New DLSU president Br. Raymundo Suplido FSC

Brother Raymundo Belardo Suplido FSC, PhD  has just assumed the position of President of De La Salle University, the leading private educational institution in the Philippines. His induction comes at a critical time for the university as it faces the challenges of the beginning of the K to 12 program, and the extremely high expectations of Lasallians that their alma mater remain the leader in the field of academics, sports and service to society.

External circumstances have made Br. Suplido the 5th university president in the last five years. It seems the position has become a stepping stone to other challenges. In 2010, then DLSU president, Br. Armin Luistro, FSC accepted the position of Secretary of the Department of Education in the cabinet of President Noynoy Aquino.

Br. Erguiza, FSC took over in 2010 but resigned to accept the challenge of heading La Salle-Araneta University and to be president of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP). Br. Ricky Laguda, FSC took over but last year he was appointed as one of the seven General Councillors of the De La Salle Brothers International in Rome, the highest ruling body of the La Salle Brothers. Brother Magbanua, FSC, president of De La Salle College of St. Benilde, became concurrent president until a new president was selected. Br. Suplido was serving as president of the University of St. La Salle – Bacolod when he was selected to be the new head of DLSU.

In his inaugural speech, Br. Suplido focused on the message of stewardship. He said: “What is the Lord asking of me? The Parable of Talents kept ringing in my mind and heart...I felt like the servant who received, not 1, 3 or 5 talents, but rather 50 talents! For when I consider DLSU, I see the outstanding quality of her teaching faculty, the giftedness of her students, and the high calibre of her co-academic faculty and service personnel. To these resources I must add the unlimited social capital of DLSU’s network of alumni and alumnae, parents and guardians, her links with Church leaders, industry, government and colleagues in other educational institutions.”

“What is the Lord asking of DLSU? But another question came to me: ‘What is the Lord asking of DLSU at this time in her history? Isn’t DLSU a servant to whom the Master has entrusted a generous amount of talents? ...And this led me to the question – for whom are the resources of the university? What does this imply for DLSU? Hasn’t she been entrusted with an abundance of talents by the Master, talents to carry out her mission? The university’s vision-mission statement avows that DLSU is a leading learner-centered university, bridging faith and scholarship in the service of society especially the poor.”

In many parts, his speech echoed the messages of Pope Francis, who has constantly said that the Church should give priority to the poor and take care of our “common home,” the earth, which is becoming an “immense pile of filth.”

Br. Suplido’s life story has prepared him well for this tremendous responsibility he has just assumed. He entered the Christian Brother juniorate in his third year of high school, in what was then known as La Salle College-Taft. His preferred field of studies has always been in the sciences and mathematics. His good friend Nelin Sta. Romana remembers that when they were in school together they went on a trip to Matabungkay, Batangas, and the young Raymundo kept wading knee deep on seashore looking for living organisms beneath the water.

Br. Suplido graduated with two bachelor’s degrees, AB-BS Education, majoring in General Science and a minor in Mathematics, graduating magna cum laude. He was also a student leader, being a member of Student Council and having been elected president of the student council of the School of Education.

He completed several graduate programs, including one at the Institute of Religious Formation at St. Louis University in the USA; MA in Education major in Educational Administration at DLSU, and graduated magna cum laude at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome where he finished with a Bachelor’s degree and a Licentiate. In 2007, he graduated with High Distinction after completing his PhD in Counseling Psychology at DLSU.

Over the years, Br Suplido has held various positions, including Principal of La Salle-Taft grade school, Director of La Salle’s Scholasticate and Novitiate, Brother Provincial of La Salle Brothers-Philippines and the second Filipino to be appointed as a General Councilor in Rome. His last position was as president of the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod, Negros Occidental which is his hometown.

Aside from being a scientist, scholar, educator and administrator, the sports fanatics in the Lasallian family will be thrilled to hear that Br. Suplido was a sports lover in his younger days. His favorite sport was soccer, and he was considered an extremely fast and agile striker and midfielder during his playing days. Perhaps, his presidency will usher back the golden days of soccer in La Salle.

De La Salle University can rightfully claim that its graduates have shaped Philippine history during the last 10 decades. Some of those names include Jose Diokno and Lorenzo Tanada in politics; Joseph McMicking, Francisco Ortigas, Ramon del Rosario ,Enrique Aboitiz in business; and, Virgilio Lobregat, Tito Eduque, and Paeng Nepomuceno in sports.  

The life story and inaugural message of Brother Raymundo Suplido FSC has again assured the Lasallian community and the nation that this 104-year-old institution will continue its role of helping shape the future of this country and the ASEAN region.

Where the Write Things Are’s Classes for Kids and Teens

Write Away! Weekend: Poetry Jamming on July 25 (1-4 pm) with Conchitina Cruz at the Canadian American School, Alphaland Makati Place, and Young Writers’ Hangout on August 1 (1:30 pm-3 pm) at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street. 

Conchitina Cruz teaches creative writing and literature at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. A recipient of Fulbright and Rockefeller Foundation grants, she is the author of several books of poetry. She is currently pursuing her PhD in English at State University of New York (SUNY) Albany.

For registration and fee details contact 0917-6240196 / [email protected].

*      *      *

 Email: [email protected]