Tales from the dead: Dissolved organizations

Death is the only inevitable thing in this world. We live, we breathe, and at some point, we die. The same can be said for some of these organizations that once graced the halls of our campus.

At its highest point, it may have brought out the best in students with the camaraderie that comes with being an active member, but the reality is that some of them are just not meant to last. Take a look back at some of La Salle’s premiere organizations, both professional and non-professional, as we stroll down memory lane with this list of organizations that De La Salle University once knew.

SoPhiA

The professional organization of philosophy students back in the day came in the form of Students of Philosophy in Action (SoPhiA). While their organization’s logo featured The Thinker, the members of SoPhiA certainly did not just sit all day and think. They engaged in plenty of interactive activities such as an outreach with children from the Don Bosco orphanage, and a sushi making activity with Nihon Kenkyuu Kai (NKK).

With regards to philosophy related endeavors, SoPhiA organized a Young Philosophers Assembly. They invited students from various universities such as ADMU, UST, UP, and SBC to talk about their activities, concerns, and aspirations. The organization also a hosted a SoPhiA Literary Night, and tied up with major theater companies like Repertory Philippines and Trumpets in a feature play.

SoPhiA’s run lasted only from 2003 to 2004 as the Philosophy professional organization resurfaced as DLSU Pilosopo.

Liga Historia

Liga Historia’s mission statement reads, “…in its unquenchable thirst for truth, [Liga Historia] is committed to the integrative development and promotion of history as a field of study.” As the premiere professional student organization for History majors, Liga Historia aimed to not only bring together its students but also enrich the understanding of those who find a profound interest in understanding the human past. To fulfill this vision, Liga Historia organized various activities such as museum tours and documentary screenings.

Liga Historia has since been dissolved. In recent years, the History organization has returned and goes by the name Sociedad de Historia.

Lit Circle

From poetry reading to three-part Tim Burton movie marathons, the Literature Circle once served as not only the link between Lit majors and its department but also as an avenue for students to appreciate the culture and the arts not only in the form of literature.

Unlike SoPhiA and Liga Historia, the fate of Lit Circle is uncertain as the professional organization for Literature majors has not yet been revived. While there have been student-led initiatives to bring back this organization, the successful return of the Lit Circle remains to be seen. It last operated from 2006 to 2007.

SCA

Student Catholic Action is an organization catering to students who want to further their faith by being more Christlike, that is, to serve rather than to be served. In line with this objective, SCA sponsored activities ranging from Community Catechs, Livelihood Programs, Mangrove Planting, Advent and Lenten Retreats, Easter Egg Hunt Amazing Race, Dental Missions, Gawad Kalinga Housebuilding, and even a Dragon Boat event.

SCA existed from 2009 to 2010, with its run coming to a halt after it left the jurisdiction of CSO and was absorbed by the La Sallian Pastoral Office (LSPO).

PhilSEDS

Fancy space and rocket exhibitions? How about seminars on astronomy, mechatronics, and aerodynamics? Well, had it been here today, PhilSEDS would be perfect for space aficionados hailing from various colleges in the university. Aptly called Philippine Students for the Exploration and Development of Space, the organization sought to foster space-related career development by providing hands-on experiences in technical and research projects. PhilSEDS was not your typical shirt-selling organization. Instead, its activities included a planetarium visit with orphans, a video conference with a professional in the space industry, and most importantly, the development of the SEDSat-2 Communication Subsystem, a satellite built by an international cooperative of students based in India.

Based on CSO records, the last known activity of PhilSEDS dates back between 2007 to 2008.

The death of an organization may be considered to be unfortunate, it does not, however, necessarily mean the end. The occurrence of a ‘dead’ org resurrecting is far from impossible. In fact, it has happened many times in the past. While some of these beloved organizations may be out of the limelight, there is always a glimmer of hope that the spotlight will once again be on them.

For students looking to revive a dissolved organization, contact your friendly CSO representatives for more information to get things started. With all the right accreditations, the ‘dead’ might just start walking again.

*Information in this article is based on records provided by CSO