The DLSU Centennial Set

On June 17, Friday, at the Manila Metropolitan Museum, De La Salle University (DLSU) will launch the DLSU Centennial Set, a limited edition of 17 books representative of the scholarly output of the university’s faculty and students.

The books are part of a series of publications celebrating the centennial of DLSU. They are aimed at informing readers of DLSU’s contributions to national and international development in the 20th century.

The Centennial Set consists primarily of books recounting the history of DLSU and books summarizing in non-specialist language some of the research projects funded by DLSU’s University Research Coordinating Office.

These are the titles included in the Centennial Set:

1. De La Salle University in the Republic of the Philippines’ Brothers’ District, written by the late Brother Andrew Gonzalez FSC, published by C&E Publishing.

2. De La Salle University: The Early Years, by Cirilo F. Bautista, published by C&E Publishing.

3. From the Blood of Martyrs: 25 Years of the Rebuilding and Development of De La Salle College (1946-1971), by Marjorie M. Evasco, published by C&E Publishing.

4. The Fellowship Lectures, edited by Susan M. Gallardo, published by Central Book Supply.

5. Dadaanin, edited by Alwin C. Aguirre and Ernesto V. Carandang II, published by Anvil Publishing.

6. Isandaang Taon ng Pamantasan, Isandaang Taon ng Nakaraan, Isandaang Haiku, by Tereso S. Tullao Jr. , published by Phoenix Publishing House.

7. A Treat of 100 Short Stories, edited by Gerardo Z. Torres, published by Anvil Publishing.

8. 100 Poems, by Cirilo F. Bautista, selected by Santiago B. Villafania, published by Central Book Supply.

9. Sagurong: 100 na Kontemporanyong Rawitdawit sa Manlainlain na Tataramon Bikol, edited by Paz Verdades M. Santos and Kristian Sendon Cordero, published by Vibal Foundation.

10. Selected Studies in Environment and Health, edited by Exaltacion E. Lamberte, published by Central Book Supply.

11. Rethinking Perspectives and Practices: Moving Out of Poverty in Cities, by Exaltacion E. Lamberte, published by Central Book Supply.

12. Filipino Colonial Legacy and History, edited by Ferdinand D. Dagmang, published by Central Book Supply.

13. Studies in Religion and Theology: Issues and Perspectives, edited by Rito V. Baring, published by Central Book Supply.

14. Feminista: Gender, Race and Class in the Philippines, edited by Noelle Leslie G. de la Cruz and Jeane C. Peracullo, published by Anvil Publishing.

15. Issues and Trends in Applied Linguistics in the Philippines, edited by Shirley N. Dita, published by Anvil Publishing.

16. Promoting Philippine Enterprise Development, edited by Andrea L. Santiago, published by C&E Publishing.

17. The De La Salle University Press, by Agnes P. Malcampo, published by Central Book Supply.

During the launching, buyers of the set will receive a CD containing a year-by-year account of the history of DLSU, prepared by the DLSU Archives.

Also to be launched on June 17 are two books not included in the Centennial Set because of their size: Names and Faces of People: Collected Stories, by Vic H. Groyon Jr., published by C&E Publishing, and Lasang Lasallian, edited by Nonon Villaluz Carandang and Rakki E. Sison-Buban, published by Central Book Supply.

The Centennial Set is the latest product of the innovative business model adapted by DLSU to publish books. Realizing that its core competency is doing research and not marketing nor selling books, DLSU formed a consortium of the leading commercial publishers in the country and now publishes academic books through them.

During the launching, DLSU alumna Cynthia Patag will lead the singing of the National Anthem and the DLSU Alma Mater Song. DLSU alumnus Edu Manzano and DLSU faculty member Anne Frances Sangil will emcee the program. DLSU alumni Rannie Raymundo and Edmund Maceda, former members of Kundirana, will render musical numbers.

Brothers Ricardo Laguda, Narciso Erguiza, and Bernard Oca will speak during the program. As Executive Publisher of the Academic Publications Office of DLSU, I shall talk about the books to be launched.

Books that were pre-sold at P15,000 per set will be distributed to the buyers during the launching. Please email me in case you are interested in buying one of the few sets available for sale during the launching, at the launching price of P20,000 per set.

ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR K-12: The K in “K to 12” started this week. DepEd, CHED, TESDA, and other concerned agencies are hard at work putting the final touches on the entire K-12 curriculum. (Only the curriculum for K was finished in time for opening of classes.)

Adding two years to basic education is only one of President Noynoy Aquino’s 10 promises on education, but K-12 will help fulfill at least eight of the rest: ensuring pre-schooling for all children, reinserting technical education in high school, making every child a reader at the end of Grade 1, improving the proficiency of students in science and mathematics, increasing government assistance to private schools, using three languages as medium of instruction (mother tongue, Filipino, and English), improving the quality of textbooks, and encouraging local governments to build schools.

DepEd has not ignored the perennial problems that beset our educational system, such as the lack of classrooms, desks, and trained teachers, but the momentum that K-12 has generated has made it easier for government to solve these age-old problems.