LEAD Story 325

From the beginning of her career, Dr. Anita L. Lim has been living her advocacy to bringing quality education to those who need it most. Her office staff and household employees could attest to this as she stood as their sponsor for the fulfillment of their educational development. Like St. John Baptist de La Salle, Dra. Anita sees education as the key to transform the lives of people. Dra. Anita was known for her meaningful insights and detailed brilliance in her field of expertise. But unknown to many, Dra. Anita has profoundly touched many lives including the most ordinary people she had met along her journey despite her numerous achievements and responsibilities. In 2007, she was invited to become one of the Trustees of La Salle University (LSU) Ozamiz. Since then, Dra. Anita has been sharing valuable contributions for the improvement of infrastructure, scholarships and organizational system of LSU. As a devout Catholic, Dra. Anita strongly promoted the spiritual and religious life in the University. Aside from attending LSU-sponsored masses, she also helped develop the Our Lady of the Star Chapel even when her youngest son, Mr. Alex Lim, took over her position in the Board of Trustees in 2013. As the renovation of the University chapel continues, the legacy of Dra. Anita and her entire family lives on.

As we celebrate Dra. Anita Lim’s life, La Salle University is proud to give honor to her and her wonderful contributions to La Salle. Br. Jaime Dalumpines FSC, University President, handed the Indivisa Manent Award to Dra. Anita Lim (posthumous). The award was received by the entire Lim Family on February 7, 2020.

“Indivisa Manent”, the Latin phrase found in the family Crest of St. John Baptist de La Salle and it best translates into English as “Forever United.” In line with this award, La Salle University Ozamiz Community shall be forever united with Dra. Anita. (Text: Ms. Mary Grace Luna; Photos: LSU Communications Team)

It was our honour to welcome Br. Armin Luistro FSC and Br Joseph Klong FSC to La Salle Chanthaburi (Mandapitak). Their visit brought joy to the Brothers and the school. On Friday, February 7, 2020 during the school assembly, the school organized a simple welcoming ceremony where he listened to a brief report of the school by a student from Grade 10. Br. Armin then gave an inspirational speech. He encouraged the teachers to take care of the students like a plant, look after them well, water them enough, protect them from insects and all dangerous things, and one day the plants will grow strong and bear much fruit. He also introduced to them an old boy of La Salle Chanthaburi who is now bearing much fruit to the Institute of La Salle Brothers, Br Joseph Klong.

Then, Br. Armin requested to visit “Miguel House”, a project to help the financially poor students in Chanthaburi province. This shows how much he gives importance to the poor. His action reminded us to continue to carry out the mission of the Institute.

We continue to pray for our Brother Visitor to be an instrument of God to inspire people wherever he goes. (Text & Photos: Br. Benedict Chaiwat Phanomworachai FSC)

Br. Armin Luistro FSC had his canonical visit at St. Jaime Hilario Brothers’ Community in Bagac, Bataan, Philippines on January 31-February 2, 2020. Aside from redditions and community dialogue on the second day of the visit, he also accompanied the Bagac Brothers during welcome Mass in honor of St. La Salle’s relic at Our Lady of the Pillar Parish in Morong, Bataan. (Text & Photos: Br. Iñigo Riola FSC)

I spent the last few days of January 2020 visiting the Community of Brothers at Lipa. First, I was fortunate to be able to go together with the Community to DLSU for DLS Philippines Management Board annual meeting where they welcomed new Board members, reported on the year’s work and interacted with a keynote speaker.

I appreciated a tour of the integrated schools and university which are all geared towards sustainable development and all parts WiFi-ed.

Celine was the tour guide, Dfezie was the overview presenter, and Haidee, principal of the integrated school, presented the school highlights. Haidee also called parent representatives for sharing. Their online interaction with the school is impressive.

A major highlight was a visit to the ‘Welcome Shelters’ on the campus for those families who had been evacuated after the Taal volcano eruption. This decision by the school authorities was a leap of faith and love, for they could not foresee all the implications and could not be sure of raising enough funds. Their faith was rewarded and donations in cash and kind and service poured in. It was also a marvelous opportunity for the stakeholders, including students, to serve on their doorstep.

The day I visited was departure day for most of the families, a day of happiness tinged with sadness at leaving a place that had welcomed them so generously.

Well done, the Brothers of Lipa. (Text: Br. Pat Tierney FSC; Photos: Ms. Celine Francisco)

Brother Armin visited Hakodate La Salle, the most northern school and community in LEAD, from February 12 to 15. He arrived via Tokyo on the 12th in the middle of winter. Since he comes from the “paradisiac Manila” he brought some warm wind that might have made the temperature rise to nine degrees during those days --- a rather unusual temperature for the season; and curiously enough, after he went back, the weather forecast was more “snow again!”.

During his visit, Brother Armin addressed the staff of the school during the daily morning general meeting. His words will remain in the memory of some of the teachers, especially those who feel how Hakodate La Salle could be more integrated to our school network as an “association for the educational mission” for the youth in The Lasallian World. The presence of Brother Visitor has become indeed AN ICON OF HOPE for us here in Hakodate.

Brother Visitor also joined us during morning prayer at school. Four or more boys came to pray at the school chapel. There, Brother Armin greeted a student and a teacher who had been to the Philippines as volunteers.

Brother Armin had the opportunity to meet the two Brothers in the community as the main purpose of his pastoral visit. Different issues were discussed namely, the future of education in Japan (specifically in our boarding school), the strengthening of association and collaboration within LEAD and Japan, religious education, Inter-LEAD exchange programs, Lasallian formation and our commitment with La Salle Home in Sendai.

The vice principal and the head teacher joined us for dinner at the Brothers house. The barriers of language soon faded away and the Lasallian “language” gained strength and understanding as we shared our meals.

Hakodate La Salle High School was founded by the French Canadian Brothers in 1960. After four years, it became a boarding school only for boys and has remained providing the same brotherly environment till now. 21 years ago we opened the junior high section for teenagers and now two thirds of the students spend 6 years with us. Needless to say, at the end of their Lasallian experience, all these students feel they are brothers with a common new family name: Lasallians.

Moreover, we took Brother Armin to pay his respects to the founding Brothers at their tomb.

We cannot thank the Brother Visitor enough for coming. We will be expecting Brother Armin's return to this community with his choice from any of the four seasons we enjoy here. (Text & Photos: Br. Fermin Martinez FSC)

On January 14, as part of the Tercentenary celebrations, junior high school students and teachers of La Salle Gakuen, Kagoshima, formed the image of St. La Salle at the school field. Without a separate practice day, they asked the students to line up, to trace the provided trail, to stand and to wave at the cameras – all in 35 minutes. Efficient as always! (Text & Photo: Br. Aikee Esmeli FSC)

Five women from Singapore who are discerning for the religious life visited the Brothers and the Postulants of the Lasallian Formation Center and the St. Benilde Brothers Community last February 3, 2020. Jane, Maria, Melissa, Kareen and Jace joined the come and see experience to the Philippines which aims to give them the opportunity to visit and see the life of the different religious congregations in the Philippines to give them a wider perspective of the vocation on the religious life.

Their visit with the De La Salle Brothers started out with a tour around La Salle Green Hills led by Br. Kelvin Tan FSC. Afterwards, the Postulants prepared a prayer service for the visitors and had a quick small group sharing to get to know each other’s vocation background answering the questions: Where is God calling me today? and How do I respond to His call? After the small gathering, the group joined the Brothers of the St. Benilde Brothers' Community for a dinner filled with meaningful conversations. In this way, the visitors would be able to get to know more about the vocation and life of a De La Salle Brother and also express their own stories of faith towards answering God's call. The evening ended on a positive note with the visitors asking for prayers from the Brothers on the path that they will take. (Text: Postulants Milton Merto & Julius Calingasan; Photos: Lasallian Formation Center FB Page)

La Salle Academy (LSA) and University of St. La Salle (USLS), two La Salle schools from the Philippines, reached highest accreditation levels for their Basic Education Programs and eight College Degree Programs.

On 24 January 2020, the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) officially delivered the good news to LSA - Iligan and USLS - Bacolod.

In a letter addressed to Br. Antonio Cesar J. Servando FSC, LSA President, PAASCU granted Level III Status to the school valid until May 2023.

Similarly, Br. Joaquin Severino S. Martinez FSC, D.Min., USLS President and Chancellor received PAASCU's Level III status grant for Basic Education and Level IV status grant to eight College Degree Programs of the university; all valid until November 2023.

This is truly a moment of celebration for both the schools who have worked together in attaining this achievement and merit. Congratulations to the LSA and USLS administrators, faculty and staff, students, alumni and parents, and all members of the school community. (Photos: LSA - Lasallian Media FB page, USLS FB page)