'Man for others' transcends color

MANILA, Philippines - In an evacuation center for Ondoy victims last September, young people from Ateneo de Manila and De La Salle universities, converged and attended to the needs of thousands who lost their homes and loved ones from one of the worst calamities to hit the country.

They offered solace to the victims and gave relief goods unmindful of the inconveniences.

At this juncture, there was no distinction between who was “green” or “blue,” as they all came together to be a “man for others,” fostering what was inveighed in them in school, to mirror Jesus’ compassion for the downtrodden so they can have hope and strength to battle life’s travails.

The tagging of blue and green, the colors of Ateneo and La Salle respectively, was brought on by a long-standing rivalry that has been played up in the media, particularly in basketball.

But unknown to many, La Salle and Ateneo are actually allies and have collaborated on a variety of projects before in the field of academic, national, and youth development.  

The two have never given importance to their rivalry and both have always treated each other as an important ally — a kapatid, kaibigan, kapuso and kapamilya — sharing common ground for God, nation and people. Such is the bond that exists between Ateneo and La Salle.

In a bid to further foster the special and lasting friendship between the two schools, De La Salle has recently gifted Ateneo an Ugnayan endowment fund meant for future joint projects and activities.  

Bro. Armin Luistro, FSC, president and chancellor of DLSU, said the endowment is DLSU’s way of honoring Ateneo in the celebration of its sesquicentennial year.  

Sans the rivalry in basketball games and academics, he said La Salle and Ateneo really share the same values and ideals, vision and mission to serve God, country and people and develop/teach young people to include Jesus, love for the poor and country in their horizons of choices and action.

“Very early on in our histories, we worked both together not just in sports but also in many advocacies, specifically towards the development of education in the country, that has been replicated in many other associations, whether NCAA or PAASCUM… In all of those educational engagements, our two schools have really developed not just the friendship for ourselves, but for the country and the young people,” Bro. Luistro said.

Small wonder then why Bro. Luistro commends Ateneo as a good school.

Fr. Nebres welcomes La Salle’s initiative

Fr. Ben Nebres, president of the Ateneo de Manila University, in turn, thanked the La Salle community for the heart warming and thoughtful gesture.

He said he got wind of the idea of Ugnayan in a meeting with Bro. Luistro and research group in December, adding that La Salle had put up the same fund for the University of the Philippines (UP) during its centennial.

“I really thought it was unexpected and truly a thoughtful initiative, we look forward of course to the De la Salle Centennial on 2011. We hope that we will have more Ugnayan that period and period after. We look forward to continue this Ugnayan with you and celebration of togetherness and life with you,” said Fr. Nebres in his address to the audience.

Fr. Nebres was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Science degree in 2004  by the De La Salle University.

Nebres echoed Bro. Luistro’s statement that both schools share the same vision and goals, of being founded for God, country and people.

“I think we all share the same mission of forming Christian leaders of our country and for the world, we share mission of contributing to new knowledge particularly knowledge that will make a difference for those in greater need and the same vision of reaching out to those in greater need, whether in public schools or universities or the needy poor,” said Fr. Nebres.

He stressed that Ugnayan is just a continuation of the many things they have shared in the past.

As a token of Ateneo’s appreciation, Nebres gifted Bro. Armin commemorative sesquicentennial medal and stamps.

Humble gift

Bro. Ricky Laguda, a product of both La Salle and Ateneo, said they are very happy to give Ateneo the Ugnayan fund and hopes this symbolic gesture of a meaningful and long friendship will go a long way.

Laguda explained that Ugnayan, an endowment fund will have an initial amount of P500,000 and will be used for projects or activities that could be ether extracurricular or non-academic in nature.

Each year, the fund’s earnings will be used to finance one selected joint project between La Salle and Ateneo students, faculty members, and administrators.

Laguda said La Salle will set up and manage the fund and for school year 2010-2011, they will give another P50,000 for the first chosen project.

A screening committee from Ateneo will take charge of the chosen and final project for each year.

“We hope to learn from each other, we hope to have a better appreciation of each other’s humanity and partnership, our pakikipag-ugnayan will serve as an inspiration for those within and outside the community, through Ugnayan, we will explore our common grounds, our common humanity, in the process we will bring forth our creativity. We will be able to share the fruits of our partnership and friendship to our people,” said Bro. Laguda.