SLU Through the Years

See those buildings in the picture above? You might be wondering what those buildings are for and what they're called. Collectively, this group of buildings is called Saint Louis University, the main campus to be exact. Each of those buildings have their own purpose. One for engineering, one for medicine, one for law, etc. SLU is one of the top schools in Northern Luzon, Philippines.

SLU has been around for 100 years, with it celebrating its 100th anniversary this December 2010, just one month before it really turns 100, which is 2011. So, if you do the math, SLU began in 1911.

The SLU Centennial Logo

Before I share the details, let me tell how SLU began. After all, to know something better, you must know where it came from. So, let's begin.

During the 19th century, a certain priest from Belgium named Fr. Théophile Verbist founded the Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae (Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, or CICM for short), a missionary congregation located in Scheut, a suburb near Brussels.

   

Fr. Theophile Verbist

During 1907, CICM missionaries arrived in the Philippines and settled down in Benguet, with a mission to Christianize the locals. In 1911, Rev. Fr. Seraphin Devesse established a small one-room elementary school, which he named Saint Louis School in honor of St. Aloysius de Gonzaga, the school's patron saint, for young kids. As time passed by, this small school grew and grew, eventually branching out into elementary, high school, and college. Many rectors and presidents of this institution have come and gone, with Fr. Jessie Hechanova as its current president. CICM also established other sister schools in different parts of Luzon, but our main focus here is in SLU.

Let's go back to the present. SLU is now a big school. Although, it is not just a school. It is an entire community of people with a common goal: to teach not only the usual topics at school such as math or science but also good morality and Christian values, since it is a Catholic school. I have to say, they're quite good at it.

Saint Louis University is known as the Light of the North. It has four core values: competence, creativity, Christian spirit, and social involvement. The school, in its teachings, have instilled these values into its 30,000+ students for the past 100 years. One of the unique "trademarks" of this school is its logo (as shown below). It's so recognizable, that just one look makes you say, "Ah, that person's a Louisian." What does the logo mean, anyway? Well, according to the official website of SLU:

"The colors of Saint Louis University are white and blue, the colors of the Blessed Virgin Mary. White symbolizes the earth and man. Blue signifies heaven and God. The big golden cross in the middle of the shield represents the Christian faith that the school aims to spread to all corners of the earth symbolized by the four small crosses.

Superimposed on the golden cross is the stylized lily that is associated with Saint Aloysius (Louis) de Gonzaga, the patron saint of the school. The big sword across the shield expresses vigilance and perseverance. The rugged mountains behind the sword signify the obstacles that SLU strives to surpass in bringing the light of truth in the darkness of ignorance.

The year 1911 shows the foundation date while the motto on the lower part of the seal, 'Sapientia Aedificat', expresses the belief of its founders that 'wisdom builds'."

The SLU Logo

Now, SLU is divided into 3: SLU-LES (Laboratory Elementary School), SLU-LHS (Lab. High School; the one where I am now) and Saint Louis University (formerly Saint Louis College). Based on personal experience, I really enjoyed studying in both SLU-LES and LHS. I plan to go to SLU (the college one), but that's beside the point.

SLU Laboratory Elementary School

SLU Laboratory High School (1st Year Building)

Learning in SLU is a fun experience. It's very enjoyable and fulfilling (well, only so if you do well, otherwise, it won't be so nice). After 100 years of quality education and service, SLU is still one heck of an awesome school. Here's to a fulfilling 100 years, SLU!

Where I Got the Pics and Other Material:
http://www.sluicm.org/images/slu1.jpg
http://www.oriens.or.jp/topics/img/souritu.jpg
http://www.slu.edu.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=145
http://photos.friendster.com/photos/76/51/10361567/4780016633633m.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixu9lVO5C9CKh1CteciQLYCJiTri6c0unZUNMreFCid6WMnccBs1QFf-5kExTtNoXXYLEt4zSFJch7dgC9l_ZmLG4ScV8U4dTq76ju7vt59P-7gkt5X8RXV5nfGXvzd0a6NugCaI02oumj/s730/buhay+les.JPG
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqvGkBAOiJUmEQBs2OjjQLO9ZyXD_7yT8YpZAIWg54AmJ9Qdgrxr3wl4A14j0F9BriA38a-y8gIQMx44YBlo5UouPEg-vaX6qoouc_QT_nHVZxh_nB1notnZ_4WrTxbKJE2v09kvFSnQ/s220/SLU+CENTENNIAL+LOGO.jpg

SLU-LHS: My School, My Home

When I was in elementary, I was choosing where to go in high school. I thought pretty hard about it. My first choice was UB Science High because some of my classmates said that's where the smart ones go (stupid reason, right?). I even had my application form for that school filled up. But then, after talking to one of my friends who will go to Saint Louis University Laboratory High School (SLU-LHS for short), I began to have second thoughts. Am I really gonna go to a different school from the one I grew up in? Being a Louisian at heart, that's when I decided to go to SLU-LHS instead. And boy was that one of the best decisions I made in my life so far.

One of my cousins, who was once a student of LHS, told me that this particular school was fun and exciting, and that the way of teaching is pretty similar to that of LES, so that was one of the factors that made me choose this school.  When I first stepped in SLU-LHS, I felt right at home, even though it's a totally different campus from the one I once studied in. Maybe it's because of the familiar white-and-blue uniform or the lingering presence of St. Aloysius (the school's patron saint) that made me feel this way. The time I entered the gates, I saw so many faces, both old and new. I saw that most of my old friends were there, which made me more excited about entering high school.

My parents told me that high school is one of the most fun, if not THE most fun, parts of the student's time in school. Truth be told, I was a bit nervous (okay, very nervous) in entering high school, a totally brand-new, different territory. But now, entering my third year in high school, I stand to be corrected. My parents were right all along.

My stay here in SLU-LHS is a roller-coaster of emotions, experience and truly unforgettable memories. It is where I met many people, both familiar and new. It is where I met old friends, made new ones and learned a lot of lessons.

What made my stay here in LHS so fun and exciting is that, like I said, I feel right at home here. The people I have met, whether they be friends, schoolmates or teachers, have added life and color to the monotony of school. Despite my teachers in elementary saying that the teachers in high school are "terror teachers", I see the complete opposite of that. The teachers here are awesome. They're fun, easy to approach, and so easy to get along with. It's as if they're like friends to us students. At first, they may look intimidating, but once you get to know them, they're not so bad after all.

My friends here in LHS have been a very important part in my life here, so much that they have become part of what I am now. If it weren't for them, my high school life would be so boring. They help me break the monotony of studying and frequent school work. Not only that, I also learn from them, but not in an educational way. It's more like they affect the way I act, think and speak. All I could say is, they are the friends any student would love to have.

Of course, school wouldn't be school if there were no lessons and lectures. You could say SLU-LHS is a typical high school. But what makes it different from other schools is how these lessons are presented. Even boring topics such as electron configuration or trigonometry are made fun by the fun teachers and my equally fun classmates. There isn't a day when not a single laugh can be heard in school. Every day, there is always something fun happening in LHS, whether it be as simple as teasing and joking between friends or as huge and important as the Intramurals, one of the most well-kept traditions of SLU.

They say school is one's second home. It's very true. School is part of one's growing up, and it is where one learns a lot, helping them prepare for the biggest test of all: the test of life. Despite many hardships and trials I have faced in this school, the good things and experiences I've had far outweigh the bad ones. Because of this, SLU-LHS is, and will always be (until I graduate, anyway), my school and my home, one I am very proud of and one I will cherish for all of my life.

SLU: An Unforgettable Place

Sapientia Aedificat. It is a Latin phrase which translates to "Wisdom builds" in English. And how true it is. Wisdom has helped mankind develop. Wisdom is what made Plato, Socrates and Aristotle famous. Wisdom is one of the building blocks of human progress. One school has this Latin phrase as its motto. Part of its goal is to give the youth the wisdom to help build society into a place where everyone can live harmoniously with one another. What's this school, you ask? It's none other than my school, Saint Louis University.

Saint Louis University (SLU for short) is a prestigious school, possibly one of the best, here in the Philippines, specifically in Northern Luzon. Known as the Light of the North, it has served many people and produced many excellent students for the past 100 years. This now-expansive educational institution started out with humble origins. In 1907, CICM missionaries from Belgium came to the Philippines to "Christianize" the northern part of the country. Four years later, in 1911, Rev. Fr. Seraphin Devesse, with the help of the locals, created a small school, which he named Saint Louis School, for young children. Eventually, it grew larger and accepted more students.

Fast forward to 2010. What was once a small school for 10 students is now a huge educational institution with more than 30,000 students from different parts of the country. Being one of those 30,000, I am very proud to be a Louisian at heart. Wearing the white-and-blue uniform makes me feel proud and confident, knowing that I am part of an awesome school and one of the "empowered stewards of the world". Want to know why? It's because this school has almost everything a student would expect from a great school. Awesome teachers, good facilities, staff that greet you with a smile, good food, fun activities and more. Heck, if I were to list all the good things I can see in this school, it would take up more than half of the page. I come from a family of Louisians, almost every relative of mine from my father's side graduating from SLU. It's safe to say they too feel proud of their beloved school.

The SLU Centennial is a once-in-a-lifetime event, one I am very willing to participate in. By the time I post this blog, it will be 55 days until what could be the most anticipated event in SLU history. The road to the SLU Centennial is a pretty long one, with the big day(s) on December 4 & 5. This event is called "Centennial Handog ng SLU sa Baguio". I can tell, it will be one heck of a party. After all, a birthday isn't without a party to go along with it, right?

Being in SLU has given me many memories, memories that I will treasure forever. It has formed me into what I am now. My personality is greatly influenced by the people I meet in this school. It has left an indelible mark in my mind, and in my heart. The people I've met here in SLU, my friends, teachers, classmates, schoolmates, all of them became a huge part of my growth not only as a student, but as a person. I will never forget the times I have had here, whether they be good or bad, the lessons I've learned, and the many experiences I have had during my stay here in this institution. This post is my gift to SLU on its 100th birthday. I know it's just a small gift. I know it's not enough to completely repay what SLU has done for me. I hope, someday, someone out there will be able to read this, and hopefully, the name "Saint Louis University" will be well-known throughout the land.