Friday 8 July 2011

Centennial Message of Three Lasallian Brothers


Hello! I am Maria Elena Lozada, your host and proud of being a a Lasallian. Countdown to 100 years on June 16, 2011, we had a grand celebration in all 17-campus De La Salle Philippines Simultaneously. Deaf faculty, staff, alumni and students gathered together to celebrate as Lasallian brothers and sisters.

Wow. That is great! But why do we celebrate? Let me introduce a brief history to you all that we celebrate 100 years of Lasallian Presence in the Philippines. The first Archbishop of Manila, Jeremiah James Harty, alumnus of La Salle School in the US, arrived in Manila on January 1904 during a time where strong anti-friar sentiments, mainly due to the aftermath of the Philippine Revolution, were causing the established Catholic institutions to lose ground their secular counterparts. However, he maintained a passionate belief in Christian education. It was his ardent desire to establish a school that would provide young boys with a solid Catholic Education and at the same time teaches them the English Language. He wanted La Salle Brothers to be in the Philippines to teach Christian education. But his request was rejected at first due to lack of funds; however he would continue to appeal to Pope Pius X for the establishment of additional Catholic schools in the country. After seven (7) years of struggling, the nine Brothers of the Christian Schools from both Old World and New World eventually opened the doors of the De La Salle College to 125 boys of various ages in Paco on June 16, 1911

That was in 1911. Today 2011, De La Salle schools now number to 17 and we have 97,743 students all over the Philippines!! 100 years of Lasallian Education and 20 years of those also include Deaf Education!! We have acknowledged that we have received a good education through the Lasallian education. Therefore, we should be grateful for what we are becoming of. And so now we listen to the message of 3 Lasallian Brothers, who are they? A little background. Remember I told you that there are 17 schools today?

Though each is unique and diverse all belong to one family and that is under the De La Salle Philippines (DLSP). DLSP is part of the LasallianEducation Asian Network (LEAD) and globally DLSP is part 0 the De La Salle International.

The three Lasallian Brothers of the Christian schools would share their thoughts on our centenary. The first is Br. Alvaro Rodriguez Echeverria FSC, Superior General of De La Salle International. The second is Br. Edmundo Fernandez FSC, Brother Visitor Lasallian East Asia District (LEAD). The last is Br. Ricky Laguda FSC, Sector Leader/ President of De La Salle Philippines (DLSP).

We have Filipino Sign Language interpreter ready because you all are part of Lasallian community so you all should know and understand. Happy Viewing!

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