Cogs in the Wheel: The Letran 400

Colegio de Letran, as most of our readers know, is the oldest college in the Philippines and the second oldest in all of Asia. It is a highly respected Dominican College, founded by Friars of the “Order of Preachers” in 1620 in Intramuros. The school has produced seven Philippine presidents, revolutionary heroes, poets, legislators, members of the clergy, jurists, and it is one of the only Philippine schools that has produced several Catholic saints who lived and studied on its campus, such as Vietnamese Saint Vicente Liem de la Paz.

In a spectacular celebration last March 23rd at the New World Makati Hotel, the college recognized 400 of its most distinguished alumni that it named as “Great Men and Women,” one for each of its 400 years of service. 350 of those have already passed on, but fifty are living legends, remarkable men and women of outstanding accomplishment and service to society, the country and the world. Each was awarded a specially cast bronze “Letran 400 Medallion.”

The Rotary Club of Manila stands alone as having three of these prominent “Knights,” living legends of Letran, among its members. In alphabetical order, the three are: Sir Knight PP/SDG Frank Evaristo, Sir Knight Dir Bobby Joseph, and Sir Knight Co Chairman Program Rtn. Jackie Rodriguez. Manila Rotarians stand proud. Four (4) from our ranks made it to the Four Hundred (400) Legendary Knights of all time.

Programs Committee Co-Chair Rtn. Jack Rodriguez, SDG Frank Evaristo and Dir. Bobby Joseph were among the fifty (50) living among the four hundred (400) legendary Letran Knights. The awards were presented by Rev. Fr. Clarence Victor C. Marquez, OP, SThD, the Rector and President of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran. They were recognized in a posh event of the college at the New World Makati Hotel in Makati City last March 23, 2017. They count among the ranks of many of our country's heroes and Past Presidents who belong to the legendary 400 fold and who were all blessed with the benefit of a holistic Catholic education at the said school which count among the gems in the history of Philippine Education.

Gentlemen, your colleagues in RCM are very proud, indeed. May your selfless dedication to Letran's principles of commitment to the triune ideal of god, country and school continue to serve as an example to all. We join the school in recognizing true knights of the modern realm. Congratulations and Mabuhay!