The Letran News

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Letran tungo sa pag-unlad
(Talumpati ni Padre Tamerlane R. Lana, O.P. noong kombokasyon para sa buwan ng Agosto)
by Padre Tamerlane R. Lana, O.P. - Letran News August 2007

Ang buwan ng Agosto ay nakatalaga sa ating bansa bilang “Buwan ng Wika.” Ang pagdiriwang na ito ay pagbibigay parangal din sa isang kilalang Letranista, ang naging Pangulo ng “Philippine Commonwealth”, si Manuel L. Quezon, na tinagurian din natin na “Ama ng Wikang Pambansa.” Bahagi ng tradisyon ng Letran na magkaroon ng misa at salu-salo kasama ng kamag-anak ni Pangulong Quezon sa kanyang kaarawan, pagdating ng ikalabing siyam ng Agosto. Subalit, sa taong ito ay ating pinagpaliban ang naturang tradisyong dahil sa nagdaang bagyo at baha na kung saan maraming mga kababayan natin ang nasalanta at nawalan ng ari-arian. Hiniling ng anak ni Manuel na si Nini na ibahagi na lamang sa mga biktima ang anumang pagsasaluhan sa araw na iyon. Tunay ngang naging lalong makahulugan ang pagdiriwang ng kaarawan ni Quezon sa pamamagitan ng pagdamay sa mga taong nangangailangan sa panahon ng kalamidad. Sa aking palagay, ito ay isang bagay na lubhang ikinalugod ng ating minamahal na si Manuel Quezon. Para sa mga Letranista ang magandang halimbawa ay dapat maging paalala sa ating lahat ng sagradong misyon ng ating Colegio na maglingkod sa ating kababayan lalo na sa panahon ng kahirapan at kagipitan.

Sa aking pagninilay kung ano ang magiging paksa ng aking mensahe ay natuon ang aking pansin sa mga malalaking kataga na nakatitik sa tarpaulin sa loob ng ating kampus na nagsasabing: “This is an English speaking campus.” Ikinalugod ng maraming nakakatanda nating alumni nang mabasa nila ang poster dahil sa ito’y nagbigay ala-ala ng kanilang panahon nang sila’y mga estudyante pa ng Letran. Mahigpit daw ang kampanya nila sa pagbigkas ng wikang Ingles sa kanilang kapanahunan. Subalit napuna kaagad nila ang kakulangan ng implementasyon ng kampanyang ito. Sana naman daw kahit ang mga gwardya ay matuto ng mga simpleng salita ng pagbati sa Ingles para sa mga panauhin ng Colegio. Dahit dito marami ang eseptiko sa patakaran ng pagsasalita ng Ingles sa kampus. Mayroon nang mga nagbibiro at nagbigay ng panukala na baguhin o dagdagan ang mga kataga ng kampanya katulad ng: “This is an English speaking campus. Only the campus speaks English, not the people in the campus.” Sabi ng isang kasamahan namin sa komunidad ng mga Dominiko: “This is an English speaking campus. The Rector speaks English.” O kaya naman: “This is a t.h. (trying hard) English speaking campus.” Kahit ano pa mang balakid sa ating pagsusumikap na matuto ng wikang Ingles, ay wala tayong balak na itigil ang ating kampanya sapagkat hindi natin maipagkakaila ang kahalagan nito sa edukasyon ng mga Letranista at sa kanilang paghahanda sa pagharap sa mga hamon na naghihintay sa kanila sa ating kompetitibong lipunan.

Samakatuwid, ang ating pagiging seryoso sa ating kampanya sa wikang Ingles ay hindi nangangahulugan na hindi na natin binibigyan ng halaga ang ating wikang Pilipino. Hindi nangangahulugan na tayo ay masahol pa sa mga isdang bilasa. Ayon sa sinabi ni Jose Rizal: “Ang hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika ay masahol pa sa malansang isda”. Ang pagmamahal sa sariling wika ay hindi nangangahulugan ng pagtanggi sa iba. Hindi kaila na si Quezon ay multilingual. Bihasa siya sa Espanol at Ingles. Marami ring alam na wika ang ating pambansang bayani na si Jose Rizal. Ganoon pa man, nanatiling silang tunay na patriotiko, mga magigiting na mamamayan na nagmahal sa ating lupang sinilangan.

Ang kampanya natin para sa wikang Ingles ay karagdagan sa ating disiplina bilang mga Letranista. Ang mga Letranista ay hindi dapat masiyahan sa pagiging karaniwan lamang. Kung ang karamihan ay nasisiyahan sa paglakad lamang, sila ay dapat tumakbo. Kung ang karamihan ay nasisiyahan lamang sa pagtakbo, sila ay dapat lumipad! Kung ang karamihan ay masaya na sa “Taglish” o “Englog”, dapat na ang mga Letranista ay matutong magsalita ng tuwid na Ingles at tuwid na Tagalog. Kung ang marami ay masaya na sa pagiging “arte-kulit” (maarte at makulit) ang mga Letranista ay dapat maging totoong “articulate”, hinahangaan sa kanilang pagsasalita, pagpapahayag ng magandang balita ng Diyos at ng diwa at halaga ng Letranismo. At bago natin malimutan, ating pakatandaan na ang mga Letranites (Letran-knights) ay nakatalagang maging magigiting na mga mandirigma. Ang pakikibaka ay nandoon sa lipunan, sa mga hamon na kanilang haharapin. At ang paghahanda ay dapat mangyari dito sa Letran. Kaya’t sa Letran, dapat walang makupad, sa Letran dapat walang tamad.

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Panakoba (International Title: Child Scarer) makes it
as finalist to the Up-and-Coming International Film
Festival in Hannover, Germany to be held on November
22-25. Institute of Communication's neo-fantasy noir
directed by Michael Canlas was selected over 2680 films from 58 countries for the 2007 edition of the said festival.

The Up-and-coming International Film Festival is an
international competition for young film, video and
multimedia artists. It takes place every two years
(odd years) in Hannover, targeting young people up to
the age of 27.

Many filmmakers gained their first recognition at this
festival, motivating them to continue in film. For
them, the festival became a stepping stone into
successful careers in the film and television
industry.

Among the festival’s most prominent shooting stars are
two German 1997 OSCAR winners: Volker Engel (for
Special Effects in ‚Independence Day’) and Thomas
Stellmach (for his short animated film ‚Quest’).
Both, Engel and Stellmach repeatedly entered their
early films in the Hannover festival between the ages
of 15 and 18.

Former festival participants Marc-Andreas Bochert and
Florian Gallenberger were awarded the Student OSCAR:
Bochert for his short subject film ‚Kleingeld’ (1999),
Gallenberger for his short-feature ,Quiero Ser’
(2000); in 2001 ,Quiero Ser’ was awarded the OSCAR
(category short film). And Ayse Polat, film maker from
Hamburg, was awarded the Silver Leopard for her
feature film ‘En garde’ at the Locarno Filmfestival
(2004).

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Letran marks 377th commencement rites
by Jenny Villar - Letran News February - March 2008


“Every new beginning has an ending” so the saying goes. Just like any beginning, another school year has come to and end. Letranites would soon be leaving Letran, their second home for the past years.

The Colegio’s 377th Commencement Exercises for School Year 2008-2009 was held on April 8 for the basic education department and on April 9 for the graduate school and collegiate batches.

The Basic Education-Elementary Department had its graduation ceremonies at the Student Center Auditorium at 8:30 a.m. for its 36 pupils, among whom were Raphael Angelo Dimacali who topped the batch, receiving the valedictorian award. Included in the baccalaureate honors were John Carlo Flores, salutatorian; Daniel Donato Lao, first honorable mention; Kenzo Miguel Rodis, second honorable mention; and Mirro John Nieva, third honorable mention. Dimacali also received the Fray Diego de Sta. Maria, O.P. Award.

Its program officially started with a Holy Mass officiated by the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Fr. Juan Ponce, O.P. The welcome remarks was given by Flores. In behalf of the Rector and President, Fr. Tamerlane Lana, O.P., Father Ponce confirmed the graduates, gave the graduation message and conferred the awards.

Meanwhile, the Basic Education-High School Department had its graduation at 2 p.m., also at the Student Center Auditorium. The first honorable mention, Jose Adrian Dalangin, led the opening prayer while the salutatorian, Mark Lester Y. Ghany, delivered the welcome remarks. Father Ponce confirmed the graduates and delivered the graduation message. Jose Julito Llantada, vice president of the Letran Alumni Association (LAA), inducted the graduates to the association.

Other honors included Guian Carlo Labo, valedictorian; John Oliver Estadilla, second honorable mention; and Reaymond Joseph Mangila, third honorable mention. The merit award in academics was conferred to Alexis Lim, Justin Philip Raymundo, Patrick Louie Ilagan and John Kenneth Shibata. Labo was given special awards like the Manuel B. Villar, Jr. Excellence Award, Jose P. Laurel Medal for Excellence. Gerry Roxas Leadership Award and the Don Juan Geronimo Guerrero Award. Dalangin, likewise received the Al Yuchengco Award for National Discipline and the San Vicente Liem dela Paz Award, together with his other batchmates, Estadillo, Ilagan, Mangila, Dranreb Pasion and Justin Philip Raymundo. Special awards were given by Fr. Orlando Aceron, O.P., vice rector for Religious Affairs. Fr. Boyd Sulpico, O.P., vice rector for Financial Affairs conferred the loyalty awards to 34 graduates.

On April 9, the Reception Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center at Cultural Center of the Philippines was filled with around 464 graduating students. The Father Rector conferred the graduate- and various undergraduate- degrees.

Dean Victoria Rosas presented 233 and eight graduates in the of the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) and Professional School for Continuing Education in Business (PSCEB), respectively, while Dr. Mechelline Manalastas, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Sciences (CLAS) presented 220. Fr. Orlando Aceron, dean of the College of Education had a total of three graduates from his college.

The breakdown for this year’s graduates in the collegiate and PSCEB departments per program as released by the Office of the Registrar were as follows: five for SMP; three for MBA; 78 for information technology; one for ACT; two for computer management; 108 for business management; five for human resource management; 50 for accountancy; 60 for communication arts; six for economics; seven for entrepreneurship; 13 for financial management; 18 for political science; 36 for psychology; three for education; and 42 for marketing.

This year, Letran produced the first batch of graduates for advertising and broadcasting, which had 15 and 12 graduates, respectively.

This year’s batch produced two cum laudes, Karlo Baroja (BS Information Technology) and Ana Terrese Junio (AB Communication Arts). Meanwhile, two were cited academic distinction, namely Marc Lennon Machate (BS Accountancy) and Joana Lyn Tan (BS Information Technology). The PSCEB had a graduate who got the Meritus award, Jose Maria Palabrica (MBA-SMP). A total of 18 graduates were recipients of loyalty awards. Baroja delivered the address of thanks in behalf of the graduates.

Other highlights of the ceremonies were the imposition of hoods to the graduates by their parents and guardians and the induction to the Letran Alumni Association by Rodolfo Conception, president of the LAA.

Prior to the graduation rites, a baccalaureate Mass for each college was held. Father Lana officiated the celebration of the Holy Eucharist with the Dominican priests from the Convent of St. John Lateran as co-celebrants. Administrators, faculty members and parents attended the Mass as well.

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AdSpeak is 8
by Maria Andrea Gregorio - Letran News February - March 2008


Following a string of successes from previous conferences, the Institute of Communication launched the 8th AdSpeak, a student convention on values advertising at the Student Center Auditorium on February 8.

Sophomore advertising students organized this year’s AdSpeak with the theme “Sending the Right Signals”.

The event was co-presented by the Advertising Foundation of the Philippines and Advertising Board of the Philippines; both organizations aim to promote good values and social responsibility in advertising.

Four speakers from the advertising industry shared their knowledge and expertise on the topic. They were: J.Walter Thompson chairman emeritus Javier Jose Calero; McCann World Group chief creative officer Raul Castro; Dentsu Young & Rubicam-Alcantara EVP/creative director Grace Chong; and BBDO-Guerrero Ortega chairman and chief creative officer David Guerrero.

Calero acknowledged Eleonor Agulto, ICOMM’s senior faculty of advertising, for her success and for conveying insights on the advertising industry through AdSpeak, which started as a seminar in 2001 and now a gathering of more than 600 students from 20 different schools in the National Capital Region.

Participating schools were University of Santo Tomas, Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Intramuros, Far Eastern University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of Asia & the Pacific, Ateneo de Manila University, Lyceum of the Philippines University, University of the Philippines-Diliman, Angelicum College, St. Paul College Manila, Bulacan State University, Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation-Lucena, Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Bataan, Unibersidad de Manila, Manila Youth Academy, University of the East-Manila, DLSU-College of St. Benilde, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Philippine Normal University-Campus Ministry, and University of Perpetual Help.

Adspeak launched its 2nd advertising competition in TV, Radio and Print categories. Students from UA&P won titles for Students’ Choice Best Print for “Tomb Stone,” Best Radio for “Yaya,” Best Print for Values Advertising “Seeking God”, Best Print 2nd Runner Up for “Ants,” and Best Radio for “Boblacks.”

Meanwhile, host school Colegio de San Juan de Letran grabbed trophies for Students’ Choice Best Campaign for “Bawal,” 2nd runner-up Values Advertising Best Campaign award for “Not for Big Boys,” Best Radio 1st runner-up for “Piracy” and 2nd runner-up for Best Radio “Gamit”.

Ateneo De Manila University, on the other hand, clinched victories in Students’ Choice award for Best TV for “Guho” and 1st runner-up Values Advertising Best TV award for “Family Portrait”.

University of the Philippines-Diliman’s “Kung Mag-aabroad Ka” won Values Advertising for Best Campaign and 1st runner up for “Trees.”

Lyceum of the Philippines won awards for Values Advertising Best Print 1st runner up for “Street Food” and Best TV 2nd runner-up for “Yosi Strike”.

University of Santo Tomas bagged the Values Advertising Best TV award for “Silence”.

Rowena Capulong-Reyes, director of Institute of Communication, congratulated and expressed gratitude to sophomore advertising students and staff for the event’s success.

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CBAA parents nurture nature
by Jonathan P. de Leon - Letran News February - March 2008


The parents of College of Business Administration and Accountancy students nurture nature.

The newly inducted officers of the CBAA Parents Council planted narra trees in Letran Abucay on March 15. After barely two months of being sworn into office by the Vice President for Academic Affairs – Fr. Juan Ponce, O.P. – the officers headed by Chairman Willy Baquiran laid down with care 50 narra seedlings in the vast property of Letran in Bataan.

The half-day tree-planting activity was aimed to contribute in healing Mother Earth. It is the Council’s simple way of being involved in Letran’s community service efforts.

Dean Ma. Victoria U. Rosas of CBAA, accompanied the Council in greening the Letran campus in Abucay. Also, Jonathan de Leon and Ma. Eliza Margarita Magkasi, chairpersons of Management and Hospitality Management, respectively, were there to boost the morale of the parents.

The Center for Community Development, which is headed by Ronald Dugang, welcomed the volunteerism and involvement of the CBAA parents in community service by co-sponsoring the tree-planting activity.

The other CBAA Parents Council officers who spared their precious time for Mother Nature were German dela Paz Jr., vice chairman; Isabelita Villanueva, finance manager; Dulce Corazon Concepcion, public relations officer; and Socorror De Vera, member.

Chairman Baquiran together with the Council plans to actively participate in the Binyag Arriba 2009.

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Educ faculty, students mount 1st art exhibit
by Mark Natividad - Letran News February - March 2008


From March 12 to 15, the halls of Colegio de San Juan de Letran became a gallery for the different areas of the College of Education.
The exhibit highlighted the artistic endeavor prepared and presented by the College of Education for the weeklong celebration of Education Week.

The English section of the exhibit detailed the history, culture and literary heritage of five Afro-Asian countries stressing the exhibit’s theme: “Literature: An Eternal Burning Flame Exuding Light that Renders Significance to Civilization.”

The Mathematics section featured optical illusions, tessellations and presented the beauty of mathematics in nature. It also displayed shirts painted with mathematical symbols which were projects of high school students from Manila High School.
Other sections showed health education, wooden projects from the Practical Arts class and Students’ Journals from their Field Study Class.

The exhibit’s committee was headed by Dr. Evelyn Montano. She was assisted by other faculty from the College of Education including Eunice Villaruel and Felipe dela Cruz, as well as several education students.

The ribbon cutting ceremony for the exhibit was held in the morning of March 12 and was attended by the administration, faculty and students of the College of Education, as well as other Letran administrators and deans.

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1st Rector’s Debate Cup held; CA, HS students get top spots
- Letran News February - March 2008


Hear, hear! Point, Sir. Shame, shame! Veto that motion.

These were the buzz words which echoed on campus on February 13 and14 as the Colegio organized the First Rector’s Debate Cup.
Dubbed D-Day, to refer to the Final Round or Debate Day, the two-day event had 12 teams of college and high school students putting on their thinking caps to outwit opponents on burning national and international issues.

The opening and closing programs took place in the Student Center Auditorium while the simultaneous debates were conducted in all available halls, where teachers worked as adjudicators or debate judges.

The first-ever Colegio-wide contest for debaters had the theme, “Forging a Culture of Academic Excellence through Public Speaking and Debate.”

The First Rector’s Debate Cup was organized by the Letran Student Council (LSC) and Letran Debate Society (LDS) with the strong support from faculty members, who were predominantly from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS).

Assistant Professor Jo-shancy Bermudez of the Social Sciences Area was the Chief Adjudicator. Sherman Gabito, LSC president, was the Tournament Director.

Before D-Day, debaters and adjudicators were trained on the rules and intricacies of the Asian Parliamentary Debate for two days on February 1 and 8 by Bermudez, a champion debater who had won in various international debate competitions during his college days.

Ten teams came from representative areas of the CLAS, the College of Business Administration and Accountancy, and the College of Education. Two teams were from the High School Department.

The judges were also selected from the various colleges and department mentioned.

The teams, composed of three members each, were pitted against one another in three elimination rounds. The 22 adjudicators painstakingly evaluated the debaters and judged the winning teams.

The top four teams advanced to the semi-final round: High School A met Information Technology while Communications Arts A collided with High School B.

When the semi-final smoke cleared, High School A and Communication Arts A were left standing. They proceeded to the final round to battle it out on the motion, “This house believes that strong dictatorship is better than weak democracy.”

A tossup assigned High School A to the Government Side and Communication Arts A to the Opposition.

The final match-up was a show of public speaking prowess, argumentation skills and sheer confidence. The jam-packed Student Center Auditorium crowd was treated to a display of substance and grit.

In the end, Communication Arts A proved to be superior over High School A. Bermudez, chief adjudicator of the final round, explained the reasons behind the unanimous decision of seven judges. He cited the argument of the Opposition on strong dictatorship’s “abuse of power,” which was never crushed by the Government. Moreover, he pointed out the failure of the Government “to link strong leadership to strong dictatorship.”

It was a sweet victory for Communication Arts A whose members were Rea Allen Agbon (Leader), Ron Mitch Esguerra (Deputy Leader), and Fairylene Sy (Whip). For winning, they received the First Rector’s Debate Cup trophy and cash prizes.

Nevertheless, the two High School teams overachieved by placing in the second and third spots. High School A, composed of Gian Carlo Labo, Jefferey Arboleda and Raphael Roque, was unbeaten before the final round.

Adjudged Best Speaker was Rea Allen Agbon who stood her ground without reading her arguments. She received a medal and a cash prize.

Three CLAS professors emerged as the best adjudicators: Assistant Professor Perpetuo Quintua (Theology Area), Assistant Professor Dennis Blanco (Social Sciences Area), and Ronel Jimenez (Mathematics Area). Each received a medal and P1,000 cash.

The two-day event was spiced up by intermission numbers from cultural student organizations, namely Templar Chorus, Letran Band, Filipiniana Dance Company, Letran Cheering Squad, SOSYAL, and High School Choir. Lovely Joy Aganus, a communication arts student, sang a soulful number.

The production numbers of SOSYAL and Letran High School Choir were well-applauded. SOSYAL, a collegiate Filipino organization under Dr. Amur Mina Mayor, presented a poignant group declamation in Filipino that zeroed in on the significant place in the world of the first language.

The Letran High School Choir, conducted by Adrian Bagayaua, wowed the crowd with its funny and hip rendition of “This Guy’s In Love With You, Pare,” a Parokya Ni Edgar original.

The First Rector’s Debate Cup saw strong support from Rev. Fr. Tamerlane Lana, O.P., after whose position the tournament was named. Father Lana delivered the Opening Remarks of the program leading to the Final Round. He also hosted the Championship Dinner for administrators, adjudicators and contestants in the second floor of the SC Building.

Dr. Mecheline Zonia Manalastas, CLAS Dean, was an ardent supporter as she lent many professors for training and adjudication. She was ever-present during the two-day competition, delivering the Opening Remarks of the Opening Program.

The Office of Student and Cultural Affairs administrators, Jeffrey Consignado and Manuel Zamora, Jr., guided the students for the successful implementation of the affair.

Bermudez proudly announced that the Debate Cup would be an effective springboard for debaters’ participation in upcoming regional and national debate tournaments.

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Educ Week held in Feb.
by Dr. Amur Mina Mayor - Letran News February - March 2008


The College of Education celebrated its Education Week from February 12 to 15.

The celebration commenced with a Holy Mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Orlando Aceron, O.P., vice-rector for Religious Affairs and dean of College of Education.

In the afternoon of February 12, Rev. Fr. Senen Ecleo, O.P. gave a short talk on the life of St. Albertus Magnus, also known to many as St. Albert the Great. Father Ecleo discussed the inspiration brought by the life and teachings of St. Albert who was a scientist, philosopher and Theologian. St. Albert is recognized in the field of education as Doctor Universalis (Universal Doctor), an extraordinary genius who possessed an extensive knowledge that made him most proficient in every branch of learning cultivated during his time.

The following day, all the Education students together with their professors from the Math and Languages Area gathered together in coming up with an exhibit.
The celebration culminated with an educational tour in Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) in Mt. Makiling, Laguna. The students with their dean, Raem Mendoza (head) and faculty members from the college went there to observe the different school set-up of PHSA, where Lala Castillo accommodated them.

The PHSA is a special school founded in June 1977. It was converted into a regular government agency attached to the Department of Education. It is a public, secular, non-profit institution that combines a general secondary education level program with a special curriculum geared toward recognizing and developing highly talented and exceptionally gifted artists and leaders educated and committed to the preservation, enhancement and promotion of the Filipino heritage through culture and the arts.

This year’s Education Week was a success with the leadership of Father Aceron and Mendoza with the concerted efforts of the faculty members and students of the said college.

[onthebluecorner]

Groups dance to the groove
by Sancta Mater Dei Costan - Letran News February - March 2008


Dancing it like letting yourself express your freedom – freedom to move, to rule, to allure and exercise the dogma of arts – Uvilyarn 002.

Exalt: The First Gathering of the Dance System was staged on February 22 at the Letran grounds before an overwhelmed audience.

Aside from in-house dance performers like Letran College Cultural Affairs Dance System (LCCADS): Street Beat, Jazz Endanza and Squires Dance Troupe, Mapua Breakers, St. Scholastica’s Dance Edge, UP Street Dance Club, La Salle Dance Company Street, Letran Dance Company-Calamba, J-Masta and Battle Crew with the 2006 World Hip Hop Champion-The All Stars were invited to wow the crowd during the momentous event.

Distinguished sponsors made the event possible, such as Coke, Elianto, Del Monte Fit and Right, Domino’s Pizza, Tokyo Tokyo, Frito Frio Fired Ice Cream, and Bounce Magazine.

The two and a half hour dance concert fostered camaraderie and friendship among dance groups and opened an avenue of maintaining discipline, open mindedness, sacrifice and dedication to their craft – characteristics which dancers must always have.

Like what famous talk show host Tyra Banks once said, “The best athletes are the dancers, just like how best models push through with the pain”, those in Exalt follow this credo.

Exalt is a dance concert pioneered by LCCADS in cooperation with the Letran Student Council. It aims to exercise the power of creative minds and strength of the body and muscle through the art of dance.

[onthebluecorner]

HM students tour Palawan
by Ms. Liza Magkasi - Letran News February - March 2008


Hospitality Management students enrolled in Introduction to Hospitality Management and Bar Management toured Palawan from January 24 to 26 and January 31 to February 2, respectively.

The first batch of 105 freshmen was assisted by Prof. Melissa Legaspi and Prof. Liza Magkasi.

Since this was an educational tour, the first day was devoted to a seminar where managers of front office, food and beverage, and housekeeping departments of The Legend Palawan Hotel shared their expertise with the students.

The Front Office manager shared the practices of the hotel in the reservations, and checking in and out process. The Housekeeping Manager oriented the students on the different codes used in the department, the cleaning process of the rooms and the hotel facilities, and the highlight which was bed-making. Students volunteered in making the mock-up bed to check on their learning in bed-making. Lastly, the Food and Beverage Manager showed the students different setup done for various functions. The manager also demonstrated different styles of service for each function.

After the seminar, the students went on an ocular check of the hotel facilities.

The second batch of students consisted of freshmen and sophomore HM students assisted by Professors Legaspi and Magkasi. The first day of the second batch was basically the same with that of the first batch.

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Humanities profs, studes go on whole-day art trip
- Letran News February - March 2008


February 25 was a significant day for all Humanities students and professors for their “Lakbay Aral ng mga Mag-aaaral ng Humanidades.”

They arrived in Angono, a sleepy town in Rizal with the most number of resident National Artists, namely Botong Francisco, painting; Lucio San Pedro, music; and Vicente Manansala, painting. They were welcomed by painter Nemi Miranda in his home-turned-gallery of art, where they listened to a talk on art appreciation.

Coming form Angono, they proceeded to Paete, Laguna, the “Carving Capital of the Philippines.” Here, the local tourism department extended its hospitality to the group. A showcase of ice-carving, wood-carving, fruit-decorating, and the like, was held for them.

Students and professors, led by Clarita Rivera, Dennis Blanco, Gemma D. Egana, Joan Tenda, and Nasser Guab, were one in saying that they enjoyed the whole-day trip./Bernie Montiero

[onthebluecorner]

Letran Big Brothers
- Letran News February - March 2008


The director of ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Big Brother (PBB), Laurenti Dyogi paid Letran a visit recently. His visit was in connection with on e of the projects of his batch, High School ’83, who are this year’s silver jubilarians. Dyogi met with Mr. Ronald Dugang, the head of the Center for Community Development (CCD). As one of the projects/activities for their jubilarian celebrations, High School ’83 will sponsor one student beneficiary of CCD’s Kabalik-Aral Scholarship Program, a project that assists the residents of Letran’s adopted communities to avail of a Letran education.

High School Class ’83 will be a big brother to the recipient of this scholarship program. CCD will take care of the admission policies and procedures.

[onthebluecorner]

Students awarded for academic, athletic, co-curricular activitiesby Dr. Amur M. Mayor - Letran News February - March 2008


The annual Recognition Day was held on March 11 at the Student Center Auditorium with the theme: “Noble Tradition of Excellence for 387 Years: Quality Letranites for Quality World”.

The awards this year were divided into three major categories: the Co-curricular Awards, the Academic Excellence Awards, and the Most Outstanding Student Award. The Co-curricular Awards were given to students or group of students who received recognition in inter-college, national and international competitions in athletics and cultural activities. Also, this award was given to students who won in contests related to their academic field.

Under the Athletics Awards, nine groups were recognized for their awards earned during the 83rd National Collegiate Athletic Association Season. Three of these groups received a Championship Award: Table Tennis (Men’s Division); Volleyball (Men’s Division); and Taekwondo (Women’s Division). Also, six athletes were given an individual recognition. Topping the list were Jason F. Rodriguez (Table Tennis), Eden Canlas (Volleyball), and Nikki P. Dizon (Taekwondo) as they were awarded Most Valuable Player in the 83rd NCAA Season.

For the Cultural Awards, the Letran Cheering Squad was recognized for bagging the 1st Place during the ATC Town Center Cheering Competition and 3rd Place in the NCAA Cheerdance Competition.

Most of the recognitions given under the academic-related awards went to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences particularly in the Institute of Information Technology and the Institute of Communication. Panakoba (a short film) tops this category having received recognitions in the Up-and-Coming International Film Festival in Hanouver, Germany and Nice Short Film Festival in Sydney, Australia. “Bihag” was also recognized, being the only Filipino student finalist in the TV Documentary Category in the Ibda’s Award 2007 held in Dubai, UAE.

Among those which also received national awards were “Metro” as Best Film in the CMMA (2007), “Gatas ng Pusa” for Best Production Design and Best Editing (2008), “Bawal” as Students Choice Award- Best Campaign Adspeak (2008), “Team Adonis” awarded Grand Prize in Print Category and Adobo Magazine Most Creative Team in the 2nd Student Advertising Congress (2007) and “Talk 2 Tiny” which was proclaimed 2nd runner-up in Software Design Category in the Microsoft Imagine Cup Korea, 2007).

Three students were also recognized for making it to the 4th Adspeak: Student Convention on Values Advertising held in February 2008. They were Kris Anne Galupino, Drexler John Cruz, and Erica Dalag.

Also included in the Academic-Related Awards under Co-curricular Awards were students recognized by different accounting firms. The awardees were: Marc Lennon Machate (Gold Medal, PICPA); Ma. Ricca Pearl Sulit (Gold Medal, SGV and Co and SGV Leadership); Jhunatess Cruz (Gold Medal, Punungbayan, Araullo and Co.); Ronna Mayuga (Gold Medal, Isla, Lipana & Co.); and Judy Ann Facistol (Gold Medal, Manabat, San Agustin & Co.).

On the other hand, only five students made it to the Academic Excellence Awards. The awardees are students with the highest GWA from second semester 2006-2007 to first semester 2007-2008. Among the five students, four of them are from the CLAS and one from the CBAA. These are: Joselito Garcia (AB-Journalism); Mark Anthony Norella (AB-Communication Arts); Arpee Portillo (AB Broadcasting); Ryan Kristopher Rodriguez (BS-Information Technology); and Joseph Sanchez (BS-Accountancy).

Joselito L. Garcia, a third year AB-Journalism student was awarded as this year’s Most Outstanding Student.

The event was spearheaded by Raem Mendoza as over-all chairman. Selected faculty members from the CLAS and CBAA with the ICRO and the Finance Department helped out in making the event successful.

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Theology professor grabs grand prize in New Jersey songwriting tilt
by James Fajarito - Letran News June 2008

Assistant Professor Rodio Batayen of the Theology area won in this year’s Pinoy Musik Festival Songwriting Competition. His winning ballad, “Nandito Lang Ako,” won over other entries by Filipino composers.

Professor Batayen, popularly known as “Sir Jojo” among students and fellow mentors, will receive P30,000 and a certificate of the Grand Prize Award. Professor Batayen’s piece was sung by New York-based Filipino- American artist Noel Gamboa.

According to the festival’s official website (www.pinoymusikfestival.com), the competition was “an opportunity for undiscovered Filipino talents yearning for international exposure that can help put their songwriting career on fast forward.”

Now on its second year, the competition was “open to all songwriters residing in the Philippines.” Eighteen entries were chosen to compete in the finals.

These songs were interpreted and performed by some of the promising stars in the Filipino-American industry in Pinoy Musik Festival at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey on May 17 and 18.

A former seminarian who finished his theological studies at the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary, Batayen’s songwriting skills were honed by some of the country’s respected musicians and composers, namely Toti Fuentes and Emilio Venus.

Aside from writing songs, “Sir Jojo” is also a singer, guitarist and pianist. Recently, his collaborative musical composition with Assistant Professor Manuel Zamora, Jr., Kabataang Inggo, was used as the theme song of this year’s congress of DOMNET (Dominican Network).

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1st Letran Day for Intramuros
by Manuel Zamora, Jr. - Letran News July 2008

The day started with a Holy Mass for Intramuros. In his homily, Fr. Lana related the mission of St. Thomas the Apostle to the commitment of Letran to its host locale – Intramuros.

In the afternoon, a symposium, “Rediscovering Intramuros Borderlines”, was held. Anna Maria Harper, Intramuros administrator, delivered the keynote speech. She recalled the closeness of Intramuros to her family’s history. She also challenged Letranites to bear witness to the place.

“We had a past that we are trying to preserve. The Letranites are part of Intramuros and it is up to you to make that past be a part of your memory. The Letran community is not just a community of the school. It is a community of a heritage in Intramuros,” said Harper.

In his lecture, Dr. Jose Victor Z. Torres, Senior Historic Sites Development Officer of the Intramuros Administration, stressed that the best way to narrate history is to tell its story.

Torres added: “we must know all the facts that can be learned. We try to learn everything, the smallest details, if possible. And what I mean by this is including trivia or what we can call, gossip. Then we narrate.”

Fr. Pedro Gallende, director of San Agustin Museum, reacted to the lecture by giving his first impression of Intramuros when he first arrived as a young friar and the similarities of the undertakings being done today to preserve the heritage of the area. He also warned that a trend among historians today is to tell history by assumptions and missing the veracity and importance of going to the primary sources. He added a trivia by tickling the historical curiosity of the listeners in asking what the shortest street in Intramuros is: the answer, Urdaneta Street, can be found between G. Luna and Cabildo Streets.

For her part, Teresita Ang See, founder of the Kaisa Heritage Foundation, narrated the influence and contribution of the Chinese to history and to Intramuros.

Jomar Mendoza, chairman of the Social Sciences Area, capped the reactions by emphasizing that a more effective way of narrating history is not only to tell its story but to tell it as “our” history.

The symposium was also attended by students and faculty members from different schools. Personalities from different agencies also graced the occasion. After the symposium, the guests were entertained by a short dance performance by the Letran Filipiniana Dance Company.

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Letran puts up Center for Intramuros Studies
by Manuel Zamora, Jr. - Letran News July 2008

Keeping its commitment to the formation of integral human persons, Fr. Tamerlane R. Lana, O.P., rector and president, formally launched the Letran Center for Intramuros Studies (LCIS) on July 3 coinciding with the holding of the 1st Letran Day for Intramuros.

The day also marked the 435th anniversary of the signing of the royal decree signed by King Philip II in San Lorenzo, Spain on July 3, 1573 that prescribed the foundation of Hispanic colonial towns, which served as basis for the systematic layout for the establishment of Intramuros, which was known then as Spanish Manila.

The initiative to establish the Center sprang from the 12-year development plan of the Colegio (SY 2008-2020) as she hopes to become a leading center in cultural and historical studies, particularly on Intramuros.

The objective is motivated by the following reasons: first, Letran is the oldest educational institution that still remains inside Intramuros and the Colegio believes that the story of Intramuros is the story of Letran; second, Letran is unswerving in its ideals for love of country; and third, Letran is committed to its mission of forming students to become dynamic builders and leaders of communities, so what better way of showing this commitment than becoming instrumental in the formation of Intramuros as a true historic center?

Generally, a center is an organization within an institution which serves as catapult for several disciplines with a unified mission involving research, instruction or service, or better a combination of all these.

The LCIS serves as the lead-agent for the Letran Community to be engaged in development of Intramuros. A unique feature of the center is the database in which significant information (chronology, images, articles and references) will be stored and be available for exchange.

The Center rests on its 3P advocacies: promote historical awareness; preserve cultural heritage; and participate in community development.

The Center hopes that all Letranites become living heralds of the historic significance of Intramuros.

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CSJL commemorates scout heroes’ 45th death anniversary
by Teresa Magpantay - Letran News July 2008

The 45th death anniversary of the late scouts Ramon Albano, Henry Chuatoco and Wilfredo Santiago was commemorated once again through a Eucharistic celebration and a program last July 29.

The three Letran Scouts died in a plane crash while on their way to the 1953 World Jamboree in Bombay, India.

The activity was attended by all scouts of the Basic Education Department. The relatives and friends of the scout heroes were also invited.

“The presence of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines Officials from the Manila Council made the program more meaningful,” said a faculty member. Tributes to the three scout-heroes were delivered by one representative from each grade level.

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Early hopes for SCMMA entries
by Jhennie Villar - Letran News September 2008

The Institute of Communication (IComm) has reasons to celebrate this year after receiving good news from the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) organizers that nine entries have made it to the finals in the said prestigious nationwide competition.

This is not the first time that the students from the IComm made it to the finals of the SCMMA—because, since 2001, Letran entries have been gaining citations and numerous awards.

In 2005, in fact, Letranites almost swept the student awards after having the most number of entries in the student category. Attending SCMMA ceremonies become a yearly activity of the IComm.

This year, nine student productions made it to the 30th CMAA, seven of which in the advertising category: Cigarette Loading, Gamit, Papa’s Boy, Sulat, Drawing, Pasensya…pasensya…pasensya, and Impotent.

One TV Documentary – Love Mother Earth – and the short film, Bangar, also made it.

The CMMA is an annual activity organized in 1978 by the late Jaime Cardinal Sin. It aims to recognize works that promote Christian values through media.

The awarding ceremony is set on October 29 at the GSIS Theater Headquarters Building, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City at 4:30 p.m.

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MOA with Ad Foundation signed
by Jhennie Villar - Letran News September 2008

The Colegio has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Advertising Foundation of the Philippines for the holding of the AdSpeak Students Convention on Values Advertising in February next year.

The AdSpeak is a yearly activity of the Institute of Communication wherein students from different schools are invited. Usually, a seminar starts the activity wherein practitioners in the field of advertising serve as speakers. A student contest in advertising typically caps the activity to “encourage future communicators to promote values through more socially conscious advertising.”

The vision of Letran includes, among others, becoming a leading center on the promotion of values-oriented communications and media education. This activity is a step towards attaining the said item in the vision. The aim of the signing, as stated in the MOA, is to “present a co-partnership between Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Advertising Foundation of the Philippines in presenting the annual AdSpeak.”

The signing took place at the Rector’s Office on September 18 with Fr. Tamerlane Lana, O.P. and Johnip Cua, chairman of the board of the Ad Foundation. Also present at the signing were Rowena Capulong-Reyes; director of IComm, Eleanor Agulto; IComm professor and Linda Gamboa; executive director of the Ad Foundation.

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Letran signs agreement with Magsaysay
- Letran News September 2008

An agreement that will provide Letran’s hospitality management students with training programs in maritime safety was signed between Colegio de San Juan de Letran and the Magsaysay Training Center.

The Magsaysay Training Center will provide Letran with training syllabus for Basic Saftey Course (BSC), as well as deliver lectures, provide training equipment, materials and facilities for BSC, and conduct courses outside Letran (Times Plaza and Tanza, Cavite).

The agreement was signed by Romeo S. Piccio, head of Magsaysay Training Center and Fr. Tamerlane R. Lana, O.P., and witnessed by Fr. Juan Ponce, O.P. and Capt. Arnulfo E. Dubouzet, Magsaysay’s training manager.

Also present at the signing were Dean Maria Victoria Rosas of the College of Business Administration and Rosanna Macaspac, marketing officer of Magsaysay Training Center.