THE UNIVERSITY welcomed almost 7,000 students in its basic education units with this year’s “ALAB,” the onboarding rites for Education High School (EHS), Junior High School (JHS), and Senior High School (SHS), on Aug. 7 at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Based on Aug. 5 data from the Office of the Registrar, there were 335 students enrolled in EHS, 36 in EHS Senior High School, 1,437 in JHS, and 5,152 in SHS.
The ALAB had three parts: a welcome Mass, an orientation, and welcome walk.
UST Senior High School Regent Fr. Ermito De Sagon, O.P. called on students to define their dreams and live with passion amid a world of distractions, during the Mass for basic education freshmen.
“Saint Dominic had a passion for the Gospels and for the preaching of the Gospels. Saint Thomas had a passion for the truth. Ikaw, what is your passion?” De Sagon asked during his homily.
De Sagon reminded them that their time in high school is short, and that now is the time to reflect on such aspirations.
“Dapat ‘yong passion ninyo is about your dream. Alam niyo ba kung ano ‘yong dream n’yo? Maliwanag ba kung ano ‘yong dream n’yo para sa sarili?” the regent asked.
The event title “ALAB,” according to De Sagon, is a Filipino word meaning “flame” or “blaze” that serves as a reminder that students must live with burning passion and urgency.
“That is why…this orientation is named ALAB – to remind you that you have to have some passion kasi maiksi lang ang panahon. You should have passion for something,” he added.
De Sagon cautioned the students against distractions of daily life, especially the culture of gossip, which he said has worsened in the modern era.
“Karamihan ng tao ngayon, ang passion kasi ng Pilipino, sabi, pastime ng Pilipino, chismis. Noong unang panahon ‘yon. Ngayon, mas bumilis dahil sa social media,” he added.
Instead of spreading gossip, negativity, or complaints, students should be passionate about sharing valuable and meaningful blessings with others, he said.
“Mabuti kung you share your food, you share your ideas, you share your talents,” he said.
De Sagon expressed hope that the University would be able to help students visualize their dreams and finish their studies with a clearer sense of purpose.
“We just hope that in your stay with us, after like senior high, after two years, the shape of your dream has been crystallized,” he said.
