FROM THE MARGINS

There is a line from the Broadway musical Hamilton that I really like.  In his final soliloquy, Alexander Hamilton says, “Legacy. What is legacy? It’s planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.” This profound statement reminds me of Bro. James Dunne, SJ, beloved director of the Ateneo de San Pablo (AdSP).  His transformational leadership and genuine concern for disadvantaged students is an inspiration to many of us AdSP alumni. 

Bro. Dunne, as he was fondly called, was assigned to AdSP in 1966 to teach English and Religion to first year high school students. He stayed in San Pablo for 12 years, becoming AdSP director from 1972 until its closure in 1978 after the Jesuit Order donated the campus lot to the Diocese of San Pablo. Bro. Dunne was so loved by the community that he was made an honorary citizen of San Pablo City.  He was the moderator of Rotary Club’s Interact for Youth and every Saturday morning, he trained poor boys in marathon running around Sampaloc Lake. He was people-centered: always working hard but carving out time to spend with his fellow-Rotarians, his runners, students, faculty and friends.  Even years after his transfer to Ateneo de Manila, he always attended AdSP reunions and returned to San Pablo City to be with friends and former students.

Lasting legacy

It is clear from looking at many AdSP alumni that Bro. Dunne’s ‘seeds’ have taken root and flourished. In 2014, the enduring inspiration drawn from his teachings led the AdSP Class of 1973, with the support of Class 1966, to establish the Brother James P. Dunne, S.J., Scholars Association, Inc. (BJDSA).  They pioneered the creation of a scholarship and educational fund for the economically-disadvantaged high school students of San Pablo City, Laguna.  It is a living tribute to Bro. Dunne’s tireless efforts to support the educational pursuits of underprivileged students during his tenure as AdSP Director.
To date, BJDSA has supported many high school scholars and sponsored several programs to help the youth become responsible leaders, mindful of others and appreciative of our culture and history.  They sponsor cultural shows in San Pablo City and educational tours for students to visit historical places in Manila and Laguna.  They also support fellowship activities among scholars and alumni to foster continuous engagement and capacity-building.

Youth leadership camp

Last Nov. 24 to 26, I attended BJDSA’s First Youth Leadership Camp, hosted by the CARD MRI Development Institute (CMDI) in its Bay campus. Forty-two youth leaders and eight teachers from twelve schools in San Pablo City and Bay, Laguna attended.  With the theme, “Dare to Dream, Dare to Lead,” the camp aimed to improve youth leadership skills and encourage them towards greater community involvement. 

There was a very good line-up of speakers, including former Ambassador Romy Manalo, who talked about the history of BJDSA and the importance of leadership. Justice Pablito Perez, represented by his son, Atty. Reggie Perez, spoke about the qualities of a good leader, while Msgr. Jerry Bitoon discussed values for daily living. Seasoned journalist Rolly Inciong talked about effective communication techniques for leaders, while CARD Publishing Deputy Director Cyrene Lubigan taught participants how to employ social media for youth advocacies. Multi-awarded youth leader Gary Ayuste discussed networking for youth empowerment, while I spoke about knowing oneself before knowing others with oneness of purpose. We all advised the young leaders to not be afraid to work for the betterment of society. 

The inspirational speaker was actor Dingdong Dantes, who advocated education, climate action, and disaster resilience when he was Commissioner-at-Large of the National Youth Commission. A charismatic speaker, Dingdong sent a very powerful message to the youth. He said that to attain success, one must have passion, discernment and commitment. He spoke of endeavors beyond his showbiz career, such as founding YesPinoy, a foundation that fosters responsible citizen participation and resilience. We learned that he is also an entrepreneur, having founded Dingdong PH-Powered by RiderKo,  a tech and logistics startup that employs 10,000 riders. He has left an indelible mark in the memories of the youth and the 200 attendees that day.

Community involvement

The three-day live-in camp is not all talk. It is about community impact, like many things inspired by Bro. Dunne. Its highlight was the participants’ proposed community projects. 

The proposals presented by student leaders from the 12 participating schools are impressive, ranging from projects on student advocacy, student learning, community engagement, collaboration with other school organizations, and others in response to current issues like environment and health.  Later on, the BJDSA will choose which of those proposals will be funded – planting new seeds in the fertile garden of societal good that Bro. Dunne started many decades ago.

* * *
 “A teacher affects eternity, and can never tell where the influence stops.” - Henry Adams

(Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip is a poverty eradication advocate. He is the founder of the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development Mutually-Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI).)