The Jesuits and the De La Salle Brothers in the Philippines have joined hands to raise funds for people affected by the coronavirus disease. Together, they have raised more than $200,000 (10 million Philippine pesos) to feed around 500 homeless individuals staying in safe shelters and more than 6,000 urban poor families in Metro Manila.
The Jesuits and the De La Salle Brothers run two of the biggest schools in the country, Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University, respectively. The two schools are fierce sports rivals in the athletic conference known as the UAAP. Indeed, the Covid-19 pandemic knows no competition and reminds us of our ability to come together in times of great need.
De La Salle University was one of the first schools to provide a safe shelter for the homeless around Manila when the government announced an enhanced community quarantine over the whole island of Luzon on 17 March.
“I appreciated the shelters, so the first thing that crossed my mind was to help,” said Philippine Jesuit Provincial Fr Primitivo “Jun” Viray SJ in an interview with the local press. “The Ateneo alumni, those in business, said they’d like to help. I told them ‘let’s raise money together with our friends – which means also La Salle friends,’” he said.
“A little conversation between myself and Fr Jun created a spark that is more explosive than UAAP that allowed us to say, maybe this is the time to work together rather than compete. And that’s the story of our love life with the Jesuits in the time of Covid-19,” said Br Armin Luistro FSC, President of De La Salle University and Visitor of the Lasallian East Asia District.
The funds raised from donations of the alumni of both schools support the Bayanihan Musikahan, an online concert series led by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab. To date, the initiative has raised more than $800,000 (40 million Philippine pesos) and reached over 16,000 urban poor families in Metro Manila.
“I’m very proud of our alumni who can transcend the rivalry and come together. If this were music, we’re not really rivals, we’re counterpoint to each other. When counterpoints come together in harmony, you create music,” said Br Luistro.
Besides the joint fundraising drive, Ateneo de Manila University is also spearheading a fundraising campaign to provide protective equipment for health care workers and food packs for families who have been affected by the loss of jobs.
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