For the past few months, Ateneo and La Salle figured in numerous wars in various courts in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. But with the country up against an invisible opponent in the coronavirus (COVID-19), the age-old rivals are joining hands.
The Jesuits (Society of Jesus) and the De La Salle Brothers have joined forces to raise funds for the vulnerable communities affected by the enhanced community quarantine in a campaign called “Let’s Work Together To Fight, COVID-19!”
The Jesuits and the De La Salle Brothers founded Ateneo and La Salle, respectively.
Both Ateneo and La Salle have done their part in helping the country in this crisis.
De La Salle University, together with Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center, opened the doors of the Razon Sports Complex and College of Saint Benilde’s covered courts to the homeless of Manila City, providing them shelter and food.
Ateneo de Manila University also opened its dormitories to the medical frontliners.
“I appreciated the shelters, so the first thing that crossed my mind was to help,” Philippine Jesuit Provincial Fr. Jun Viray, SJ.
“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.'”
“A little conversation between myself and Father 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,” added DLSU President Bro. Armin Luistro, FSC.
“And that’s the story of our love life with the Jesuits in the time of COVID-19.”
As of April 15, “Let’s Work Together To Fight, COVID-19!” has raised PHP 10,000,000 that will feed almost 500 homeless individuals and 6,000 urban poor families.
Food packs at the Ateneo de Manila University Covered Courts that will be distributed to the vulnerable families in Metro Manila. (Fr. Bien Cruz, SJ)
To join the cause, one can send their donations to the following accounts:
For Ateneo*:
METROBANK
Account name: Tanging Yaman Foundation, Inc.
Metrobank Peso Checking Account Number: 448-7-44800988-9
BPI
Account name: Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan
BPI Peso Checking Account Number: 3081-1111-61
*For proper acknowledgment, kindly send photo of the deposit slip to [email protected]
For De La Salle**:
RCBC
Account name: De La Salle Brothers, Inc.
Account number: 7590-569081
Security Bank:
Account name: De La Salle Brothers, Inc.
Account number: 0000014366500
BPI:
Account name: De La Salle Brothers, Inc.
Account number: 3103-3749-86
**GCash and PayMaya donations may also be transferred online to any of the above bank accounts
