Rivals, really?

Here in the Philippines, the top two educational institutions are De La Salle University and the Ateneo de Manila University. I'm a Green Archer. Well, I was practically raised to be one! Ever since I was three, I was being brought to La Salle. Ask some of those who are still working in DLSU, they'd probably know me from when I was little and running around the campus! 

Anyway, when DLSU and ADMU comes to mind, we'd always think UAAP basketball, rivalries, the corporations making huge money out of those games, stuff like that! It's actually been blown out of proportion in many instances. As in exaggerated na talaga sometimes!

But if there's one thing that GK really taught me, it's to transcend factors that cause divisiveness in society. And so I value Ateneo's part in nation-building. If anything, hats off to Ateneo because they're really doing great at what they're doing (shout out to GK Ateneo friends!) and that I could only wish for La Salle to take Ateneo's example. What's the point of being achievers for God and country if we couldn't even really live up to it, right? 

One very fine day as I reported in the office, I got news that I was being made to work with Ateneo. It really made me feel absolutely excited! If anything, it made my job more interesting because I always was with the same people almost every week. Another reason is because I would love to have the opportunity to work with them because I want to take notes on how they did the things they've done already! And the most exciting part of it is that we're teaming up for the Bayani Challenge! I didn't even plan on going to Palawan because of grad school, but I was told that I should take charge. Leave the rivalry in the court. Well, this mattered more to me than any rivalry. It was about uniting in the face of poverty and so many other challenges to this country! (although now, my problem is actually finding participants! haha!)

I mean, WOW! For the longest time, DLSU and ADMU are always on opposite sides. But now, it's our time to show what it means to be Lasallian or Atenean. It's not about us. It's about helping the country rise. It's about sharing the privilege of being Lasallian or Atenean to be a blessing to others. :) 

I always take inspiration from this video:

This was one of the first GK videos which has truly inspired me to serve. First, because EDSA is something close to my heart. Second and most importantly, it's the message delivered by Kuya Greg which can be heard towards the end of the video...

"People used to think that the greatest enemy of La Salle was Ateneo, and that the greatest enemy of Ateneo was La Salle. But the people were wrong. The greatest enemy of Ateneo and La Salle is poverty, and this is the greatest enemy of all Filipinos! And we must now unite and build a new nation free from slums, violence and poverty! Now the youth of my generation are saying, we're tired of praying for this country. We want to become the answer to our country's prayer!" - Greg Mercado

And wow, what a dream we're realizing. What a prayer we're answering.