Br. Armin Luistro’s messages for the nation

On Dec. 7 Br. Armin Luistro FSC was awarded the Bukas Palad Award by the Ateneo de Manila University at its Traditional University Awards. The award is significant and appreciated because Br. Armin is from De La Salle University, which is considered Ateneo’s  premier academic and rival competitor.

Br. Armin is the 28th Superior General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. He is the first Asian to hold this position. For the layman, this means that he is the head of all the La Salle Brothers around the world.

He has more than 34 years of experience in both the private and public sectors. He was secretary of the Department of Education from June 2010 to 2016. Previously, he led De La Salle University, where he was president from April 2004 to June 2010.

Although Br. Armin’s speech was quite serious, there was humor as he began. He obviously referred to the age-old rivalry between the La Salle Green Archers and the Ateneo Blue Eagles. He referred to the recent basketball game when La Salle won the UAAP championship. “What a wonderful feeling, last night as you lit up the Gesu in green, you proved that brotherhood shines brighter than competition. But let’s not talk about basketball. This Green Archer comes today in peace with arrows secure in his back quiver, cap withdrawn in fraternal obeisance and heart profoundly grateful for this uplifting recognition.”

He delivered his acceptance speech in Filipino which we loosely translated for the purpose of the readers of this column.

The meat of the speech was divided into three messages, which are especially relevant in today’s times. The first message was centered on one for the youth. The second was a plea for the motherland. The third was a reminder of God’s message for all of us. 

Maging bukas palad para sa kabataan (Be generous to the youth).

The message in this section is that caring for the youth is inherent in the hearts of Filipinos and yet, Br. Armin relates the heartbreaking story of Kian Loyd de los Santos, who was shot while kneeling and pleading. 

This reminded me that we have not brought proper closure to the infamous war on drugs. 

Br. Armin talked of the violence against the youth globally,