VOLUME XXXVII • ISSUE 3 • AUGUST 2013 • 12 PAGES
Letran bids farewell to ‘Fr. Cajie’ Alumnus chairs CBCP
The Colegio’s Collegiate Chaplain Rev. Fr. Vicente ‘Cajie’ Cajilig O.P. succumbing to cardiac arrest at around 5:30 in the afternoon on August 5. Though rushed in University of Santo Tomas Hospital, the Prolife Philippines Spiritual Director would have turned 64 this coming September 26. The news broke out through the Colegio’s official Twitter account @ LetranOfficial: “Let us all pray for the eternal repose of the soul of Fr. Vicente Cajilig, O.P. who joined His Creator this afternoon.” His funeral mass was held at the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City (WHEN?!). Members of the Letran community, the Order of Preachers, and his family attended his requiem mass. Rev. Fr. Gerard Timoner III, O.P. in his homily said: “His [Fr. Cajie] ministry as priest was fruitful and holy. He has served for so many years as Executive Secretary of the Office of Education and Student’s Chaplaincy of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, and in many various ministries in Letran, UST [University of Santo Tomas] and
“I felt saying no,” said Colegio de San Juan de Letran alumnus and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas D.D., after being elected to head the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) at the Pope Pius XI Catholic Center on July 7. “I felt declining because I did not see myself equal to the task but the senior bishops encouraged me to just accept it, and [I know] they will help me, and the grace of God will be there, so I accepted [the position],” said the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin’s former secretary. Villegas also differentiated that heading CBCP is not heading a corporation or a country. He said: “It’s not me setting the agenda. The bishops set their agenda and my duty after the meeting is to speak in behalf of them. Facilitate the discussion, summarize the discussion as needed. I cannot say that I have some missions and plans.”
Letran Bids PAGE 10
Admin tweaks offices Marjorie Malabad
((CHANGE LEAD))
Among the newly established offices is the Letran Center for Culture and Sports (LCCS), which was formed to focus on the development of cultural and sports affairs of the Colegio. However, the Office of the Student Affairs and Cultural Affairs (Osaca) was divided due to the number of Recognized Student Organizations that it facilitates. As a result, the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) and Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) were formed. Under the LCCS are three offices: the Office of Athletics, supervised by Fr. Victor C. Calvo, O.P.; the Office of Sports Development headed by Fr. Conrado N.
Marra, O.P.; and OCA, headed by Asst. Prof. Edna M. Marco. The Rector’s main purpose of establishing new offices is to strengthen the cultural aspect of Letran and to focus not only in the academic affairs. “I am happy with the decision that the Rector made. This way, they [cultural groups] will have space or home where they can rehearse conveniently. It is more accessible; when I need everybody or I have to give instructions, it’s easy for me to gather them,” Marco said. According to OSA Director Louie Benedict Ignacio, Letran is one of the Dominican campuses under the Dominican Province of the Philippines Incorporated (DPPI). As such, the LCCS was
formed to fulfill DPPI’s mission to bring out the dimensions of arts, science, and technology and an emphasis in culture and sports. The new offices will retain their previous objectives and functions: the Office of Athletics will supervise sporting events and the training of athletes; the Office of Sports Development will focus on the spiritual and personal development of athletes; and the Office of Cultural Affairs aims to strengthen the performing arts through coordination with music and dance trainers.
Living with the Colegio’s noble ideals According to Villegas, Letran had done a lot to his religious formation from being gentle to having good manners. The newly elected president also shared that Letran trained him to never forget a few essentials in his pocket. “I never leave without handkerchief in my pocket and without rosary in the other pocket,” Villegas said adding: “Letran taught me that the handkerchief in your pocket is a sign that you’re a Knight—that you’re a gentle Knight. The other pocket contains a rosary, because Letran taught me that, in addition to being a gentleman, you are a child of the Blessed Virgin. [Letran] and Cardinal Sin also taught me that love of country is but another expression of our love for God.” Alumnus PAGE 3