Tanglaw University Center

Ms. Mitzie Icasiano visited Tanglaw University Center last November 12 to give a talk entitled “Revisiting our Roots: The Museum Experience”. The talk centered on two points. The first focused on the seeking and finding of one’s roots with the goal of falling in love with one’s country.  She stressed the importance of knowing our past as a nation and explained that here lies a sure foundation of today’s nation-building.

Reading of our history was highlighted. This, according to her, is a necessary step to knowing our past in order to love and understand our people more and eventually love the Filipino nation.

But she said that reading is only step 1, and logically, the next would be “to walk it”. This is materialized by visiting museums in the country, for as the speaker put it, the museum experience validates and reinforces what we have gathered from reading. But the experience would be as good as one prepares for it; hence, the need for reading.

Among the museums that she recommended, the following are a must-see:

Ayala Museum for its Gold Collection

The National Museum for the Manunggul jar and Spolarium

Lopez Museum for its Hidalgo-Luna Collection

Intramuros to have a feel of the Spanish era

Bahay Tsinoy and Yuchengco Museum for the Chinese in the Philippines

She ended by saying that love of country is performative and visiting our museums is a concrete way of doing it. And she also suggested that important shrines and heritage sites be frequented because attached with these treasures are the memories of our past which serve as reminders of the greatness of this nation and its people, a sentiment that is almost wanting in many of us.

October 6, 2011 was the 46^th anniversary of the arrival of the women members of Opus Dei in the Philippines. Lali Sastre, one of the first three women graced ETC with her presence on that day.

She recounted her encounters with the founder particularly on the day when he gave them the blessing before leaving for the Philippines. She said that meeting a saint was really a one-of-a-kind experience.

With very little knowledge of the country and of the language, but with a lot of faith, she and the two other set out for the Far East. Save for a few mishaps which she laughingly recalls, they survived and Tanglaw is witness to that. It is one of the Center they have put up to provide formation for young women.

Also in the get together was Annie Ranoa. She recalled meeting Opus Dei members for the first time while teaching at UP and was deeply impressed with their cheerfulness. Not long after, she joined Opus Dei, becoming one of the first few Filipina members.

Annie also stressed the role of the Administration in Opus Dei –referring to the staff who supervises the material upkeep of the Centers-.  Early on, she did not have any qualms giving up teaching to dedicate herself to work in the Administration. She explained that this work is like that of a good mother who looks after all the details in the home, making sure that the meals are served on time, clothes are laundered well, the house is kept tidy, and the children are well taken care of.

Forty six years after, it was clear to see that the sense of Divine Adventure is still very much present in these wonderful ladies.  An enticing adventure indeed.