10 AUGUST 2009. VOLUME 41. NUMBER 5. 12 PAGES

5

Cory: The heart of a saintNew agreement to professionalize bank compliance practices

2 9

DLSU researchers join innovation scholars’ global meet

“LET US CONTINUE HER FIGHT”See page 3

2401 (twen´te fôr´,o, wun) is a landmark number along Taft Avenue. It is the location ID of De La Salle University, home to outstanding faculty and students, and birthplace of luminaries in business, public service, education, the arts, and science. And 2401 is the name of the official newsletter of DLSU, featuring developments and stories of interest about the University.

NEw aGREEmENT TO pROFESSIONaLIzE baNk COmpLIaNCE pRaCTICES

The College of Business and Economics (CBE) of De La Salle University and the Association of Bank Compliance Officers of the Philippines (ABCOMP) recently signed a memorandum of agreement that seeks to implement a training program meant to professionalize the careers of bank compliance officers.

Dubbed as the Certificate Course in Strategic Compliance in the Banking Industry, this training program was jointly designed by the Professional Development and Training Services unit of CBE and the Education Committee of ABCOMP.

The agreement was signed last July 14 at the DLSU RVR-Graduate School of Business (GSB) campus in RCBC Plaza, Makati City. Signing for DLSU were CBE Dean Dr. Myrna Austria and Raymund Habaradas, director of the Professional Development and Training Services of the DLSU-Angelo King Institute for Business and Economic Research and Development.

Signing for ABCOMP were its president, Dante Fuentes, and its vice president and chairperson of Education Committee, Frank Capalongan. Also present during the signing were other ABCOMP officers and members, and DLSU Compliance Officer and Accounting Department Chair Arnel Onesimo Uy, who will serve as course director.

ABCOMP is a non-stock, non-profit organization established in 1998. It has 65 institutional members, which are represented by their respective compliance officers. Compliance officers are management positions mandated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in 1997 under BSP Circular 145.

Individuals who are interested to attend the Certificate Course in Strategic Compliance in the Banking Industry may contact the following people: Course Director: Mr. Arnel Onesimo Uy, Email: arnel.uy@dlsu.edu.ph; Secretary: Ms. Aileen Negrillo, Telefax: 753-4617; Trunkline: 753-4611 local 105.

“Our immense debt of gratitude stems not only from the acts of sacrifice and courage that she did for the country; it is also about what she has been for us—a pillar of strength and a moral compass for the Nation; a guiding light that constantly rekindles our passion to uphold the democratic values and morals that Filipinos hold dear,” Br. Armin said.

He recalled the time when the De La Salle Brothers issued a statement expressing their grave concern on the conduct of the last national elections. He recalled that, “we felt all alone and perhaps much maligned in that conviction…But she stood by us, supported us. She marched with us and even in the dark nights of our frustrations when we felt defeated, she reminded us that victory will surely come not in our time, but in God’s time.”

The Christian Brothers opened to the public the La Salle Green Hills gymnasium, where President Aquino lay in state from August 1 to 3. Senator Noynoy Aquino said the La Salle gym was chosen because of its capacity and La Salle’s significance in the safeguarding of votes during the snap elections of 1986.

For their part, Lasallians on the Taft campus gathered on August 4 to commemorate and pay tribute to President Cory, starting with a community prayer and candle lighting at the South Gate, followed by a Requiem Mass, a prayer vigil, and a special program at the Central Plaza.

President Aquino was a constant, strong presence in the University in recent times. During the 23rd anniversary of EDSA I on February 25, 2009—a day that would mark her last celebration of the occasion—she was on campus for the launching of the Benigno S. Aquino and Corazon Cojuangco Aquino Scholarship Program.

During that event, she expressed her gratitude for the La Salle Brothers’ continued support by surprising Br. Armin with a personal painting she did in 2003.

In November last year, President Aquino also visited the DLSU community for the “iamninoy” campaign, in conjunction with a symposium wherein she delivered a speech on Filipino heroism. At the time, she exhorted the audience to “Be not afraid to do something you believe in. Be true to yourselves and to your faith, and God will do the rest.”

De La Salle University President and Chancellor Br. Armin Luistro FSC urged the Filipino nation to continue President Corazon Aquino’s fight to promote and defend the values which she lived for during her necrological service held at the Manila Cathedral last August 4.

“LET US CONTINUE HER FIGHT”

A total of 145 Student Financial Assistance (SFA) grantees—now officially called St. La Salle Scholars—held a general assembly last July 10 at the Marilen Gaerlan Conservatory.

DLSU President and Chancellor Br. Armin Luistro FSC, who delivered the keynote message to the students, shared his experiences in college when he himself was a scholar—how it inspired and led him to joining the De La Salle Brothers.

He referred to “the gift of scholarship” as a way for one to achieve his/her dream in life. He reminded them that as they pursue their dreams, they must always act responsibly. He also stressed that DLSU is, and will always be, home to St. La Salle Scholars.

SFA Director Nina Kikuchi announced that the SFA grantees are now named after the Founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle, as a way of institutionalizing the title. The number of SFA grantees and scholars have tremendously grown from around 400 in the mid-1980s to about l,400 this academic year.

Also during the occasion, Br. Vince Fernandez of the Lasallian Formation Center and who is now part of the SFA Office talked about his “Accompaniment and Formation Program” for the St. La

Salle Scholars. He has been meeting with the freshmen scholars since June for their activities throughout the year.

Evelyn Esparrago, director of Student Leadership, Involvement, Formation, and Empowerment (SLIFE), also shared with the group the various developmental and leadership training programs available and which could be tailored-fit for them.

Meanwhile, Br. Rey Mejias FSC, national vocation promoter of the De La Salle Brothers, Philippine District, took time out to invite and share with the scholars the live-in programs for those who wish to join the De La Salle Brothers and De La Salle Sisters.

The occasion also became an opportunity for SFA to recruit volunteers for the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) campus visit last August 3 and 4. There were 31 scholars who volunteered to serve during the event.

ST. La SaLLE SCHOLaRS HOLd GENERaL aSSEmbLy

ST. La SaLLE SCHOLaRS HOLd GENERaL aSSEmbLy

The heart of a saintbr. armin Luistro FSCShared Reflection delivered on 02 August 2009, 8:00 PM at the La Salle Greenhills Gymnasium

Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.

As the world continues to bestow accolades on Corazon Cojuangco Aquino and as the Nation gathers in solemn rites before her mortal remains we cannot help but recall that God is truly with us here and now. Her mortal remains remind us of a time in the not-so-distant-past when we saw with our own eyes the hand of God in our nation’s history. The biblical stories of old were nothing but myths to me until I saw with my own eyes how tanks can be stopped by unarmed civilians, guns can be silenced with flowers and dictators can flee from the power of prayer.

The prophetic vision of Jaime Cardinal Sin and the courage of Corazon Cojuangco Aquino transformed this nation paralyzed by fear into a nation of everyday heroes. At EDSA, we prayed with all our hearts and

blessed it with our tears and hallowed the streets with our faith. The world stood in silence and awe at this Biblical story recreated in our own eyes and written in its entirety by ordinary Filipinos who allowed the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to work His mighty wonders in our own land and in our own time.

If we honor Cory tonight, it is because she has kept that memory alive in our hearts so we can share our journeys of faith to our children and our children’s children. God is not dead and Cory’s mortal remains are living proof of that. The Nation should be eternally grateful to Balsy, Pinky, Noynoy, Viel and Kris for generously sharing the gift of their mother to us, for those who are nearest and dearest to her must have shared the pain and the cost of her life’s sacrifices. We have not thanked them enough. And for this distinct privilege and honor to receive her in this campus, now her home, we owe the family a debt of gratitude for, indeed, this place has been transformed into sacred ground and when we bid her goodbye tomorrow, this place will never be the same again. I sincerely pray that those of us, who pay our respects now, can also say we will never be the same again.

PASASALAMAT. Ang gabing ito ay isang gabi ng pasasalamat para sa ating pinakamamahal na Ina. Ang ating mga dilaw na laso ang magsisilbing alay ng bayan at ng ordinaryong Pilipino para sa maningning na liwanag ng katotohanan, kalayaan at katarungan na kanyang pinangalagaan at ngayon nama’y ipinagkakatiwala na sa atin. Malaki ang ating utang-na-loob sa kanya at hinding-hindi natin siya malilimutan.

As her mortal remains entered the halls of this campus, the heavens poured as though to share our grief. The heavy downpour,

however, has not dampened the spirits of those who have patiently

wai ted in

line, some traveling from distant provinces and some for as along as three hours, to pay their last respects to President Cory and to give thanks for the magnanimity of heart that allowed her to endure many trials and sacrifices for the sake of the nation. It is for our sake that she bore them all. She bears the wounds of her sufferings; her heart has scars to show for them. She is battered but not defeated. And in her powerlessness ordinary Filipinos will surely find the strength to rise as a noble nation, proud of its heritage and secure in its future.

Our immense debt of gratitude stems not only from the acts of sacrifice and courage that she did for the country; it is also about what she has been for us—a pillar of strength and a moral compass for the Nation; a guiding light that constantly rekindles our passion to uphold the democratic values and morals that Filipinos hold dear.

Tonight, I stand in awe and profound gratitude at the person we have come to know through the years simply as Tita Cory. In an interview before she hid from the public eye, she said, “Ako’y nagpapasalamat sa Panginoong Diyos na ginawa niya akong isang Pilipino.” Can we say the same with the passion and conviction of Tita Cory? We can only truly show how truly grateful we are to her if we understand and live that conviction.

PANGUNGULILA. Ang gabing ito ay isang gabi ng pangungulila. Ang mga anak ng bayan ay nagluluksa sa pagpanaw ng isang ginigiliw na Ina. Sa kanyang paglisan, hinaharap rin natin ang kaba na baka tuluyan nang maglaho ang ating mga pangarap at inaasam-asam at matagal nang ipinaglalaban. Maaari pa ba tayong tumayo, kung wala na siya?

After her death, TIME Magazine posted this article in their website entitled People Power’s Philippine Saint: Corazon Aquino

1933-2009. This is what it says: “Whenever the country appeared to be in a crisis, Cory Aquino rose above the bureaucratic procrastination that had always bogged it down, reminding her people that they once astonished the world with their bravery—and that they could do it again. But Filipinos must now take stock. Whom will they march with now that their saint has gone to meet her God?”

How could I forget her when, after the De La Salle Brothers issued a statement expressing our grave concern on the conduct of the last national elections, we felt all alone and perhaps much maligned in that conviction. Were we wrong? Did anyone really care? Would it have been better if we remained silent? But she stood by us, supported us. She marched with us and even in the dark nights of our frustrations when we felt defeated, she reminded us that victory will surely come not in our time, but in God’s time. But we must now take stock. Whom will we march with now that our saint has gone to meet her God? I certainly wish I had an answer to my grief.

PA N A N A MPA L ATAYA . Ngun i ’ t ang gabing i to ay isang gabi r in ng pananampalataya. Sa kanyang katauhan ay nakilala ko ang tunay na diwa ng kabanalan: isang taimtim na pagnanamnam ng dakilang kabutihan ng Diyos na nagbubunga sa walang pakundangang pagtataya ng sarili. Ipinakita niya ito sa puso at sa diwa, sa salita at sa gawa.

Cory exemplified how to live in sanctity in the modern world. She showed us the virtue of remaining steadfast in our faith in the midst of our daily struggles. In her life, in her sufferings and now in death, she has taught me that my faith must necessarily bear fruit in action. She has taught me that from the cathedral we must return to the streets. But she

She has taught us that those of us who dream impossible dreams can find their sanctity in the sure hope that God is on our side.

has also taught me that all of our struggles can only find meaning if I can learn to kneel down in prayer and patiently wait for God’s time. She has left me with a lasting conviction that whatever we do and whatever we fight for is not our work alone. Lord, the work is yours!

She has taught us that those of us who dream impossible dreams can find their sanctity in the sure hope that God is on our side and that, no matter how hopeless, we should fight for the right, yes, without questions or pause. With her we should be willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause. What woman will dare do that unless she lives in the conviction that it is God who leads?

I have thought before and now am more convinced in my heart of hearts that before us is a saint of the modern times. Not in the canonical sense, and surely not a saint in a pedestal or confined to the pious devotions of a cathedral but one who lived her faith in the marketplace and found her life’s meaning in God’s promise: Cory, hindi ka nag-iisa. She shows all of us that the heart of patriotism resides in a passionate love for God. She shows all of us that our love for God must find its expression in our love for our fellow men and women. Why should saints remain in the cathedrals? Why should activists just struggle in the streets? Why should saints be perfect—devoid of human weakness? Why should activists think that there is no God? Ipinakita niya sa atin na ang tunay na Pilipino ay tapat na Kristiyano.

Now she has come home, b a ck i n t h e l o v i n g embrace of the

God she loves and the God she has ded i ca ted her life to. She has run the race; she has loved God and Country passionately. Love covers a multitude of sins. She has kept the faith. From hereon it is up to us to continue the good fight. That is what we are called to do now. As our Saint watches over us, let us continue her fight to promote and defend the values for which she lived for.

Paalam, pinakamamahal naming Ina.

May the God of Benigno Aquino, Jr., Jaime Cardinal Sin, and Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, continue to walk with us in our journey of faith.

Javier’s presentation titled “Women in Agriculture and Marketing: Evidence and Lessons from the Philippines and Vietnam” discussed gender role expectations in the agricultural sector of Southeast Asia. The two countries have traditionally assigned subsistence crop production to women and commercial crop production to men.

She compared country findings on women’s involvement in farming and marketing, including network formation and its impact on women’s welfare. Her presentation was highlighted by lessons and implications for mainstreaming gender in agricultural development programs.

The seminar was hosted by Giorgio Ruffolo Post-doctoral Fellows Delia Catacutan and Esther Mwangi of the Sustainability Science Program at Harvard. Both are research colleagues of Javier in the USAID-funded “Sustainable Agriculture and Natural

Resource Management-Collaborative Research Support Program” (SANREM-CRSP) administered by the Office of International Research, Education and Development (OIRED) at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Javier’s paper is partly based on her SDRC study “Agroforestry and Sustainable Vegetable Production in Southeast Asian Watersheds: Market and Gender Components of TMPEGS Philippines” which is supported by SANREM-CRSP through a multi-country collaborative project with the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

FaCULTy LEadS HaRvaRd SEmINaR ON SUSTaINabLE dEvELOpmENT

Social Development Research Center (SDRC) Director and Behavioral Sciences Associate Professor Ma. Elena Chiong-Javier led a seminar that was part of the Frontiers in Sustainable Development Seminar Series of the Center for International Development of the Kennedy School at Harvard University last May 5.

Three faculty members of the Business Management Department (BMD) of De La Salle University recently joined a group of innovation scholars from Asia, Europe, and Australia during the 6th Asian Network for Learning, Innovation, and Competence Building Systems (ASIALICS) International Conference 2009, which was held last July 6 and 7 at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).

This year’s conference carried the theme “Linkages in Innovation Systems: Global and Local Perspectives.”

Dr. Aida Velasco, director of the DLSU Business Incubator, talked about “The Role of Philippine Universities in FILIPINNOVATION (Philippine Innovation System);” Raymund Habaradas, who is also the director of Professional Development and Training Services of the College of Business and Economics, presented his paper “Organizational Learning in SMEs: Literature Review and Proposed Methodological Approach;” and Harvey Ong, who serves as coordinator of the Interdisciplinary Business Studies program, tackled “Innovation in the Utilization of Information Systems among 23 Corporations in Metro Manila.”

BMD is currently building its research capability in the areas of learning and innovation, having adopted the research theme, “The Learning Filipino Firm: Managing Filipino Firms for Sustainability and Global Competition.”

Habaradas and Velasco are members of

the Asian City Innovation Systems Initiative (CIS Asia), a regional research project that seeks to help six ASEAN megacities “foster their innovativeness, productivity, and competitiveness in various sectors of the economy.”

ASIALICS is a network of scholars, practitioners, and policymakers who are developing and promoting the concept of learning, innovation, and competence building systems as an analytical framework. Its objective is to stimulate the establishment of knowledge-based strategies for economic development in Asia. Members discuss issues about what is going on in Asian countries and companies, and share experiences regarding results of innovation research and policy initiatives.

dLSU RESEaRCHERS jOIN INNOvaTION SCHOLaRS’ GLObaL mEET

Time management tip:

Prioritizing your tasks of the day will help you make the most of your time. In your daily planning session, include some inspirational moment to develop in yourself a more positive outlook and to give you additional joy and energy as you work towards your targets.

Acknowledging the need to strengthen a culture of punctuality and honesty, the Commission on Higher Education launched in September 2008 Project W.A.T.C.H. (We Are Time Conscious and Honest). This movement is being supported by De La Salle University through various initiatives on campus.

The newly formed De La Salle Philippines-Federation of Lasallian Parents (DLSP-FLP) held a grand treeplanting event at De La Salle-Canlubang last July 4. Approximately 150 parents, students, school personnel from De La Salle University, DLS-Araneta University, La Salle Green Hills (LSGH), De La Salle Santiago Zobel School (DLSZ), and DLS-Canlubang planted about 420 native tree seedlings within the school grounds.

The event started with a prayer by Atty. Jackie Laurel, a parent from DLSZ, then proceeded with a rendition of the national anthem by Degs Dioquino, a Grade 5 student from LSGH. Br. Kenneth Martinez FSC, president of DLS-Canlubang delivered the welcome remarks, highlighting among others the rich history of DLS-Canlubang and their environmental advocacy emphasizing the planting of indigenous species of trees.

Yolanda Yao, former president of the DLSU- PUSO and DLSP-FLP, gave an inspirational talk to the school representatives and introduced the incoming officers of DLSP-FLP.

Joseph Rosal of DLSU and Mar Moraga of DLS- Canlubang provided technical support to the event. Br. Dennis Magbanua FSC, president of DLSZ, also joined the tree-planting.

The tree species planted by the volunteers included Molave, Laneting Gubat, Egyo, Narra, Batino and Akleng Parang. These were counted as part of the Lasallian One Million Trees and Beyond initiative.

paRENTS LEad IN dLS-CaNLUbaNG TREEpLaNTING EvENT

2. Imbued with a spirit of faith

1. Mission and ministry at the service of God, the Church, and society

3. Marked by zeal

4. Exercised as communion in mission

5. Forms disciples and citizens, prophets and professionals, to realize God’s kingdom of truth, justice, love, and peace.

Lasallian Guiding Principles. To answer our questions and successfully pursue our quests, we must return to the beginning. In order to find real answers and to see our way clearly, we must go back to our real source. This means going back to our core Lasallian values: the spirit of faith, zeal for service, and communion in mission.

Lasallian schools are education communities where all sectors• participateintheChurch’smissionandarecommittedtoeasingtheplightofthevulnerableandmarginalizedsectorsofPhilippine

society;• arecommittedtoassuringtheintegralhumanandChristiandevelopmentoflearnersinalltheiruniquenessanddiversity;• areco-responsibleforcreatingacultureandclimateconducivetogenuinelearningandcharacterformation;• arestakeholderswhoworkinassociationwithoneanotherinastrongspiritoffraternalsolidarity;and• arecommittedtocontinuousrenewalandtransformationincollaborationwithotherstoaccomplishtheircommonmission.

Principles of Lasallian Education in the Philippines, from Guiding Principles of the Philippine Lasallian Family

LASALLIAN EDUCATION:

is published bi-weekly by the Marketing Communication Office (AH-21/F, intercom 144). Editorial deadline is 3 p.m. Tuesdays. Contributions should include the name, office and signature of the sender. Materials may be edited for clarity or space.

Johannes Leo Badillo (badilloj@dlsu.edu.ph), Operations Director; Ma. Ruby Carlos (carlosm@dlsu.edu.ph), Editor; AARichela dela Cruz, Anne Alina, Magsy Magbanua, Mark Pitoc, Writers; Peter Varona, Art Director; Ricky Binoya, Ave Gaile Peraz, Luis De Vera, Graphic Artists; Virginia Umacob-Gases, Secretary; Raymond Menor, Office Assistant. 2401 may be accessed online through the URL: http://www.dlsu.edu.ph

Members of the Lasallian community launched Boto Lasalyano Sulong Pilipino, a University-wide campaign to heighten the awareness and participation of Lasallians in the coming 2010 National Elections, last July 27 at the Central Plaza.

UNIvERSITy LaUNCHES Boto LASALyAno SuLonG PiLiPino 2010

The campaign acknowledges the power of the Filipino youth to serve as a catalyst for change, and seeks to engage Lasallians in different electoral-related activities.

Attending the ceremony were Br. Bernard Oca FSC, vice chancellor for Lasallian Mission and External Relations; Henry Atayde of the De La Salle Alumni Association; Emmanuel Garcia, chairperson of DLSU’s Committee on National Issues and Concerns; Mike Enriquez, vice president for news of GMA Network, Inc.; and Rene Sarmiento, Commission on Elections commissioner.

Supported by the DLSU Office of the President, Boto Lasalyano Sulong Pilipino has adopted three main objectives: 1) to encourage Lasallians to become registered voters; 2) to provide a comprehensive voters’ education not only for Lasallians but also for the Filipino youth outside the University, so they would

cast a well-informed, platform-based vote; and 3) to encourage Lasallians to serve as volunteers, to ensure that the elections would be just, fair, and honest.

The launching was also accompanied by an exhibit in support of Boto Lasalyano Sulong Pilipino causes. The exhibit aimed to encourage the first-time voters of the Lasallian community to register.

The exhibit included a countdown to the last day of registration and to Election Day. The exhibit also featured freedom walls for the community to express who they wish to vote for and to promise to cast an educated vote in the selection of their candidates. The activities were initiated by the Office of the President of the Student Council and the Committee on National Issues and Concerns.