Unearthing the treasures of Colegio de San Juan de Letran necessitates digging into the very core of its existence to reveal what its founding fathers laid down some 400 years ago. A thorough excavation would reveal that the massive foundation of the Colegio rests solidly on three virtues - an abyssmal love for God, love of neighbor and the constant search for Truth. A closer inspection would also lead to the discovery that these virtues are also the treasured possessions of this institution. 

The annals of the Colegio chronicles the composition of its founding fathers as a mixture of the religious and the laity. This historical fact alone showcases the uniqueness of the Colegio among other educational institutions - most particularly, the sectarian schools. The uniqueness stems from the strong bind between the laity and the clergy in forming an educational institution. This move appears as a forerunner of the 20th century practice of actively involving the laity in spreading and living the Word of God in a very concrete manner. This step was something revolutionary in the 17th century. Bonded and inflamed with common virtues of love of God, neighbor and constant search for Truth, both the religious and the lay founders practiced these virtues with fervent devotions. Henceforth, adherence to the doctrines of Christian faith and a deep devotion to the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary have become a revered tradition. They have been embraced as a way of life in the hallowed halls of the institution. 

After 400 years of existence, Colegio de San Juan de Letran is “ancient but not aged; modern without being modernistic. Her constant search for truth should naturally lead her to its natural consequence - academic excellence. The Colegio is ingrained with the truth and knowledge that man was created in the image and likeness of God. She recognizes that man can perform the ultimate good only if his faculties move in unison: soul and body, not body and soul. In the portals of the Colegio, a person enters with his mind “tabula rasa”. He drinks the thirst-quenching cool waters from the Holy Book, he bathes from the fountain of knowledge and savors the experience of community life that the Colegio provides. He extracts nuggets of wisdom from within the four walls of the institution. The person leaves the portals of the Colegio as a LETRANITE. He is richer now than he was before. His metamorphosis into a complete man is accomplished to the fullest. The man, as a Letranite, is molded with the Dominican zeal for spirituality. He is formed by the hammer of Filipino industry. The Letranite, as a man, is instilled with the Christian spirit, reason and insight. He becomes both human and humane; fully aware of his humanity and his need for humanity. He is transformed into a creature who is one with creation in giving glory to his Creator. Attempts by Letranites to empty the Colegio’s coffers of virtues have transformed them into her wealth in return. 

Colegio de San Juan de Letran has a history, is part of Philippine and Church histories, but is never history herself. Her presence in history was animated by her sons in different milieu. When the clarion call to serve God and country was sounded, her sons were there ready to serve. The Colegio is the only college in the Philippines whose portals were traversed by a pious man and martyr. The Colegio’s most illustrious alumnus is St. Vicente Liem de la Paz, O.P. He was a Letranista since 1747 and was professed to the Dominican order in 1754. A resident of Tonking (Vietnam) and a Dominican missionary, he was persecuted together with other Dominican priests in his native Tonking. He died a martyr... a loyal and devoted son of the Church until the end. 

The soul - the “anima” - of the nation has also received the indelible mark of the Colegio’s seal. Most heroes and leaders of our country, who have guided our people in converting the country’s agony into glory, have been cradled from the bosom of the Colegio. The teachings that enlightened the struggle for Philippine independence were authored by the sons of the Colegio. The spilled blood that gave meaning to Philippine patriotism poured out from the veins of the sons of the Colegio. 

Deus... Patria... Letran. In propagating and living the Faith, in the struggle for honor, valor and glory of the nation, the Colegio lost her wealth - her sons. From the dung heap of painful grief she rose: victorious, radiant and jubilant. The loss of her sons - her wealth - added to the accumulation of her treasures. Treasures that are vaulted in the hearts of every Filipino from generation to generation. 

Grateful to the Lord of Hosts, the Colegio has nurtured, and has been blessed by a multitude of children who gave the nation only honor and glory. From the Colegio’s hallways and portals marched her sons: the great, the near-great and those whose achievements were reduced to the ordinary by the achievements of the greatest of them all. From different directions they come, proceeding to the altar of the Lord comes St. Vicente Liem de la Paz, O.P., leading the procession to pay homage and to glorify the Lord of Creation. With him are his brethren, the Blessed Letranites: Jacobo Tomanaga, O.P., Tomas de San Jacinto, O.P., Pedro de Sta. Maria, O.P., Vicente Shiwozuka, O.P., Francisco Shoyemon, O.P., Domingo Tuoc, O.P., and Vicente Yen, O.P. 

From the ranks of heroes and patriots march: Antonio Regidor, Apolinario Mabini, Emilio Jacinto, Felipe Agoncillo, Fr. Jacinto Zamora, Fr. Jose Burgos, Gen. Manuel Tinio, Gen. Artemio Ricarte, Gen. Gregorio del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena, the Pardo de Taveras and a host of others. From the servants of the Filipino people come: Emilio Aguinaldo, Manuel L. Quezon, Sergio Osmena, Sr., Jose P. Laurel, and the numerous Letranites in public service. They come from the executive, legislative and the judiciary branches of the government service. 

Constantly aware that her heritage are the virtues of Love of God, neighbor and the constant search for Truth, Colegio de San Juan de Letran will continue to mold the spirit and minds of her sons and daughters to become effective builders of dynamic Christian communities. Truly, they are formed to be catalysts for change... to be the salt of the earth. From then till now, Colegio de San Juan de Letran will be perpetually ingrained in the consciousness and the subconsciousness of the Filipino people through the achievements of her children. Through her guidance, her children will carry on the tradition of penetrating the fields of science, the arts, commerce, technology and other fields of specialization. She will train her children to provide the leadership needed when there is nothing more in their fellow men “except the will which says to them: ‘hold on!’”. As the world moves amidst chaos toward the 21st century, Colegio de San Juan de Letran will carry on in breeding sons and daughters, will plant the seed, and reap the fruits of the culture of excellence. 

Colegio de San Juan de Letran is “the present that is never past”. Her vision of today and tomorrow is from the point of view of Truth. Forever she will toil in molding minds and spirits for the glory of God, and the upliftment of man himself. Through the centuries, her magnificence will shine in how she molded her children. She will be perpetuated on how her children have influenced the minds, the spirit and the lives of those who inhabit the earth... of those who will inherit the earth. 

The heritage of Colegio de San Juan de Letran are the virtues of : Love of God, Love neighbor and the constant search for the Truth. Her legacy to her children... the POWER to uplift himself and humanity in mind, body and spirit!