More than a hundred people gathered at De La Salle University's Corazon Aquino Democratic Space today to commemorate the Declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines last September 23, 1972*. With candles, prayers and shouts of "Never Again!", Lasallians clad in black shirts gathered to express their commitment never to let this dark era ever happen again. Earlier during the day, members of political party, Alyansang Tapat sa Lasalyano (TAPAT), took turns holding photos of slain or missing activists in the 'silent memorial' they staged at the grounds. Sandy Palacios, holding a photo of slain Kalinga leader - Macli-ing Dulag - explained that the silent memorial explained that more than highlighting former dictator, Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the stories of human rights victims deserve more attention. "This silent memorial is being held to humanize the people during Martial Law," she said. The formal program started with the singing of the National Anthem led by Justine Millete, President of TAPAT. During the prayer-service that followed, the Lasallian Pastoral Office (LSPO) and officers of the University Student Government (USG) led by Mr. Reigner Sanchez, Vice President - Externals focused on the theme of peace and non-violence as exemplified in the Life and Teachings of Christ and the Essential Writings of Gandhi. "Hindi po pinipitas na parang prutas ang kalayaan. Ipinaglaban po ito ng ating mga bayani. Bakit ngayon pa natin ito gustong isuko?" During the middle portion of the service, Prof. Xiao Chua of the History Department shared his impassioned plea for Lasallians to remember, value and fight for the freedom that our heroes so valiantly fought for. He scored people posting on Facebook that the martial law years were good and that they were willing to let go of some rights in favor of national discipline. "Hindi po pinipitas na parang prutas ang kalayaan. Ipinaglaban po ito ng ating mga bayani. Bakit ngayon pa natin ito gustong isuko?," he asked.
The Martial Law Commemoration was jointly organized by the Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA), University Student Government, Lasallian Pastoral Office (LSPO), Office of Student Leadership, Involvement, Formation and Empowerment (SLIFE), and the Alyansang Tapat sa Lasalyano (TAPAT). It is part of De La Salle Philippines' month-long "Lasallians for Peace and Human Rights" activities. ------ *As explained by Prof. Chua, the actual declaration of Martial Law happened in September 23, 1972. What transpired in September 21, 1972 was Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino's pronouncement in UP Diliman that Martial Law is about to be declared due to lawless violence and the rising threat of communist insurgency in the country. Historians however believe that Martial Law was declared not to save the Republic but to ensure that Ferdinand Marcos Sr. would be able to stay in power, he adds. Disclaimer: The views and opinions stated in this article reflect the sentiments of individuals, offices and organizations represented during the Martial Law Commemoration. It does not represent the official position of the university or its leaders. Center for Social Concern and Action
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De La Salle University's Community-Based Coastal Resource Management (CBCRM) Project in Lian, Batangas received a "Highly Commended" Distinction during the Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability (GUPES) Green Gown Awards last September 14, 2016. With the support of the Campus Sustainability Office (CSO), the Office for Strategic Communications (STRATCOM), Br. Alfred Shields FSC Ocean Research Center (SHORE), the Lian Fisherfolk Organization and the Local Government of Lian Batangas, the entry entitled "Local Fishers protecting Nemo and Friends: an effort in Coastal Resource Management of Talim Bay" successfully highlighted the project's multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary approach in ensuring the integrity of Talim Bay's marine ecosystem. (See actual entry below.)
As recipient of the "Highly Commended" Distinction, the project's sustainability excellence and the lessons learned from it, will be shared to the tertiary education sector worldwide through the network's events, case studies and videos. The GUPES Green Gown Awards are the most prestigious recognition of environmental and sustainability best practice within the further and higher education sectors. The Awards provide the sector with benchmarks for excellence and are respected by Government, funding councils, senior management, academics and students. The GUPES Green Gown Awards are supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability (GUPES). Center for Social Concern and Action
2nd Floor, Br. Connon Hall, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila Telefax: (632) 523-4143 |