As
students of the University of San Carlos, we are challenged to become persons
who manifest the very principles of the institution. We are expected to become
an epitome of the vision and mission of the university which are integrated in
everything that we learn in school. There is hope that as we go out from the
four corners of the institution we embody the academic education of the Society
of the Divine Word. And that through this identity, we send a message to the
world of what a Carolinian truly is.
But we can never deny that as the years go by and as the world constantly
change, our perception about things and about reality also changes. And thus we
ask - Has our understanding of the vision and mission of the University changed
with time? Is there such a thing as “A Modern Carolinian”? Are we deviating
from the tradition of the Society of the Divine Word as we go through the
Digital Age?
These
are just few of the questions that might have crossed our minds when the
Fashion Issue of the Lex Obiter was released. To some of us, it might be just
an ordinary magazine made out of glossy paper with a stunning cover girl.
Others might take it simply as a source of general information. But there might
also be few individuals who see the Fashion Issue as a threat to how the
interpretation of students with regards the USC vision and mission has evolved.
Is
the Concept and Overall Presentation of the Fashion Issue of the Lex Obiter
reflective of the vision of the USC of a True Carolinian?
The fox told the prince that “it is only through the heart that one can see
clearly. What is essential is invisible to the naked eye.” But the Lex Obiter
says otherwise – it is screaming aesthetics, diamonds, physical beauty,
sparkle, gloss, presentation, attention. It attracts the eyes. It draws your
attention as it pulls you, screaming into your face “grab me and read me.” If
you don’t know what Lex Obiter is, you might even think that it is one of the
top commercially sold fashion and living magazines in the country.
But isn’t that amazing? The college publication is being at par with those
magazines we see in stores. The Lex Obiter is exhibiting competence of students
when it comes to aesthetics and presentation of thoughts. But Lex Obiter has
gone beyond its limits. It is a treading towards the unfamiliar – the
unfamiliar which is very dangerous and very destructive. And we all know that a
wise man knows his limits and he never tries to put a square peg in a round
hole.
The
publication team is commendable for the passion that they have poured into
developing the fashion issue but they have failed to integrate the simplicity
and quality that the university has taught us. Real beauty is found not in
glitz and glamor. It is found in the heart and in one’s passion to continually
learn so that he may share his learning to those who are greatly in need. And
Fashion is but a minor concern of the average human being. Besides, we are only
expected to be presentable in our everyday dealings. There is no demand for us
to be fashionable - and being presentable and fashionable are two different
things.
Does
the Fashion Issue embody scientia,
virtus, devotio?
A competent
professional, a virtuous exemplar and a dedicated advocate – these are the
attributes that the university are molding us to have. Through the various
activities and lessons that we earn everyday, a Carolinian graduate is expected
in the real world to become a competent individual who dedicatedly offers himself
to his chosen profession so that he may always be of service to others. He is a
professional who puts his heart into what he does so that he may be able to
contribute something that would be beneficial not only to his profession but
most specially to the beneficiaries of his service.
There is a great demand in every Carolinian to always look into the very
essence of things and to move away from the temporary splendor that the world
offers. The university is in a mission of molding students who can look into
the very core of society and can be sympathetic to the needy. The university
aims to develop students who see wealth and fame as merely incidental to the
services that he offers. Because a Carolinian graduate is always ready to serve
others and is at all times willing to lend a hand.
Unfortunately, the Fashion Issue failed to embody scientia, virtus and devotio. It deviated from the long tradition of
SVD education. It merely presented a thin layer of the Carolinian culture and
have given more emphasis to what is superficial.
There
is nothing wrong in choosing to live in the present as well as appreciating the
trend of today. Besides, we are all challenged to adapt to the changing times
as the face of the society changes with it. But we can never sacrifice our
tradition and our very identity as Carolinians just because the world has
changed. Because despite the changing times and despite the change in our
strategies and approach to the world, still our very purpose as individual
remains. This purpose has been embedded in us in our many years of stay in the
university. This has been inculcated in our minds and in our hearts. And
that reason for existence – that purpose - is the very soul of a Carolinian.
Does
it help you become witness to the word?
Fashion
is fleeting. Physical beauty fades. Technology is fast paced. But those that
are essential and those that makes us more human are those that we can hold on
throughout our lifetime.
Witnessing
the word entails becoming a living testimony of the goodness, love and
compassion of our savior Jesus Christ. It entails that we live following his
footsteps as He say “carry your cross and follow me.” Serving others might seem
to look simple in the eyes of some people but it is a task that requires
sacrifice, passion and patience.
The
Fashion Issue of the Lex Obiter was unsatisfactory in inspiring every Law
student to become witness to the world. It failed in keeping the fire of every
law student passionately burning for service and justice. It failed to show the
students the beauty of being of service to others by being committed to the
path one has chosen. It failed to present to future lawyers a vision of the
broken world that is waiting for them. It failed to show to the students that
we are studying and struggling each day to learn so that we can be of better
help to our countrymen. It failed to present to each one of us that after all
it is not how we look or what we wear that defines us but rather it is how we
interact with others and how we help them preserve their dignity. It failed in
sending the message that we are not what we wear but we are what we do and what
we think.
***
A
Carolinian graduate is a man of competence, dedication, conviction, compassion
and commitment. A Carolinian is a man who despite his honor and great acclaim
has firmly rooted his feet on the ground. A Carolinian is not loud. He is not
proud. He is not a diamond. He is not a gem. Rather, a Carolinian is an oyster
that with its heart produces a pearl that keeps every man amazed with wonder -
an oyster that despite its struggle produces a pearl that gives everyone
the opportunity to look up and thank the Lord for a beautiful world.
“Go for quality and never ever be loud. Howsoever one
would interpret that,
whether in their ways or their clothes. They should project the
image of a person of substance and relevance without trying so hard to look the
part.”
-Dean Joan S. Largo -
December 2, 2013
Is
it the world that molded me? Or am I the one who molded the world? Or maybe an
interplay between me as an individual molded by the circumstances surrounding
me and my actions toward the world that I am currently in.