Letter to the Editor by Gregg Tolentino

Letters to the Editor is a section where The LaSallian publishes sentiments and opinions by members of the community on matters concerning life in De La Salle University in any of its aspects. Should you wish to send a letter to the editor, kindly email your letter to [email protected], or send a message to our Facebook page.

Letter to the Editorial Board of The LaSallian

Greetings in St. La Salle!

Every day we are faced with decisions to make, may it be something that involves many alternatives, only two conflicting options, or some may look at it as having “no other choice”. Concomitantly, we are filling out our pages of a great story called life as we make these choices.

Some, if not all, may even have experienced something wherein they felt like a particular choice was made for them by someone influential or superior to them, like they did not have control.

I would like to thank at this point TheLaSallian for giving non-writers like me an avenue to try sending out a message to the Lasallian community. Some readers may tag me as a former University Student Government (USG) elected officer, an economics major who is very serious about learning the field, the current President of Santugon sa Tawag ng Panahon, or a new Aspirant discerning whether committing to the life of a La Salle Brother is for me. Beyond these milestones in my college life, I humbly request the readers to treat this letter as one that is coming from a fellow Lasallian striving to share to different people a simple message that our Institution is also advocating:

Change begins with the self.

Allow me to take as an example something very close to the story of my DLSU life.

To the freshmen, ID114, once again welcome to our University. At least three years of your life will be spent here, where systems and mechanisms are provided for you to maximize your right to choose, or for you to move a choice that others make.

To the upperclassmen, ID113 and below, by now you have experienced glorious moments being Lasallians and challenging ones with the different services offered by sectors within the University. Some may have been disappointed by events throughout the year.

To those involved in student politics and the processes open to the USG, and to those who will soon be involved (that means I encourage everyone to try), by now you will agree with me when I say that there are some of us who say, “those running for office always promise the same thing – change – but does not really deliver.” Perhaps we may have seen fellows who tried their best delivering their promises, or some who did not even try at all. But this is the typical perspective taken when criticizing something. How about we try this for at least a moment…

Are we simply waiting for change to happen? Or is change waiting for us to move?

I do not think the officers we recently voted for last General Elections (GE) 2014 can do everything, neither can the upcoming candidates in the Freshmen Elections 2014. The USG is not a one-sided system to be expected to change everything. In fact, according to the Constitution, each of us, bona fide undergraduate students of the University, is a member of the USG. This means we have a role to fulfill, and that is the other side of the coin.

With this statement, two challenges arise: (1) To our USG Officers, keep on doing your part in representing the voice (and not just the vote) of the students and in being collaborators to the various multisectoral committees; and (2) To the student body, let us keep on doing our part in raising proposals (and not mere criticisms) so that our University can develop further.

Now, another level of reflection is necessary: What do I want to change? Is there even anything I want to change?

Let us strive to take on a positive perspective in our contributions to our University. At this point, allow me to acknowledge Alyansang Tapat sa Lasalista’s previous effort of “Kaya” last GE2014. (Disclaimer: This is only based on my understanding from last academic year.) We can do this if we move together. We can make the USG work in its full potential.

Also, recall the vision of Santugon sa Tawag ng Panahon last GE2014 – Student-Powered Governance. As I have fulfilled my role in contributing to last year’s winning platform, Migi Moreno’s “REFOCUS”, this year a role that we can take is to support the winning platform of Student-Powered Governance. We, the students, run the entire system. We are needed. We are just represented by the elected officers. (By now, you may have answers to the questions, “What do I want to change? Is there even anything I want to change?”)

To the freshmen, ID114, in DLSU you have the opportunity to be in control. Maximize your right to make a choice (but do this responsibly). Vote, voice out, present proposals, contribute.

To the upperclassmen, ID113 and below, let us remind ourselves that we can be in control as well. Contribute, present proposals, voice out, vote.

In DLSU, it begins with YOU.

Every day, we are faced with decisions to make…and it is up to us to bring our University to higher tiers of performance.

This letter can be one story that I can share to you. Before I end my student phase, I encourage the younger generations to share their stories to the next. As a good friend, Migi, mentioned before, “After walking the talk, talk that walk,” because it is through sharing these experiences that we can show possibilities to the people around us.

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen.” – Reinhold Niebuhr

Live Jesus in our hearts, forever.

One with you in St. La Salle,

Gregg Tolentino

A Lasallian