erspective
• Mar. 1 - Mar. 31, 2010 • Volume 11 No. 7 • The official newsletter of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
Brother Superior Visits
the Philippine District
S
Superior General of the Institute of the Brothers
of the Christian Schools Br. Alvero Rodriguez
Echeverria FSC visited the Philippine District from
February 28 to March 6 to touch base with the
Philippine Lasallian Family.
- Photo courtesy of Arwin Doloricon,
La Salle Provincialate
On March 1, De La Salle University (DLSU) conferred Br. Echeverria
with a degree on Doctor of Humanities at the Marilen Gaerlan
Conservatory in recognition of “his selfless commitment to the education
of the young as his outstanding contribution to the Institute of the
Brothers of Christian Schools.” DLSU and DLS-CSB community members
witnessed the ceremony.
During the his stay, Br. Echeverria made rounds and had meetings,
dialogues and tours in De La Salle University-Dasmariñas and the Health
Sciences Institute, De La Salle Lipa, La Salle Green Hills and La Salle
University in Ozamiz. Because of the limitations of his schedule, Br.
Echeverria was not able to visit Visayas schools, but a video conference
was held with University of St. La Salle and St. Joseph High School from
La Salle Green Hills.
In his visit, Br. Echeverria gave Filipino Lasallians a glimpse of the
ministry of the Lasallian Family around the world. The Lasallian partners
in turn reiterated their commitment in sharing the Lasallian Mission.
International
Award for Young
People Now in
the Philippines
DLS-CSB
Rocks d’ Vote
2
- Photo cou
rtesy of Ma
rc Gepaya,
La Salle Pro
vincialate
DLS-CSB
Signs MOA
with CCP
3
SHRIM Dean Leticia
Delarmente in the
hot seat!
What
was your
greatest
sacrifice?
5
4-
7
6-
erspective
• Page 2 • Mar. 1- Mar. 31, 2010 •
International Award for Young People Now
in the Philippines
T
The Duke of Edinburgh’s
International Award
Association - Asia Pacific
Region, in cooperation with
DLS-CSB’s School of Deaf
Education and Applied Studies
(SDEAS), conducted the first
Award Leader Training in the
country on February 13 and 14
at the CSB Hotel International
Conference Center.
Started in 1956 in the United
Kingdom, the International Award for
Young People is a challenging selfdevelopment program which gives young
people aged 14 to 25 an opportunity to
experience challenge and adventure,
acquire new skills and make new friends.
The program was designed with great care
by a small team, led by His Royal Highness
The Duke of Edinburgh, Dr. Kurt Hahn and
Lord John Hunter. It has since grown and
now operates in 68 countries with 800,000
young people participating each year.
The International Award in Asia
Pacific operates through National Award
Authorities in ten countries and with 60
independent operators in 16 countries.
- Photo courtesy of SDEAS
DLS-CSB SDEAS is the first independent
operator in the Philippines and the first to
operate in the world that caters to
Deaf youth.
The twenty-one (21) attendees to
the event were faculty, coordinators, and
staff members from SDEAS, headed by the
Dean and concurrently Director of the
Center for Deaf Esteem and Formation
Ma. Veronica Templo-Perez and Ma.
Giselle M. Montero, Director of the Center
for Partnership and Development. The
attendees are now certified award leaders
who can help participants choose their
activities, and provide advice, support
and encouragement to the participants.
The participants can go through four
T
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- Photo courtesy
Social Action
mandatory sections: Service, Adventurous
Journey, Skills and Physical Recreation in
three levels: bronze, silver or gold.
Rob Oliphant, Regional Program
Manager, facilitated the leader training, and
was assisted by Delia Banzuelo-Holohan.
Both are from the Asia Pacific Regional Office
in Sydney, Australia.
Other partners joining the group
included representatives from The British
School Manila, Girl Scouts of the Philippines,
Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Red Cross
Youth, and The Philippine Christian
Foundation.
For more information on the Award,
you may visit www.intaward.org.
The 2010 national elections
will be historic. It will be the
first automated elections in
the country. This means that
counting, transmitting and
canvassing of votes will be
automated. Automation is
expected to speed up the
election process and hopefully
lessen the opportunity for
cheating and fraud. However,
questions about the vulnerability
of voting machines to cheating
and fraud have been raised.
Continued on page 5
erspective
• Page 3 • Mar. 1- Mar. 31, 2010 •
DLS-CSB Signs MOA with CCP
D
DLS-CSB signed a
Memorandum of
Agreement with the
Cultural Center of
the Philippines Dance
School (CCPDS) of
the Ballet Philippines
Foundation, Inc. (BP)
for the Bachelor of
Performing Arts Major
in Dance program.
Standing: Ms. Christine Santillan, Arch. Gerry Torres
Seated: Mr. Norrdin Jumalon, Mr. Robert Tang,
Ms. Margie Moran-Floirendo, Br. Victor Franco FSC, Ms. Leslie Noble
Students under the program will have the majority of the lecture
classes in the SDA campus and the dance technique class and
practicum subjects at the CCP. BP is also entitled to recommend
six scholars per school year for the program.
>>
- Photo courtesy of
Gerard Teaño, ABMMA
Present at the MOA signing are DLS-CSB President Br. Victor
Franco FSC, BP President Margie Moran-Floirendo, BP Executive
Director Leslie Noble, DLS-CSB Vice Chancellor for Academics
Robert Tang, DLS-CSB SDA Dean Gerry Torres, DLS-CSB SDA Dance
program Chairperson Christine Crame-Santillan, and CCP Dance
School Director Noordin Jumalon.
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• Page 4-5 • Mar. 1- Mar. 31, 2010 •
T
1
Dean Leticia Delarmente
The School for Hotel, Restaurant and Institution
Management (SHRIM) of DLS-CSB is unarguably one of the top
hospitality schools in the country today. In keeping with
DLS-CSB’s reputation of being innovative and learner-centered,
SHRIM continues to introduce advancements in its field and
keeps at par with, if not ahead of, its counterparts, both local
and international. Next school year, SHRIM introduces another
innovation as it opens its doors to Deaf students, providing
them with more opportunities for learning and development.
SHRIM Dean Leticia Delarmente has been integral in the
development of SHRIM into the well-renowned school that it
is today, and now she answers questions raised by the
Benildean community.
What are the challenges that the school faces with the
integration of Deaf students to SHRIM?
The biggest challenge the school faces in the
integration of Deaf students would be the availability of
qualified faculty and the types of support services that we
could adopt from other developed nations. We believe,
however, that because of the support of the College to
these initiatives, all the necessary support systems will
be in place in order to make our programs for the Deaf
work. Furthermore, we are fortunate at DLS-CSB because
we have embraced the Deaf into our fold and they have
become an integral part of our Benildean community.
2
What courses can Deaf students take in SHRIM this year?
Some courses that Deaf students may take in
the coming years are: Culinary, Housekeeping, Food
Service, and other back of the house-related courses.
It is noteworthy to know that the Shangri-La group of
hotels in the Philippines is adopting an advocacy of giving
opportunity to Persons with Disabilities to be employed.
It is therefore timely that SHRIM can offer courses for
the Deaf so they may become competitive in the work
force. This will also further validate DLS-CSB’s initiatives to
provide Deaf people more opportunities to do whatever
they want to do and become an integral part of the
society in general.
3
DLS-CSB SHRIM graduates are some of the most sought-after
by the hotel, restaurant, and tourism industries. How do you
plan to maintain, and even improve this status?
The quality of education we give our students including
excellent extra-curriculum activities, together with a strong
moral foundation through the effective assimilation of our
Lasallian value system, make our students stand above the
rest. Worthy of mention too are our various overseas training
programs in partnership with internationally prestigious
establishments such as Institut Vatel (France), the Emirates
Academy (Dubai), the Cologne University (Germany) and
the International Trainee Network that afford our students
additional top-of-the line overseas exposure and training.
These will serve them very well when they start their careers
in the competitive world of hostelry.
4
What do you think would be your greatest legacy as
school dean?
DLS-CSB SHRIM has introduced many firsts such as, but
not limited to:
• YHE (Young Hoteliers Exposition) held every term. It is a venue organized, managed and promoted by students to showcase their talent in a friendly but competitive environment in various areas of hotel
operation including: food and beverage; kitchen-
production and rooms division. Arguably, there is no
other hotel school in the country that stageas
this activity.
• Tourism Exposed is a bi-annual activity where students of the travel and tourism track organize, manage and promote an event featuring various tourist spots – local and overseas – an early exposure for students into the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Expositions (MICE) market. Again, this activity has no parallel in other hotel schools.
• Partnering with one of Europe’s most prestigious Hotel Management schools, Institut Vatel. Students
graduating from the (IHM) International Hotel
Management course will earn two degrees: one from Institut Vatel and another from DLS-CSB. This is the first time such course is offered in the Philippines.
• Obtaining PAASCU Level 3.
• Out of town (local and overseas) trips for students to
enhance classroom learning.
• Introduction of a Dress & Hygiene Code for SHRIM students to inculcate the appropriate hotel culture to the students.
• We were the first hotel school to introduce track
specialization i.e. Culinary, Hotel Management, Travel
& Tours and International Hotel Management.
5
What has been your most heartwarming experience in DLS-CSB?
To see the transformation of a high school graduate to
a self-confident, young professional-to-be must be the most
heart-warming experience, I would say. To positively influence
the perspective of a young adult on the threshold of maturity;
to reassure him/her that there is value in education; to impress
upon him/her the dignity of labor and the beauty of service – not
only in the hospitality sense, but also in the human sense – these
are heartwarming. To witness the successful conclusion of every
YHE, and to see the joy of triumph and the resolve to do better
in our students are heartwarming. When graduates visit and tell
us how they are faring in their careers – that is heartwarming.
When graduates employed in leading hotels come to us and tell
us that they wish to join the faculty to do their bit of technology
transfer – that is heartwarming. In fact, just to interact with the
young and listen to their goals, hopes and dreams – and be one of
the tools for them to achieve these – is heartwarming. In sum, to
know how our faculty and I touched the lives of our students to
become useful citizens – that is heartwarming. To be the dean of
the country’s leading hotel management school is heartwarming.
These are just a few of my heartwarming experiences which I will
treasure as my own modest contribution to nation building.
The Ask Anything Campaign is a section of the perspective that allows members of the
community, particularly students, to have their questions answered by a featured
administrator. Administrators may choose to answer at least five questions and these will
be printed in the perspective. Any additional questions and answers will be published in the
DLS-CSB Intranet.
To see additional questions asked of Ms. Delarmente and her answers to them,
go to http://intranet.dls-csb.edu.ph.
The April issue’s featured Administrator will be Mr. Benhur Ong, Dean of the School of
Management and Information Technology. Questions for Dean Ong may be sent to
mco@dls-csb.edu.ph, with [Ask Dean Ong] in the subject line, on or before April 8, 2010
(Thursday).
DLS-CSB Rocks d’ Vote
All eyes are on the national elections
because this is the first presidential
elections after that in 2004 which
was marred by allegations of massive
cheating. Also, whoever wins the
presidential race will have huge political,
economic and military power that is
granted by the Constitution. Many are
hoping that whoever wins would take
it as an opportunity for transformative
governance.
With so much at stake, it is
important to ensure the credibility of the
election process and results. The Center
for Social Action (CSA) believes that there
is a need for Filipinos, especially the
young people, to actively participate in
the 2010 elections.
Last January 27, 2010, the CSA
together with Rock Ed Philippines staged
the Rock d’ Vote Concert at the Plaza
Villarosa, DLS-CSB Taft campus. The
From Page 2
concert encouraged the community to
exercise their right to vote and to actively
participate in the 2010 elections by
volunteering in activities such as the CSA
voters’ education campaign and as Citizen
Reporters in the Bantay Eleksyon.
The DLS-CSB Pep Squad opened
the concert, followed by performances
from rock bands Itchyworms, Klang Bang,
Duster, Paramita and Naked Jinx. The
bands persuaded the students to vote
and to vote wisely. They said that Filipinos
should value our right to suffrage as there
was a time in our history when only the
rich and powerful could vote, and it was
only in 1937 that Filipino women gained
the right to vote.
During the concert, Br. Vic Franco
FSC, DLS-CSB President, encouraged
the students not to limit their focus on
the presidential candidates, and that
they should also pay critical attention
to candidates running for local positions
such as representatives, mayors, and
councilors. Br. Vic further added that
these local positions play a critical role and
have a great impact on how our country
is being run. Gang Badoy, founder and
Executive Director of Rock Ed Philippines,
also encouraged the students to be actively
engaged, and that as Filipinos, we all have
a responsibility to transform the country
for the better, saying “Sabi ni Jose Rizal,
ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan. Para
sa akin, ang kabataan ang bayan.”
Rock d’ Vote is part of the series of
activities organized by the CSA for the 2010
National Elections.
For more information on how to be
involved in the 2010 elections, contact CSA
at telephone number 5267441 locals 258
and 266.
erspective
• Page 6 • Mar. 1- Mar. 31, 2010 •
What was your greatest sacrifice?
L
Lent is all about sacrifice. During Lent, we are encouraged to
make our own sacrifices to show our appreciation of the gift of
eternal life given us when Christ did the ultimate sacrifice and
gave up His life for us. We asked Benildeans: What has been
your greatest sacrifice?
Romeo Cordero
SDA Detachment Commander
“When my brother got sick and needed
help, I of course had to lend a helping
hand. Now whenever security personnel
will ask to be on leave to take care of some
sort of family-related problem, I try to be
understanding because I know that family
should always be prioritized.”
April Jongay
Student, SMS - BSBA - Human Resource Management
“I sacrificed my desire to go to the University of Santo Tomas
and take up BS-Psychology because of my mother’s wish for me
to go to DLSU to study Biology. Unfortunately I lasted there for
only one year. When I transferred to DLS-CSB I wanted to take
up a film or music-related program, but because of my mom
I am now taking up HRM. I plan to finish this course first before
pursuing my own dreams.”
Jess Dacillo
Faculty, SMS
“I am the eldest among six siblings, and I have always wanted to
enter into priesthood. Then I received a scholarship offer from
a company for an engineering course. However, it required for
me to work for that company for at least five years, and I had to
give up my dreams to enter the seminary. I accepted the offer
because I knew that it would be a great financial assistance to
my family.”
Benjamin Magnaye
Student, SDA - AB Multimedia Arts
“Being in a scholarship I have to sacrifice
a lot of time for friends and family, but
I still manage to find extra time as a
Youth for Christ member.”
Aldwin Sanchez
Faculty, SMS
“I was a seminarian for eight years, and had to sacrifice time
for my family and friends. Even if I did not complete the
course to become a full-pledged priest, it was still totally
worth it. I still have with me all the values I learned in the
seminary. I valued education more and now hold multiple
degrees and teach several subjects in the College.”
erspective
• Page 7 • Mar. 1- Mar. 31, 2010 •
Allan Funtanilla
Security personnel since 2002
“When my mother who lives in the province suffered from multiple serious
sicknesses I had to sell everything that could be sold and sacrificed my life
savings to pay for the hospital bill. I even had to loan money from the bank
for which I am still paying for today with extra shifts.
After that, my father suffered from an accident while assisting someone
hammer nails into wood. The nail somehow got thrown into his eye. My
father had to be hospitalized and treatment totalled over P100,000.
Even then, no sacrifice is too great just to keep my loved ones alive
and healthy.”
Anthony Brian Cruz
Faculty, SDA - BS Industrial Design
“When we were doing a group project, one of our
members got sick and couldn’t work on his
assignments. My team mates and I had to take over
and work until 4 am, after doing our own assignments.”
Margarette Omac
Student, SDA - AB Multimedia Arts
“Being a good and loving big sister, I sacrifice
my time and money for my younger brother.
I let him win conversations and fights. I even
buy his computer upgrades for him. I just want
him to grow up well and have a happy life.”
Joseph F. Galian
Faculty, SDA - AB Photography
“Teaching is already a great sacrifice. The pay is
not as good as a photography job. You have to
accommodate specific student needs. It is a bit
of a convenience as well though since the pay is
steady and you don’t have to work as hard.”
DLS-CSB Extends Taft Campus
- Interview and Photos by
Gerard Teaño, ABMMA
T
The College recently announced its
purchase of the Mayflower property
(formerly Instituto Cervantes) at the
corner of Leon Guinto and Estrada
Streets. The building will be an
extension of the Taft campus. Much
renovation needs to be done to
restore the building back into its
functional state, but once repairs are
finished we can look forward to a
better Taft campus.
- Photo courtesy of
Gerard Teaño, ABMMA
erspective
• Page 8 • Mar. 1- Mar. 31, 2010 •
L
Lent
“Lent” is derived from the old English “lencten,” which means
“springtime.” This reveals the time of the year when it occurs,
and probably was chosen to contrast it to another time of
preparation – Christmas – which takes place in autumn. From
this, Lent gets its definition as a time of fasting and penance
which occurs in springtime and lasts for 40 days.
- Photo courtesy of
JC Salamat, ABMMA
This period of 40 days before Easter
is intended to be a time of intensive
preparation for the celebration of the
Paschal Mystery: the passion, death
and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The
celebration of the Lenten Season should
always be inseparable from the Easter
Season It begins on Ash Wednesday and
lasts until the evening of Holy Thursday.
This is a time of preparation for the Easter
Triduum which has its high point in the
Easter night, that is, the commemoration
of the Lord’s resurrection and our rising to
new life with Him in baptism. The Lenten
season has a strong baptismal character
that we come to a renewed commitment
and to a sincere renewal of our baptismal
vows in the Easter Vigil.
The number 40 is traditionally
emphasized because it is often found in
the scriptures connected with an event of
the history of salvation: Noah and the rains
which went on for 40 days and flooded
the earth; the people of Israel’s journey to
the promised land for 40 years; Moses on
Mount Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights; the
battle between Goliath and Israel for 40
days; Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights in
the wilderness, among others.
The concrete forms of such an
intensive preparation for the Easter Triduum
are prayer, fasting, abstinence, and
almsgiving. All throughout the Lenten
Season, we are encouraged to pray as we
commune and reconcile once again with the
Father. Also, we are asked to fast
(the discipline of taking only one full meal
a day) and to abstain from eating meat.
The Church prescribes obligatory fasting
and abstinence on Ash Wednesday and the
Fridays of Lent. With this we are able to save
something for us to be able to help those
who are in need.
Indeed, the Lenten Season does not
only remind us of our baptism and salvation
history, but more so, it invites us for more
sacrifices for our brothers and sisters in need.
May we desire what is good for our soul,
because it is everlasting, and rediscover the
value of true sacrifice.
Source: Raas, Bernard SVD. Liturgical Year,
Volume 2. Logos Publications, Inc. 1998.
erspective
Marketing & Communications Office
9th floor SDA Campus
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
950 P. Ocampo St., Malate,
Manila, Philippines 1004
The perspective is published monthly by the Marketing and Communications Office.
The perspective welcomes contributions from the DLS-CSB community. Coordinate with Ms. Carrie de Guzman for par ticulars and appropriate arrangements.
The perspective reserves the right to edit articles submitted for publication. Direct all concerns to the MCO, 536-6752 local 122, or e-mail mco@dls-csb.edu.ph.