Farewell Message of Br. Armin Luistro FSC

Farewell Message of Br. Armin Luistro FSC

30 June 2016

Dear teachers and parents, administrators and staff, education partners and stakeholders:

Not too long ago—six years to be exact—I remember making those first cautious steps as I entered the hallowed halls of our Bulwagan ng Karunungan here at the DepED Central Office in Pasig where I received the department’s colors from my predecessor. At noontime today, I will return home to my community of De La Salle Brothers to be assigned to yet to another ministry still in education after a year of sabbatical.

At the start of my term, I was so stricken by the quixotic ideal to serve and change the system. At times I would be driven with a messianic complex and seek to be the savior of 47,000+ schools. I can’t help but take things personally when I would read about the travails of a student who would have to walk miles daily or the predicaments of a debt-ridden teacher on whom an extended family depends. Faced with the biggest bureaucracy in the Philippine government, it dawned on me after a while that I would end up disheartened if I even tried to singlehandedly overhaul the educational system just so I can leave my imprint in the department.

Br. Armin Luistro FSC

Br. Armin Luistro FSC (Day 49)

by Rey Laguda

(This is the 49th day of 50-day journey of DepEd Undersecretary Rey Laguda as being serialized here with his permission, culled from his Facebook account - Blogger/owner)

It is simply difficult to describe Br. Armin Luistro FSC in a single post. To talk about Br. Armin for the last six years, will probably require a lifetime. I remember when I first met him almost thirty years ago when I expressed my intent to apply for the La Salle Brothers’ Aspirancy program. He advised me that vocation should not be solely anchored on the admiration of persons that we see in Brothers. In short, I was rejected. But it turned out to be a crucial milestone in my life that has led me to where I am today. And I must share with Br. Armin that what he said is not always true. The irony is that my admiration for him and his leadership is what has sustained me all these six years.

Br. Armin is the only DepEd Secretary who has finished a full six-year term since 1986. In fact the last senior officials who stayed for six years or more as Secretary were Onofre D. Corpuz and Juan Manuel during the Marcos Presidency. This is critical when you look at education reforms as requiring a long-term view to take root, grow and bear fruit.

On July 1, 2010, he picked me up early before going to the DepEd central office. He gave me very little information since there was no benefit of a transition briefing prior to his assumption. By mid-morning, he was already hot copy for making a statement about media not being helpful after being badgered by questions on sex education. Imagine forcing him to give an opinion just a few hours after the Agency flag turnover. After an hour, we left to head to Malacanang. But before getting there, we passed by Rafael Palma High School along Zobel Roxas St. That was our first official school visit. Nobody really knew who we were. But what struck me was when a SPED teacher approached him. She said she was a graduate of DLSU and that she was so happy hearing that Br. accepted the post. She was in tears.