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READING— MARK 1:40-45Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand, touched the leper and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.”.

REFLECTIONOur Gospel invites us to meditate on Jesus and his commitment to the well-being of people. I am challenged by Jesus’ compassion to touch the misery of those who suffer. We can, I suppose, discuss and debate about the suffering of others and remain ourselves untouched or unchanged. Part of the pedagogy of opening the hearts of young people in our schools to the sufferings of others is to bring them into close contact with the suffering : the poor, the sick and the abandoned. As Thomas Aquinas would put it, “Nothing can enter the soul without first passing through our senses”. If we wish to nurture compassion in ourselves, we will need to be in contact with a situation of human need and allow this experience to speak to us and change us and move us to respond.

The recent events in Mamasapano, Maguindanao have brought to our attention again the desire for peace in this part of our country. Peace

is part of the well-being that Jesus desires for all of us. In Mindanao, this peace will have to recognize and respect the diversity of the groups who long to be heard and be included in the opportunities to develop. Our Lasallian presence in Mindanao - in Iligan, Ozamis and Bislig – is going to be important as it enables our Lasallian family to touch and be touched this search for peace and justice and well-being that Jesus wills us to possess.

RESPONSEGod of the nations, look upon our land devastated by violence and show us the way to lasting peace. Turn our guns into plows and our bombs into bread. Remove hatred from our hearts and vengeance from our memories. Give us the wisdom and the will to end terrorism and war whether in lands far or near, or in the confines of our families and communities. Raise up among us peacemakers who will us recognize the dignity that we are called to. Help us to remember that we are one family gathered by your love. This we ask through Christ our Lord. AMEN.Adapted from People’s Companion to the Breviary

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De La Salle Philippines (DLSP) grieves with the nation over the loss of lives in a bloody encounter last January 25, 2015 in Mamasapano, Mindanao. We mourn with the families of all those who were killed -- the forty-four members of the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the eighteen combatants from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and the four civilian casualties, among whom was an eight-year old child. As Lasallians, we support the calls for an impartial investigation so that we may know the facts behind the Mamasapano incident and set aright our relationship with those wounded and aggrieved by selfishness, mistrust or fear. The Mamasapano incident aggravates a situation of fear and poverty. Decades of armed-conflict have heavily affected the well-being of the people of Mindanao, with children being the most vulnerable to suffering. Whenever there are military or police encounters with rebel groups, communities are forced to evacuate to ‘safer’ places. Such displacement takes a heavy toll on our children and those who are physically weak. After the clash at Mamasapano, some 6,620 people were displaced and classes in thirteen nearby public elementary schools were suspended (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs). This adds to the thousands of people, who until now, have not been re-settled after the so-called Zamboanga siege in October 2013. An unseen collateral damage in all these is the healthy growth of our children and young who cannot develop fully in an environment of fear and instability. Educating children, particularly of the poor -- instilling appropriate values and equipping them with relevant tools and skills so that they can be responsive and responsible citizens -- is primary in our mission as a network of Lasallian schools. We thus pray for a more conducive environment where Mindanao’s children can attend school, learn, and play without tension or fear. Amidst fears that the Mamasapano incident could derail the peace process, the Lasallian community stands firm that the peace process should in fact continue. We are in solidartiy with our countrymen who are committed to the vigorous pursuit of lasting peace in Southern Philippines. Even as investigations on the Mamasapano clash proceed, we ask both government and the MILF leadership to continue with the peace process; and for Congress to pass the needed legislation to enable the diverse groups in Mindanao to be heard, have their rights to develop acknowledged within the framework of our Constitution and live in peace. As Lasallians, we will continue with our vigil and prayers for the families of the casualties and all the people who were affected. We shall also educate ourselves further on the peace process and on the complexities of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). Lastly, we ask our people to act with sobriety and discernment as we grieve the lives that were lost and as we hurdle the challenge of restoring to wholeness the lives of those who have been displaced. In these times we believe that what is asked of us as citizens is to reflect on the needs of our nation and to give shape to our collective aspiration in the name of the young and vulnerable people who can only discover their better selves in an atmosphere of peace and mutual acceptance. _______ February 10, 2015 Br. Jose Mari Jimenez FSCPresident, De La Salle Philippines (DLSP)

THE CONTINUING PURSUIT OF PEACE IN MINDANAO:IN SOLIDARITY WITH YOUNG PEOPLE

RENDERED VULNERABLE BY SITUATIONS OF CONFLICT

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FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

3 De Luna, Eugenio Jr. nFSC

4 Mindoro, Leonisa Olave (DLSL Brothers Community)

6 Ai Saw Hung Htoo FSC

8 Pia, Abet King FSC

Gervasio, Jay (LPC)

11 Fernandez, Edmundo Adolfo FSC

14 Dougherty, Joseph FSC

15 Quilino FSC

19 Mejias, Rey FSC

23 Patiño, Aimee Fabello (CHA-AdS)

25 Hung, Joseph FSC

26 Dollente, Warren Joseph Dilanco(CHA-LIFE)

CONGRATULATIONS TO BR. MANUEL PAJARILLO FSCBr. Manuel Pajarillo FSC has been elected by the Board of Trustees as the new President of University of St. La Salle.Br. Mawel replaces Br. Ray Suplido FSC who will assume a new post as President of De La SalleUniversity in Manila. He was Director of the Centre International Lasallien (CIL) in Rome before his appointment as President of USLS.

DLSU-D’S RESEARCH ON CAVITE REACHES WORLD ECONOMIC FORUMDe La Salle University – Dasmariñas’ “Cavite Development Research Program (CDRP)” was presented through International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN) in collaboration with the Global University Leader Forum (GULF) at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2015 held at Davos Klosters, Switzerland, Jan. 22.

Themed Developing Skills for Future Leaders 2015, the report highlighted DLSU-D’s CDRP as one of the international universities which presents hollistic approaches to sustainabilty .CDRP is DLSU-D’s research initiative which focuses on environmental issues, corporate and social entrepreneurship, and the socio anthropological dimensions of Cavite, with aims to improve governance and promoting innovative education toward a sustainable province. The CRDP seeks to propose sustainable solutions on the areas of water, food security, waste disposal, land use management, traffic, housing needs and adequate

infrastructure which will promote sustainable development that is crucial to the province and its people. Along with other international universities which include George Town University, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology , University of Gothenburg and Yale University

The ISCN provides a global forum to support leading colleges, universities, and corporate campuses in the exchange of information, ideas, and best practices for achieving sustainable campus operations and integrating sustainability in research and teaching. DLSU-D is the only Philippine university included in the ISCN.

Founded on January 2007, the ISCN in partnership with GULF, gathered 26 top universities globally, to develop the ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter which was developed late 2009. The ISCN aims to provide global forum to academic institutions concerning sustainability in research and teaching.

Meanwhile, in the recent 2014 Greenmetric World University ranking , DLSU-D holds the 70th rank as the greenest university in the world , a huge leap from its 78th rank in 2013. Greenmetric is an initiative of Universitsa Indonesia and other global universities which ranks select universities globally on their sustainable and environmentt-friendly programs

DLSU-D GEARS UP FOR SHELL ECO- MARATHON ASIA 2015, LAUNCHES STALLION CARDe La Salle University-Dasmariñas— DLSU-D Stallion Car, university’s entry for the prototype category in the Shell Eco-Marathon (SEM) Asia 2015 is all set up. As part of the preparation, the DLSU-D Stallions recently held the press conference and grand launching of the Stallion Car at the DLSU-D College of Tourism Hotel and Restaurant Management, Courtyard, Jan. 27.

Representing not only the University but the entire province of Cavite, the DLSU-D Stallions composed of College of Engineering and Technology students Jan Ian Karlo Penalba, Joshua Loveria, Karl Joseph Tiong, Franz Nichole Salomon, Robert Neil Ambion, John Edward Cua, Rogie Balitustos, Herson Ross Sayos, RanierAtienza and team advisers Engr. Wilfredo Vidal and Engineer Emmanuel Longares initiated the creation of the Stallion Car. During the event, the team shared how they were able to make it on the registration for the Shell Eco-Marathon 2015 as well as the struggles that the team encountered during the crafting of the Stallion Car. “We started with no fund at all, and we even thought of withdrawing from the contest,” until we tried looking for sponsorships, dun na nag start hanggang sa nagtulungan na ang buong community at nakabili na kami ng mga iba pang kulang na parts,” Engineer Vidal said. According to Engr. Jose Rizaldy De Armas, CEAT Dean, the Stallion Car was basically produced through a collaboration of the entire programs of the college. ”A lot of learning has happened during the early stages of the production,” said De Armas,” We are

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capable of what the other countries can do,” he added. The team expressed its appreciation to the academic community and its sponsors.

The grand launching was highlighted by the unveiling of the Stallion Car, it also featured the various performances of the University’s home-grown talents which include Lasallian Points N Flexes, Lasallian Pop Band, Ex Manager Band and other performers. Also present during the event were GMA 7 talent Arny Ross, and ABS-CBN talent Axel Torres, both Lasallians.

Assembled using light-weight materials such as aluminum pipe for the chassis and fiberglass car cover, the Stallion Car is a gasoline-fuelled engine which aims to achieve gasoline fuel consumption of 1000 km/l. It uses Honda GX35 engine with accompanying engine fuel injection to maximize fuel consumption, further, its cover is designed with aerodynamics engineering analysis to minimize drag.

Second time to be hosted by the Philippines, the SEM Asia 2015 is slated on February 26 to March 1. Shell Eco-Marathon challenges student teams from around the world to design, build and test ultra-energy-efficient vehicles.

For more details on DLSU-D Stallions’ visit www.facebook.com/dlsud.shelleco

SYNERGY: THE DLSHSI 5TH SCHOLARS AND SPONSORS’ NIGHT

In celebration of the Lasallian Days 2015 on January 29, 2015 at the De La Salle Animo Center, the Health Assembly of Lasallian Scholars (HeALS), the official organization of all scholars in De La Salle Health Sciences Institute, honored once again its generous sponsors who have been continuously supporting DLSHSI in its advocacy and commitment to help the financially disadvantaged but deserving students who would want to avail of the free Lasallian health sciences education. This year marks an increase in the number of sponsors who believe in our educational agenda. One of the additional benefactors of the scholarship program is the UT Foundation, Inc. UT Foundation, Inc. is a non-stock non-profit organization serving as the CSR arm of their corporate unit named UT Global Services Limited, Inc. Founded in 2010 here in the Philippines, the very young Foundation has been focusing on providing scholarships to academically deserving but financially challenged youths. Among their educational institution partners are the Ateneo Schools in the Philippines to which they gave 150 scholarships. This time, UTFI has pledged to give 125 scholarship slots to La Salle schools in tertiary level. Specifically, De La Salle Health Sciences Institute has been granted 12 slots for the Undergraduate Courses.Indeed, the “Scholars and Sponsors’ Night” serves as the venue for recognizing and honoring the scholars and our beloved patrons and partners for helping us realize our Mission to help the least, the last and the lost. -Juanito O. Cabanias, PhD, Dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences and Academic Services, De La Salle Health Sciences Institute

USLS COLLEGE OF EDUCATION RANKS 2ND IN PHILIPPINE BUSINESS FOR EDUCATION TOP SCHOOLSPhilippine Business for Education named University of St. La Salle’s College of Education as one of the top 10 Teacher Education Institutions in the Philippines based on the data from the Professional Regulation Commission, as released by Rappler on February 9.

USLS ranked 2nd ,beating last year’s 4th place, in Category B garnering 86% passing rate, with De La Salle University-Manila ranking 99%.

Philippine Normal University-Manila who topped Category A with 93% and Siliman University for Category C with 90% were also included in the list.

The list was based from the 2009-2014 Licensure Examination for Teachers passing rate of schools having at least 80% passing rate for both elementary and secondary with a minimum of 250 test-takers.

It was classified into 3 categories: Category A (at least 1000 takers), Category B (500-999 takers) and Category C (250-499 takers).-http://www.usls.edu.ph/

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STORIESREFLECTIONS OF THE KAAKIBAT COMMUNITY LASALLIAN VOLUNTEERSI want to thank God not only for the big things but also for the small things He had given me for the past four months as a volunteer here in Bagac, Bataan. As a Director of Kaakibat Community, leading the group is not that easy. Aside from being all new volunteers, we come from different places and backgrounds. Perhaps, these are possible factors that led to misunderstandings and difficulties among us during our journey in the first three (3) months. However, we let our love for the mission prevail over all those challenges we met. Hence, we turned those challenges into learnings which helped us built good relationships with one another.

As we continue our mission, I could say that we can handle our difficulties better. I am so grateful and happy that I can understand our indifferences. It is also important to establish openness with one another. My experiences in the community will be a lifetime treasure that I will keep.

Likewise, as a Kindergarten teacher in Kaakibat Pre School, Bagac, I am so proud of my pupils as I see them improve and excel in the different subject areas. Their words of thanks motivate me to continue what I started as a volunteer. - Chris Marie D. Estanol Kindergarten Teacher Volunteer, Graduate of University of St. La Salle, Bacolod City.______

Firstly, I would like to thank De La Salle Philippines-Lasallian Volunteer Program for accepting me as one of the Lasallian volunteers. It is indeed a great opportunity to be part of this program.

Meeting new people with different culture and attitudes is really a big challenge to face as a volunteer here in Bagac. However, I try to learn their way of life.

As a new volunteer teacher, I need to draw understanding and patience to be able to fulifill my teaching tasks. Seeing the faces of my pupils is really a source of my joy and inspiration. They make me feel I am special which make me love them more.

Working and living with my co-volunteers is another challenge. Thus, I try my best to establish good relationship with them.

As a volunteer, I have learned to stay dedicated with the mission. Patience and hardworking are some of the factors to success. Most importantly, keeping my faith in God makes me focus on the mission entrusted to me.

I believe that at the end of my journey as a volunteer, my experiences will make me a better person. -Mary Joy L. Pitago, Kindergarten Teacher Volunteer, Graduate of La Salle University, Ozamiz City.

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In June 2014, I started my experiences as a volunteer in Bagac, Bataan. I expected that I would be encountering challenges during my journey as a volunteer so I had to prepare myself. I have to adjust myself with the lifestyle of the people in the community and with my fellow volunteers. This is already my fourth month in the area but I still continue adjusting myself with the people around me especially with my co-volunteers.

Teaching is not really my expertise but I enjoy dealing with my pupils. Seeing them smile, makes me also smile. There are also new learnings I received from the people in the community especially with my fellow volunteers.

I believe that I will encounter more challenges during my journey as a volunteer and hopefully, I will be able to handle them better.

Thanks to La Salle for giving me an opportunity to be a volunteer. My experiences help me become a better person. -Alden D. Lim, Nursery Teacher Volunteer, Graduate, DLSU-Dasamrinas.

The Kaakibat Volunteers Community is located in Bagac, Bataan.