LETRAN HONORS DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
Colegio de San Juan de Letran recently recognized thirteen outstanding alumni during the Letran Grand Alumni Homecoming last November 23 at the Student Center Auditorium.  

In his speech, Mr. Rey Reyes, Executive Assistant to the Rector, mentioned there were five kinds of awards  this year.  These are the Meritorius Alumnus Award, Outstanding Professional Alumnus Award, Most Distinguished Alumnus Award, Letranism Award and the Hall of Great Letranistas Award.  

The Meritorious Alumnus Award is given to an alumnus who has displayed singular achievement like  an act of valor or for placing significantly in the board or bar examinations. 

The Outstanding Professional Alumnus (OPA) Award, meanwhile, is given to the alumnus who has shown excellence in their field of endeavor. 

The Most Distinguished Alumni Award is bestowed on those who bring honor and distinction to the country, have made signficant contributions to uplift the Filipino people and who have reputations that extend to the international community. 

The Letranism Award is given to an alumnus in recognition of his strong school spirit, reflected in the sincere concern, support and positive deeds for Letran. 

Recipients of the Hall of Great Letranistas Award have cultivated a stature that is national and even international in scope such as Emilio Aguinaldo, Marcelo Del Pilar, St. Vicente Liem dela Paz, Manuel Quezon, Cayetano Arellano, Manuel Araullo, Jesis Balmori, Fr. Jacinto Zamora and Enrique Zobel de Ayala. 

While criteria and guidelines have been set, the selection of this year’s awardees is a joint effort of both the Letran Alumni Association and the Colegio.  The alumni awardees are:  

Dr. Jesus Y. Perez is a graduate of High School in 1952 and of the Preparatory Medicine course in 1954 from the Colegio de San Juan de Letran.  After obtaining his medical degree from the University of Santo Tomas in 1959, Dr. Perez went for his residency in internal medicine at the New York Metropolitan Medical Center where he became the first Filipino chief resident, and at the Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington DC.  He also trained at the Tokyo Women’s Gastroenterologic Institute under the Colombo Program for detection of cancer by the use of optic endoscope.  In 1996, Dr. Jesus Perez became the first dean of St. Luke’s College of Medicine. He served in that capacity until his retirement this year and was subsequently named Dean Emeritus of the same medical school. Dr. Perez’s association with the prestigious St. Luke’s Medical Center began in 1986 until 2002, where he was member of its Execom and at one time Chairman of its Department of Medicine rdo G. Casas, a native of Meycauayan, Bulacan, was born June 9, 1913. He was the younger brother of Archbishop Artemio Casas, himself a Letran alumnus (High School 1930). Upon completion of his elementary and secondary education in his hometown, he went to Letran for his Preparatory Medicine and to the University of Santo Tomas for his medical studies. After passing the board exams for medicine, Dr. Casas began his teaching career at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of UST.

In 1937 Dr. Ricardo Casas was appointed school physician of Colegio de San Juan de Letran, and that started his long and dedicated service to Letran and its students in their medical needs until the 1980s. This was interrupted briefly during the World War II.

The Letranism Award is bestowed posthumously upon Dr. Ricardo G. Casas, who passed away in 1986, shortly after he retired as school physician for 47 years, in recognition of his love for, and loyalty to, his Alma Mater, Letran, whose ideals and spirit he always embodied in his person and work during his lifetime.  

Alumnus Dante Ang has been in the news lately. He was being criticized for his personal business investments in the context of his being the Senior Presidential Consultant for Public Relations.  To end all this controversy, he resigned from the post of being the top publicist of President Gloria M. Arroyo and from his other government positions.   His rise to public prominence though was brought about by the successful public relations program he formulated for President Gloria M. Arroyo. She became Senator and Vice-President undoubtedly, with the votes and support generated by the association with the masa and the Nora Aunor look-alike packaging Dante Ang conceptualized and effectively implemented for the president. 

Jaime Bautista became the Chief Finance Officer of the Lucio Tan Group in 1999.  In this capacity, he sits as member of the Board of the following companies:  Air Philippines, Inc., University of the East as Vice Chairman, UERM Medical Center Foundation, Macroasia Corporation, Balabac Resources and Holdings Company, Baguio Gold Holding Corporation and National Services Corporation. He is the President of Basic Capital Investment Corporation, PNB Forex Inc., and Cube Factor Holdings, Inc.

Considering his modest beginnings, Jaime Bautista has accomplished much. He is an epitome of the proposition that with industry, talent and trustworthiness, success cannot be far behind. Humble and low-key, Jimmy is married with one daughter and he involves himself with the Rotary and an NGO, the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary. 

Henry Co is the President of Ford Group Philippines, Inc. — a first in the domestic operations of Ford, the American multinational automaker. Presently, he is the only Filipino chief executive officer of any major automotive industry player. This distinction is a recognition of the strong educational background and effective managerial ability of Henry Co.  A diligent student during his days in Letran, Henry, already equipped with all his technical training, completed his Master in Business Administration at the University of the Philippines in 1987 while already working with Nissan. His fluency in Tagalog, Chinese and English definitely is a major strength in his personal arsenal.  

Since Rudy Francisco started playing the piano professionally 35 years ago at the Calesa Bar of the Hyatt Regency  (then Sheraton), he has discovered and developed many singers that have contributed so much to modern Philippine music. They were then unknown and aspiring singers equipped only with raw talents. But the strict discipline and training they received from the maestro turned them eventually to the polished performers they have become. Most notable among them are: Verni Varga, Janet Basco, Imelda Papin,  Didith Reyes, Chiqui Pineda, Toni Daya, Joey Albert, Malu Barry, Isay Alvarez, Marissa Sanchez, Lani Misalucha, Marichris Bermont, Lorna Pal and Cynthia Patag.    

Finally, for his contribution to Philippine music, Rudy Francisco was awarded the 2000 Aliw Achievement Award for having developed talents that made up the Philippine music industry.  Rudy continues to play at the Calesa Bar, still at it, discovering and developing new talents — an unsung hero of modern Philippine music.

Sugar plantations abound in the island of Negros and it is not surprising that alumnus Joseph Marañon involved himself in the farming of sugar. In connection with this undertaking, he became Director and Vice-President of the Sagay - Escalante Planters Association. He was also one time a Director of the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines.  

Wanting to serve a wider spectrum and number of people, Joseph Marañon entered politics.  He became the municipal mayor of Sagay in 1992 until 1996. Concurrently, he became the President of the Municipal Mayors League of the Negros Occidental Chapter. Sagay became a city and he was the first city mayor serving from June 1996 to June 2001. He was Vice-president of the League of Cities of the Philippines. In 2001, he was elected Governor of his province, Negros Occidental. 

Joseph Marañon is the president of the following business concerns: Northern Negros Planters Association, Inc., M & L Legal Corporation, Phoenix Philippines Industrial Corporation and is a director in the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters.

Soon after he completed his studies for the priesthood in the Dominican Order at the Dominican House of Studies in Quezon City and the University of Santo Tomas, Letran alumnus Fr. Edmund Nantes was entrusted with the important task of formation of Dominican novices. He was ready to dedicate his youth, his time, his talents to this task which he carried out with dedication for a number of years. He is credited for raising funds to construct he Dominican novitiate building in Manaoag.  In 1999, Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, then Master of the Dominican Order, chose Fr. Nantes to be Syndic of the entire Order. Fr. Nantes gave up his position as Provincial Syndic in the Philippines to become the Syndic of the Order of Preachers – the First Filipino and Asian to be appointed to that high office in the Dominican Order. As Syndic of the Order, Fr. Nantes is based at Santa Sabina, the Motherhouse of the Order in Rome and is also a member of the General Council of the Order.  

Bienvenido Lumbera and the late Rolando Tinio of Letran HS 1950 are among the very few literary luminaries who after having shone themselves in the halls of the university entered the world of cinema.  Following in their footsteps is another Letranite, Jose Javier Reyes. He is also a man of literature and a multi-awarded scriptwriter and director.

A Bachelor of Arts Honors degree in Literature graduate of De La Salle University (DLSU), he pursued his masteral degree in English Education in the same university and is at present, a doctoral candidate in Comparative Literature at the University of Santo Tomas. Under a Fulbright-Hayes scholarship, he attended a Doctoral Enrichment Program / Comparative Literature at the Indiana University.  In 1998, he was the Artist-in-Residence for Creative Writing at the University of the Philippines Department of Pilipino and Creative Writing.  His first feature movie, Regal Shocker:  the Movie was in 1990. He won Best Director for the following films: in 1993 URIAN Awards for Makati Avenue Office Girls and Metro Minila Filmfest for May Minamahal; 1994 Young Critics Circle, Hindi Kita Minamahal, 1998 Young Critics Circle for Batang PX, and in 1999 Manila Filmfest for Luksong Tinik.  Jose Javier Reyes was President of the Directors Guild of the Philippines in 2000 and is a member of movements geared towards change and reform like:  Artista Para sa Pagbabago and Pagbabago @ Pilipinas.  

Among the passengers of Laoag International Airlines Flight 585, which crashed into the murky waters of Manila Bay last week, was Jose Salazar. Nobody knew that he was Bishop Jose P. Salazar, O.P. of the Prelature of Batanes. A typical Letranite, he remained almost an unnoticed survivor of the crash which in the days that followed was given much publicity in the media. Jose P. Salazar is a member of the very united and active Letran High School class of 1958. After graduation from high school, he joined the Dominican Order and studied Philosophy at the Dominican House of Studies in Santo Domingo, Quezon City, and Theology at the Faculty of Theology of UST. 

Bishop Salazar’s facility to learn languages (He speaks Pangasinense, Bicolano, Cebuano and Ilonggo, aside from Tagalog, English and Spanish.) and his ability to adapt to the level of ordinary people serve him well in his pastoral ministry in the far-flung islands north of the Philippines.

Pastor Saycon gained prominence during the incumbency of President Fidel V. Ramos. He was one of the prime mover in the organization that got former General Ramos elected to the presidency. He was a founding member of Lakas Tao, the original political party of former President Ramos and also, he consolidated the United People Power Movement during the president’s time. It is not without basis that until now, where Pastor Saycon is, the name of former President Ramos crops up.  Boy Saycon was a convenor of KAMPI (Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino), the political vehicle of President Gloria M. Arroyo. Thus, he was in the administration in its early days. To this day, Boy is involved on current issues, particularly on things having to do with political governance. His public advocacy ranges from matters on current government performance to direction and reforms in the government.   

Isabelo Tibayan III whose father is also a Letranite, is a major in the Custom Police Division — a Special Assistant for Operations in the Intelligence and Enforcement Group. From Letran, he moved to UST for his secondary schooling where he also earned his commerce degree. Upon the encouragement of the Bureau, he pursued a masteral degree in business management in 1999 at St. Francis of Assisi. Through intelligence work and diligence, Major Tibayan and his team had done numerous apprehensions and confiscations for the Bureau on shipments that were undeclared and undervalued – ranging from coated paper, textiles, food items like onions & vermicelli, PVC resins, to smuggled rice, cocaine, assorted firearms and ammunitions, minivans, Mazdas and brand new Toyota Landcruisers.

Ever the gallant knight, Hans Paolo Lopez gave his life to save another. On the night of July 4 this year during heavy rains, the ever flood-prone Sampaloc area experienced flooding in its major streets. Hans who operated a computer store in the vicinity of Dapitan and Quintos streets saw two young girls, Jastin, aged 13 and elder sister Joan Turiano walking on the flooded streets. Jastin stepped accidentally on a live wire, caught the attention of Letranite Hans, who rushed immediately to pull the girl out. Unfortunately, Hans slipped and got himself electrocut UST Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. Hans completed his AB Economics at UST and was pursuing a law degree at the UST Faculty of Civil Law. He worked at Abscore as product demonstrator for computer and later, at the Beer Division of San Miguel Corporation.

This year’s Alumni Awards is only part and parcel of the celebration of the Grand Alumni    Homecoming sponsored by the HS ‘77, silver jubilarians.

It was a blast. 

What a Homecoming! It was simply fantastic. The moment you set your eyes on the well adorned LC quadrangle, you knew something grand was afoot.  Elegantly set tables with immaculate white and blue covers, dazzling lighting effects, giant twin projection screens, the rolling cameras, a superb sound system, and a grandiosely designed stage - the setting was perfect. The weather seemed to have caught on too - as it was always raining on the days and nights prior to this event. But lo and behold,  on this special day, the clouds parted and suddenly, the skies became clear.  The stage was set - it was HS ’77  Batch of Brothers’ much prepared for and much anticipated event. 

The quadrangle was teeming with people. The evening program started with the lighting of the Flame of Eternal Remembrance.  Then the Golden (HS ’52) and Ruby (HS ’62) Jubilarians marched onstage and presented themselves to the audience.  They were treated to a stunning opening number by the Letran Band, Dance Troupe and Cheerleaders.  The Silver Jubilarians then filled up the stage looking very sharp in specially designed sweatshirts.  They made the entire campus reverberate with thunderous cheers of S-J-L-C!  It didn’t matter that the voice of the head chearleader (Louie de Leon) broke a few times, it was the effect and the spirit that mattered.  The invocation was made by Bishop Soc Villegas, accompanied on the violin by Noli Vinas.  Before joining the audience, HS ’77 sang the Alma Mater hymn led by the soulful voices of Dave Lagac and Sedfrey Santiago. 

The event was superbly emceed by Manny Aligada, Noel Santiago and Gabby Santos. Gabby and Noel were suprisingly restrained and formal. But they would let loose some hilarious quips once in a while. Paeng Altavas, Noli Vinas and Sammy Musni were all over the place, tirelessly coordinating in the background. 

After the delicious dinner, the video presentation of old and new footage, with interviews with members of all the Jubilarian classes captivated the audience. The professional as well as artistic presentation of the video footage, old photos and narration, capped by the Thank You’s and Arriba Letran was certainly a cinematic masterpiece. 

The part of the program honoring the faculty was a real heart-warmer.  Even though not all of the invited teachers came, the ones who were there were filled with emotion as shown by the sparkle in their eyes.  Mr. Vanishing Point, Col. Ubungen was even carried atop many shoulders up the stage!  Before Ms. Arguelles, Claudio-de Rivera, Castillo-Legaspi, Ablaza-Villegas, Ambat, Dimaculangan-Saez, Marinas, Guiquing, Penalosa, Salalima, Yanga we, their former students simply melted in our emotions. We presented them with flowers and plaques as we warmly hugged and kissed them in gratitude.  With the teachers in mind, the Batch of Brothers presented to the Fr. Rector a P100,000.00 donation to the Faculty Development fund of the San Vicente Liem dela Paz Foundation. 

A spectacular fireworks show and group hugs by the Jubilarians capped the formal ceremonies.  As the last fireworks pierced the sky, the Q&A band struck up tunes from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s and the fun and dancing went on until the early hours of the following morning.

THE GLOWING SUNSET AT INTRAMUROS
Jesus Y. Perez, Jr., M.D.  

Alumni Homecoming is always a day to reminisce old times, renew friendship and acquaintances; and    re-live – the days when we were younger – often hilarious, uncaring of what are in store ahead. Homecoming becomes very special when the alumni are part of the Jubilee Celebrants. Jubilee connotes, the time that had lapsed after graduation – 25, 40, 50 or more years. 

As the Golden Celebrants, this homecoming is unforgettable for it connotes time of not merely fifty years but the years before.  Thus, allow me to bring you way back in time, when classmates of diverse background, came together in quest for Letran education. We did, just as once, some illustrious sons of the nation’s historic and glorious past came to study in this venerable institution. 

It was in their and our generation (hopefully in your generation too) that Letran;s education was widely acknowledged for the values of – discipline, honesty, humility, respect of fellow human being, hard work, courage and deep abiding belief in Divine providence.  Armed with those values, we faced and surmounted the difficult realities in life – to emerge highly competitive and comparable to the best –anywhere else. ARRIBA LETRAN! 

Hence, to those who engrained in us the Letran education, the Distinguished teaching staff of friars and layman – we salute and commend. 

Today as the Golden Celebrants, this momentous homecoming is indeed unforgettable in our lives, in which, we see clearly in the horizon “the glowing sunset at Intramuros” gradually fading, (sadly, in the absence of departed classmates, to whom we honor with a minute of silent prayer-please stand) – the memories of this celebration will surely linger an everlasting mark in our hearts. 

Coming as it does on this special occasion, the Golden Jubilee of High School 1952, with Governor Joseph G. Marañon, a classmate and province mate, we are exhilarated to shre these awards with members of our class – with pride.  Indeed, we are happy and proud to be Co-awardees with Outstanding Letranites of diverse Professional field of endeavors; in business, in government, in military, in religious, culture and arts, the legal and entertainment professions.

Now, I humbly accept the honor as recipient of the “highest symbol that Letran Alumni Association, Inc. confers on members with significant contributions to the betterment of the Filipino People, thereby, give honor and distinction to the school” – LETRAN’S MOST DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS AWARD FOR 2002.

My Fellow Awardees and Jubilarians, we express heartfelt appreciation and profound gratitude to the Rev. Fr. Edwin A. Lao, O.P., President and Rector; and, to President Armin Sarthou, of the Letran Alumni Association, Inc. and the Board of Directors, who made this day truly special.  We thank sincerely the gracious presence of family members, relatives and friends of the Awardees, and also my friends in the academe, the medical profession and the Rotary for accepting my invitation.

Email me here: rector@letran.edu

There is poignancy about homecomings.  It brings back the years when we could still dream because we have not yet been kicked by life’s hard realities so we are neither blase, indifferent or even cynical.  

The annual alumni homecoming of Letran is, as always, a happy, boisterous affair.  It is good to be back with the friends of our youthful days:  jokes of those years gone shared anew, stories to tell, laughter that rings with the dollars of success and that paunch in the belly that parades a lifestyle of opulence and glory. 

Then the much awaited awards.  It highlights the achievements of those who lived the alma mater’s ideals of DEUS, PATRIA, LETRAN— God, country, Letran.   This is what we continue to inculcate in our young today, even among our administrators, faculty and non-teaching employees.  Who lives for God (DEUS) lives for others.  And the “others” could be as broad as our countrymen (PATRIA) or as specific as our alma mater (LETRAN). 

There is honor and distinction in living for God and for country.   A public image is created of generosity and unselfishness, of reaching for the stars in the midst of obstacles or even pain.  But Letran, why is Letran not in the forefront of our life, of our minds, of our everyday consciousness? 

It is commonly said that charity begins at home.  For years, Letran has been home to all of us.  Letran is the foundation of our professional becoming and our spiritual aspirations.  It has given us intimations of who we are and the Holy Grail of the meaning of life. 

But if we truly live for Letran, where do we send our sons and daughters for their academic and spiritual formation?   Have we helped Letran to grow by sharing with her what we have and what we are? 

Times are indeed hard.  But it has always been so.  Man grows not in opulence but in adversity, not in self-indulgence, but in self-giving.  This is the heart of DEUS, PATRIA, LETRAN — self-giving.  We give ourselves because we love, we care, we are concerned.  There is no half-heartedness about this, no middle-ground, no fence-sitting, no mere play of words. 

As they say, too much words can drown man.  They are as torrents of water that can sweep away the top soil and leave the grounds barren and lifeless. 

That is why real success is the fruit of action, not of words.  It is the commitment to the ideals.  This is what awards are for.  This is what our annual homecoming should be:  a re-commitment to our ideals of DEUS, PATRIA, LETRAN. 

As the Bible says, “the first shall be last and the last shall be first.”  Can you make LETRAN first in your consciousness and act on it.  This is always a mother’s wish for her children.

May God and our Blesses Mother bless you all.         

POPE LAUNCHES YEAR OF ROSARY AND THE NEW MYSTERIES OF LIGHT

His Holiness Pope John Paul II recently launched October 2002 to October 2003 as the International Year of the Holy Rosary and the five (5) new mysteries called the Mysteries of Light. The papal declaration was embodied in his apostolic letter (encyclical) called ROSARIUM VIRGINIS MARIAE done at the Vatican City October 16, 2002, the beginning of the twenty-fifth (25) year of his pontificate. 

In the encyclical, the supreme pontiff said that the rosary is a prayer loved by countless saints and encouraged by the magisterium. It is simple yet profound and still remains at the dawn of the third millennium. 

“It is a prayer of great significance, destined to bring forth a harvest of holiness…. as it blends easily into the spiritual journey of the Christian life….it is my favorite prayer!! ….. a marvelous prayer!!”, the pontiff said in his letter. 

His Holiness also praised the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of our Lord and mankind. In an excerpt of his pontifical letter, “… the contemplation of Christ has an incomparable model in Mary. In a unique way the face of the Son belongs to Mary. It was in her womb that Christ was formed, receiving from her a human resemblance which points to an even greater spiritual closeness….”. 

It is in Chapter II of his apostolic letter that launched the new mysteries of the Holy Rosary called the “The Mysteries of Light” and these are (1) Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan; (2) The Self-Manifestation of Jesus at the Wedding at Cana; (3) The Proclamation of Jesus of the Kingdom of God with the Call of Conversion; (4) The Transfiguration of Jesus; (5) The Institution of the Eucharist as the Sacramental Expression of the Paschal Mystery. 

Meanwhile, Jaime Cardinal Sin, Archbishop of Manila led the Filipino catholic faithful in launching the year of the rosary and introduced the new mysteries locally in October 31, 2002 at the Our Lady of EDSA Shrine. After his homily, followed the first recitation of the mysteries of light. The 1st mystery was presented by Most Rev. Rolando Tirona, DD, Bishop of Malolos. The 2nd by Ambassador Henrietta De Villa, the 3rd by Bishop Teodoro Bacani, DD, Auxiliary Bishop of Manila, the 4th by Most Rev. Crisostomo Yalung, DD, Bishop of Antipolo and the 5th mystery was presented by Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, DD, Auxiliary Bishop of Manila. The mysteries of light will be recited every Thursday.