SLIFE embarks LA SALLE 2020 online

LaSallian Animo in e-Learning, Leadership, and Events (LA SALLE 2020)

by: Sofronio Lingatong, Jr. (John)
Coordinator, Office of Student LIFE | 04 October 2020

LA SALLE 2020 – The Beginning

It all started when I asked the Student LIFE Consultants in our “kumustahan session” these two (2) questions,

“How can we animate the University Student Life now that we are all confined inside our houses and restricted to go out? How can we make the Lasallian Animo alive in the University in a very challenging full online setting?

Just right after the 2ND Trimester of AY 2019-2020, I gathered the old and new Student LIFE Consultants for online sharing on their Lasallian experiences during quarantine. Then, moved by the spirit of volunteerism, we started planning how to initiate student-led projects and get student leaders and volunteers on board for a digital student life in the 3rd trimester.

Our general goal is to initiate and to show the student leaders and the Lasallian community how to go about this digital University student life starting 3rd trimester, and beyond. We were all excited to start a project called LaSallian Animo in e-Learning, Leadership, and Events (LA SALLE 2020).

During our online brainstorming and meetings last May to June 2020, we wanted to introduce and launch three (3) LA SALLE 2020 activities in two (2) dates:

1) June 16, 2020 – commemoration of the 109 years of Lasallian presence in the country;
2) June 24, 2020 – the 449th Foundation Day of the City of Manila, where DLSU is situated, which also coincides with the 340th Foundation Day of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (FSC).

After the 1st LA SALLE 2020 Online General Assembly last May 28, 2020, we started the preparations for the following LA SALLE 2020 launch activities:

1) June 15 launch on the eve of the 109th Foundation Day of the “We Are One” Dance Challenge (Quarantine Edition);
2) June 16 Conversations and Reflections on Freedom with Br. Armin Luistro FSC and Br. Dennis Magbanua FSC, together with USG student leader Pepeton Felipe;https://fb.watch/4xdbavBNd7/
3) June 24 Conversations with The Leaders – “Leadership Beyond Borders amid COVID-19” with Mayor Isko Moreno, Ms. Fritzie De Vera, and Br. Alex Diaz FSC, together with student leaders Ronin Leviste, Caroline Sahagun, Jian Tan, Lou Zarcal, and Elle Gaoat.

LA SALLE 2020 and the Lasallian Animo!

In our effort to integrate the Spirit of Faith in LA SALLE 2020’s initiatives, since the start of LA SALLE 2020 in May, we have been working closely with Fr. Luis Lorenzo LC, our University Chaplain, for the blessing of all our student leaders and volunteers, “Faith in our Times” Formation Session, and the Youth Mass, where we introduced the participation of youth leaders in the Online Mass Choir and Readings.

In July 2020, the “LA SALLE 2020 Conversations with The Millennial Leaders” was able to gather Lasallian alumni leaders from various sectors, namely, 1) Mayor Bryan Celeste, the youngest elected Mayor in the country, alumnus in public service; 2) Camille Teodoro, alumna in the NGO sector; 3) Trish Andulte, alumna in the social enterprise and corporate sector; 4) Chino Roque, alumnus in the field of special interest, specifically, fitness and aviation. Indeed, It is inspiring to hear alumni talking how they live-out the Lasallian core values – Faith, Service, Communion – in their respective professions just few years after getting their Lasallian education from DLSU.

In August 2020, the LA SALE 2020 partnered with the University Student Government (USG) for the “Taking the Lead – Leadership Amid COVID-1” with DLSU alumna Gov. Kaka Bag-ao and progressive AKBAYAN Senator Risa Hontiveros. The LA SALLE 2020 Team also managed to address the express need of the student leaders for a webinar on “Time Management in the New Normal” with our own faculty Mr. Patrick Cenon and student leaders Brendan Barcena from Achers Network, Smayl Sesante from the Council of Student Organizations (CSO), and Mirus Ponon from the Youth Advocates of the Philippines.

The LA SALLE 2020 ended the AY 2019-2020 with the “Thanksgiving Night” to express our utmost gratitude to all our student leaders, volunteers, and partners. It was held last September 18, with Brendan Barcena – as our host, Vanya Castor – as our guest acoustic singer, and inspirational messages from Dean Nelca Villarin and VPLM Ms. Fritzie De Vera.

At the start of the “Thanksgiving Night,” Aria Sahagun summarized the “magic and the spirit of faith” behind the LA SALLE 2020.

 As a student consultant and LA SALLE 2020 volunteer, I truly believe that LA SALLE 2020 is an example of the good that can come out of difficult and dark moments. It allowed volunteers, who normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to interact, to come together and collaborate. It allowed students who were talented in tech & digital events to shine; and allowed the team to arrange events with speakers from all over Asia,and reach fellow students from all over the country. Such a feat is something truly worth celebrating and being thankful for.

For everyone involved in organizing LA SALLE 2020, from the volunteers to all our SLIFE coordinators, the whole process was truly an act of faith — especially in such trying times. I have a little sister, in the 4th grade who also goes to a La Salle school, and a few weeks ago I had to help her with an assignment. The assignment was to make a slogan that encapsulated the Lasallian core value of faith. It sounded like an easy task, but to bring the whole idea of the spirit of faith was a bit more challenging than it seemed. After writing & rewriting the slogan, we arrived at just one sentence… the Lasallian Core Value of Faith is SEEING JESUS IN EVERYONE, EVERYTHING, AND EVERYWHERE. And To see Jesus is also to see hope, goodness, and true joy. Another way of talking about faith is SEEING HOPE, GOODNESS, AND TRUE JOY IN EVERYONE, EVERYTHING, AND EVERYWHERE.

 And this is what happened with LA SALLE 2020, it could’ve been possible to be okay with not pushing for digital student life amidst the pandemic. We could’ve all just narrowed our focus, and put off extra-curriculars for more normal times. But ultimately, the Lasallian spirit of faith called all of us to move towards something greater. It was because we were seeing GOODNESS, HOPE, AND JOY in EVERYONE, EVERYTHING, and EVERYWHERE that we felt the need to still continue our commitment to providing spaces for students to continue learning & growing beyond the classroom setting. Even if at the start we were so unsure of how to go about all the tech of the webinars & getting people to join us online, the team just came together as an act of Faith & went for it. And thankfully, as a team, we got through it.

 

(Opening Message by Arabella Katrina L. Sahagun (Aria)
Team Leader – La Salle 2020 e-Learning | Student LIFE Consultant
September 18, 2020, La Salle 2020 Thanksgiving Night)

Moving Forward to AY 2020-2021

As we prepare for the AY 2020-2021, the LA SALLE 2020 is determined to respond to another challenge. We started LA SALLE 2020 with a noble mission to provide meaningful online activities, the task to cope with the challenges of our times in a full online learning, and an innovative leadership formation for Lasallians. Indeed, the “LA SALLE 2020” has made an undetermined influence and responded this 3rd trimester to the challenges of our times. Moved by the grace of Lasallian volunteerism and inspired by the spirt of faith, zeal for service, and communion in Mission, we are innovating LA SALLE 2020 as a responsive and long-term program to address the challenges of full-online Lasallian education, and in promoting the Lasallian Mission amid COVID-19 pandemic.