2020 declared year for Letran’s 400th-anniversary celebration

FILE: Colegio de San Juan de Letran, St. John the Baptist Building (Photo by Scandi/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has declared 2020 as the year for the celebration of the 400th founding anniversary of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran.

Duterte signed Proclamation 908, declaring 2020 as “Year for the Celebration of the Quadricentennial Anniversary of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran.”

The Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Intramuros, Manila is one of the oldest academic institutions in the country that was founded in 1620 by Don Juan Geronimo Guerrero, a retired Spanish officer, and Diego Santa Maria, a Dominican lay brother.

“The State recognizes the Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s contributions to our history and nation-building, through the formation of individuals who have excelled in various fields, including national heroes, leaders, and artists, as well as through community services to the poor and needy,” read the proclamation dated February 21 and released on Friday.

Since Letran’s establishment in 1620, it has survived wars and calamities and remained true to its commitment to pursue knowledge and excellence by producing stalwarts in the fields of medicine, sports, media and entertainment, business, and public service.

Letran kicked off its quadricentennial celebration in November 2016 and has since been celebrating it with special events, homecomings, and tributes to alumni who have been part of weaving the school’s long and colorful history.

The celebrations are divided into four phases, which cover four important parts of Letran’s story.

The first phase is about the past, looking back in what has transpired, the Orgullosos De Tu Historia (Proud of your History).

On the other hand, the second year is about the present, which focuses on sharing the blessings or the Tantos Hombres y Mujeres Ilustres Formar (Forming Many Illustrious Men and Women).

The third phase dwells on the future, on looking forward to renewal or the Conquistar Nuevas Glorias (Conquering New Glories).

The last phase of Letran’s celebration is about perpetuity or Como El Sol es tu Gloria Sin Fin (Like the Sun, Your Glory is Without End).