By Sofia Baldonado
In launching the joint celebration of this year’s virtual Lasallian Mission Festival and Students’ Week, with the theme, “LASALYANO T.A.Y.O. Na! Transforming Lives in Celebrating Achievements and Yielding Opportunities for the Mission” via Microsoft Teams, the event surrounded hope as some events kicked off in onsite venues after two years of the pandemic.
During the virtual opening program on Monday, April 18, De La Salle University– Dasmariñas (DLSU-D) First Chancellor, Brother Sockie de la Rosa, FSC reminded students in his speech to appreciate the encouraging transition amidst the pandemic.
“We are now at the reopening of our communities before the next surge. Let’s look at this as a renewal,” Br. de la Rosa, FSC said.
Earlier before the virtual opening program, some Lasallian students, staff, faculty, and parents attended the onsite venue of the Opening Eucharistic Celebration on the University Chapel to welcome the Holy Relic of St. John Baptist de La Salle.
Br. De la Rosa added, “We should celebrate and embrace a purposeful existence, we are here for a reason. We are alive because we have a mission. May this Lasallian Festival be that opportunity where you will discover your purpose in God’s design.”
In light of the students’ feedback, Master of Liturgical Ceremonies Daniel Baybay shared his appreciation to the organized onsite mass in launching this year’s Lasallian Festival.
“My heart was full of joy because I have served and attended the mass physically, unlike in the previous celebrations I attended it in an online setup… [I’m] hoping that physical or onsite activities next [school] year will be in full capacity. It will be more exciting and more engaging.” He explained.
On the other hand, Communication student Ana Therese Gelle explained her first-time experience with the online setup as she attended the opening program.
“‘Yung experience ko with online, nandoon pa rin naman ‘yung excitement pero… medyo kulang because you can’t see anybody else… ‘yung experience [medyo] lacking, pero syempre ‘yung spirit nandoon pa rin naman.” she stated explaining her experience on the virtual opening program.
Gelle also mentioned her regret for not making it to the onsite venue of the opening mass but she still expressed her joy for the notable transition of the university.
“Syempre hindi pa rin mawawala ‘yung pag-iingat at takot, still, nakakatuwa para saakin na makitang nag-uumpisa na uli magbukas ‘yung doors ng [university], lalong lalo na first time itong nangyari, tapos nangyari pa sa pag-welcome natin uli sa pagbalik ng Holy Relic of our founder.”
The virtual opening program was followed by the Institutional Reflection Session, which was also open for the onsite participation of Lasallian students and partners of all sectors.
Facebook Live streams of the said onsite events were also available for virtual attendees since the majority of the participants are still online.
