For over 26 years, he was a student, professor and a La Salle Christian Brother. In the La Sallian community, he was known as Bro. Sam. Today, he’s still the same Bro. Sam, the outspoken activist who fights for what he believes is right even if it means going against the tide.
Bro. Sam was and will always be a leader. He is as charismatic as he is charming. When he speaks, people listen. When he moves, people follow.
I hadn’t heard from Bro. Sam for a while until I received a letter from him the other day. It was good to know Bro. Sam continues to read the sports pages. He was always a sports fan. At La Salle, Bro. Sam liked to hang out with athletes because he knew how important sports is in campus life. Besides, he, too, was an athlete and he loved sports.
Bro. Sam’s letter touched on a recent column about La Salle’s travails in the wake of the school’s discovery of academically ineligible senior men’s varsity basketball players.
Here’s what he wrote:
"This is not a reaction to your recent column ‘La Salle in Firing Line’ but more of an affirmation of the 15 valid issues (you enumerated). The article is evidently the outcome of your meticulous research and familiarity with the dynamics of the DLSU system, particularly the sports program. Those issues should be considered by DLSU in its future reforms in the system with focus on the sports program.
"However, one particular issue that got my adrenalin going is the seventh by your enumeration. This is on the UAAP Board members whom you have subtly warned not to feast on the misery besetting DLSU. I suppose you could have driven home the message more forcefully by resorting to the Biblical admonition (that) ‘he who is without sin, let him cast the first stone’ at DLSU.
"As a former Brother Sports Moderator for almost 10 years (1963-72) at La Salle Green Hills, the eligibility of athletes has always been an emotional issue for many schools. Nevertheless, I am certain DLSU as an academic institution under La Salle Brothers will never condone dishonesty in the matter. As an alumnus like you, I will not be the one to castigate DLSU for the alleged scandal. I would view this as a temporary aberration of what DLSU stands for and it will be corrected in time. There is still plenty of life for DLSU after the storm.
"I cannot help but attribute my political success as municipal mayor for almost 15 years now to my academic experiences at DLSU as student, professor and more importantly, as former La Salle Brother for over 26 years. Every time I run for re-election, 10 of my former students foot the bill for my political campaign.
"As a mayor, I survived the politics of patronage with Malacañang through the intercession of DLSU alumni who are high up in government. And up to now, many of my constituents call me ‘Bro. Sam’ and that alone puts me on a moral high ground over my hapless political opponents."
Another alumnus Tony Atayde wrote in to invite readers who are La Salle graduates to attend "Animo Night 2005 — A Celebration of the La Sallian Artist" this Friday, 7:30 p.m., at the St. Benilde Gym in La Salle Green Hills.
Tony said the program will feature a show starring representatives from the 15 La Salle schools in the country — De La Salle Araneta University, De La Salle Canlubang, De La Salle College of St. Benilde, De La Salle Health Sciences Campus in Cavite, De La Salle Lipa, De La Salle Professional Schools, De La Salle Zobel in Alabang, De La Salle University in Dasmarinas, De La Salle University in Manila, Immaculate Conception College-La Salle in Ozamiz, La Salle Academy in Iligan, La Salle College Antipolo, La Salle Green Hills, St. Joseph High School — La Salle (Villamonte) and University of St. La Salle in Bacolod.
"This is truly a ‘One La Salle’ production involving students, faculty, administrators, alumni and alumnae of all La Salle schools," said Tony. "It is not a concert but a historical musical presentation of La Salle’s history. It starts with the arrival of the first nine Brothers in 1911 and presents the history through song, dance, music and videos. One of the heart-tugging videos is about the massacre at La Salle in 1945.
"We have gathered the best La Sallian entertainers, production people and creative minds available to come up with this show. It is also the start of the build-up to the La Salle Centennial in 2011."
Among the confirmed La Salle performers and participants in the show are Joel Torre, Vanya Castor, Mike Enriquez, Ogie Alcasid, Gary Valenciano, Michael de Mesa, Mark Gil, JM Rodriguez, Tonipet Gaba, Wency Cornejo, Cookie Chua, Rannie Raymundo, Ding Dong Avanzado, Montet Acoymo, RJ Ledesma, Bloomfields, Tux (Popo Suanes, Monet Silvestre, Carlo Bulahan), CSB Footworks, the DLSU Pep Squad, the DLSU Chorale and the DLSU Chamber Ensemble.
It promises to be a show of unity and a solid gathering of greenbloods.