LEAD Story 336

The COVID-19 pandemic has speeded up the use of online video-conferencing platforms. By now, people have accustomed themselves to this new way of conducting meetings. No one can say that they’re digital immigrants anymore. The Lasallian East Asia District Council sure is a testament to this!

The District Council and some members of the Leadership Team met for its quarterly meeting on June 25, 2020. This is the first time that a DC Meeting was fully held virtually.

While Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippines, and Singapore have the same timezone, it’s different for Japan, Myanmar, and Thailand, albeit just an hour or two difference only. Time difference did not hinder efficiency. What was usually scheduled for 1-2 days, this meeting has done in 2 hours, and on top of that, it was done from the comfort and safety of our own room/office.

This has opened up more possibilities and collaboration despite the distance and travel restrictions, while also being cost-efficient and having less logistical concerns. Cheers to adaptability and creativity despite adversity!

MANILA, Philippines — Rights watchdog Amnesty International Philippines has recognized the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism and Br. Armin Luistro for exposing inequalities and standing up for the vulnerable sectors of the society.

PCIJ—an independent, non-profit media agency—was named as the Ignite Awards’ most distinguished human rights defender for group category. It produced investigative reports on President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement of assets, liabilities and net worth, election spending of senatorial candidates, the government’s brutal drug war, the country’s congested jails, among others.

Luistro, a former Department of Education, was conferred the most distinguished human rights defender for individual category.

Aside from PCIJ and Luistro, Lorenzo Miguel Relente and Michael David Tan were the recipients of Young Outstanding Human Rights Defender and Art that Matters for Literature, respectively.

“This season’s recipients come from varying rights backgrounds, from press freedom and right to education to gender equality and SOGIESC rights but they share one dedication, that is to the fight for basic rights of Filipinos,” Butch Olano, Amnesty International Philippines section director, said.

“They truly ignite the human rights cause, speaking up against injustices and exposing inequalities on behalf of those who, otherwise, will not be heard,” he added.

The rights watchdog stressed that taking action to safeguard human rights has become more important now more than ever as the country battles a coronavirus pandemic.

“When people lead in taking a stand for human rights especially in difficult situations, it emboldens many others in their struggles against injustice… Throughout and certainly beyond the immediate crisis, these human rights defenders will continue to stand up on behalf of the move vulnerable in our society,” Olano said.

Launched in 2018, Ignite Awards for Human Rights recognizes the impact of rights defenders’ works  in changing peoples’ lives through mobilization, activism and rights-based policy advocacy.

Source: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/05/28/2017111/pcij-luistro-named-most-distinguished-filipino-human-rights-defenders

The LEAD Mission Council Members (left to right): Mr. Jay Gervasio, ChairMs. Coreen Paul (MY), Br. Fermin Martinez FSC (JP), Ms. Christine Soe Hlaing (MM), Br. Larry Humphrey FSC (SG), Mr. Paul Tam (HK), Mr. Ed Chua (PH), Mr. John Chakrin Poopirom (TH)

One of the Key Priority Programs of the 3rd LEAD District Chapter is the creation of the LEAD Mission Council (LMC). The LMC is evenly composed of Brothers and lay associates or partners which will serve as an advisory body to the Brother Visitor and Council.

Mr. Jay Gervasio has been appointed as the Chair and was tasked to create policies and a council that will ensure the implementation of the objectives.

After a selection process period, the first four (4) founding members of the LMC were appointed and had their inaugural meeting together with the LMC Chair on June 19, 2020. The Brother Visitor, Br Armin, joined the meeting and gave them two challenges, on how to (1) move the LEAD Lasallian schools to act as one, and (2) respond to the emerging needs and new realities in East Asia. Afterwards, they discussed bilateral and multilateral agreements between schools and started brainstorming on a common LEAD project that would benefit all sectors.

Three (3) more members were appointed to complete the council with all Sectors well-represented. May the LMC be blessed with God's grace and wisdom to fulfill the duties entrusted to them.

As we keep in our prayers those who are suffering from the consequences of the global pandemic, I would like to inform you that, with Br. Paul Mata’s renewal of vows on the Feast of the Holy Trinity,all 36 LEAD Brothers in temporary vows have now renewed their commitment to God and to the Institute. Thank you to the communities for accompanying the young Brothers in their renewal ceremonies.

Br. Paul renewed his vows at the St. Joseph’s Community Chapel in Singapore.

Let’s keep working and praying that the Lord will bless us with more Lasallian Vocations and in particular with Brothers’ Vocations. (Text: Br. Antonio Cubillas FSC; Photo: Br. Paul Mata FSC)

Left to Right: Lim Lay Guan, Sitoe, Lim Choon San, Murugan, Victor Tan, Br Jason

The Malaysian government has decided that examination classes [Form 5 and 6] may resume schooling on June 24. The school community has been busy preparing for the first day back since our version of the ‘lockdown’ commenced in mid-March.

The school grounds have been cleaned and recleaned, and are now marked with social / physical distancing markers and reminders.

A group of former students from the class of 1984 passed the proverbial hat around and generously donated 80 litres of disinfectant to be used with special pedal dispensers. The new SXI Principal Mr Murugan received the donated items.

Meanwhile, the Parent Teacher Association is spearheading the sales of special reusable SXI face masks. 50% of the 1000 plus masks sold will be given back to those in need in the school. The PTA also plans to initiate a ‘food aid’ programme to benefit about 100 students. (Text & Photos: Br. Jason Blaikie FSC)

Three (3) LEAD aspirants applied and were accepted to our Postulancy Program this year:

1. Antony Pisut Siripondchaikun from Thailand
2. Aris Jay Guteza from the Philippines
3. Julian Wilmer Morabe from the Philippines

Six (6) LEAD candidates applied and were accepted to the Novitiate Program this year:

1. John Myron A. Duquefrom the Philippines
2. Joshua Aaron Mirandafrom Malaysia
3. Julius Christian B. Calingasan from the Philippines
4. Mark Francis S. Basan II from the Philippines
5. Matthew La San Aung from Myanmar
6. Milton Christopher B. Merto from the Philippines

The LEAD Postulancy Program 2020-2021 will be hosted at the Lasallian Formation Center (LFC) located at the school compound of La Salle Green Hills in Mandaluyong City, Philippines. Br. Ranier Guillergan will continue on as Director and he will be joined by Br. Mandy Dujungco as Sub-Director. We thank Brs. Raffy Reyes and Kelvin Tan for joining the LFC community during this past year as members of the formation staff.

The PARC Novitiate Program will re-open this year at the La Salle Novitiate (LSN) in Lipa City, Philippines.Br. Ricky Laguda, General Councilor, has announced that Br. Rey Mejias will continue on as Director of Novices and will be joined by Brs. Peter Nguyen Quang Phu from the District of Vietnam and Seby Matundu from the District of Congo-Kinshasa as members of the novitiate formation staff. Some Novices from other PARC Districts may also join the LSN program if travel and visa restrictions permit.

Brs. Rey and Ranier have also announced that both formation programs will commence on August 10, 2020.Separate letters to the candidates will be sent detailing the necessary preparations for their respective programs. (Text: Br. Armin Luistro FSC; Photos: Br. Rey Mejias FSC & Br. Ranier Guillergan FSC)

It was probably a first, setting a record. On Wednesday 17th June 2020, three teachers and one student of La Salle College, Kowloon, took part in the Rite of Acceptance for Baptism in the College Chapel of La Salle. The three teachers were Charlotte Chung, Martin Ma, and Timothy Szeto while the Form 1 boy was Alvin Kwok.

Normally, the Rite would be held in the parish church but the COVID-19 virus has changed things. The approval to hold the ceremony in the school chapel was given by Fr Gabriel Ortega, who was also the celebrant for the occasion.

Both Fr Gabriel and Br Thomas Lavin gave meaningful reflections about the journey that lies ahead. At the end, pictures were taken for the record. (Text: Br. Pat Tierney FSC; Photos: Mr. Francis Tse)

De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) has made it to the finals of this year’s International Green Gown Awards and is the only higher educational institution named Finalist in all three categories: Sustainability Institution of the Year, Student Engagement, and Benefitting Society.

The International Green Gown Awards (IGGA) is open to colleges and universities across the globe that commemorate landmark sustainability programs and initiatives.

DLSL is a staunch advocate of environmental and sustainability efforts as well as pioneered programs that should be emulated by other educational institutions in the country. It is a styro-free and plastic-free campus, banning the use of Styrofoam and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles, both of which do not decompose and thus can damage our ecosystem. Also, part of DLSL’s advocacy is to minimize the use of greenhouse gases.

The 2020 International Green Gown Awards is under the auspices and supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in cooperation with the UK-based EAUC Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education and the Paris-based International Association of Universities (IAU).  De La Salle Lipa is an active institutional member of both organizations.

Backed by the UNEP, the International Green Gown Awards continues to search for inspirational sustainability prime movers and leaders. Acknowledging exceptional sustainability initiatives being carried out by the world’s universities and colleges, the International Green Gown Awards established the desired standards of quality and put every learning institution at the core of delivering the UN Global Goals.

Organizers collaborate with The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), L’Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), International Association of Universities (IAU), and the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative. The International Green Gown Awards is administered by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC).

Source:
https://www.dlsl.edu.ph/de-la-salle-lipa-among-finalists-in-2020-international-green-gown-awards/

Is the touted ‘new normal’ world of post-coronavirus one to be excited about? According toProfessor Steve Dixon, President of LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore, we should not be too quick to embrace full digitisation. While the pandemic has certainly opened up new opportunities in global collaboration, thanks to the democratisation of the digital sphere, it is an inadequate substitute for actual face-to-face, human interaction. In this opinion editorial, Professor Steve discussed how technology has helped make the best of this difficult period, but also reminded that the power of physical experiences still holds sway.

Click on the link for the full article:
https://www.lasalle.edu.sg/sites/default/files/inline-files/200530-BT-PG-32-Steve-s-Op-Ed.pdf

There was a surreal feeling in the digital sphere as St. Joseph’s Institution International School Malaysia (SJIIM) embraced what could potentially be another ‘new normal’ this year by recently holding its 3rd IBDP graduation ceremony virtually. The historic ceremony was hosted using a web conferencing platform for the first time and was attended by scores of graduates, parents, sponsors, teachers and VIP guests. The Guest of Honour for the ceremony was Dato’ Br. Paul Ho FSC, who is the Chairman of the Board of Governors of SJIIM as well as the Br. President of SJI Singapore.

Dr. Nicola Brown, the High School Principal, beamed with pride at the sight of the graduates’ achievements and said “We congratulate our third IBDP Graduating Class on their effort and courage. We already knew very well that these are special young people. This understanding has been further reinforced by their fortitude through this extremely challenging period. Each student has been tested beyond their expectation and they have succeeded in showing their character and values as they have remained focused and positive. We wish them well in the coming weeks as we await the celebration of their upcoming results”.

Ms. Maureen Fitzgerald, the IBDP Coordinator of SJIIM, was equally pleased and proud of the performance of the IBDP students for the past 2 years, saying, “We can say with certainty that the impact of these students will be felt long after they have left us and gone out into the world tonight. They will leave with us the way that they will give of themselves without question when help is needed. They will leave with us their creativity, and they will leave with us their intellectual power and their extraordinary drive.”

The Guest of Honour, Dato’ Br Paul Ho, congratulated the graduates on completing their IB Diploma with flying colours despite having to do so virtually in these unnatural conditions. In his graduation address, he touched specifically on the possible silver linings that these trying times have brought about, saying “In all these relationship experiences with family or teachers during the lockdown, we all have leaned to “retool” ourselves by looking at others with more respect, patience in listening to others and avoiding forming prejudices. These are some of the new normal principles that we would have to be aware of as we live in the post-coronavirus period.”

A total of 13 student honours were given out during the ceremony comprising 6 Academic Prizes and 7 Major Awards which included the Sportsperson Of The Year Award, Outstanding Achievement Award, Lasallian Service Award, Academic Excellence Award, Principal’s Award, Tan Sri (Dr) Tan Chin Tuan Book Prize Award and the coveted Josephian of the Year Award.

Ms. Yap Su-Yin, CEO of the Tan Chin Tuan Foundation virtually presenting the Tan Sri (Dr) Tan Chin Tuan Book Prize Award

John Marcus Liew Jin had the honor of being awarded SJIIM’s Josephian of the Year Award for the graduating IBDP class of 2020 . A true Lasallian all-rounder who excels in academia and service work, Marcus credited the school’s Lasallian education ethos, his teachers, parents and peers for his success and an unbelievable education experience for the past 2 years. In his speech, he reminded his fellow Lasallian graduates that each of them has a responsibiity to themselves and to the people around them, saying “Much more than recognition of individual contribution, I believe the Josephian of the Year Award represents the values of community and leadership which SJIIM upholds. It is a humbling honour to receive this award. I hope that the students at SJIIM continue to be loving and ambitious in their devotion to our school and to the communities of which they are part of.” Marcus who was also the school’s Student Representative Council President, received the Tan Sri (Dr) Tan Chin Tuan Book Prize Award as well which was presented to him virtually by Ms. Yap Su-Yin, CEO of the Tan Chin Tuan Foundation, which is also one of SJIIM’s IBDP Scholarship Programme Sponsors. . As for his tertiary education plans, Marcus will be heading to the University of Bristol in the UK to read Law.

John Marcus Liew Jin, Josephian of the Year and recipient of the Tan Sri (Dr) Tan Chin Tuan Book Prize Award

Despite being unable to celebrate their graduation with the school’s customary post ceremony celebration dinner, the ceremony concluded with the usual cheer nontheless with the graduates’ gusto virtual singing of the school rally. To cap of the night in typical new normal fashion, the graduates were also treated to a personal graduation dinner by the school in the comforts of their home to celebrate their achievements.

Anissa Ng – Recipient of the Academic Excellence Award and Students’ Choice Speaker

Ter Shin Huey – Recipient of the Experimental Sciences Subject Prize

Major Awards 2020

Josephian of the Year Award & Tan Sri (Dr) Tan Chin Tuan Book Prize Award
John Marcus Liew Jin

Principal’s Award
Aaron Loke Jun Meng

Lasallian Service Award
Dhiirsyha Vinesh

Academic Excellence Award
Ng Wan Cheng, Anissa

Sportsperson of the Year
Ng Zhe Jinn

Outstanding Achievement Award
Lim Shang Yuan

Academic Subject Prizes
These prizes go to the Year 13 students with the top academic performance in each of the subject groups.

Group 1 – Studies in Language and Literature
Toh Yi Jin

Group 2 – Language Acquisition
Chua Li-Ann

Group 3 – Individuals and Societies
Ng Sher Ying

Group 4 – Experiemental Sciences
Ter Shin Huey

Group 5 – Mathematics
Justin Hew Kin Jun

Group 6 – The Arts
Sarah Jane Huntsman

Student Honours – Graduation Speech Transcripts

Source:
https://www.sji-international.edu.my/a-historic-virtual-graduation-for-sjiims-ibdp-graduates/

Archbishop Dosado, Archbishop Emeritus of Ozamiz, died on 2020 June 24. He was 80.

Abp. Dosado, a native of Sogod, Cebu, Philippines, entered the Congregation of the Mission and received theological formation in the now defunct DeAndreis Seminary in Illinois, USA. He was ordained a priest in 1966. In 1969, he was then sent to Madrid, Spain for further studies, after which he became Rector of San Carlos Seminary in Cebu City. In 1978, he was ordained bishop and appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu. He later served as Auxiliary Bishop of Cagayan de Oro in 1979 and was then appointed Bishop of Ozamiz in 1981. It was during his term that Ozamiz was elevated to an archdiocese in 1983. He served the Archdiocese until his retirement in 2017.

Abp. Dosado was a good friend of the Brothers. He would usually have Monday dinners at the Brothers’ House. He was also a member of the Board of Trustees of La Salle University in Ozamiz from 1994 till 2017. (Text: Br. Iñigo Riola FSC; Photo: Mr. Jyron Raz)

Eternal rest grant unto Abp. Jesus, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon him.
And may the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Here  are  some  photos  of  the Eucharistic   Celebration   and Inauguration  Ceremony  held at   the   auditorium   of   St. Joseph’s Institution, Singapore on  2011  May  15.  This  event was attended by Brothers and Lasallian  Partners  from  the  7 Sectors  of  LEAD.  Br.  Thomas Johnson  FSC,  Vicar  General  at that  time,  was  the  Guest  of Honor.   Archbishop   Nicholas Chia presided over the Mass.