Animo La Salle!

Alumni, faculty and students of the University of St. La Salle have this slogan, “Animo La Salle” the rallying motto, a catch-phrase that distinguishes a person as a member or part of an institution. The phrase embodies the soul that makes La Salle, the “Spirit of La Salle”, its defining character that or ought to tell the world and remind them of what they are and what is expected of them. It encapsulates their “Alma Mater”, their “fostering mother”.

Among elite soldiers and athletes, it is the inspiring and rallying call, the uniting force that challenges them to reach for the best of their traditions. Such I think is served by “Animo La Salle!” that students and faculty shout out in their assembly.

USLS has held a series of activities during the week to project its image as an institution of learning for the last 60 years and what it plans for the future. There is much to celebrate, indeed, and much to thank for and look forward to the next 50 years, as most often Golden Years commemorations do. Their 60th year, however, is dubbed “Diamond Jubilee”. They could not wait for the 75th year because even now it has much to present and be proud of.

What is the “anima” of La Salle, its charism? What is its public image?

This is difficult to answer and the response depends from which side of the social and economic fence one speaks but perhaps, after 60 years it is best for La Salle to know what those from the outside think and why they think so.

There is a sense that La Salle is elitist to the point of being aloft and exclusive, a domain of its own and students and faculty exhibit a character of superiority tinted by arrogance.

And yet all these are products of projection, of impression arising from lack of closeness and communication with La Salle and its community. Perhaps a failure to reach out despite so much and so many of what it does that are indeed worthy of praise and unworthy of this negative public perception.

It will be a difficult “truth” to swallow, but whether one likes it or not, such perception does exist and maybe, if recognized, though wrong as they are, something can be done to finally eradicate this false impression.

In fact, the elitist stamp had reached a point during the student activism of the 1970s when militants wanted to get La Salle out of the province claiming it epitomized what is socially wrong and unjust in the province.

Some activists among the Bacolod clergy even considered La Salle as “Diocese of La Salle” because the institution stood away from the social and political turmoil of the times that plunged the local Church in social and political activism.

The brothers of St. La Salle were even accused of accepting and using “blood money” allegedly exploited from the poor sugar farm workers.

This was an extreme but some people believe it. To some extent La Salle can be blamed because while they are engaged in many activities and projects helping the poor in and out of school, giving out scholarships to poor students and subsidizing the lower income children, these wonderful deeds are unknown to many because La Salle was not beating its breast proclaiming its good deeds.

The elitist tag arises from the choice of La Salle by wealthy parents and the successful professional to send their children there where they believe their kids will receive an excellent education.

As often said, one cannot hide a good deed; in the end the truth comes out and if La Salle today commemorates it has much to show of how it follows the footsteps of its founder who established this kind of school for the poor.

Years back Bro. Donato, the president of La Salle Bacolod suggested that I write La Salle’s comprehensive history. Bro. Rolly followed this up but I suggested a La Sallian must write it so the book will have a personal touch of a part of the community rather than an outside observer. I wonder if that history was written that the negative perceptions can be corrected.

I have delivered talks in La Salle for years from the grade to graduate school and I found an environment of academic excellence and pride. One must know La Salle from the inside to understand its dynamics and realize that the charges against her have hardly any basis though some may exhibit that elitism that others dislike. It is not elitism but pride of being a part of an excellent institution that one exudes.

It is time also for reflection of how much more La Salle can do. However, there is a saying “do well and tell well” that others may understand.*

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