Named in memory of the prominent Filipino figure and businessman, Don Andres Soriano, the De La Salle Andres Soriano Memorial College (DLS ASMC) is a district school established by the De La Salle Brothers in Lutopan, Toledo City, Cebu.
In 2011, De La Salle ASMC was one with the entire Lasallian community in celebrating a hundred years of presence in the Philippines. In June 1911, on Calle Nozaleda in Paco, Manila, De La Salle kicked off its vibrant existence among the Filipinos. This commemorated the foundation of the La Salle Brothers community in the Philippines.
The school, which was then named the Andres Soriano Memorial School – La Salle (ASMS – La Salle), was established at the request of the prominent Soriano family to Brother Philip Nelan FSC, who was the Sub-Provincial of the Philippine Sub-District during that time. The family’s request was made on behalf of the eminent company, Atlas Consolidated Mining Development Corporation. The school officially opened its doors in 1965.
The De La Salle Brothers continue to supervise the school through contacts and participate in formal contracts. In 1995, the school became a District Affiliate School by the District Council of the De La Salle Brothers in the Philippines. The Commission on Higher Education granted the school college status in 2000, and in 2004, ASMS – La Salle was adopted by the De La Salle Brothers community at Green Hills as its outreach school. It was accepted as a District School by a decision of the District Council and the National Mission Council of De La Salle Philippines in July 2006.
De La Salle ASMC students are guided by the maxim “Ad Deum Per Fidem, Mores, Cultura” (which translates to “To God Through Faith, Morals, and Culture” in English). The school’s colors are white and green, as stated in the De La Salle community’s Alma Mater Hymn:
Hail, Hail
Alma Mater,
Hail to De La Salle!
We’ll hold your banner high and bright,
A shield of green and white,
We’ll fight to keep your glory bright,
And never shall we fail,
Hail to thee our Alma Mater!
Hail! Hail! Hail!
The uniforms also abide by the school colors. The female students wear a white blouse with a flat collar and the school seal, a green pleated skirt, white socks, and a pair of black shoes. The skirt has to be longer than knee-length. Female high school students also wear a green tie. The male students wear a white polo shirt with the school seal, brown khaki pants, white socks, and black shoes.
De La Salle ASMC has three core subjects, specifically Math, English, and Science. According to the school, their curriculum is at least a year advanced compared to those of public schools. As for their college courses, ASMC currently offers Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED).
The school also has a number of activities lined up every school year. Every 19th day of July, De La Salle ASMC commemorates their Foundation Day. A mass at the Brother Thomas Cannon Center (BTCC) starts the celebration and in the evening a Variety Show is hosted. “Buwan ng Wika” or the “National Language Month” is celebrated every August. The school honors the Filipino culture and dress up in the national costumes, such as the baro’t saya for the girls and the barong tagalong for the boys. In December, the Prince and Princess Coronation Night is conducted, where students perform dance routines, a school play and other presentations. Book Fairs are also conducted in their auditorium. The Graduation Ceremony is conducted every March. The Seniors or the graduating fourth year high school students wear white graduation gowns while the graduating sixth graders wear green graduation gowns.
Apart from the academic activities, the school also conducts “camporees” for the girl scouts and boy scouts. They also give interested students Leadership Trainings, wherein the students spend one to three days camped in school in order to learn about the basics of great leadership. There are also several educational school tours for each grade level. Recollections and retreats for spiritual growth are also conducted. If a student is a member of any of several organizations, they may also be required to participate in organization-related activities and events.
For more information regarding De La Salle ASMC, you can check out their official Web site at http://www.dlsasmc.com or visit the De La Salle University Web site at http://www.dlsu.edu.ph. You may also contact De La Salle ASMC through their phone number (032)325-2026.
The 6.9 hectare college site is specifically located at Brgy. Don Andres Soriano (DAS), in Lutopan, Toledo City. To get to De La Salle ASMC from Cebu City, you can ride a V-hire at Citi Link Transit Station located at Pahina Central, in Cebu City. We also recommend taking a bus heading towards Toledo at the South Bus Terminal. For those who will be using private vehicles, you can head south via V. Rama Ave., turning right onto N. Bacalso Ave. and continuing on through the Cebu South Road. After the Tabunok – Toledo Road, continue traveling via the National Highway until you arrive at Brgy. DAS, Lutopan.
