Lasallians mourn the loss of Santiago "Sonny" Alvarez Jr. [Update 2]

Photo from Sir Sonny's Facebook profile.

Photo from Sir Sonny's Facebook profile.

The Philippine Lasallian Family mourns the passing of Santiago "Sonny" Alvarez Jr. (De La Salle College High School 1964) yesterday, 2 August, sometime between 5:30-5:45pm. Papa Archer, as he was affectionately called, was the Sports Director at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

His remains lie in state at the National Shrine of the Divine Child, La Salle Green Hills.

Below are the scheduled Masses (as of 3 August, 3:42pm): 

 

3 August, Saturday

8:00pm - Sports Council (Sponsor)

4 August, Sunday

10:00am  - De La Salle Brothers (Sponsor)

4:00pm -  Alvarez Family (Sponsor)

8:00pm - Servants of the Good Shepherd Community (Sponsor)

5 August, Monday

3:00pm - De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (Sponsor)

8:00pm - De La Salle Alumni Association (Sponsor)

6 August, Tuesday

10:00am - Mass of Resurrection
 Internment: Manila Memorial, Sucat, Parañaque

 

Lasallians have taken to social media to pay their respects. Below are some tweets in honor of their Papa Archer. 

 

Update 1:   Added schedule of Masses and corrected interment details.

Update 2: Updated Mass Scheduled as of 3 August, 3:42pm

Br. Bernard S. Oca FSC: The Eighth President of DLSZ

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Br. Bernard S. Oca FSC, or Br. Bernie, was officially inducted as the eighth President of De La Salle Santiago Zobel School (DLSZ) during the solemnity of the birth of St. John the Baptist last 24 June 2013. The occasion was graced by one of the sisters of the president, Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, members of the DLSZ Board of Trustees, De La Salle Brothers, alumni, parents, students, Lasallian Partners and distinguished guests. 

A Eucharistic Celebration, presided by Msgr. Rufino Suplido, preceded the Installation Rite. Br. Armin Luistro FSC, Department of Education Secretary and former DLSZ President, read the letter of appointment that was signed by the Chairman of the DLSZ Board of Trustees, Br. Jose Mari Jimenez FSC. It was followed by the Presentation of the Presidential Medal. Julia Therese P. Sabitsana (DLSZ 2025), one of DLSZ’s Brother President Scholars, carried the medal. Br. Dennis Magbanua FSC, outgoing DLSZ President, then bestowed the medal to Br. Bernie. Br. Armin administered the Oath of Office while Jay La Salle, a Br. Rafael Donato FSC Night High School student, held the Bible for Br. Bernie.

The acceptance speech of Br. Bernie highlighted President Corazon C. Aquino as his source of inspiration. He was inspired by her selfless response to God’s call to serve our country when she took on Ninoy Aquino’s fight for democracy. He stressed a correlation between being a nationalist and a Lasallian; that DLSZ, as a Catholic institution, should form saints and heroes or heroines who will contribute to the betterment of our country. 

Br. Bernie animatedly invited Br. Armin, to also impart some words. Br. Armin eagerly agreed and shared his experience during one of his school visitations around the country. He emphasized the importance of having a decent school that the youth deserves. DLSZ, as one of the premier schools in the Philippines, is blessed enough that it should continue St. John Baptist de La Salle’s mission to serve the deprived sectors of our community.

In the parting, Br. Bernie expressed his gratitude to Br. Dennis for handing him an already excellent school. With his remarkable experience as a Lasallian educator and leader, it allows him to hit the ground running and continue to lead in forming “Christian achievers for God and country”.

Distinguished Teacher, Dr. RA

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Dr. Romeo P. Ariniego, FPCP, FPCC, former vice president for academics of De La Salle Health Sciences Institute and one of the most revered faculty and former dean of the College of Medicine was conferred the Distinguished Teacher Award 2013 last 29 May 2013, during the 44th Annual Convention of the Philippine Heart Association. 

For most of the College of Medicine’s alumni, the award couldn’t be more fitting for the mentor they lovingly call “Dr. RA”. As a teacher of medicine, he has left significant marks in many of past and current DLSHSI faculty and administrators; they always talk about him with respect, affection, and admiration. Known to be always ready to crack his whip during teaching rounds for students who fail to know by heart their patient’s condition, Dr. RA is also a caring and concerned mentor who does not hesitate to help students in need. For years now, his home and his extensive medicine library has been open to scholars who need a place to stay and who want to learn with the doctor. His clinic always has the longest queue of patients of all ages – and conditions – at De La Salle University Medical Center. 

Dr. RA has now donated said home to the De La Salle Health Sciences Institute to ensure that DLSHSI scholars will always have a place to stay even after he is gone. He also gave a very sizable donation for the construction of the DLSHSI library, which was named in his honor. Asked why he chose to donate for the construction of the library, Dr. RA said, “I know how important a library is especially for poor students. Throughout my years of studying, I survived because of the kind librarians who were lenient when it came to my borrowing of books because they knew I didn’t have the money to buy my own copies.”

Dr. RA is also a popular champion of the DLSHSI support staff. In 2007, he established an endowment fund to support the children of support staff who want to become doctors. This scholarship fund currently benefits a medical student who is the daughter of a DLSHSI staff. 

Despite all the accolades he has received – Distinguished Service Award from the Philippine Heart Association, National Lorenzo M. Tañada CHIMES Award from De La Salle Philippines, and the International Health Professional distinction – Dr. RA remains the same compassionate man who up to this day, receives gifts of fruits, crops, and chickens from his patients in lieu of a consultation or professional fee.