Artwork courtesy of Eah Dino of The LANCE.
“Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out.” - Vaclav Havel
When midterm examinations approached in the Colegio, I saw something that perfectly depicts the word that all humans hold on to when the most important thing they anticipate most feels so unsure - hope.
Many say, work and pray to achieve your goal, but I think Letranites still have one more thing to do; give a couple of chocnut bars, chocolate-peanut bars, to St. Vicente Liem de la Paz. It is a tradition of the community laughed upon.
Who would not? As a freshman, to chuckle was my first reaction too, but discovering the whats and whys made me feel warm and a feeling of comfort rose in me, which I bet what the students feel when “offering” treats to St. Liem in hopes for a sweet score.
First question I had in mind, and probably others thought of too, why chocnut? It is said that the tradition of offering something to a particular saint when an intercession is asked as they pray to God is part of being a Catholic. Letranites find Chocnuts affordable therefore, it became “the” thing to offer to St. Liem as they seek help during examination week. Coins can also be found next to chocnut bars as two pesos equates to one chocnut bar.
So I moved on with the second question, why St. Liem? Simple answer, St. Vicente Liem de la Paz is the patron saint of Letran as he symbolizes martyrdom in service of God. For the Letranites who pursue an academic life that meets their own standards, St. Liem is their nearest channel to their prayers as he is known to be the protector and guide of the Colegio. Hopes of the Letranites through St. Liem is just as high as their aim or is even higher for some, while it is a clear fact that no prayers can do without work.
To understand the tradition, I know everyone has the same question, when and why did it start? According to the students, one student just offered chocnut bar to St. Liem and so the rest followed. Others say the idea came from the Tiger statue of University of Santo Tomas (UST). Some say it makes sense as UST is our sister school, others say it’s more of a “bandwagon”. While it may sound like such, it is now a practice of the students who believe that we need to respect.
Is it effective? The thing is, nobody knows. Everyone has different experiences and I find it really interesting that regardless of the result, students continue to offer chocnut bars to St. Liem whenever examinations are approaching. One thing is for sure, this tradition has been embedded in the Letran community and ought to stay for as long as the students find ways to have passing grades that they can add on top of studying hard and praying sincerely.
Thinking of it now, maybe Vaclav Havel is right. Maybe Letranites just need something to hold on to that would validate their hardworks regardless of the results of their exams. Maybe to offer something to someone so divine who they think would help them out most is enough to give a little bit more push for them to pass.
Maybe chocnut bars for St. Liem work or maybe not. Regardless, let us do our part as a student to get the scores we want. This tradition shall mirror how Letranites aim high, but not without work. This tradition shall reflect how our community unites and holds hands in the face of challenge. And may this tradition shall always be a reminder for us that we are not alone and hope can be found even in the smallest thing like a chocnut bar.