BATCH ’76 HOSTS ALUMNI HOMECOMING 

Batch of 1976 hosted this year’s alumni homecoming last November 24, 2001. 

A general alumni membership meeting took place earlier in the program. This was followed by a concelebrated mass where Rev. Fr. Edwin A. Lao, O.P. was the main celebrant. 

The Jubilarians were presented to the alumni followed by the presentation of the reports by Mr. Jose Maria Aligada and Mr. Armin Sarthou, Jr., the alumni association’s president and treasurer, respectively. 

Outstanding alumni were given the following awards:  

The “Fray Diego De Sta Maria” Most Distinguished Alumnus Award was given to H.E. Prof. Dr. Enrique P. Syquia and Dr. Augusto D. Litonjua.

Prof. Dr. Enrique Syquia who is from primary batch ‘39 and intermediate batch ‘49 was the honorary general of the Hashemite, Kingdom of Jordan in the Philippines from 1987 to 1996. Currently, he is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta to the Philippines.  

He finished Bachelor of Laws as Magna Cum Laude at University of Santo Tomas while he graduated Sobresaliente in Doctor of Laws at University of Madrid.  

Dr. Augusto Litonjua  the second awardee, graduated valedictorian both in his Primary and Intermediate levels. He continued his studies at University of the Philippines where he obtained a medical degree. He went to Massachusetts General Hospital where he was a research fellow in the thyroid clinic. He later became physician of the Diabetes Clinic of the Boston City Hospital. 

Now, he is a Professor Emeritus at the College of Medicine at the University of the Philippines. Also,  the Chairman of Medicine and Chief of Endocrinology at the Makati Medical Center as well as a consultant at Manila Doctor’s Hospital. 

Dr. Litonjua is the author of 4 books in endocrinology and has written 5 chapters in books and about 71 articles in medicine in lay publications both here and abroad. 

The “Don Juan Geronimo Guerrero” Letranism Award was granted to Fr. Pompeyo De Mesa, O.P. Fr. de Mesa is a true Letran Knight. He finished Elementary grades in 1950 and High School in 1954. 

In 1975 he became the Rector and President of Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Manila. He is currently the Regent of the College of Science at the University of Sto. Tomas. He was awarded the Outstanding Professional for Ecclesiastical Service in 1974. In the interim he was Letran Alumni Association (LAA) board member from 1990 to 1995 and LAA President from 1996 to 1997. 

The Outstanding Professional Award was given to the following: Gen. Edilberto Adan, Dr. Isabelo Ongtengco, Mr. William Uy and Mr. Al Francis Chua. 

Gen. Edilberto Adan, the first awardee, graduated from the Elementary in 1960.  

A young graduate of the Philippine Military Academy in 1972, he served in the 26th Infantry Battalion where he saw action for the first time defending Marawi from 400 rebel. He has an MBM degree from the Asian Institute of Management. 

The next awardee is Dr. Isabelo V. Ongtenco. He has the distinction of being the first Filipino Cardiologist to perform Mitral Balloon Valvuloplasty at the St. Lukes Medical Center together with two other doctors. 

Dr. Ongtengco is involved in charity work at St. Martin de Porres Charity Hospital as consultant in Internal Medicine and Cardiology. He is also the Chairman of the Department of Medicine from 1984 to 1998. Meanwhile, in the field of the academe, he is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean at the St. Lukes College of Medicine at William H. Quasha Memorial. 

The third awardee is Mr. William Carlos Uy a businessman.

Mr. Uy finished his secondary education in the Colegio in 1960. He pursued his commerce degree in the same institution and graduated in 1964.  

A loyal and generous Letranite, he is now chairman and president of Parity Values, Inc., Trade Demands Corp. and Liberty Commodities Corp. He is also the vice-chairman and senior vice-president of Liberty Flour Mills as well as director of Aghem Manufacturing Corp., Malayan Bank and CCC Insurance Corp.

He was the recipient of a special award for a feeding program and a special performance award from the Rotary Club of Mandaluyong.  

Mr. Al Francis Chua, an awardee, was the basketball coach in 1987 at University of Santo Tomas Juniors. In 1995 he became coach of STAG in the PBL and the team won three conferences. In the same year he was appointed assistant coach of the SEA games where the Philippines emerged as champion. He was also named coach of the Year of PBL in 1995. He was assistant coach of Pop Cola in 1998 and he coached Tanduay from 1999 to 2000.

Atty. Leonard De Vera, the next awardee is an active trial civil, criminal and commercial cases lawyer was among the very first to file criminal plunder cases against the officials of the former administration. He is presently the legal counsel of two high profile individuals Mary Ong (Rosebud) and Danny Devnani.

Congressman Rodolfo Bacani the final awardee, is the primary proponent of Sariling Sikap. Self-help Projects in Manila. Through the Bacani Foundation he established the Bacani Computer Training Center in Sampaloc where free computer courses are given to unprivileged but deserving residents.  

He is also the founding father of the Bacani Livelihood center and the Filipinas-Nippon International Training Foundation, Inc. The Bacani Livelihood Center provides free training programs in high-speed sewing, hotel and restaurant management, tailoring, dressmaking, quilting, cosmetology and food processing for the residents of the 4th district.

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LETRAN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING

The Letran Alumni Association, Inc. has elected a new Board of Directors for 2002-2003 last November 24, 2001. The new board is composed of George Abeto, H.S. ‘72, Mario Alberto Aligada, H.S. ‘77, Enrique Ambat, Col. ‘83, Marcail Orlando Balgos Jr., Elem. ‘74, Ponciano Bautista, H.S. ‘78, Gilbert de Ocampo, H.S. ‘63, Gilbert Legaspi, H.S. ‘67, George Mariano, Col. ‘77, Jesus Mendoza Jr., H.S. ‘60, Federico Ortiz III, H.S. ‘68, Domingo Patajo, Elem. ‘68, Edmundo Reyes, Col. ‘78, Armin Sarthou, H.S. ‘76, Ramon Tabuena, Col. ‘61 and Jose Luis Zabala, Col. ‘78.  

During the joint meeting of the out-going and in-coming boards last December 4, 2001 at the St. Liem de  la Paz Student Center, the following were elected as the new officers of the LAA for 2002-2003: Mario Alberto Aligada, Secretary; George Mariano, Treasurer; George Abeto, Vice-President and Armin Sarthou, President.

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Email me here: rector@letran.edu

Perhaps, all of you are familiar with the famous story of the Little Prince. I would like to begin my speech to point out some important details of the story, relating them to what we are celebrating this evening. On the surface, the Little Prince is a short story for children, but in reality it is a story of a child written for grown-ups or in a larger picture it is a story of going back . . . . a return to childhood.

Welcome Letranites to this Saturday gathering of reminiscing your old days. Your Alma Mater who is the sole witness of your happy memories welcomes you with open arms. I can surmise that most of your topics as you mingle around with your batchmates are your “kalokohan” and “kakulitan” during the old days . . . . how you used to cram for research works and the pressures of daily quizzes and recitations. It seems that time really flies. Look at you now, some of you are already known in the industry; others have established their names in different sectors, be it in private or in public; still others, already contributed much for the progress of our country. Now you’ll realize that the charming little prince is molded to become a real gentleman, a knight, responsive to the calls of Deus, Patria and even Letran.  

Do you still remember the Little Prince’s interplanetary travel that brought him to Earth where he learned the secrets of what is really important in life? Once in your life’s journey, you came across Letran . . . . your second home who taught you from the basic principles of counting and writing to the more serious approach in understanding human life. Yes, dear alumni, we welcome you back to the Colegio to share with you the decades of learning you have gained since your days here.  

The world of Letran was a very different place when you first entered. The administration continuously strives to give the best to its students in terms of quality facilities. New generation of Letranites now have the St. Thomas Building or what they usually call the Megamall because of its structure, the San Vicente Liem de la Paz Dormitory and the newly-inaugurated St. Liem Student Center where we have our new auditorium. Letran now can even boast of its television studio, video editing room, the computer laboratories and air-conditioned classrooms. And the list goes on. We did not get where we are today by standing still. Many factors contributed to these changes and honestly you are on of our inspirations. For as long as you are there, we will continue to change and we will go on changing for the next generations of Letranites. 

We have a lot of things to be proud of here in Letran. Aside from the common heroes and presidents like Aguinaldo, Osmeña and Mabini, we also have you. Your integrity and sense of leadership motivate young Letranites to follow in  your footsteps . . . . maybe not exactly in the same package but at least on the training and formation you had, they have and will have in Letran. 

I can confidently say that you have made your own steps to live in the ideals of Deus and Patria. Letran is now counting on your support. I am giving you this challenge. I am passing on the responsibility to your hands. For sure you will love to see as many as little prince grow up in a manner you were trained and developed. 

There are so much things we need to do. There are so much things that you can do. 

Again, Letran kingdom celebrates as She welcomes your majesty. 

Live long . . . . and prosper! Arriba Letran!

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LETRAN SQUIRES CHAMPIONSHIP 

The Letran Squires grabbed the 77th National Collegiate Athletics Association Juniors’ Basketball Division over the expense of the San Beda Red Cubs, 63-61 in overtime at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum last October 5, 2001. 

Letran drew the first blood in the beset of three championship series with a 74-69 win in Game one. But the Red Cubs even the series by winning in Game 2 with a ten point, 8--70 final score. 

But Game 3 was the climax of the series. It’s a do-or-die game with the NCAA title at stake. It’s the survival of the fittest and the Squires proved that they more deserve  the crown. 

The Squires not just won the title but also ended a 15 year Juniors’ championship title drought since 1985, and nailed the jinx together with the Red Cubs. 

Letran lost last season’s championship to Mapua Red Robins after an outstanding 14 game sweep during the elimination round. Last season’s frustration made the Squires hunger more for championship. 

This time, the Squires returned back at the Red Robins after sending them on an early vacation after the semi-final round. 

Squire cager Jay-R Reyes was named Rookie-of-the-Year and Most Valuable Player at the same time. Also included in the Squires’ line up were Mark Anthony Balneg, Oliver Cua, Rafael Joey Jazul, Agerico de Rama, Joseph Samson, Edward Angustia, Andrew Ryan Dacanay, Ray Francis Guevarra, Rico Cariño, Brian Jeffrey Javier, Juanito Quiamco III, and team Captain John Christopher Intal, with former Knight Jing Ruiz as head coach and Elmer Latonco, and Robert Joseph Guevarra as asst. coach.

HS AWARDS MISS INTRAMURALS 2001    

Attractive and stunning muses were presented to the High School crowd during the opening ceremonies of the Intramurals 2001. All the ladies were poised and showed off their beauty. They were cheered by the students as they walked down the aisle to represent each class.  Three lovely ladies were lucky to be chosen.  

Miss Kristine Gay Santiangco representing     III-316 is the second runner up. She is a 3rd year college student and is taking up BS Accountancy here in Letran. She joined the search for Miss Accounting and the modeling practices during the pageant helped. She is also one of the cheerleaders in our school and her cheering exposure made her feel confident in front of a large number of people especially in front of the High School students. 

The natural look displayed by Miss Roxanne Tan Gonzales made her first runner-up. She is a 4th year High School student from Sienna College. She said that she just acted naturally during the competition. She represented class IV-315. 

The crowd-favorite and very attractive lady, who represented III-317, topped all the other candidates and was proclaimed Miss Intramurals 2001 is no other than Miss Carla Marie Manalac, a 3rd year college, BSE-SPED student and is studying at St. Scholastica’s College in Manila.

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In His Time
Reasons  Why Smart People Fail

People have sometimes experienced failure in any way. We come to realize that the only way to avoid failure is never to strive for success, to remain fixed where you are. But people as we are, we can always learn from our failure, we have the power to figure out what went wrong and correct it. We have the power to change… for the better. Even someone as successful as Samuel Beckett, a preeminent playwright, once wrote that he felt at home with failure. Scrutiny of defeat is critical. One has to confront his own failure to avoid committing the same failure again. Here are the six most common reasons for failure, you might find yourself in this list.  

1.          Lack of social skills. Most people who fail for this reason talk of “office politics” doing them in, but the politics may be nothing more than normal interactions among people. If you have trouble with “office politics”, you may really be having trouble dealing with people. You may get along on brilliance alone for a while, but most careers involve other people. You may have great academic intelligence but lack social intelligence ( this is the ability to be a good listener, to be sensitive toward others, to give and take criticism well). People with high social intelligence admit their mistakes, take their share of blame and move on. They know how to build team support. Social intelligence is an acquired skill. The more you practice, the better you get. Like good manners, it can be learned.

2.          Wrong fit. Success requires fitting your abilities, interests, personality, style and values with your work. The key value is taking a risk. The core value is doing something worthwhile.

3.          Absence of commitment. The imaginary terrors of failure loom so large that non-committers try to prevent failure by not involving themselves emotionally. Lack of self-esteem is a basic cause of failure. To be committed- in deed, to be successful in anything- you have to believe you can do it.

4.          Too scattered a focus. Some people do so many things that they end up accomplishing nothing at all at the end of the day. Refocusing is the main idea here. Recognizing your limitations, establishing your priorities and organizing your ventures are essential to success.

5.          Hidden barriers. Many times, ageism, sexism and racism are used as the excuse for failure, but most of the time they are the real reasons. The truth is that hidden barriers are very hard to fight. More and more people are confronted with such obstacles. You have to explore options- based on a truthful analysis of your situation- to regain control of your life and your future.

6.          Bad luck. Sometimes things happen that you just can’t help. When this happens, don’t blame yourself and always remember, you are always given options. 

Chance, accident, a hunch or a voice—who’s to say where ideas come from? When nothing else works, listen to your inner voices. Somewhere an idea may be lurking…just like now. Opportunities come and go, and the direction that you have set out may change yet again. But if you can think clearly about failure and only if you realize that you are always given options, that you are always given choices, you will have mastered an invaluable lesson.                 

People fail for many reasons. But failure is not the point there, the point is—the best of people experience that. It is the learning from failure that is special. We can always learn from our failures…remember that. God bless. 

ROTC IS NOW OPTIONAL 

The issue on the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) as a mandatory course for male students in the collegiate level has finally been resolved. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who approved recently the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the National Service Law that made ROTC an optional course for male college students in Metro Manila effective this second semester, SY 2001-2002 and next school year 2002-2003 for the rest of the country. 

Secretary Angelo Reyes of the Department of National Defense revealed recently that the National Service Program (NSP) as provided for by P.D. 1706 also known as the National Service Program (NSP)  by P.D. 1706 also known as the “National Service Law” will now have three (3) components or options and these are  -- Military Service (MS); Law Enforcement Service (LES)  and Civic Welfare Service (CWS) under the revised IRR. 

Military service is one that enhances military preparedness for national defense and internal security. This is basically the ROTC. On the other hand, law enforcements service is one which will assist law enforcers like police and traffic enforcers in maintaining peace and order in the community while civic welfare service is a service that contributes to the general welfare and the betterment of the life of the members of the community like those that would promote safety, health, education, morale of the ROTC. 

Under the IRR, a preference survey shall be conducted by schools concerned to determine individual choices for purposes of planning, organization and control. And those who have rendered the required period of the national service training shall be issued a certification and become reservists in the National Service Force. 

Thus, graduates of military service (ROTC) will become AFP reservists. Those who finished the LES will become police reserves and CWS graduates may be employed in civic welfare brigades. 

According to officials of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), students enrolled in the expanded ROTC may either continue in the program component they are currently enrolled in or shift to any of the other two components to complete the number of training hours required for graduation. 

Meanwhile, the CHED, in close coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have already issued implementing Guidelines and designed program of instructions for the CWS while the Philippine National Police (PNP) has undertaken similar preparation for the LES component. 

The CHED had also issued a memorandum to all colleges and universities to be ready for the implementation of the National Service Program.

BEYOND THE WALLS 

Representatives of Colegio de San Juan de Letran attended the opening of an exhibit of stage props and costumes entitled “Hugis at Hubog” at the Metropolitan Museum last November 13, 2001. On exhibit were elaborate and fascinating costumes and props from local stage productions like the “The Little Mermaid,” “Noli,” “Fili,” “Rent,” “Rama at Sita and others. On display, too, were stage designs for plays and for televelision productions. Spearheading the organizations that put up the exhibit was Director Salvador Bernal, himself an outstanding stage designer.

 INSIDE THE WALL 

The Colegio de San Juan de Letran marked the 40th day of the death of Cesar Sequera, former Letran basketball star on November 10, 2001 with a mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. Edwin A. Lao, O.P. Rector and President at the school’s chapel. 

The memorial mass was organized by his teammate former Manila Vice-Mayor, Herminio A. Astorga Sequera were members of the legendary Murder Inc. the team which won for Letran the NCAA basketball Championship in 1950. 

The late Cesar de Sequera is survived by his wife Rosario Carmen Alvin de Sequera and his children John Marie, Ma. Luisa Asuncion, Ma. Cecilia, Ma. Rosario, Giovanni, Cesar Vicenzo and Rosa Candida. 

He graduated from the High School department in 1952 and took up his first two years in B.S.C. at the collegiate department. 

The mass was attended by some of his former classmates, basketball coaches, Letran Seniors and relatives of the de Sequeras.

MANILA TO UNDERGO MASSIVE FACELIFTING 

To reaffirm that the city of Manila is the premier city of our nation, the City government recently revealed a multi-million rehabilitation plan to revive Manila’s grandeur particularly the Quiapo and Sta. Cruz districts as the main hub in the nation’s capital. 

The ambitious rehabilitation plan is part of Mayor Lito Atienza’s Program - “Buhayin ang Maynila”. According to Mayor Atienza, the plan would serve to push back urban decay that has plagued or enveloped the area caused by years of neglect and apathy as he addressed businessmen, property owners and potential investors in a press conference held recently. 

The scheme was already presented to the owners, investors and businessmen. And if they and the city government agree, it is projected to be accomplished within 42 months (3 1/2 years) or about by April, 2004. 

The plan initially will call for the “total facelift” of Quiapo and Sta. Cruz Areas. This includes the rennovation of at least 37 buildings along Rizal Avenue, C.M. Recto Avenue, Soler and Evangelista streets. 

It is further revealed that most of the buildings would be connected by elevated and air-conditioned bridgeways lined with shopping and food stalls. The bridgeways will connect stations of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the future LRT Line 2 along C.M. Rector Avenue. 

Air-conditioned ground level walkways along the facade of some buildings would replace sidewalks which would also be lined with shopping and food stalls. Wide-conditioned overpass traversing roads would be set up to serve as shopping walkways. This will eventually ease traffic snarls and solve the proliferation of sidewalk vending. 

Meanwhile, the Intramuros Administration (IA) is continuously maintaining the old grandeur of the Intramuros area by preserving its historical value amidst the modern establishments and infrastructures around. Two main bridge thorougfares in Manila, the Ayala and Quirino are having an overhaul by strengthening their foundations conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). 

If all of these plans will be realized within the specified time frame, tourism in the city will definitely get a big boost and this will have a ripple effect in other major places nationwide. Because what Manila is projecting to the eyes fo the world is what the world perceives about our nation as a whole.

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