“Blue Babble, Gang Green” book on La Salle-Ateneo rivalry launched

One of De La Salle University’s most successful and popular alumni, RJ Ledesma, a TV show host, entrepreneur, columnist, editor, and author, returned to his alma mater to launch his newly published book entitled, “Blue Babble, Gang Green: The Ateneo-La Salle Rivalry“. The event was held at the 13th Floor Exhibit Area of the Henry Sy, Sr. Hall.

Ledesma’s book discusses one of the greatest rivalries that have ever existed in the Philippines, the Ateneo-La Salle rivalry, but with a certain comical twist. It was published by Anvil Publishing, who also published his other books namely: Lies My Yaya Should Have Told Me(2007), I Do or I Die(2009), Is It Hot Here or It Is Me?(2010), I Only Hurts When I Pee(2011), and Playing With My Pink Parts (2013). Of the the five books that he had written in the past, only the book, It Only Hurts When I Pee, became a finalist in the National Book Awards.

Ledesma took up Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics and Business Management, a double degree program, and graduated in 1996. He also studied in La Salle Greenhills for his formative learning and he comes from a family that has been studying in La Salle for three generations, making him a bona fide Lasallian by heart.

Being part of the Lasallian community, he truly experienced the totality of the Ateneo-La Salle Rivalry. No doubt that every time there would an Ateneo-La Salle game, fans from both schools are in it for the ride of their life, including RJ. He would describe it as something that could be compared to a cardiac arrest. This just goes to show how passionate the community from each school is and which is why he published the book in the first place. He wanted others to get a glimpse of what it’s like inside this melting pot of a rivalry. “It’s not so much of the Ateneo-La Salle rivalry but it is really more of understanding what’s the passion behind it. That’s what get’s people entrapped in it… It’s an appreciation on what a rivalry feels like,” says RJ. He continues saying that this is what gets people interested even though they are not from these two schools. They are able to see school spirit at its peak from both sides. “ You can step back and say: ‘Ah, this is what passionate rivalry is about. This is what it’s like to feel like being a fan. This is what it’s like to give your all for something.’ That is really what people see when they watch the game,” says RJ.

On a personal note, Ledesma considers the rivalry between the two schools very important for the both of them. For one thing, the rivalry has really identified who they are individually, among the others. His friend who is a psychologist by trade weighs in on the subject matter. “You have to do what they call the social identity theory. Sabi niya sometimes you need to have a strong rival so that you can identify within your group. Sometimes it means Atenista ka kasi may La Salle eh, at Lasalistang-Lasalista ka dahil may Ateneo,” narrates Ledesma.

Another thing is that this rivalry truly brings out the best out of the two schools. According to him, “It’s nice that the rivalry is there for what it serves. It serves us a purpose to make us compete and become better.” This can definitely be seen every time La Salle and Ateneo meet each other in competitions.

From being extra competitive during games to fist fights and brawls afterwards, you can really see the enormity of this thing. “I think there will be good basketball rivalry but there is no blood rivalry like this one, like this is ‘dipped in blood’. I think over the years, it took time to develop,” says RJ as he described the fury of this great rivalry. He continues by saying that it’s this very essence which makes it very entertaining and challenging for people. “Our rivalry has gained, I would like to think, a more mythical nature to it. Storied eh. Pumasok na sa dugo eh diba?,” says Ledesma. But compared to before, the rivalry began to become more tamed over the years. It may be not as violent as before, but it is still as intense. “I like how the rivalry is evolving to this day. The rivalry has to be there in some form of fashion to help push us forward,” adds Ledesma as he comments on the present rivalry.
In the end of it all, the rivalry’s main purpose, which is to push one another to constantly improve, becomes helpful not only to the people involved, but also to the others around them. Yes, they may be from rival schools, but they still have that certain respect towards each other.

“It [The rivalry] will probably evolve in the near future, but in the end, these are the people that will become your officemates, your wives, your drinking buddies,” says Ledesma.