Alma matters

Two weeks ago we were all stunned by the heart-wrenching news that a Virginia Tech student went berserk and gunned down 32 people. Needless to say, it was a senseless act that left us all wondering, "What the heck is happening to this world?"

A lot has been said since the day of the shooting. A lot of psychoanalysis by Dr. Phil and other psychologists, tons of news features on the killer’s videos and family background, a number of investigative reports, a couple of Larry King interviews. Watching all of this made me go into "depression mode." But you know what? While the incident saddened me, there was one aspect of the whole story that really touched me in a positive way: the power of school spirit.

There was a lot of news coverage days after the shooting. But the one angle that really inspired me was how the Virginia Tech community — students, faculty members, and alumni — rallied around their school during this moment of tragedy. I found it really amazing because if you think about it, everyone who was connected to the school had all the reason in the world to be embarrassed. I was thinking, "Geez, can you just imagine what the graduating batch of Virginia Tech is going through? When they go out there to apply for a job and say, ‘I graduated from Virginia Tech,’ it’s almost like a black mark on the CV."

And yet, they weren’t embarrassed. As a matter of fact, over the past few weeks, Virginia Tech students and faculty members staged Hokie rallies (Hokies is their school moniker, like the Blue Eagles for Ateneo) to reaffirm their support for their school. It was really heart-warming to see Virginia Tech students shouting at the top of their lungs, "Hokies!" in between sobs and tears. And recently, they rallied around their besieged school president.

The love for one’s alma mater has never really been an integral part of the so-called "rules of life." Most inspiring books talk about love for oneself, one’s neighbor (especially the less fortunate), one’s country, and love for the Earth. But love for school has always been sort of an "internal rule" — a rule encouraged only by the school you attend. I guess it’s not a mandated rule for everyone because not everyone is fortunate enough to have an education. A friend of mine even told me, "Why should I be loyal to my school? I paid them for my education, and they gave me an education. That’s it. It’s just a business deal. I don’t have to be loyal to them. Why should I waste my energy cheering for their UAAP team?"

I have to admit that, for a moment, I thought my friend had a point. Why show loyalty to an establishment that gave you an education in exchange for money? Why cheer for a school that tortured you with homework, projects, and term papers? Sure, your CV looks better with your school indicated there. But that fact was your own doing. You paid that school, and you did everything they told you to. The fact that "Ateneo" or "La Salle" is on your CV can’t be credited to the schools, it’s a credit to you. Because you paid them, and you did all your homework.

But when I saw the Virginia Tech students, I realized that school loyalty is not so much loyalty to the school. It’s a loyalty to who we are — and loyalty to the people who made us who we are.

My friend Mike Ochosa shared with me a nice essay that his wife Betsy wrote regarding Mike’s obsession over his recent Batch ’82 La Salle High School reunion. Here are some excerpts from the essay:

"My husband Mike’s high school batch recently celebrated their 25th year by hosting their school’s Grand Alumni Homecoming. This was not an ordinary reunion for them. It was a big event. The preparations (fund-raising, etc.) for the event began years before the actual event.

"I didn’t really understand at first what was so special about this homecoming. My view on attending reunions is if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. Maybe it’s because I was not that friendly during my high school years and I was — and still am — content with my circle of friends. Besides, there were people from my high school days that I never really liked and whom I have no intention of seeing again.

"I had a hard time being excited for Mike all those days he was ranting about their reunion. I begged off from attending the affair. So he went alone. But all through the night, he sent me text messages, giving me quick updates about what was happening. Around 2 a.m., he got home and gave me a blow-by-blow account of what happened that night. I instantly felt the excitement and joy of my husband and all his batch mates, a lot of them successful in their own fields. The most notable were Gary V, Senator Ralph Recto, and Taguig Mayor Freddie Tinga — a truly gifted batch of highly successful men indeed. But once joined together after all these years of living their own lives, they were not afraid to show that they were still the same little boys at heart.

"During the evening, these guys were reminded of their youth, of their upbringing and of the experiences in one institution that molded them into who and what they are today. Also, it was a moment of remembrance and gratitude for all the other people — teachers, the school brothers — who guided them through their youthful journey. As I was viewing those pictures, my view on reunions took a different turn. I somehow realized that life is fleeting and we should not let special moments like this pass. Reunions give us the chance to renew ties with people we used to know — people we practically grew up with."

Suffice it to say I am now looking forward to my own high school batch’s 20th year. Though it won’t be happening for another couple of years, it’s definitely something I will not dare miss. Perhaps it’s time that I, too, go back to my roots and come out with a renewed outlook on life.

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Thanks for your letters, folks! You may e-mail me at rodhnepo@yahoo.com.