Make it LaSallian!

by July Teehankee. Dr. July Teehankee was Features Editor in 1987. He is an international studies professor.

In 1960, a group of students trained their sights as they dreamed a dream, to come out with the best campus paper in town. For they believe, students in La Salle should be informed on what’s happening in and out of the campus to heighten their sense of social awareness and responsibility.

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This dream slowly materialized as words of the paper spread through the nationalistic 60s, to the turbulent 70s, the resurgent 80s. It has not only been a record of history, but was also a part of it. It faithfully chronicled the events which shaped the nation and the struggles of its people. It was there during the rise of student activism and the first quarter storm, the dark era of Martial Law and the oppression of the Conjugal Dictators, the grief over Ninoy’s assassination and the historic funeral, the excitement of the Snap elections, and the euphoria of the “People Power” revolution.

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For almost three decades, it has constantly caused ripples in the vast sea of apathy known as De La Salle University.

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We, the editors and staffers of the 29th edition of the LaSallian would like to reiterate our pledge to uphold fair, objective and balanced journalism.

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We would like to continue working for the realization of the dream which started 27 years ago, to see La Salle, its students and alumni as not mere academic achievers, successful businessmen and professionals but as socially aware citizens of this nation with a deep sense of responsibility and in the forefront of the struggle to make this nation progressive, self-sufficient, prosperous and just.

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We also believe that as the official student publication, we owe it to the students to give them only the best, and we’re working doubly hard to achieve this.

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And finally, we also know for a fact that De La Salle University is a community not only composed of the students but also administration, faculty, non teaching personnel and the parents. Although our primary interest is the students’ welfare, we should not divorce it from the greater context of a harmonious and cooperative community in line with the University Mission Statement and in the spirit of St. John Baptist de La Salle

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Hi! I’m July … at least that’s how most of my friends call me (don’t start asking  about June or August like most people would). I am the new features editor and being such, I am responsible with providing you, our beloved readers, with articles that will not only be worth your time but wil also titilate the gray matter between your ears. Aside from undertaking this somewhat herculean task, you will find me in this inconspicious  corner from time to time.

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Most readers comment that the LaSallian is too “political.” My goodness! I don’t know what they mean by “political”, perhaps they haven’t seen the UP Collegian.

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Well, like it or not, politics is a big part of our lives. It is everywhere! Lest we forget the number of “political” events which rocked our nation the past few years. It must have left a permanent imprint on our collective psyche.

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For our readers’ information, the word politics came from the Greek word polis meaning “city-state”. Life in ancient Greece revolved around the polis, thus people who were interested in the affairs of polis were called polites. The Greeks may have been badly clothed and ill shod but they regarded public affairs as more important and significant private matters.

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Like I mentioned earlier, politics is everywhere. The Greek philosopher Aristotle stated that “man is by nature a political animal.” By this, he meant that two or more people interacting are in one way or the other involved in a political relationship. He also concludes that the very essence of social existence is politics. As men try to satisfy their personal wants with the limited resources, and as they try to influence others with their respective points of view (whether Leftist, Centrist or Rightist), they find themselves engaging in politics.

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Everyone is a politican, but some are “more political” than the rest.

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But don’t be disheartened, dear readers, for we also recognize the fact that too much of anything is…just too much. We are aware that any topic, whether political or otherwise, can be extremely saturating if we always see it on television, hear about it on the radio, or read it on columns like this.

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We also recognize the seeming lack of interest from our readers. It seems that it takes more than quotations from Marx or Mao to raise the “revolutionary fervor” of the typical Lasallian. As one “nosy freshman critic” noted last year in a letter to the editor, “Only a head among several would really pay attention and digest the Ubarra impeachment or Bilog’s circle of tales or other bits of current issues one can always catch in ordinary daily newspapers.” She also implored the LaSallian to “take note of (its) audience. DLSU is not wholly made up of professionals, prime brains or senior students. There are also greenhorns, innocents, freshmen, and sophomores. Let us make room for their tastes.”

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Do not worry dear “nosy freshman critic,” your point is well taken and we will do something about it. Expect to see some “variety” in upcoming issues. Although politics is as unavoidable as the call of nature, we will try our very best to suit our articles to your taste and comprehension. Until then, see ya!