LEAD Story 391

HONG KONG - We Hong Kong Lasallians are truly blessed as we could be part of, not just one, but two Final Profession of Vows within a year since half a century ago. Following the Eucharistic celebration of Br Paolo in December last year, on 30 July 2022, Br Edmon Viroomal made the rite of his final vows.

With the live broadcast and the presence of Br Edmon's family, friends as well as Hong Kong Lasallians, we all shared this utmost precious milestone together. We are grateful for Br Edmon's commitment to the Lasallian Family. We are all looking forward to working with Br Edmon in association for the educational service of the poor and be more inspired to embrace our role in the ministry of teaching minds and touching hearts. (Text: Ms. Alice Lau - CSKPS Vice Principal; Photos: Jeffrey Or)

PHILIPPINES - Anchored to the theme from the General Chapter of the Brothers of the Christian Schools “To Dream is Our Way Forward: Building New Paths to Transform Lives", the University of St. La Salle (USLS) celebrated the 70th Handumanan Week (Founding Anniversary) with the theme: DREAM FORWARD: BUILD NEW PATHS. TRANSFORM LIVES on June 27 to July 1, 2022.

The term Handumanan means remembrance in the local language – Hiligaynon.

Day 1: The week-long celebration started with the Handumanan Mass at the USLS Main Chapel followed by the Handumanan Week Opening Salvo with performances from the Ritmo Verde Drumbeaters and The Musikat at the Coliseum Lobby. After which was the Earth Keeper Activity, an annual tradition of planting a tree on the campus. The 68th, 69th, and 70th Tree were planted at the college plaza by members of the USLS Administration. Members of the USLS community walked down memory lane at the Museo De La Salle – Bacolod featuring a Lasallian Exhibit on the 70-year history and heritage of the university. The new university logo, institutional annual theme, style guide, and communications kit were also launched. Men’s and Women’s Volleyball, and Men’s Basketball Exhibition games with our La Salle Stingers Team were also held at the coliseum.

Day 2: A fun run and fun walk was held at the Dizon Sports Complex, a fitting warm-up activity for the Bayle de La Salle where members of the community grooved their hearts out headed by the Physical Education, Sports, and Recreation (PESAR) Office at the Coliseum. This was followed by volleyball and basketball exhibition games for the employees. Later in the day, a thanksgiving mass and a donors’ night was held in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the USLS Bahay Pag-Asa Youth Center (BPYC) at the Granada Campus.

Day 3: The third day began early as Lasallian biking enthusiasts joined "Charge of the Green Brigade" This is also in support of the 30th Provincial Environment Month. A chill ride around Circumferential Road was followed by the planting of Batwan wildlings at the Agribusiness Farm and Bahay Pag-Asa Youth Center and the oath-taking of the La Salle Green Brigade Officers for the next school year. Later in the afternoon, to recognize the hard work and dedication of our Lasallian Partners, the Human Resource and Development Services (HRDS) office held the Service Awards Ceremony. This covers awardees from AY 2019-2020, 2020-2021, and 2021-2022. Lasallian Partners in 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service were recognized. The Juan Medrano award was also given to deserving faculty and staff who have served Lasallian schools for at least 25 years. Those who have served for more than 40 years include Ms. Ma. Jesusa Cuaycong, Ms. Ma. Teresa Golez, Ms. Ma. Socorro Faminialagao, PhD., and Ms. Lolita Quillano +. Awards were also given to the Lasallian Pa rtn e rs w h o e xh i b i te d me ri to ri o u s performance of their duties for the abovementioned school years.

Day 4: Fun and games filled the coliseum lobby for the Higher Education Unit (HEU) day in the morning and the Organization of Non-Teaching Office Personnel (ONTOP) day.

Day 5: In the spirit of joy and camaraderie, the Golden Jubilarians of Class ‘72 celebrated their 50th anniversary through the honoring rites after the Mass of the Holy Spirit and Thanksgiving mass held at the Coliseum. The alumni continued their fellowship with a lunch reception at the Miguel Lobby, reminiscing their Lasallian years and recalling how the university became their second home. Meanwhile, Lasallians in their respective offices celebrated the 70th Anniversary with the campus-wide Agape Lunch.

To mark its platinum year and capping off the week-long celebration of the 70th Handumanan Week, the university ended the festivities with a high note through the 70th Birthday Bash dubbed “USLS TURNS PLATINUM: Padayon sa Damgo.” (Continue to Dream) For the first time since 2019, live performances from the USLS Artists' Hub - Musikat, Maskara Theatre Ensemble, Vivace Strings, Ritmo Verde, De La Salle Chorale, Santermo, and Production Support Group - Basic Education Faculty, PESAR, and CELAM filled the Coliseum.The College of Nursing, College of Business and Accountancy, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, and Cast of Animo: One Man and A Dream - The Musical also joined the celebration with their own performances.

Br. Normandy Dujunco FSC, Vice Chancellor for Mission and Development and Chair of the Institutional Events Committee in his message said that our Lasallian story did not begin in 1952 in Bacolod and Negros Occidental nor in 1911 in Manila but in 1680 in France when De La Salle and the early Brothers began this educational ministry. and as current bearers of the torch it is our duty to keep the fire alive by dreaming forward, building new paths to transform the lives of those entrusted to us. (Text: Br. Irwin Climaco FSC; Photos: University of St. La Salle Official Facebook Page)

Click the link to view all photos: https://www.facebook.com/lasallebcd/

Watch Highlights of the USLS 70th Handumanan Week Celebration here: https://youtu.be/zCgoaGBAPps

On 2022 July 30, the District Council members and community directors of LEAD gathered online for a webinar on safeguarding and protection of minors and vulnerable adults. The invited speaker was Fr. John Era, CM, a Filipino priest who has over 20 years of experience in clinical mental health counseling and psychology, particularly in trauma & service.

He talked about the sexual abuse of the clergy and religious. He started off with the psychological and spiritual impacts that happen to the victims. He discussed also what happens to the offender, the laws he violated, and the psychological treatments he must undertake to prevent the acts from happening again. He pointed out warning signs of preferential offenders, such as finding reasons to spend time with minors, giving them gifts, going overboard in physical contact, and showing favoritism, among others.

Lastly, he gave recommendations for avoiding such incidents to happen in the future. He shared the Situational Crime Prevention (SCP) Framework, which focuses on increasing effort (for abuse to happen), increasing risk (extend guardianship), controlling prompts, and reducing permissibility

It was an enriching session for all the participants. As leaders in their respective communities and scopes of influence, it is their utmost responsibility to promote healthy boundaries and create a safe environment in all Lasallian communities, educational institutions, and various ministries. (Screenshots: Mr. Jyron Raz)

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THAILAND - The Buddhist teachers, staff, and students of La Salle Sangkhlaburi and Chanthaburi organize a candle offering ceremony as part of the Buddhist Lent this July 14, 2022. Buddhist Lent is one of the important days for Buddhists as it is the day that marks the beginning of the three-month retreat for monks of the Theravada monastic discipline, during which they will stay in a particular place throughout the rainy season.

The Lasallian family brings candles and gifts like saffron robes and dry goods to different Buddhist temples in Sangkhlaburi and Chanthaburi.

The Lasallian Buddhist family in Sangkhlaburi visits Wat Pa Himmapan Temple, where they offer candles and gifts, while the Lasallian Buddhist family from Chanthaburi visits different temples like Wat Don Tan, Khao Mai Kaew Monastery, and Wat Plabchaiyaram.

This tradition originated in the Buddha’s time. In those days, monks traveled to various places to spread the teachings of the Buddha. However, during the rainy season, there were complaints from villagers that by traveling from place to place, monks passed through their fields, thus ruining their crops. Therefore, the Buddha made a rule for monks to stay permanently for three months in one place during the rainy season. It was also the time for monks to study Buddhist teachings and share experiences with others.

In this rich tradition, the De La Salle Brothers encourage the Buddhist teachers and students to visit the temple and pay respect and merit to Buddha and to the monks. (Text: Br. Eugene de Luna FSC & Br. Joe Klong FSC; Photos: La Salle Chanthaburi & La Salle Sangkhlaburi Official Facebook Pages)

SINGAPORE - After 2 years, we could finally gather as a school in the hall to celebrate our Nation’s birthday!

We started the day with the observance ceremony and also listened to the National Day message by our Minister of Education.

The boys headed back to class to learn more about this year’s National Day theme and logo.

We gathered back in the hall for the next part of the celebration with “Don’t forget the lyrics”. The boys sang loudly and with such confidence acing all the questions. We ended the celebration with the singing of our favourite National Day song, “This is Home”.

Happy birthday, Singapore! (St. Joseph’s Institution Junior Official Facebook Page)

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De La Salle Lipa welcomes its 6th Brother President, Br. Edmundo "Dodo" L. Fernandez FSC! We are one with you in fulfilling the Lasallian mission of teaching minds, touching hearts, and transforming lives. Together and by association, we continue to reimagine education. Animo La Salle! (De La Salle Lipa)

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A warm welcome to DLSU-D's 9th President, Br. Francisco "Sockie" de la Rosa VI FSC! We look forward to more exciting years with you as we continue to create possibilities. (De La Salle University - Dasmariñas)

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The DLSMHSI community welcomes our 9th PRESIDENT, Dr. Antonio B. Ramos. Thank you Dr. Tony for accepting the challenge and for taking this journey with us. We are praying for a grace-filled ministry for you as our President. ANIMO! (De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute)

The Brother Visitor of the Lasallian East Asia District (LEAD) appoints Mr. Lim Hock Thiam as a member of the LEAD Mission Council for a period of three (3) years from 2022 July 30 to 2025 July 30.

Mr. Lim is a 3rd generation Lasallian. He attended St. Xavier's Institution in Penang, Malaysia, as did his father and grandfather. After returning from the UK, he was active in the Xaverian Club of Kuala Lumpur (XCKL) and was its President for two terms, from 2009 to 2013. He also served as the Honorary Treasurer of the Malaysian Association of Lasallian Alumni Association (MFOLSAA) from 2010 to 2021. Professionally, he is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), and a Fellow of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA).

Welcome to LEAD, Br. Peter Tran The Anh FSC!

Br. Peter will be assigned to St. Jaime Hilario School - De La Salle Bataan (SJHS).

All the best in your ministry, Br. Peter!

Click on the images to view the videos on YouTube. (St. Xavier’s Board of Governors Official Facebook Page)

"Live, La Salle!" seeks to highlight the limitless ways of living out our Lasallian Vocation in our schools and communities. Click on the images to view the episodes on YouTube. (De La Salle Brothers of the Philippines Official Facebook Page)