Classes start on June 3

About 4,927 students are expected to occupy the Colegio’s classrooms on June 3, the first day of school year 2002-2003. 

The Elementary and High School Departments look forward to welcoming 364 and 571 pupils, respectively this year.  With continuous efforts on accreditation, both departments are optimistic in beating the target enrollment figures. 

The Collegiate Department, on the other hand, expects 3,992 students, that is, 3,023 and 969 from CBAA and CLAS, respectively. 

Several activities await the students this month of June. To wit: 

New high school students will have their orientation on June 7-9.  Student Council election will likewise occur on June 14. 

The Elementary pupils will have their first Club Activity Day for the school year on June 21.

The Office of the Student Services, on the other hand, will initiate the election of class officers in the Collegiate Department on June 24-28.   

The traditional “Binyag Arriba” will also be sponsored by the Guidance Office on June 14.

The College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) will have their freshmen orientation in all courses on June 27.

The Guidance Office will conduct Parents’ Orientation of Freshmen and Transferees on June 29. 

Newly-hired employees will likewise undergo orientation by the Human Resources Development Office on June 7.

Academic departments (Elementary, High School, Collegiate and Graduate School) and other support departments will also sponsor the Mass of the Holy Spirit from June 4 to 10.

The students can expect better services this school year as the Colegio continues to professionalize not only its systems and policies, but its faculty as well.

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The Letran Alumni Association, Inc. held a golf tournament at Villamor Golf Club last April 24, 2002.  The tournament was well-attended affair with no less than Senator Vicente Sotto III, Governor Leonardo Roman of Bataan, singer Bert Nieverra and TV personality Vic Sotto participating...[more]

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Email me here: rector@letran.edu

Educational Leadership

In the summer of 1994, officials of the DPPI schools gathered in Baguio for a live-in workshop on the Filipino Dominican Philosophy of Education. One of the outputs of that workshop was a re-alignment of the different schools’ vision and missions in order to conform with the thrusts of the Philosophy. Among the various projects and programs discussed at that time was the possibility of coming up with our own internal Filipino Dominican standards of accreditation, before we even attempt to apply for accreditation with the different accrediting bodies.

This particular project never came to fulfillment but some years after that, DOMNET was founded, this time with the participation of UST. The rest, they say, is history. Slowly, we began to identify areas where our schools should have some degree of cooperation, if not commonality. As DOMNET, we have chosen to focus on 5 areas of concern: Educational Leadership, Instruction, Research, Community Service and Youth.

I have been tasked to present the first area of concern - Educational Leadership.  

Two years ago, a conference-workshop was held at the Central Seminary of UST and our group was assigned to that area of concern. The result of our sessions was a management philosophy for Dominican managers. The title itself could be compressed to something like a Dominican Philosophy of Management. 

There were projects and plans suggested to inculcate this philosophy in all our school administrators. Allow me to share my thoughts and insights on three salient points that it contains. Exactly what are the beliefs and characteristics that we should develop in the administrators of our schools? What guiding principles should we imbue them with?  

1. Leadership is a calling, and the authority that comes with it is for service, not dominance.  

Have you ever noticed that no biblical leader wanted the job? All through the Scriptures you see that the Biblical leader is one who is called, usually reluctant and not wanting the role. Kenneth Blanchard (Heart of a Leader) quoting A.W. Tozer in his book, commented that a true and safe leader is likely to be one who has no desire to lead, but is forced into a position of leadership by the inward pressure of the Holy Spirit and the press of external situations. 

Thus, our leadership flows or springs from the fact that we are called -- called to lead in order to serve. The “natura” and “anima” of our leadership is our vocation, in the Christian and religious life, to service for love of God and for others. 

It is easy to understand why our schools should choose to develop leadership first over management skills. Leadership is more closely affiliated with service. I am sure that most of us have heard dozens of comparisons between leaders and managers. Some are witty, some are funny, some are downright serious. Let me share with you just one more: 

The manager is the guy behind the group of workers cutting their way through the jungle with machetes. He is the guy busy writing policy and procedure manuals on how to hold the machete, how to sharpen the machete and how one can get a replacement if it gets damaged or lost. He instructs HRD to implement muscle development programs, bringing in improved technologies and setting up working schedules and compensation programs for machete wielders.  On the other hand, the leader, in the service of everyone else, is the one who climbs the tallest tree, surveys the entire situation, and yells, “Wrong jungle!” 

Let us remember that leadership does not depend solely on how much effort we expend, but on whether or not the effort we expend is in the right jungle.  

2.  Our administrators are imbued with the charism and values of the Order. 

These values are common to all of us: a love for the truth, loyalty to the Church, devotion to Mary and compassion for humanity. All too often, we hear them in our vision and mission statements. Every year, for example, we are afforded the opportunity to show our devotion to Mary during the Rosary month and the feast of the La Naval. 

Today, Letran is being put to test in its commitment to the truth.  Some of you know of the 3 million-peso suit filed against us by the parents of a student who refuse to acknowledge that their son is a member of a fraternity.  For Letran, the fight is now between what is true and what is not, what is moral and what is legal. 

On the same score, and with deference to Fr. Alarcon who is also with us today, Angelicum College dismissed some of its students who were caught by the  police conducting fraternity initiation rites.  Compassion for humanity was present in the decision.  In Letran, no one was dismissed outright.  They will all finish the school year.  This would have been the same for Angelicum too, except I remember the words of Fr. Alarcon very well.  “I dismissed them,” Fr. Alarcon said, “not because of the fraternity issue, but because sinungaling silang lahat.” 

The irony of it all is that he dismissed his students; we merely suspended ours, but we are the ones facing a lawsuit.  That may be the price we have to pay because of our love for the truth.           

The last point that I wish to make about our beliefs is regarding our staff.  

3.  We see our staff as fellow travelers towards the Kingdom of God.

Enough has been said about the benefits of pooling resources to meet a desired goal. On the maturity continuum, dependence is the paradigm of the YOU-YOU take care of this, you come through for this, you didn’t come through, I blame you for the results. Independence is the paradigm of the I-I can do it, I am responsible, I am self-reliant, I can choose. Interdependence is the paradigm of the WE-WE can do it, we can cooperate, we can combine our talents and abilities and create something greater together.  Dependent people need others to get what they want.  Independent people can get what they want through their own efforts.  Interdependent people combine their own efforts with the efforts of others to achieve their great success.  Only in interdependence will we find synergy.

As administrators, we accomplish all that we do through delegation--either to time or to other people.  If we delegate to time, we think efficiency.  If we delegate to other people, we think effectiveness.  Many people refuse to delegate to other people because they feel it takes too much time and effort and they could do the job better themselves.  But effectively delegating to others is perhaps the single most powerful high-leverage activity there is.  Delegation means growth, both for individuals and organizations.  The late J.C. Penney was quoted as saying as the wisest decision he ever made was to “let go” after realizing that he couldn’t do it all by himself any longer.  St. Dominic must have been thinking the same thing.  Otherwise, he wouldn’t have trained disciples.

Most of the time, we are afraid to let go because we might be blamed for the failures of others.  Think about it for a moment.  When we hire staff, we make sure that we pick the best of what is available.  The glut in the labor market makes sure of that.  We look for college graduates to do a job where the only skills required are the ability to read, to follow instructions and take messages.  We send them to advanced training and seminars.  After that, we encourage them to take up masteral or even doctoral degrees.  Still, we are afraid to trust them.  Yet, we all know that trust is the highest form of human motivation.  It brings out the very best in people.  So, why are we afraid to trust them?

The only other answer I could think of is that we are afraid to give up authority.  Allow me to finish this talk with a short story about authority. In the dark night, the ship’s captain cautiously piloted his warship through the fog-shrouded waters.  He strained his eyes as he scanned the hazy darkness, searching for dangers lurking out of sight.

His worst fears were realized when he saw a bright light straight ahead.  It appeared to be a vessel on a collision course with his ship.  

He quickly radioed the oncoming vessel.  “This is Captain Leandro Mendoza, please alter your course ten degrees south!  Over.” 

To his amazement, the foggy image did not move.  Instead he received this reply over the radio, “Captain Mendoza, this is Private Abu Sabaya.  Please alter your course ten degrees north.  Over.” 

Appalled at the audacity of the message, the captain shouted over the radio, “Private Abu Sabaya, this is Captain Leandro Mendoza, and I order you to immediately alter your course ten degrees south!  Over.”

The oncoming light did not budge.  “With all due respect, Captain Mendoza, please alter your course immediately!  Ten degrees north!  Over.”  

Fuming with rage and anger, frustrated that this arrogant sailor would endanger the lives of his men and crew, the captain growled back over the radio, “Private Abu Sabaya, I can have you court-martialed for this!  This is Captain Leandro Mendoza, battleship commander, speaking!” 

The private’s final reply--”Captain Mendoza, sir.  Once again, with all due respect, I command you to alter your course ten degrees to the north, sir!  Because  I am in a lighthouse, and cannot change my position. Sir!”

Many of us in the workplace behave just like Captain Leandro Mendoza.  Our positions get better of us, and without considering the situation, we expect our orders to be carried out by our subordinates.  We are not always aware of the consequences of our decisions.

After coming up with the draft of the Management Philosophy of a Dominican Manager, a series of activities was planned so that it could be disseminated and discussed.  If we have not done so in our respective school, I leave these insights to serve as starting points for consideration and discussion.  Hopefully, when we gather again during the next DOMNET conference, all our administrators are imbued with a management philosophy borne out of the synergy of our intellectual, educational, even contemplative resources.  One that  is truly our own--a Dominican and a Filipino.

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The 6th Nestea Beach Volley Competition
By Mr. Ramon M. Marticio  

The 6th Nestea Beach Volley University Championships kicked-off last March     9-10, 2002 at the sand courts of La Salle Greenhills where the first batch of teams from Metro Manila compete in their preliminary matches. 

There are 32 men’s team and 24 women’s teams representing the different colleges and universities in Metro Manila competing for the chance to go to Boracay this month to have a berth in the finals. The Colegio was represented by Brian Esquibel and Virgilio Castillo (Men’s); Sherrilyn Carillo and Cathlea Villaluz in the women’s division. 

The opening ceremonies were graced by celebrities, athletes and government officials. Prizes at stake include Ph 100,000 for each team and Ph 50,000 worth of sports equipment and paraphernalia for the  school that they represent. 

During the first elimination round, the Letran girls with their male counterparts emerged at the top of their class but in the second round, the Letran boys succumbed to  PATTS School of Aeronautics while the women’s team entered the final four for Metro Manila eliminations beating Central Colleges of the Philippines (CPP). 

The growing popularity of beach volleyball worldwide prompted officials of Nestle Philippines to sponsor the tournament annually as a gesture of supporting sports Development in the country. Beach volleyball is an Olympic sport and was introduced officially during the 1992 Barcelona Games.           

In 1999, the Letran men’s team finished runner-up after Far Eastern University and in 2000, Letran emerged as the National Champion for the New Millennium. 

Co-organized with Club Volle’, this year’s Nestea Beach Volley University Championships was endorsed by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and supported by the Philippine Amateur Volleyball Association (PAVA).

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Mary in the Month of May

by Derly Navarro

 “ I am the handmaid of the Lord” said Mary “Let what you have said be done to me”  (Luke 1:38)  

This “Yes” of Mary to the will of God is what makes her the number one model for all of us Roman Catholics and for a number of the Greek and Russian orthodox Churches. 

It is strange that while many of our Christian brethren  regard Mary with “ strained” eyes, —— pay the respect as the mother of Jesus.  The Greeks and the Russians certainly vie with us in giving her the “ dulia” or the honor due her as the “ Mother of God”.  

The devotion to Mary is so strongly entreated in Philippine culture that no amount of “image-smashing” can erase her from the Filipino mind.  She is our “mother” or “Mama Mary” to the present generation.  That is why we have faith center throughout the country where countless  miracles are attributed to her intercession.  She is Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan, Our Lady of Piat, in Cagayan, Our Lady of La Naval in Quezon City, Our Lady of Perpetual  Help in Pasay City and many other appellation whereby she is most known. 

The Church in the Philippines celebrate Mary as the Flores de Mayo in the Month of May.  It is a tradition that dates back to early Spanish times. I remember that as children, we often look forward to May as a happy time in Church.  We receive Catechetical institution from 2:00 o clock to 4:00 o clock in the afternoon and by 4:30 we become “sagalas” in the Flores de Mayo, complete with our white dresses and with our bouquet of flowers. 

Everyday, after lunch, we  would already gather flowers from our garden or from the neighborhood.  Nobody would say no to our request for flowers because it is for Our Lady in the Flores de Mayo. 

It is a daily novena which stalks with the recitation of the Holy Rosary in the church. It is full of devotees, both children from the “catechesis” and adults, usually parents and relatives of those receiving catechetical instruction among whom are chosen the faceared “ sagalas”.  This is followed by beautiful songs to Mary, in the local dialect.  The church resounds with the trilling notes from the children and the sonorous sounds from the adults.  It is beautiful to hear that even today I am still excited by those hymns of praise. 

This is then followed by the long procession of children in white carrying there bouquet of flowers to our Lady throne at the altar. It is almost a dance and song affair for we were taught how to make the proper steps as we wind our way to the altar where we offer our bouquet to our beloved Mother Mary. 

The whole novena ends with a short sermon from our priest and the blessing. The best part for children follows after that. Everyday, a family offers to give merienda to the sagalas and even to those learning the catechism.  Candies and sweets are the order of the day and how we love them! 

The last day of the Flores de Mayo novena is a much awaited affair.  The church is filled to capacity; the “sagalas” are in their long dresser;  the most beautiful flowers are offered.  There is even a local band which assists in the singing of the hymns to our Beloved Mothers. 

To be the “Hermano and Hermana” on this day is a much coveted honor among the town people.  It is the belief that the more one gives to God and his Mother, the more graces one receives. 

To this day, I still believe in this, so that sharing with others what one has is a sure way to God’s heart.The Flores de Mayo novena is repeated many times in houses throughout the towns and barrios.  It becomes a family tradition which  is carried down to the generation.  Our own Flores de Mayo devotion came down to us from our grandmother’s great, grand grandmothers. For me, May will always be the month of Mary with the sound, and smell that only a Flores de Mayo from childhood times can bring.

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