In a warm and cozy get-together at Clarion Hotel in Parramatta last November, De La Salle [University] alumni gathered for their alma mater’s centennial anniversary. Surrounded by La Sallites in various shades of green, there was absolutely no mistaking you were at a La Salle event. Whether intentional or coincidental, even the drinks provided on the tables were pitchers of lime, a hint of green and a sip could have turned anyone green.
The music and AV presentation took you back for a nostalgic tour of the De La Sale Taft school grounds and scenes from those drum-beating, point crunching, boisterous NCAA days were shown. With clenched fists and arms thrust up high, the boys in green sang their alma mater song “Hail, hail to De La Salle.” The animo spirit was alive and thriving as President Edu Davila did the centennial welcome for the present alumni, friends and dignitaries.
Special guests included the Philippine Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis and her husband, Gerard Louis both of whom were De La Salle alumni; La Salle Brothers Ed Orillia, Parish Priest of St. Joachim Parish, Lidcombe and Brother Maclachy Yates, Chaplain of La Salle Oakhill College who provided the audience “nuggets of wisdom” reminding the alumni of the school’s ideals and of brotherhood – the old mentoring the young. La Salle now boasts of having their educational influence in 80 countries around the globe.
In her speech, Consul General Louis [said] such occasion was “a good opportunity to establish links with the community.” “These are times that bond us together in foreign shores,” she added. She also congratulated the DLSUAA for taking on the challenge to partake and contribute to the Philippine Government’s “Ten-Ten Moves” project aimed at raising funds to build much needed classrooms back home.
Providing the musical interlude was Dexter De Rosa who did nothing less than astound the crowd with his fantastic vocals. And just as the lyrics of the song that resonated all night revealed, “hmmm…better green than blue.” And I dare say, it sure was! –www.filipin-oz.com