By: Aianna Xyril Monsod, Aishah Jimenez
The CEIT, CLAS, and COED freshmen were greeted to a rainy-yet fun filled day as they go through the traditional Binyag welcoming activities of the Colegio for Day 1. Photo courtesy of Eduardo Nollora Jr. & Yvonne Altaire Solon of The LANCE.
Colegio de San Juan de Letran - Manila kicks off the new school year with its annual Binyag Arriba celebration on August 2 for its Day 1 of welcoming the first-year students from College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), College of Education (CoED), and College of Engineering and Information Technology (CEIT).
Rev. Fr. Stephen Mari La Ja, OP., SThL-MA, the Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Rector and President, gave the opening remarks for the Tatak Arriba Journey held at the SC Auditorium.
He welcomed the students and stated the colegio will prepare them not only for the professional world but also for their lives as they explore their passions, unlock their true potential, and build relationships.
Fr. La Ja also encouraged the freshmen to actively engage in the life of the campus by participating in various organizations, community programs, and faith-based activities.
The Directress of the Alumni and Public Relations Department, Jhennie Caldito-Villar, discussed the origins and emblems of the Colegio. She also emphasized the institution's colors, blue and red should be utilized exactly as they are because they represent the idea that “consummate bravery demands a consummate cause”.
The morning session of Binyag Arriba Day 1 also introduced Letran’s offered services concerning guidance, counseling, library, and health matters among others which provides distinct assistance to its students.
Meanwhile, Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) such as Teatro de Letran (TDL), Letran Community Volunteers (LVC), Letran DOMNET Youth Group, Letran Filipiniana Dance Company (LFDC), Knight Snap, Letran Band, Letran Cheering Squad, Letran Esports Society gathered and set-up their booths at the Salon de Actos, engaging freshmen Letranites to join their clubs.
The CLAS, CEIT, and CoED also conducted their separate departmental orientations in the afternoon. CLAS highlighted their faculty members which is a cluster of part-time instructors who are also practitioners from the industry such as GMA News, ABS-CBN, and Manila Bulletin.
CEIT emphasized their specialty of practical application, use of laboratories and equipment available in the institution. They also gave out four pencils sharpened by top notchers of the board examination to serve as lucky charms.
CoED featured their 100% passing rate of board examinations. They are also the only department that has full-fledged professors.
Academic policies were also discussed during the series of orientations. CLAS Dean Darwin Rungduin, PhD reiterated the development of full face-to-face class modality for academic year 2023-2024. Google Classrooms will still be used for announcements, online submissions, work and activity outputs.
Concluding the first day of Binyag Arriba rites, freshmen Letranites swore unto the Colegio’s motto of Deus, Patria, Letran before taking part in the cheers and yells spearheaded by the Letran Band and Cheering Squad.
Binyag Arriba 2023 would not be traditional without the showering of students with immense water which occurred after orientation. It symbolizes their baptism as bona fide Letranites.
The Day 2 of Binyag Arriba for the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) was postponed due to the suspension of office operations and is set to be rescheduled on a later date.