Unwavering Letran pride BY TEEJAY OBSEQUIO
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olegio de San Juan de Letran is an institution rich in history. Great men have walked pass through those blue walled hallways of this old college – men in cloth (St. Vicente Liem de la Paz, Beato Fr. Antonio Varona, O.P., etc.), nation builders (Manuel Quezon, Sergio Osmeña, Apolinario Mabini, Francisco Baltazar, etc.), and, in present times, prominent personalities (Laurenti Dyogi, Lourd De Veyra, Vic Sotto, etc.). Almost four hundred years of deeprooted history, there are countless reasons why the multitude of Letran pride cannot be comprehended by those outside the old walls of Letran. Being a Letranite does not end after your diploma is conferred to you. Old men and women donning blue shirts, caps, ballers, and other memorabilia will flock Letran homecomings, basketball games, and Quadricentennial countdown celebrations. Which even extends to social media with posts and comments of “Arriba Letran” whenever the new breed of Letranites give pride to their beloved alma mater. The rich history of Letran dating back to 1620 has connected the Letranistas to their Alma Mater deeply. The deep-rooted traditions of the Colegio from the Binyag Arriba to Sulong Arriba has made us inevitably sentimental which make
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us provide Letran a special place in our hearts. BLINDED BY PRIDE However, a wise man once claimed that “too much of everything is bad,” which also applies to our pride for our Alma Mater. There lies another problem because of this. Some of us will get blinded by the wrongdoings of our co-Letranites – notwithstanding the plagiarism, misogyny, and discrimination. In the Letran Knights games, some alumni, in the essence of showing support to those donning the blue and red jersey will cheer foul antics against the opponent or even raise their middle finger proudly against the other side of the arena. In the essence of foul-mouth Letran’s arch-nemesis in sports. These are cases wherein too much of the pride is unintentionally putting our beloved Alma Mater into bad light. Blinded by the pride, thus, forgetting the other principles and ideals that the Colegio indoctrinates. “ARRIBA SPIRIT” In the quaint campus of Letran, almost everyone knows one another. Some would even blurt out that it’s hard to hide from someone in the Colegio. Being acquainted from one another results to unity in the community to applause the triumph of each and every one.
This in result has made it effortless for Letranites to win in popularity contests, from films to pageants. Achievements, either academic, extracurricular, or athletics, even dismal or luminous are always celebrated because our pride is anchored to the “Arriba Spirit” which, anchored to the Filipino pride, extols resiliency. Letranites will be the last to doubt their colleagues, thus, always uplifting and supporting everyone to reach for the triumph. Our Colegio’s deep history would narrate how Letran was in shackles during the wars and earthquake she has encompassed, yet, until today, nearing its Quadricentennial, she stands mighty as Knight because the Arriba Spirit is in reflection to what the institution has gotten through. MODERN KNIGHT Now, as you, freshmen embarked in your journey as a modern Knight, may you give more glory to the Colegio. Prove -- not only those who have been there before you but yourselves -that there are more reasons to be ‘proud to be a Letranite.’ Now, that you know better, start shying away from the barbaric blindness of pride like misogyny and discrimination.
