KMzero hits road to Lipa

The De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) ABCDs hosted the Kilometer Zero (KMzero) program last 21 February at the college grounds of DLSL. The event was spearheaded by Br. Joaquin S. Martinez FSC, D. Min., President and Vocation Director of DLSL and De La Salle Philippines National Vocation Promoter, Br. Alex Diaz FSC. Forty-four students from the College and Integrated School community attended the program. 

KMzero was a success thanks to the assistance of the Local Vocation Team in coordination with the DLSL aspirants Aljay Martinez, John Paulo Ferrer, Ivan Karlo Umali, Brennan Garth Castillo, Vherton Acielo, Gendric Flores, and Dustine Joseph Suare.

 

E-waste Awareness Day at DLSU-D

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The Information and Communications Technology Center (ICTC) of De La Salle University-Dasmariñas (DLSU-D) in coordination with its Environmental Resources Management Center (ERMaC) will hold its first E-waste Awareness Day on 7 March 2014. The event will feature an E-Waste seminar, environmental film showing and capped by a Mangrove planting activity in Batangas.

The event is part of DLSU-D’s promotion in the proper management and disposal of electronic waste under the ICTC’s Project ICON (ICT Creates Opportunities for Nature).DLSU-D students, faculty and staff donated their old, broken and obsolete electronics to the ICON booth for proper disposal by ICTC and ERMaC. These disposed electronics are returned to the recycling plant and proceeds support the annual ICTC’s tree planting program in support of DLSP’s One Million Trees and Beyond Project.

For more details, please visit www.dlsud.edu.ph/icon

DLSHSI Conducts Groundbreaking Research on Tuberculosis in Children

De La Salle Health Sciences Institute’s (DLSHSI) Angelo King Medical Research Center is proud to have been selected to conduct a first of its kind pediatric trial of a novel compound against multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). There is an estimated half a million cases of childhood TB all over the world according to the World Health Organization, which results in 64,000 deaths.

The Phase I trial aims to assess the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (pharmacokinetics) of a new medicine for pediatric MDR-TB developed by the Japanese pharmaceutical company Otsuka. The company has been conducting global studies on the compound in adult patients with MDR-TB at sites around the world, including the Philippines. 

Additionally, an equally groundbreaking Phase II study at the same institution will also be conducted to evaluate the long-term safety and tolerability of the new drug in adolescents, children, and infants. 

One of the major challenges with treating MDR-TB in childen is the difficulty in first diagnosing the disease in this age group. Because of a difficulty in obtaining actual microbiological evidence of the disease, doctors must often rely on signs and symptoms, which do not determine if the strain is drug resistant or not. In addition, a lack of clinical trials and child-friendly formulations of anti-TB medicines means that there is very little existing information on how to properly treat and dose children suffering from the disease. 

  The research team led by Dr. Melchor Victor G. Frias IV of De La   Salle Health Sciences Institute's Angelo King Medical Research Center.

Heading the trial is principal investigator Dr. Melchor Victor G. Frias IV, DLSHSI’s vice chancellor for research as well as a practicing pediatrician and clinical epidemiologist at De La Salle University Medical Center.

“This trial is finally putting greater attention on the need to properly treat MDR-TB in children,” said Dr. Frias. “DLSHSI is proud to have been selected to conduct this work and serve as a leader in peadiatric TB research in the Philippines and globally.” 

This pioneering trial aims to answer some of these questions and establish for the first time, safety and an appropriate dose range of an anti-TB compound for the pediatric population. 

DLSHSI, in partnership with its dedicated team of doctors, nurses, laboratory specialits and all other staff, hopes to contribute valuable information that the TB community may use to finally address this urgent health problem.

DLS-CSB Silver Anniversary Special

 Image courtesy of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde

The ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) will be premiering the two-part De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Silver Special starting on 24 November. The first part of the Silver Special, Blazing Ahead, celebrates DLS-CSB's 25th year and captures how the College continues the mission started by St. John Baptist de La Salle and St. Benilde Romançon by making innovative education accessible to diversely-gifted learners.

The second part of the Silver Special is an animated film on the life and legacy of St. La Salle. Frère is Benilde's tribute to our roots and founder. The film is created by Benildean faculty and student animators who worked together as one learning community of storytellers breathing life to imagination. 

Through the DLS-CSB Silver Special, we invite all Lasallians to join DLS-CSB in celebrating its 25 years of extraordinary heritage and stories.

In spite of these troubled times and the grief we’re experiencing in recent days, may we find solace and strength in our shared devotion to be of greater service to our brothers and sisters in need.

You may catch Part I on Sunday, 24 November at 3:30pm with a replay on Sunday, 8 December also at 3:30pm. Part II, Frère, will premiere on Sunday, 1 December at 3:30pm with a replay on Sunday, 15 December, 3:30pm.

ANC is channel 27 for Sky Cable subscribers. For Destiny Cable analog subscribers can find ANC on channel 22 and on channel 27 for digital subscribers.

DLSU-D holds Cavite Educators Congress 2013

De La Salle University-Dasmariñas’ College of Education (COE) Professional Education Department organized the Cavite Educators Congress 2013 at the Ugnayang La Salle. Themed “Keeping track with the K-12 Curriculum,” the two-day seminar brought together second year to fourth year BS Education students and faculty and Teacher Education Institution (TEI) Administrators from different TEI’s in Region IV-A. It served as an avenue for sharing expertise in instruction materials making, teaching demonstrations, and lesson plan writing for different learning areas.

The resource speaker of Cavite Educators Congress 2013 was K-12 Basic Education Program Coordinator Elvin Ivan Uy. He shared insights on the K-12 system implementation plan and presented a comparison between the 2002 BEC and K-12 education structure and the transition planning for private elementary and high school and studies on the possible outcome of the K-12 education implementation. Parallel sessions were also conducted in separate venues such as Ugnayang La Salle, Alumni Auditorium, Luis Aguado and Eugenia Cabezas Viewing Rooms, and classrooms in PCH , LDH and FCH.

Among the participating schools were: Cavite State University-Cavite City, Indang, Naic, Rosario, Silang, Far Eastern University-Cavite , Grandby Colleges of Science and Technology, Imus Institute, Lyceum University of the Philippines-Cavite Campus, Olivarez College-Tagaytay, Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas, Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Maragondon, Rogationist College, Southern Philippines Institute of Science, St. Francis of Assissi College, St. Joseph College, St. Jude College, UNIDA Christian College, University of Perpetual Help-Molino, and Western College. 

DLSL Preps for Senior HS

De La Salle Lipa is now gearing up for opening Grade 11 classes in June 2014, two years ahead of the Department of Education’s June 2016 timetable. This is the institution’s response to the challenges of the Philippine Educational reforms through the recently approved K-12 law (RA No. 10533) which aims to produce graduates who possess competencies and skills relevant to the international standards. 

DLSL’s proposal of offering the Senior High School in 2014 has been approved by the Department of Education last December 28, 2012. During the transition period leading to the mandatory implementation of senior high school in 2016, DLSL will be using the general education subjects in its college curriculum towards earning the Senior High School diploma. 

DLSL President and Chancellor, Br. Joaquin S. Martinez FSC, D.Min. is leading the Lasallian community on its transition towards the 2014 opening of the senior high school. The school already mapped out its capacity in absorbing senior high school students from different public and private high schools. 

The Senior High School program of De La Salle Lipa will focus on the following career tracks: Arts, Business / Entrepreneur, Computer Studies, Engineering, Hospitality and Tourism, Legal Studies, Mathematics, Science and Health, and Teacher Education. As early as Grade 11, apprenticeship can be taken to gain experience in a field related to the student’s chosen track.

USLS Alumnus Member of 2013 Nobel Peace Prize Winning Organization

The Visayan Daily Star reports that Franz Ontal, University of St. La Salle High School Class of 1980, is head of inspector training of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which recently won the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.

Mr. Ontal graduated with a degree in Biology and took premed studies at USLS. He immigrated to New York, USA and later served as a paramedic and emergency medical technician instructor with the New York City Emergency Medical Services (EMS). He started in OPCW as a medic for the chemical weapons inspection and disposal teams in 2005. 

Last 11 October, the OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize “for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.”


Source: The Visayan Daily Star

An Achieving Pinay in the FoodTech Industry

Dr. Delia Rodriguez-Amaya, president-elect (and the first woman president) of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology (2012-2014) is a proud alumna of De La Salle Araneta University. Dr. Rodriguez-Amaya, a full scholar and Magna Cum Laude of then Gregorio Araneta University Foundation, is one of the most heralded individuals in her profession. At the 16th International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) Congress, she was among ten speakers chosen to give their advice and perspective on what makes a great and successful leader today. For her achievements in food science and technology, President Benigno S. Aquino III awarded her on December 2012 the Pamana ng Pilipino Award, which is given by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO). She is the author of more than 230 scientific publications; several of her articles got into the top ten most cited and/or most read papers of international journals. After earning her Master’s degree in Food Science from the University of Hawaii, where she was an East-West Center grantee and recipient of the EWC Professional Award for high scholastic achievement, she went on to earn a Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis.


Republished from The Furrows Volume 5 Issue 1, Official Newsletter of DLSAU

Class Suspensions for Monday, 23 September

The following La Salle schools have officially suspended classes.

  • De La Salle University (All levels in both Manila and STC campuses including work)
  • De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (including work)
  • La Salle Green Hills
  • De La Salle Araneta University (All levels)
  • De La Salle University-Dasmariñas (Including work)
  • De La Salle Health Sciences Institute (Work NOT suspended) 

We will be updating this page as more schools announce cancellation of classes. 

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One La Salle Relief Drive (Maring) Updates

De La Salle Health Sciences Institute

The relief efforts of the school and its partners were able to reach the following barangays: Brgy Zone 1 Dasmariñas City; Barangays 2 & 4 Ligtong, Rosario; Sasahan, Naic; Tabon, Kawit; Sunny Brooke, General Trias; San Lorenzo Ruiz Pulo, Cavite City; nine different barangays of Binakayan; San Antonio, Noveleta; Guyam Munti, Indang; Kiko Rosa Creekside, General Trias; Pabahay Creekside; and Bacao 1 & 2. A total of 1,605 families received relief packs. Php 17,692.90, 28 Boxes of Water, 3 Boxes of Groceries, and 20 Boxes of clothes were also endorsed to St. Peter’s Parish for ditrubution around Cavite City. 

The Medical Mission was able serve 306 households, consisting of 654 patients. Ten medical doctors, three interns, ten nurses, four PGNT’s, eight housekeepers,

four pharmacists, and other hospital employees, teachers, students from Colleges of Medicine, Nursing & Midwifery, Rehabilitation Sciences and Medical Radiation Technology volunteered for this effort. Another 50 volunteers from Our Lady of Fatima Parish also pitched in.

Our sincerest thanks to all our donors, medical team, SPC Sisters, DLSHSI and PPVR volunteers! Special thanks to our silent and dedicated supporters, without whom our relief operation would not have materialized:

  • personnel from Admitting, Information and Cashier’s Sections who accepted and recorded donations;
  • our Security Guards who helped receive and protect the goods;
  • our house keepers who helped in the loading and unloading of goods and our drivers who made transportation of people and goods possible.

De La Salle Lipa

De La Salle Lipa Community Involvement Office, in partnership with the Student Coordinating Board and Student Government, spearheaded the relief operations for the victims of Typhoon Maring and Habagat. Served areas are as follows:

  • Evacuation Center, Brgy. 10 Lipa City
  • Brgy. Halang, Lipa City
  • Brgy. San Roque, San Pedro Laguna
  • Brgy. Cuyab, San Pedro Laguna
  • Brgy. Landayan, San Pedro Laguna
  • Evacuation Center (old municipal hall) San Pedro, Laguna
  • Cavite
  • Brgy. Pansol, Calamba Laguna
  • Brgy. Palanas, Lemery Batangas

Goods donated: 1,199 bags; 88 mats; 100 blankets; 500 pcs bottled water. Served families: 1,299.

 

Apple Inc. Invites Br. Dennis to be a Resource Speaker

Last 19 August 2013, Apple South Asia invited Br. Dennis Magbanua FSC to be their main resource person in one of their workshops. Br. Dennis is currently the president of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (CSB) but was chosen as a resource speaker based on his work as the president of De La Salle Santiago Zobel School (DLSZ) and its mLearning program.

The technology-enhanced curriculum led to the development of DLSZ’s teacher training, instructional design, classroom management, home-school collaboration, cost of the mobile learning devices, research, physical facilities and networking/internet access, for today’s technology driven learner.

School administrators and teachers from over 35 schools from across South attended the Apple South Asia workshop. Br. Dennis’ talk revolved around comprehensive sharing on iPad deployment in schools. The talk included a Skype conversation with a class from DLSZ.

With Apple using DLSZ as a model in the use of tablet in classroom instruction, this marks a historic moment, not only for DLSZ but also for the entire De La Salle Philippines.

 

One La Salle Relief Drive (Maring) Updates

DLSZ

By 23 August, De La Salle Santiago Zobel School (DLSZ) has distributed relief packs around Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, and Parañaque and helped over 3,000 families. 150 students, 70 faculty and staff, and 17 parents, friends and alumni volunteered in the relief efforts.

DLSU-D

The LCDC of De La Salle University-Dasmariñas reported that, as of 27 August, they were able to help 1,291 families in eight areas (Dasmariñas, Rosario, Naic, Noveleta, Kawit, Gen Trias, Cavite City, Indang). DLSU-D wishes to acknowledge DLSZ for their support.

DLS-CSB

As of 23 August, there were a total of 167 volunteers from the school. DLS-CSB also reached out to five of its neighboring barangays (Brgys. 43, 728, 730, 746 and 760) and delivered a total of 595 relief packs.

DLSHSI

On 21 August: Php 5000 worth of relief goods were given to the families of Barangay Zone 1, Dasmarinas City, courtesy of Dr. Charles Yu.

On 22 August, we went to Ligtong, Rosario and delivered around 500 packs of relief goods ( 2 kilos of rice, bottled water, various groceries and clothes/blankets) to 261 families in Barangays 2 & 4. Said areas were referred to by the Social Action Office of the Diocese, in coordination with the Barangay Officials who guided us along coastal lines of said barangays. Student volunteers from the four Colleges, academic staff, hospital employees, faculty members and PPRV volunteers helped prepare and distribute the goods.

As of 23 August, DLSZ has turned relief goods, approximately for more than 500 households, to be donated to calamity victims in Naic, Cavite.

On 26 August, a medical mission and relief operation was held in Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite in coordination with Our Lady of Fatima Parish. A joint program of the Medical Center and Social Action Office.

 

Lasallians Join the #MillionPeopleMarch

Last 26 August, over 1,000 Lasallians joined the Million People March in Rizal Park, a mass action against the misuse of public funds particularly the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allotted to Philippine lawmakers.

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Lasallians mourn the loss of Santiago "Sonny" Alvarez Jr. [Update 2]

 Photo from Sir Sonny's Facebook profile.

The Philippine Lasallian Family mourns the passing of Santiago "Sonny" Alvarez Jr. (De La Salle College High School 1964) yesterday, 2 August, sometime between 5:30-5:45pm. Papa Archer, as he was affectionately called, was the Sports Director at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

His remains lie in state at the National Shrine of the Divine Child, La Salle Green Hills.

Below are the scheduled Masses (as of 3 August, 3:42pm): 

 

3 August, Saturday

8:00pm - Sports Council (Sponsor)

4 August, Sunday

10:00am  - De La Salle Brothers (Sponsor)

4:00pm -  Alvarez Family (Sponsor)

8:00pm - Servants of the Good Shepherd Community (Sponsor)

5 August, Monday

3:00pm - De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (Sponsor)

8:00pm - De La Salle Alumni Association (Sponsor)

6 August, Tuesday

10:00am - Mass of Resurrection
 Internment: Manila Memorial, Sucat, Parañaque

 

Lasallians have taken to social media to pay their respects. Below are some tweets in honor of their Papa Archer. 

 

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Update 1:   Added schedule of Masses and corrected interment details.

Update 2: Updated Mass Scheduled as of 3 August, 3:42pm

Br. Bernard S. Oca FSC: The Eighth President of DLSZ

Br. Bernard S. Oca FSC, or Br. Bernie, was officially inducted as the eighth President of De La Salle Santiago Zobel School (DLSZ) during the solemnity of the birth of St. John the Baptist last 24 June 2013. The occasion was graced by one of the sisters of the president, Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, members of the DLSZ Board of Trustees, De La Salle Brothers, alumni, parents, students, Lasallian Partners and distinguished guests. 

A Eucharistic Celebration, presided by Msgr. Rufino Suplido, preceded the Installation Rite. Br. Armin Luistro FSC, Department of Education Secretary and former DLSZ President, read the letter of appointment that was signed by the Chairman of the DLSZ Board of Trustees, Br. Jose Mari Jimenez FSC. It was followed by the Presentation of the Presidential Medal. Julia Therese P. Sabitsana (DLSZ 2025), one of DLSZ’s Brother President Scholars, carried the medal. Br. Dennis Magbanua FSC, outgoing DLSZ President, then bestowed the medal to Br. Bernie. Br. Armin administered the Oath of Office while Jay La Salle, a Br. Rafael Donato FSC Night High School student, held the Bible for Br. Bernie.

The acceptance speech of Br. Bernie highlighted President Corazon C. Aquino as his source of inspiration. He was inspired by her selfless response to God’s call to serve our country when she took on Ninoy Aquino’s fight for democracy. He stressed a correlation between being a nationalist and a Lasallian; that DLSZ, as a Catholic institution, should form saints and heroes or heroines who will contribute to the betterment of our country. 

Br. Bernie animatedly invited Br. Armin, to also impart some words. Br. Armin eagerly agreed and shared his experience during one of his school visitations around the country. He emphasized the importance of having a decent school that the youth deserves. DLSZ, as one of the premier schools in the Philippines, is blessed enough that it should continue St. John Baptist de La Salle’s mission to serve the deprived sectors of our community.

In the parting, Br. Bernie expressed his gratitude to Br. Dennis for handing him an already excellent school. With his remarkable experience as a Lasallian educator and leader, it allows him to hit the ground running and continue to lead in forming “Christian achievers for God and country”.

Distinguished Teacher, Dr. RA

Dr. Romeo P. Ariniego, FPCP, FPCC, former vice president for academics of De La Salle Health Sciences Institute and one of the most revered faculty and former dean of the College of Medicine was conferred the Distinguished Teacher Award 2013 last 29 May 2013, during the 44th Annual Convention of the Philippine Heart Association. 

For most of the College of Medicine’s alumni, the award couldn’t be more fitting for the mentor they lovingly call “Dr. RA”. As a teacher of medicine, he has left significant marks in many of past and current DLSHSI faculty and administrators; they always talk about him with respect, affection, and admiration. Known to be always ready to crack his whip during teaching rounds for students who fail to know by heart their patient’s condition, Dr. RA is also a caring and concerned mentor who does not hesitate to help students in need. For years now, his home and his extensive medicine library has been open to scholars who need a place to stay and who want to learn with the doctor. His clinic always has the longest queue of patients of all ages – and conditions – at De La Salle University Medical Center. 

Dr. RA has now donated said home to the De La Salle Health Sciences Institute to ensure that DLSHSI scholars will always have a place to stay even after he is gone. He also gave a very sizable donation for the construction of the DLSHSI library, which was named in his honor. Asked why he chose to donate for the construction of the library, Dr. RA said, “I know how important a library is especially for poor students. Throughout my years of studying, I survived because of the kind librarians who were lenient when it came to my borrowing of books because they knew I didn’t have the money to buy my own copies.”

Dr. RA is also a popular champion of the DLSHSI support staff. In 2007, he established an endowment fund to support the children of support staff who want to become doctors. This scholarship fund currently benefits a medical student who is the daughter of a DLSHSI staff. 

Despite all the accolades he has received – Distinguished Service Award from the Philippine Heart Association, National Lorenzo M. Tañada CHIMES Award from De La Salle Philippines, and the International Health Professional distinction – Dr. RA remains the same compassionate man who up to this day, receives gifts of fruits, crops, and chickens from his patients in lieu of a consultation or professional fee.  

Project FREE: Tarlac

Last 22 June, some 680 teachers from various public schools in the province of Tarlac received their doctorates and masters degrees in the field of education through the Project Flagships to Reach Educational Excellence (Project FREE). The project is an initiative of the Eduardo Cojuangco Foundation and is under the auspices of the University of St. La Salle in cooperation with the Tarlac State University and the local government of the province of Tarlac. Aimed at improving the quality of education through improvements in the education of teachers, the project previously graduated a batch of 780 public school teachers also from Tarlac in June 2013. Faculty from Tarlac State University (TSU) and the University of St. La Salle (USLS) collaborated in mentoring the public school teachers of Tarlac who graduated from this program. 

On hand to witness the graduation rites were project sponsors, Ambassador Eduardo and Mrs. Gretchen Cojuangco; members of the local government of Tarlac led by Gov. Victor Yap and Congressman Henry Cojuangco; USLS officials led by Br. Raymundo Suplido FSC, Dr. Therese Jochico, Vice-Chancellor for Academics and Dr. Elsie Coscolluela, Project FREE Director; and key officials of the Department of Education led by graduation guest speaker, DepEd Secretary, Br. Armin Luistro FSC. 

Tarlac is the second province to have benefitted from Project FREE. The fourth district of Negros Occidental was the first to have benefitted from Project FREE in 2002. The Eduardo Cojuanco Foundation, in cooperation with Br. Gus Boquer, then president of University of St. La Salle in Bacolod, launched the project in Negros Occidental where 1,340 public school teachers were able to earn doctoral and masters degrees in education. Follow-up studies have shown marked improvements in the performance of students in public schools in national exams after their teachers underwent further studies.

 

DLSU-D Grants Honoris Causa to Cardinal Tagle

De La Salle University-Dasmariñas (DLSU-D) conferred an honorary degree, Doctor of Humanities (Honoris Causa), to His Eminence Luis Antonio Gokim Cardinal Tagle, D.D. The solemn ceremony was held on 19 June at Ugnayang La Salle of DLSU-D. 

The conferment of the honorary degree is in recognition of his achievements and meaningful contributions to the DLSU-D community. Cardinal Tagle generously and selflessly served as one of the members of the Board of Trustees of the University from 2005 to 2012. Even after serving as Bishop of the Diocese of Imus, Cardinal Tagle continues to inspire and motivate the academic community through the excellence he constantly exhibits and the simplicity and humility that he consistently exudes. The Medal of St. John Baptist de La Salle was also awarded to Cardinal Tagle during the same academic convocation. The Medal is given as a gesture of esteem and appreciation for His Eminence’s valuable contribution as Pastoral leader, in his capacity as former Bishop of the Diocese of Imus, and as now Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Manila. It is also in appreciation for his commitment and support in advancing the Lasallian mission towards making a difference in the lives of countless persons.