Animo, Ateneo! One big fight, La Salle!

Now that was a nerve-wracking Ateneo-La Salle game two weeks ago. 

For those keeping count, it was the 79th encounter between the best of frenemies. But do we really have to keep count? (That’s 40 wins for La Salle, 39 wins for Ateneo, since 1939. That’s unless you count the years of 2003 to 2005 when La Salle’s championships were forfeited.)

And there was an equally (if not more so) nerve-wracking post-game show from an institutional rivalry that has ruptured friendships, split families and given the UAAP board migraines. More often than not (it’s probably more), this hardcourt rivalry has the propensity to bring out the best, the bitter, and even the beast in those of us who bleed blue and green. And it could be in our blood, quite literally.

In the heat of an Ateneo-La Salle game, there is enough testosterone bubbling among the fans inside the stadium to induce spontaneous growth of chest hair among women. But would you expect anything less from the fans of Ateneo-La Salle game? Our type of fandom approaches Richter-scale intensities. Professor Daniel Wann, a psychologist at Murray State University in Kentucky, once developed a seven-step Fan Involvement Ladder. The lowest level is labeled as “suspect” while the highest level (which I suspect is the category that a number of Ateneo and La Salle fans are guilty of) is “raving fan” (i.e., willing to paint his exposed body parts in the appropriate school color and risking laryngitis, hair loss and cardiac arrest to zealously root for his side of the court).

When we become those stark, raving fans, some of us may even display what a social psychological phenomenon described in an article on www.thesportsnetworker.com called “The Psychology of Social Sports Fans” as “disinhibition.” This is when “normal constraints on behavior” (i.e., long-term norms, self-monitoring, self-awareness) become as non-existent as pork barrel NGOs, causing fans to act on their immediate emotions and motivations when they wouldn’t do so under normal circumstances. This might explain the most mild-mannered among us baring our talons, pointing our arrows, allowing a flurry of expletives to escape from all of our orifices and painting our pink parts in the school color of our archrivals.   

However, once the talons retract and the arrows are sheathed, once the testosterone dissipates and women shed the chest hair, once we apply acetone to remove paint from our pink parts, we might realize that we aren’t so different after all.

During the first Ateneo-La Salle basketball friendship game in 1939, Fr. Carroll I. Fasy, SJ, the president of the Ateneo at the time, shared this in the commemorative program: “This yearly gesture of friendship and goodwill between our two colleges is a fine thing that deserves to become a tradition. La Salle and Ateneo have much in common. They have the education of the Filipino youth, the training of character by religion, the preservation of the glorious heritage of Faith in the Philippines, as the common aims. In the classroom and afterward in the world, La Sallites and Ateneans are imbued with and are guided by the same ideals.”

Last week, there was another encounter between La Salle and Ateneo, but it was one that that didn’t need the painting of pink parts. During the Philippine Lasallian Family Honoring Rites held at the La Salle Greenhills campus, one of the religious congregations that was honored by the La Salle Brothers was the Society of Jesus. The Jesuit community, represented by the Fr. Bill Abbott, SJ, Philippine Province Socius, was honored for their continuing collaboration with the Brothers. Although not known by most of the alumni of both schools, many young La Salle Brothers underwent formation and theological studies with the Jesuits. “The Brothers and the Society of Jesus have a deep collaboration,” the program read, “in Christian education and service to the nation.”

Competition brings out what makes each of us good. But sometimes collaboration between our schools has the potential to bring out the best in all of us. Don’t take my word for it, though. Take it from individuals who have been “ruined” (as the Jesuits so aptly put it) by both their Jesuit and La Sallian education.

This doesn’t mean the rivalry hasn’t been productive for both schools (heck, it’s produced merchandising, a musical and a Wikipedia entry). “(In the end), the rivalry has been more helpful!” shared Paolo Trillo, the popular team manager of the Ateneo Men’s Senior Basketball team who graduated high school from De La Salle Santiago Zobel and finished with an AB communications degree from Ateneo de Manila University.  “They say the rivalry brings out the best and worst of both schools. Whether in the classroom, the sports arena, or the workplace, the rivalry challenges both to strive harder and to always give their best. Admittedly or not, both schools respect each other and, to a certain extent, admire one another. That’s why both give so much importance to the rivalry.”

“Both (Ateneans and Lasallians) groups are loud and proud at basketball games. They like to hang out, have fun and (sometimes) put the other group down,” adds Engr. Alexis Ledesma, a high school graduate of Ateneo de Manila University who pursued his civil engineering degree at De La Salle University and a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from Stanford University.  “Honestly, I think that they have much, much more in common than they (think). Ironically, that is what makes the two groups rivals. I’m actually doing my Ph.D. (in social psychology) at UP Diliman, so I see the other side of the educational world. There is a social psychology theory called the Social Identity Theory that says groups with lots in common gain their identity by having a rival there. It is in fact the rival that promotes in-group favoritism and outgroup rejection. In other words, Ateneo and La Salle need each other to build each other’s school spirit. Without the rival, there would be no unification of each other’s groups.” 

“The rivalry has brought out the best and the worst in all us. The rivalry can make us put down the other school and be violent towards the other school (verbally or physically),” chimed in Br. Ricky Laguda, FSC, president of DLSU-Manila who graduated high school from La Salle Bacolod, pursued AB philosophy at Ateneo de Manila University and completed an executive education program at Harvard Business Schools’ General Management Program. “Yet, I have witnessed how the rivalry can also make us more human (i.e., magnanimous in victory and gracious in defeat), whether in sports or other forms of competition.”  

 Admittedly, there are some lingering misconceptions graduates of both schools harbor that can stand in the way of more fulfilling collaboration. “The graduates of Ateneo feel that those from La Salle others aren’t that smart. Meanwhile the graduates from La Salle feel that those from Ateneo are ‘mayabang.’” Alexis added. “Well, I studied engineering at DLSU and was overwhelmed by how brilliant my classmates were so these guys are super sharp academically — surely not the slackers (some from) Ateneo think they are. Some Ateneans are arrogant, but I think that they are the ones who are actually just the insecure minority (and not at all reflective of the school as a whole).”

“Ateneans and La Sallians have more in common then they would like to think,” commented Paolo. “Both are very proud and competitive to a fault. My favorite (misconception) is —both think they are better than the other!” he related playfully.

“More than the misconceptions we have about Ateneo and La Salle, what is important is we ask ourselves what makes us judge that certain people coming from certain educational backgrounds to be this way or that way,” says Br. Ricky. “Then, ask again whether the judgments we have made are based on evidence and data. And maybe ask again whether the data merits some kind of a valid generalization or conclusion. Otherwise, it remains a misconception. What I know is that misconceptions about Ateneo can be also said for La Salle. Through the years, I have learned to be more respectful and non-judgmental in meeting people regardless of educational backgrounds.”  

 â€œThere are nice people and there are jerks in both schools. It’s actually hard to generalize because honestly I don’t think a person’s school makes them who they are,” Alexis added. “I would like to believe that — given that I have studied in DLSU, Ateneo and now UP — I don’t have to pick and choose. Instead, I can see what is good and bad about each and just accept it as such. But, yes, I have learned so much in every school where I have studied. Most importantly, I have made the most loyal and awesome friends (in all these schools) and that I think is what is priceless about studying in these esteemed learning institutions.”

“I am thankful for what I learned from both alma maters,” said Br. Mark Lopez, SJ, a Jesuit Scholastic at the Loyola School of Theology who went to grade school and high school at La Salle Greenhills and pursued a management engineering degree at Ateneo de Manila University. He eventually became the executive director of Jesuit Volunteers of the Philippines before he entered the Society of Jesus. “I remember first learning the phrase ‘Men for others’ from the La Salle brothers when we were in grade school. I took this to heart as a boy and eventually tried to make a lot of life choices along these lines because it made sense (to me, and) gave me meaning and purpose. In college, I was to find out that this phrase was first coined and made popular by the late great Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ. It is clear to me now how much in terms of spirituality and mission the La Salle brothers and the Jesuits of the Ateneo share, especially in terms of our vision and mission for the young with whom they work. And so, when we speak in these terms, all this rivalry boils down to, well, something rather petty and almost silly,” Br. Mark said with a smile.

“Did you know that once upon a time here in the Philippines, the Jesuit novices and the FSC (Fratres Scholarum Christianarum or the Brothers of the Christian Schools) novices actually lived in the same house?” he continued.  “Some of the La Salle brothers come to the Jesuit-run Loyola School of Theology in Ateneo for post-graduate education. And some Jesuits are alumni of the La Salle schools. Some communities of La Salle brothers regularly get Jesuits to say their masses, and a good number of young Jesuits look up to the pioneering work of FSC brothers with schools for the poor, like the one in Bagac, Bataan (the Jaime Hilario Integrated School- La Salle). What I’m trying to say is the religious who run these two esteemed schools have shared much in terms of spirituality and mission. It therefore makes no sense if rivalry among the students and alumni will prevent them from working together to address great needs that beset us as a nation.”

“I’m fortunate to have experienced the best of both worlds,” Paolo added. “It’s given me a better perspective on what it is to be well-rounded. I’ve built relationships through the years, and I’m proud to have many friends from both sides.”

“I believe that both Ateneo and La Salle have enriched me as a person,” says Br. Ricky. “Both traditions make me appreciate what life has to offer from different perspectives. Both spiritualities allow me to be more grounded in reality and be grateful for everything and every person that comes along the path that God has provided me.”

Br. Ricky elaborated, “We are shaped by our traditions and culture. In this case, under two different founders — St. Ignatius and St. La Salle. St. Ignatius teaches us to seek the ‘magis’ and do everything for the greater glory of God (Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, or AMDG). Meanwhile, St. La Salle teaches us to remember God’s presence wherever we are, to do all actions for the love of God, and for Jesus to live in our hearts forever. There may be a difference in words and expression, but in substance we know that all of these (traditions) are in consonance… The color of blue and green becomes immaterial.”

Br. Mark concludes: “In my 17 years of working in the development sector, dealing with NGO workers, public servants, and private sector groups, I’ve been very lucky to meet some deeply edifying, remarkably dedicated people — from both La Salle and Ateneo — who have given their lives for the betterment of the country and to uplift the lives of the poor. I have seen excellence, selflessness, self-donation and that genuine desire and passion to live the radical Christian ideals and to give their lives to social transformation, again, from both sides of the playing field.  In short, there are men and women for others in both blue and green. Unfortunately, a common factor is that for both populations, they are but a very small margin of the entire alumni base of both schools. And so I continually pray that their tribe may increase.”

A few months ago, I misinterpreted the phrase “Coming down from the hill” in an article written for the Ateneo’s Guidon on Br. Ricky, FSC, who was an Atenean installed as the DLSU president. Without the Jesuit context to appreciate this statement, I thought it implied that those us from the “other school” were inferior because the good brother had to “go down” to us from a loftier place (I, too, can be a victim of lingering misconceptions). Thankfully, I was fraternally corrected by Fr. Jboy Gonzales, SJ, the Ateneo High School Associate Principal (whose other ministry I think is on Twitter), and I profusely apologized for the misunderstanding.  Especially when I realized the beauty of the phrase.

The phrase is taken from A Song For Mary, Ateneo’s alma mater song, Br. Ricky explained. The song goes: “We stand on a hill between the earth and sky. Now all is still where Loyola’s colors fly. Our course is run and the setting sun ends Ateneo’s day. Eyes are dry at the last goodbye; this is the Ateneo way… Down from the hill, down to the world go I; rememb’ring still, how the bright Blue Eagles fly.”  According to Br. Ricky’s interpretation, â€œIt means every Atenean (or any other person for that matter) stands at the crossroads of being human and divine, where ‘we stand on a hill between earth and sky.’ He or she lives at these ‘crossroads’ on a daily basis reminding himself or herself that he or she is created in the image and likeness of God, as well as a follower of Jesus. Those ‘crossroads’ are lived ‘on a hill’ and ‘down the hill,’ where the Atenean tries to seek God in all things and do more (magis) for God wherever one is.”

And we continue to seek God in all things. And to remind us that God’s presence is wherever we are, or whomever we are with. Whether they be blue or green.

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For comments, suggestions or front-row tickets to the final four, please e-mail ledesma.rj@gmail.com or visit www.rjledesma.com. Follow @rjled on Twitter and rjled610 on Instagram.