Ateneo vs. Lasalle: What's the Fuss All About

My brother's son wants to enroll in a BS Biology course at De La Salle University, while my sister's son would like to take up International Business Course at the Ateneo De Manila. So we're kidding the cousins, that even if they are buddies now, they might end up as rivals later. The two just shrug this off since not one of them is athletic, anyway. They are more the "nerdy" types, minus the stereotype look.

Having graduated from the University of Batangas (formerly Western Philippine Colleges), spending my entire years of college in the province, and ending up a member of a theater group in school (I also wanted to become a volleyball player -- but I could not make the ball go over the other side), I was, and still am totally clueless as to what the fuss is all about regarding the LaSalle-Ateneo "rivalry". (Besides why should I care now since I'm soooo overage for this trivial matter).

But my impending involvement in the studies of my nephew is what made me curious to watch RIVALRY, the musical. During the teaser presentation to the media, I thought maybe this was a waste of time, since what I saw were girls swooning over a LaSallian, and I thought, ok, so typical. Marynollers swooning over cute Lasalle guys: I have better things to do.

Of course, until I saw the entire play.

Hands down, this original musical is entertaining. But besides entertainment, I was inspired (yes, that's the word, because I know there's hope for my dream of finishing a musical myself). Yehey!!! Filipinos doing world class musicals! Congratulations to all, but especially to the lyricist because I think that the lyrics of each song form a seamless tapestry. First, the audience empathized with the characters as they "listened" to the story, and maybe less so, if they merely "watched" a non-musical. Needless to say, the material lends itself to music and superbly conveys its message in apt melodic ways. Second, the play succeeds in sharing a slice of life that has a personal but universal message. RIVALRY the musical, enlarges what I think about abundant life (read: good life in the biblical sense, see John 10:10).

Obviously, rivalries do not happen only between a Lasallian and an Atenean, although it's strong among young people who are fiercely loyal to their school. In the PANA competition in 2011, I watched the final presentation of eight ad campaign entries about eating vegetables by eight bright groups of students. Ateneo won fourth place in that competition, Lyceum of the Philippines third, Assumption, second, and UP first. Lasalle wasn't even in the competition. But before that final contest, I saw how the pressure mounted on my niece as she spent many sleepless nights with her group mates to perfect their pieces. There was great pressure to firm up all creative wits and juices in order to best the "biggies" that were UP and Ateneo. (And the Assumptionistas didn't think the Lyceum of the Philippines counted).

In that exercise, I saw the future of my niece: this competitive, young lass, focused and organized to the point of obsessive compulsiveness, is going to be a major player in the marketing world.

I remember her while watching RIVALRY. When she was into her campaigns, I was really concerned that it was taking its toll on her. (But in fact, in spite of the challenges, she enjoyed the exercise tremendously). In RIVALRY, I almost pitied the LaSallian and the Atenean star basketball players. It seemed as if they were almost without choice but to be rivals, and were expected to forge on and outdo each other without a second look on how this was going to be accomplished.

The polar opposite of rivalry is harmony. But without rivalry, how would we know what harmony means? In the play RIVALRY, there is that bright glint of blessing the exercise, without coddling it. The play had it all on a negative premise at the beginning, but onwards, it actually pushes RIVALRY's positive aspects. Whatever happens inside the university or wherever, whatever competition you're into, being in it should make you a better, not a bitter individual. This is summing up the play's core, and yet, there are other layers of meaning: Living in harmony with your fiercest rivals does not mean maintaining peace by opting to not talk to each other. It means nurturing peace in your soul, being happy for the other person, wanting to be there when that person needs you, and all these without compromising your talents and gifts.

In the real world, there will always be temptations to step on another person's toes, to ignore sensitivities, to become like fearless gladiators, in order to win. RIVALRY, the musical does not downplay the fact that in order to win, one must exercise discipline and self-sacrifice. However, the point of view is that these are mere elements - negotiable aspects that should be used to demonstrate kindness and generosity of spirit. Whatever the field of competition, the real deal is whether the hearts of its players mature in the process, whether their spirits transcend the present harsh realities, and whether they rise up to become great individuals who leave lasting legacies.