UST RECTOR Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. said the University welcomed anew the Lumad for Thomasians to develop a sense of shared humanity as they help in educating the minority group.
Dagohoy met with the Lumad representatives on Friday as part of the activities for the week-long “Lumad Bakwit School” in UST, a project of the UST-Simbahayan and Save Our Schools Network.
READ: UST welcomes Lumad for Bakwit School
“We are here to respond as an educational institution. Our capacity to influence may be limited, but not in terms of helping the minds of these young Lumad. Freeing their minds from ignorance is our mission,” Dagohoy said.
Dagohoy urged Thomasians to listen to the narratives of the Lumad during their weeklong stay in the University to understand issues the minority group faces back in Mindanao.
“Maraming paraan ng pagtulong at [pakikiisa]. Kailangan lang talaga nating marinig ang kwento ng mga taong ito, to listen to their struggles…kasi kapag nakipag-kapwa ka, ang kasunod ay pag-kilos,” Dagohoy said.
This year’s Bakwit School activities include “enhancement classes” and “interactive sessions” led by volunteer students and faculty members.
The University’s Central Seminary Gymnasium houses 70 Lumad representatives until Sept 17.
