LSGH Alternative Education: Animo embodied

I asked my son Roel, an educator and writer, to share his experience as a teacher in the La Salle Green Hills Alternative Education (AltEd) Department, as he always offers distinct insight into how the Lasallian mission is manifested. This is what he wrote:

Right before school year 2019-20 began, I heard about how a young Surigao native residing with my nephew, Jack Lyn Corpos, wanted to return to her hometown and finish senior high, confessing that my prodding about her education inspired her. I then recalled how she lived in close proximity to LSGH which offered what was then called the Adult Night High School. Being educated as a Lasallian all my life, I convinced her to give it a shot. I contacted my former classmate, academic coordinator Bernadette Nolasco-Mosura, to provide assistance. On impulse I also asked if a teaching position was open, and I was readily welcomed. Five years later, Jack Lyn, still gracefully balancing work and academics, is about to graduate from Jose Rizal University and eager to enter the world of banking and finance, while providing financial assistance for her sister’s tertiary studies along the way. While I am in my fifth year of teaching 12th grade 21st Century Literature, deeply embedded in this extraordinary AltEd culture.

For more than 40 years, LSGH Alternative Education has been “the manifestation of the De La Salle Brothers’ mission to provide Christian and quality education to our marginalized brothers and sisters…16 years old and above,” and “with the conviction that everyone has the right to education,” deaf learners are fully integrated in the department. In addition, a recent partnership was established with Mandaluyong City’s Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to allow persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) to finish secondary education.

I’ve screamed “Animo La Salle!” and proudly bellowed the alma mater hymn countless times in packed arenas after athletic victories. But nothing has compared to the goosebumps that ran through my raised right arm while singing it along with PDL graduates in last year’s commencement exercises at the Mandaluyong City Jail. I’ve never deeply understood the true embodiment of the Animo spirit until I walked into my first AltEd classroom. 

In five years I’ve had the privilege of witnessing true-blooded Lasallians flourish before my eyes – individuals who have been given a second chance by the Lasallian mission. They have continually reminded me what being a true Lasallian is all about. 

There are students like 44-year old Charisma Turco who ably juggles her duties as a dishwasher in a DOH coop canteen and devoted mother while being a top 10 honors student, or 40-year old Gemelyn Magallano who continues to defy her own expectations in the face of financially-disadvantaged conditions. On a daily basis, they define true Animo in how they remain resolved inside and outside the classroom. 

39-year old Jose Dacut has shown potential to become a fine educator while working at the school library during the day, and managed to bravely confront personal demons through poetry. Feisty Gen Zers Cassandra Martinez, Frances Canon and Sgt. Gabrielle Montes have consistently amazed me with their work ethic and exquisite writing, despite loudly calling out the names of the latter two ending up as routinary as opening prayer. There are budding philosophers such as Miguel Dela Cerna, Terrence Leuterio and CJ Merenciano, and romantic poets James Cacatian, Juls Gonzales and Yuri Espela, all of whom I know will bring their profound insight into whatever careers they choose. Each time I inevitably feel frustrated about trivial matters, among so many others I only need to recall the likes of unassailable Lorgilyn Fenecilda, sturdy Francine Paglicawan or unconquerable Angella Rabarter, Virg Madeja, Marga Bansiloy and Princess Carlon, who all seem to easily brush aside challenging life circumstances, to be reminded me of my Lasallian roots and feel rejuvenated. And for good measure, there is meme-loving, time travel enthusiast, punk-in-disguise and flower fanatic SR Lorraine Mancia, whose nun-like demeanor belies a sublime, passionate vision of what is truly meaningful in this world (despite her hatred of everything fictional).

Being part of the AltEd family, I feel such exhilaration and pride each afternoon I enter the LSGH campus as the day schoolers, in turn, head home. The exemplary leadership of associate principal Rey Dacut, unflagging smile of fellow literary buff Angel Amado and enduring guidance and affirmations of academic coordinators Bernadette Nolasco-Mosura and Roy Daz always make me feel like I am coming home to where I will be among Lasallians who embody the Animo spirit not merely through words, color of clothing or frivolous gestures.

On the occasions I bump into school president Br. Edmundo “Dodo” Fernandez, FSC – with whom our chats can range from the urgency of instilling critical thinking in our students to Japanese literature or dog phone cases – I always want to share my admiration for the existence of the AlltEd Department, along with the Br. Rafael Donato FSC Night School in De La Salle Zobel and the DLSU-Dasmariñas Night College, among several other manifestations of the De La Salle Brothers’ mission. But I know he will merely smile, shrug and say: “This what we do. We are Lasallians after all.”

I am already eager to see the faces of each of my 12A 21st Century Literature students as they walk up that stage in the St. Benilde Gym in about eight months to finally be handed their diplomas. These will be pieces of paper that will not only broaden opportunities and change lives, but serve as lifelong reminders that we spent 10 weeks teaching one another to never hesitate to allow our reach to exceed our grasp, to be staunch examples of true Lasallian zeal and faith and to embody the essence of Animo in all that we do.