C.S. Lewis once said...All joy emphasizes our pilgrim status; always reminds, beckons, awakens desire. Our best havings are wantings. 

In my case, I didn’t realize that I was wanting to serve the institution that had served me so well throughout my life and that having the opportunity to do so in a deeper, more meaningful way would take me on this challenging, exciting, fulfilling journey.

In February 2007, just as my term as President of the De La Salle Alumni Association was coming to an end, I was invited to be a delegate of De La Salle University (Manila) to participate in a series of activities leading up to the Philippine Lasallian Family Convocation of 2008.  I vividly recall the letter invitation from Br. Armin Luistro FSC, then President of DLSU, Manila.  He wrote, that if I accepted that I should remain with the entire process that will end in May 2008 (some 15 months after). And thus began my journey of more than a decade as a Lasallian Partner.

During the Philippine Lasallian Family Convocation of 2008, I was elected a member of the Lasallian Partners Council. During my first term, I learned more about Lasallian Guiding Principles, Lasallian identity and core values, the strategic intents and capability building measures for the next seven years and actively participated in the Lasallian Community Appreciation and Reflective Study or LS CARES.  Sometime in 2010 and 2011, I participated in the study on the "Lasallianess" of our schools.  Teams of Lasallian partners and Brothers visited all sixteen (16) DLSP schools to participate in the self-reflection study.

In 2013, I was invited by Br. Victor Franco FSC to join the La Salle Green Hills Board of Trustees.  I became more deeply involved in the stewardship and governance of the school. where I've spent my most memorable years of high school.  I got actively involved in areas of finance, accounting, information systems, and other areas to help ensure the sustainability and good governance of the school.  Sometime in 2014, my involvement grew with another invitation to join the Board of De La Salle Araneta University.  I was happy to join the committees on Finance and Advancement.

I was looking forward to complete my term as LPC member in 2015, when I was invited again to participate in the Philippine Lasallian Family Convocation of May 2015; I thought a fitting end to my LPC engagement.  But towards the end of the convocation, I was surprised to be re-elected as LPC member and at our first meeting, I was asked to serve as Chairman of the LPC.

Looking back on the past twelve years, I am reminded of the Founder's personal reflection and emphatic words: "If God had revealed to me the good that could be accomplished by this institute, and had likewise made known to me the trials and sufferings which would accompany it, my courage would have failed me, and I would never have undertaken it." 

In my case, I have not experienced trials nor sufferings comparable to what the Founder endured, but the work were at times heavy and demanding. But I am truly thankful to have been given the opportunity to serve and be part of this wonderful Lasallian Mission of educating the young, especially those most in need.

After all these years,   I am beginning to understand what it truly means to be a Lasallian.  I see myself as a pilgrim on a continuing spiritual journey of grace, growth and gratitude for the greater good and the greatest God.