Letran News: Features
| The Offical Publication of Colegio de San Juan de Letran - Intramuros, Manila |
January - February 2004 Issue |
Planting seeds for the future of Letran Bataan
by Francis David
At the crack of dawn on January 13, a delegation from the Colegio travelled to Abucay, Bataan to support the 2nd tree planting activity of the Extension Service Office headed by Ronald Dugang and to show the ongoing construction of Letran Bataan to members of the Letran community.
Those who took the one hour ferry ride included members from the religious community, lay administrators and staff. The delegation was headed by the Rector and President, Fr. Edwin A. Lao, O.P.
The trip to Abucay was a pleasant one. The affair was made even possible through the kindness of Mayor Liberato Santiago of Abucay, Bataan and his spouse, Anna Santiago, who prepared a sumptuous breakfast for the group. Upon arriving at the destination, the first order of the day was a celebration of the Holy Eucharist by Father Lao. It was followed by testimonials from some of the benefactors of the Bataan campus namely: Governor Leonardo Roman of Bataan; Hon. Liberato Santiago, Mayor of Abucay; and architect Yolanda Reyes, chief design consultant of the Letran Bataan project.
It is no understatement to say that those who saw the site for the first time were awed by the experience. To say the least, the area looked like a view from a postcard, marred only by the ongoing construction of a building. It is easy to visualize the grandness of the campus backdroppped against mountains on three sides and the sea in the west. This was supplemented by an audio-video presentation made by Reyes, which treated the viewers to a virtual walkthrough of the planned campus. The first phase of construction, which includes the construction of the first half of the administration building is approximately 80 percent complete. To compare the size of the structure is roughly twice the size of the Student Center in Letran Intramuros.
As an integral part of the trip, the delegates went on to find the respective plots where their names were indicated for the tree planting activity. Seedlings of the narra and eucalyptus variety were distributed and eventually eased into their new homes in front of the administration building. Although the heat of the sun was not particularly kind that day, there was nevertheless a strong sense of fulfillment in knowing that people were doing their part for the environment.
Before leaving, the group was again treated by Mayor Santiago to a late lunch. With a heavy heart and an even heavier stomach, it was finally time to go. It was a bit difficult to leave the serenity and beauty of Abucay, not to mention all the special attention given by the locals there. The trip back, though, was indicative of the kind of experience the group had; while on the ferry, most of the delegates were in dreamland. Undoubtedly, dreaming about the day they have just had, and the food they had just eaten. Wondering, and probably hoping, when and if they would see their trees grow. One thing is for certain, though. Very soon, Arriba Letran will be in picturesque Bataan.
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