to work together. The
same goes for courses in DLSU, including
religion courses: They need both learner and
educator to be accustomed to each other to
be deemed successful. The gauge of success,
therefore, should not be student participation during lessons, but the application of
what has been learned in religion classes to
other courses and to life in general. Arnel Ian
Cosme, an MFI graduate, shares that religious
education from the university has had “little
impact” on his professional life.
Consider also the fact that the University
is open to students of other religions. While
definitely a good trend, it also brings the University toward a more “free religion stance.”
Even in the perspective of non-Christians,
the role of religion in DLSU doesn’t really
have much of an impact. “We’re practical
people,” says Abdul Onos, a third year Legal
Management undergraduate who is also Muslim. “Studying in [De] La Salle is actually a
practical choice for us, since having studied
in a Christian university lessens the stigma
experienced by Muslims when trying to be
employed.” With this in mind, it becomes
clear that one’s religious orientation now has
less importance among DLSU students.
Unless someone finds away to turn things
around, Christianity in DLSU will continue
on a downward trend. Eventually, only a
ARTWORK BY PAUL MATTHEW JIAO
dedicated core minority of Christians within
DLSU would remain devout. The rest of the
so-so Christians which make up majority of
students would probably give up their faith
completely, become agnostic, or simply forget
they even have a religion—if these things had
not already happened before they even came
to De La Salle. While the upshot of this is
that all the phony Christians are weeded out
of the few devout religious, it would mean a
failure on the part of the La Salle Brothers to
inculcate the Christian faith in their students.
In the war for Christian hearts and minds, the
defenders can no longer hold the line.
Perhaps the second line of defense
comes in the form of the Lasallian Pastoral Office (LSPO), the resident campus
ministry and center of Lasallian formation. The LSPO
goes beyond classroom and
chapel to give students
an opportunity to enrich
their faith and “deepen
their understanding of
what it means to be a
Lasallian.” Rosela Arcillas (III-LMG), who has
been an LSPO volunteer
since her freshman year,
adds that through such
establishments, lessons in religion
courses are realized rather
than seen just as
mere facts—faith
in action. Much
like religion courses,
however, volunteering still
requires equal or even
greater effort, regardless
of the formation program—something that
students remain indifferent to.
Watchers of the Wall
The Watchers of De La
Salle’s Christian walls are failing,
but should there even be watchers? The
general sentiment of today’s DLSU students
is that religion is slowly giving way to reason.
One has been taught—by both internal and
external forces—that such a transition is
a good thing. It seems only proper that
the illogical mysticism of religion
give way to a more “progressive”
mind. This ideology holds even
greater water in an educational
institution such as the
U n i v e r s i t y,
where
intel-
lectual freedom is practiced.
The problem is that despite the University’s status as a world-class university, De La
Salle, nevertheless, was founded by a religious
institution: the Christian Brothers. While
education calls for maximum religious tolerance—including those who don’t want to
interact with religion at all—De La Salle can
never become a “free religion” university because of its founders. This creates confusion
among the students, who are torn between a
University that facilitates good secular education, but also mandates programs and courses
of religion.
This is a conundrum; one this fearless
forecast is hard pressed to answer. Whether
the decline will be beneficial or not to DLSU
will depend on that tricky weapon used by the
Israelites a long time ago: faith.
21
22
Vignette
Carmelita
Quebengco
photo by josef lim
When it comes to DLSU, the world knows much about the
Brothers and the men’s basketball program, but surprisingly
little about Dr. Quebengco who, for the past decades, has
quietly contributed much to shaping this institution into what
it is today: the country’s best private university.
De La Salle is a community of people with different
talents, motivations, and inclinations. What Dr. Quebengco
has done in her years as executive vice president and
chancellor of this university is levelheadedly and
pragmatically direct this diversity of abilities to serve ends
higher than those of any one person or office. For that alone,
she deserves a place of honor in the hearts and minds of all
who profess to be a Lasallian.
Tereso Tullao Jr.
photo by alvin lau
To be honest, I don’t know if Tullao is as iconic today as he
was for an entire generation of economics majors in the 80s and
90s. The whole landscape of teaching and research in the social
sciences has changed; some of it for the better, others in ways
that tend to diminish voices like his. To us as undergrads, he was
a force of nature, always provocative and contrarian, showing us
that there’s much more to understanding society than just being
smart. I think his gift is that he’s more genuinely interested in
people than he is in achievement or the competition.
Don’t believe him when he says he owns the University—if
he does, we’d all like a word about faculty promotions, please.
No, what he embodies, along with a few precious others on
campus, is the very best of what was Old De La Salle.
Dr. Gerardo Largoza was former Editor in Chief of The LaSallian (1991-1992)
PIONEERS
TERESO TULLAO JR. CARMELITA QUEBENGCO. MARTIN RONDA.
CLODUALDO DEL MUNDO JR. ISAGANI CRUZ
Vignette
Martin Ronda
Isagani Cruz
photo by paulo mutuc
Why should Prof. Martin Ronda be
considered one of the most influential
members of the De La Salle community?
First, because he practices what he
teaches. He emphasizes the value of
punctuality. He arrives hours before his
actual teaching time to prepare the venue
and make it ready for learning. He shows
his students the importance of initiative,
commitment, and hard work.
Second, because he coaches with
passion and skill. He teaches ballroom
dancing and dancesport scientifically.
His strategies are so effective that, under
his tutelage, a freshman not inclined
toward dancing is transformed into a
graceful performer by the end of term.
Even Br. Armin is impressed by the artistic
performances of Prof. Ronda’s students.
Finally, he inspires everyone to discover
the magic of dancing. He believes that one
should always take time to dance, even with
a regimented routine, to alleviate stress. He
reminds his students that while dancing,
one’s mind, body, and heart should keep in
rhythm with the music. He frequently takes
time to give lessons to his fellow faculty
members. In fact, even Human Resources
Development Office personnel have
benefited from his classes.
Prof. Ronda certainly deserves to be
regarded as an influential member of the
Lasallian community. In the words of Prof.
Virgilia Colabio, he deserves the honor
“for his meritorious support, dedication,
unselfish sharing of his time and talent
and for his commitment and concern
toward the promotion of professionalism of
teaching Physical Education.”
Maria del Socorro O. Ricafranca is the Secretary of the
Physical Education Department
In Philippine literary and academic circles,
Isagani Cruz is Isagani Cruz, a man who does
not need any introduction: Palanca Hall
of Famer, SEAWRITE and Gawad Balagtas
awardee, author of more than thirty books and
hundreds of articles on just about everything
there is to education and the arts.
To the University, Dr. Cruz, though officially
retired, remains an indispensable, important,
and energizing intellectual resource. He
continues to divide his time between teaching
in the Literature and Filipino Departments,
in addition to being Executive Publisher of
DLSU’s Academic Publications Office.
Most importantly though, Dr. Cruz, through
his active engagement of pertinent Philippine
education issues in his regular column at
the Philippine Star, represents the best of the
Filipino public intellectual. He may well be.
Clodualdo del Mundo Jr.
photo by krizia paraz
He may technically be an Atenean, but
after more than 20 years in La Salle (and
only four in Ateneo), there is no doubt that
Clodualdo del Mundo, Jr. is a green-blooded
Lasallian.
At the age of 22, he wrote his first two
screenplays, Pepot Artista and Maynila... Sa
mga Kuko ng Liwanag. With the release of
Maynila in 1975, del Mundo became part of
the revival of Philippine cinema. Today, del
Mundo comes full circle as part of a new wave
of indie filmmakers who are working to revive
Philippine cinema once more. Del Mundo
serves as the Chair of the Independent
Filmmakers Cooperative and President of the
Society of Film Archivists. His body of work
shows a great concern for Filipinos and the
society, and also reflects his own passion for
serving the country as well as being a model
citizen.
Aside from being active in the Philippine
film scene, Sir Doy, as he is affectionately
called by his students, is also a mentor for
aspiring filmmakers and media practitioners
as a University Fellow and professor in the
Department of Communication. “I’m proud
of the Comm Arts graduates, but I am not
responsible for their success,” he says humbly.
As a leader, filmmaker, writer, and
professor, del Mundo continues to inspire
viewers, readers, and students around the
world.
Ida Anita del Mundo is the daughter of Dr. del Mundo
23
24
Vignette
Gerardo Janairo Florendo
Ritualo Jr.
As the dean of the College of Science,
a University Fellow, a chemistry professor,
and thesis adviser, Dr. Janairo, or “Dr. J” as
he is fondly called, has quite a handful of
responsibilities in his hands.
Being a University Fellow, he is one of
the best faculty members of the University.
Dr. J himself is an icon in the prestigious
Chemistry Department: Chemistry majors
know that the experience of studying the
discipline in DLSU is not complete without
having him as a professor. He is, by himself,
an institution in the College of Science—
exhibiting the Lasallian values of Religio,
Mores, and Cultura as a devout Catholic,
a dedicated father, and an inspiring
professor.
But what makes Dr. J exceptional is
the fact that he handles all his duties with
aplomb and good cheer. Things are usually
light with him around. And in an official
kind of way, he is grace under pressure,
and the epitome of a Lasallian educator.
Kristoffer Santiago is a thesis advisee of Dr. Janario
Ramon del Prado
Ever since Ramon could hold a pencil,
his creative brilliance in graphic arts already
manifested itself with early sketches of
fantasy characters influenced by animation
work mostly coming from foreign studios.
But as he matured, Ramon realized that
much of the creative genius he witnessed
in foreign animation was actually done by
fellow Filipinos! Thus Ramon’s dream was
born: to create Philippine-made animation
showcasing the rich traditional Filipino
folklore to be recognized here and abroad.
With this dream in mind, he and a few
other like-minded animators created Tuldok
Animations, a non-profit organization
whose dream is to make the world realize
the creative talents of the Filipino people.
Another important facet of Ramon’s
talent is very evident in his work: He has
the ability to tell a story and relay a message
of social and personal significance to the
viewer, subtly or directly. This is what makes
his films memorable.
Ramon is presently a scholar pursuing a
master’s degree in the New York School of
Visual Arts. His scholarship is well-deserved-he has, after all, an artistic genius and a
noble vision. May his dream be fulfilled.
DLSU vs Ateneo, a number of years ago. The
shooting forward receives the ball on the right side of
the three-point line with a defender in his face. In an
attempt to block the shot, the defender fouls the wily
forward, who drains the three by changing his position
in mid-air and double-pumping the ball. A glorious
moment, made awesome when the scenario is repeated
later in the game. Ateneo never recovers. They are
only mortals.
Brilliant, scintillating Ren-Ren--that ease of
movement, the silky skill, the pure shooting. The
forward capable of breathtaking moments from
beyond the arc, creating magic from tight spaces,
bamboozling the defense. Member of the lauded fourpeat champion teams, one of only three Archer players
to have his number 4 shirt retired by DLSU, he has
everything worth boasting. But he has chosen not to
go down that path. He had served his alma mater with
grace.
After taking the DLSU Entrance Exams eight
years ago, a high school friend commented she had
included on the essay portion that she wanted to
study here because of the basketball team. A facetious
remark, but one that is not without some measure
of truth. The story of the reigning UAAP basketball
champions, the passionate players, the vaunted fullcourt press; the allure was there. Had she accepted her
place (BS Psychology), she might have been able to
assess Ren-Ren Ritualo, Green Archer legend.
Thanks for the memories, Ren-Ren.
Miguel del Prado is the brother of Ramon
Sarah Espina was Editor in Chief of The LaSallian (2002-2003)
photo by carmela prado
Leonila
Abella
Vignette
Jose Concepcion III
photo by carmela prado
Recognized for his dynamism and high entrepreneurial
spirit, Jose Ma. “Joey” A. Concepcion III, comes from batch
83. Although he was known as a shy and quiet student, the
entrepreneur in him already manifested in the early days,
as he sold old clothes to traders and ventured into selling
encyclopedia,as well as fire extinguishers. This passion
materialized into an actual business after college, as he
established a firm that distributes fire extinguishers.
In the mid-80s, he joined his family business known
famously as the RFM Corporation, a major player in the food
and beverage industries in the country. Soon, he became
President and CEO of the company.
Joey has been busier than ever in recent years, though not
for his own or his company’s benefit. Driven by his passion to
promote a culture and mindset of entrepreneurship in the
country, Joey has taken a new mission beyond his corporate life.
Through Go Negosyo, a collective effort among entrepreneur
mentors from different business sectors in the country,
government agencies, and academic institutions, he has
spearheaded a mission to “Teach the nation how to fish and
feed the nation many lifetimes.” Joey and his Go Negosyo partners
believe that entrepreneurship and optimism among Filipinos
are the key factors needed to bring the country forward and
closer to economic prosperity; and more meaningfully, as a way
to bring hope and fulfill the dreams and aspirations of many
Filipinos to have a better quality of life.
Butch Prieto is a colleague of Mr. Concepcion at RFM Inc.
She is, in a manner of speaking, a mover of movers.
Dr. Leonila Abella has continuously inspired us students by
not only pushing for academic excellence, but also by being at
the forefront of total student empowerment. With her dedication
to organizations such as JICA and PIChE National and as one of
the advisers of PIChE-JCL, she has indeed surpassed engineering
paradigms with her ability to mobilize people in being involved.
With a heart of a professor, Dr. Abella rises above the typical
influential person. She ensures that all her students get equal
opportunities, and that at the end of the day, her students will live
up to being Lasallian Achievers for God and Country as prime
movers of our nation’s progress.
Benson Fuentes is a current student of Dr. Abella
ACHIEVERS
FLORENDO RITUALO JR. JOSE CONCEPCION III. RAMON DEL PRADO.
GERARDO JANAIRO. Leonila Abella.
25
26
25 Cents
Fond Memories
of SHEER
TERROR
Terror Defined
Terror appreciation is not talking about
professors who don’t teach and expect you
to learn on your own. Neither is it about
those that don’t show up for class and give
free cuts until the last week. It’s about the
professors that are on time for class and
bother to check attendance, forcing you
to be on time as well. Terror would be the
professors that really listen to your answers
during simple recitation and aren’t shy
about correcting your error. Real terror are
professors who give tests which take three
days to review for a good grade.
Recipe for Madness
In an amusing play of words, they ask
three P’s of you: Professionalism, Preparation, and Perfection (some make it four and
add “Prayer” because they strike the fear of
God in you). Professionalism: come to class
on time, pass projects in a folder and stapled
paper, and don’t allow mooching for yellow
pad paper. Preparation because they never
give you a test that you can cruise through
like nothing happened. Perfection because
they make your aim perfection through
correct spelling, clear and concise answers,
no erasures, and no endless rambling in
essays.
Your Greatest Fear
The worst piece of advice
I’ve ever given is to tell an entire
class not to take the Sales Law
class of well-known “terror
teacher,” decorated attorney,
and law school professor
Crisostomo Uribe. I told them
that if they wanted an easy
time, take anyone else. After
graduating, the gift of hindsight
enlightened me to the gravity
of this error, prompting an
apology to Prof. Uribe and
“terror appreciation.”
Terror teachers are not terrors because
of what they do, but because of what they
ask students to do. Students are at their best
for thirteen straight weeks. They do all their
homework; they study for graded recitation;
and on occasion do advance reading. The
amount of effort and sleepless nights cannot
help but frighten some students.
The most fearful are the mediocre,
the lazy, and the distracted. The mediocre
are content with ordinary effort just to
pass need to adjust their study habits. The
lazy who are contented to procrastinate
suddenly need three nights to prepare for
an exam to avoid a 0.0. The DOTA-loving
distracted are forced to devote more time
to studying. It might sound strange, but the
terror teacher brings out the real student in
anyone whether they like it or not.
Total Recall
Let me compare the classes I took under terror professors to those in which I easily got a 4.0. While I enjoy getting a 4.0 with
ease, I admit poor retention of lessons from
those courses. It’s ironic that in the subjects
I garnered the highest grades, I remember
less compared to where I got the lowest
grades. Terror teachers make us study their
lessons so hard that even months or years
after you still remember quite a bit: Several
months removed from my last lecture in
SALESBA, I can still answer questions about
the law on agency.
Simulated Reality
More than just pushing you to be at
your best, one thing I’ve realized that terror professors do is that they push you to
be ready for the real world. When you’re in
the working world, you’ve got to be professional about what you do to succeed. Crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s are lessons
you’ll remember from the professors that
pushed you the hardest. I remember how
one of my professors wanted spelling to be
correct during tests such that writing the
word “equipments” would be an automatic
failure because there is no such word. The
real world has similar demands, and the
professors that push us the hardest are the
best teachers of that lesson.
Pick Your Battles
I’ve extensively trumpeted the positive
points of these professors, but I’m not advocating students to always get this kind of
professor. The thought of having the most
difficult professors in every subject sounds
crazy—and probably is. “Pick your battles”
applies here, and I recall a friend who did
this. He was a psychology major who had the
choice to take a difficult professor in SIKOPIL or a relatively easier professor. He said
it’d be a mistake to get a DLSU psychology
degree and not take the terror professor’s
SIKOPIL course. At the end of the term, he
learned more than I did.
Terrors, not Monsters
When it’s all said and done, taking a
terror teacher’s class is a difficult decision,
since it will work you to the bone. These professors don’t care if you have other subjects,
a thesis, and a dying social life to preserve.
Unfortunately, you can get a terror teacher
out of dumb “luck.” But before dropping
the course, consider the benefits and look
past all the seemingly inhumane complaints.
They may be called “terrors,” but they are
far from monsters. At the end of the day,
all they really ask from their students is to
be students.

OCTOBER 2007 ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

Transcription

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