Animo, La Salle! These celebs are certified Lasallians with the true spirit of ‘faith and zeal’
“Animo, La Salle!” is the battle cry of the De La Salle University (DLSU) community, derived from the 325-year “animo” or spirit of “faith and zeal” of the Lasallian Brothers.
But beyond the loud chants filling the DLSU stadiums and the Mall of Asia arena during UAAP championships, the Lasallian spirit of faith and zeal are emblematic, not just of the university’s identity for the last 110 years, but also of the people it has produced—Filipinos who are passionate and devoted to the work they do.
As we welcome a new batch of Lasallian graduates this year, let us look back at some famous celebrities who graduated with flying green and white colors in the past.
CARLA ABELLANA
GMA actress Carla Abellana graduated cum laude from DLSU Manila with a degree in Psychology.
Before she delved into acting, she began her career as a commercial model and even became a model for Bench. It was in 2009 when she got her first major role as Rosalinda, the lead role of the Mexican telenovela remake of the same name on GMA. From then on, her career continued to blossom as she worked on more series, films and reality shows with the network, even until today.
IYA VILLANIA-ARELLANO
The 35-year-old TV host and former ABS-CBN actress finished AB Psychology in 2009 from DLSU Manila.
Now a Kapuso star and also a mother, she is currently more into lifestyle programs, as she hosts talk show Mars Pa More, cooking show Eat Well, Live Well. Stay Well, and anchors the showbiz segment of the GMA’s evening newscast 24 Oras.
DREW ARELLANO
Iya's husband, Drew Arellano, also graduated from DLSU. The TV host and former actor took up Marketing Management as his course in the Manila campus. Despite sharing the same campus with her wife, the couple only met in 2003 on the set of the GMA network show Click, where they were paired as Sydney and Gilbert.
Drew is busy with his travel show Biyahe ni Drew, while juggling his time as a father of three.
ENCHONG DEE
Ernest Lorenzo “Enchong” Dee took up Developmental Studies at DLSU and earned medals and accomplishments for the university as a varsity swimmer, one of which was when he won the championships in UAAP Season 72 and ended DLSU's six-year title drought.
As brand endorser and co-owner of homegrown restaurant Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken on branches of Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken and Sauce Bar, Enchong has said running a business helped him use the things he’ve learned from his stay in his alma mater.
EDU MANZANO
The veteran actor and politician was a loyal Lasallian, graduating grade school in 1969 and high school in 1972 at La Salle Green Hills (LSGH) in Mandaluyong. He then took up Economics in DLSU Manila and was a member of the Green Archers’ basketball team and captain of the university judo team at his time.
Since his return to ABS-CBN in 2018, he has been on a roll with his acting career in the network as Vice President Lucas Cabrera in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, Dr. Claudio Jacinto in 24/7, and Emilio in an upcoming light family drama, Marry You, Marry Me.
KITCHIE NADAL
The alternative/pop-rock singer proves that she is not just for the arts, as she graduated from DLSU Manila with a double major in Psychology and Education.
She then established her name as one of the most known female soloists in OPM in 2004 with her debut album, Kitchie Nadal. Among her most popular songs were Same Ground, Bulong, and Huwag na Huwag Mong Sasabihin, which became the most-played OPM single in 2004 and earned her numerous awards.
Kitchie, along with fellow pop rock icons Barbie Almalbis and Aia de Leon, has been performing as a trio since 2016, when they first mounted their "Secrets" concert series.
GARY VALENCIANO
“Mr. Pure Energy” himself completed his grade school and high school at LSGH in 1978 and 1982, respectively. However, he did not finish a degree as his career as an entertainer at 18 years old stalled his college education.
Gary V., 56 years old, has suffered from Type 1 diabetes since he was 14 years old. However, this did not stop him from continuing his career as a successful musician, an actor, and television host.
He currently has 37 best-selling albums, and has won 12 Awit Awards, which is the Philippine version of the Grammys, for Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist. Aside from music, he has also been UNICEF Philippines' National Ambassador since 1998.
As an alumni of the LSGH, he received the De La Salle Alumni Association Lasallian Achievement Awardee in Contemporary Music last 2007.
He has expressed his love for DLSU through his social media accounts, especially when the university stood in solidarity with ABS-CBN, Gary V's network, after its shutdown.
MARIAN RIVERA-DANTES
Primetime Queen Marian Rivera took up AB Psychology in DLSU Dasmariñas.
The Spanish-Filipina actress began as a commercial model for product endorsements, until she began being casted in afternoon TV soap operas and supporting roles in films. It was in 2007 when she landed the lead role of Marimar in GMA's adaptation of the popular Mexican series of the same name, that she was launched into stardom following the show’s high ratings.
Now a wife of Dingdong Dantes and a mother of two, Marian has been recently focusing more on brand partnerships, as well as creating a brand of her own. She launched Flora Vida last year, where she sells preserved and dried flower bouquets, as well as rustic homewares with floral designs.
ISABELLE DAZA
The Filipina actress and model graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education from DLSU Manila. Prior to becoming an actress, Isabelle was a preschool teacher.
She has now taken a break from acting and is more active on Instagram. Her inclination toward children has been evident in some of her current projects, such as where she and her research team uploaded an animated story book on Instagram last 2020, helping kids understand the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recently, she also created a children's book titled Yaya Luning last January, where she shares her own story of growing up with a nanny and the dynamics of having a “yaya” in a family unit.
RYAN AGONCILLO
The Eat Bulaga host and husband of ABS-CBN star Judy Ann Santos is an alumni of DLSU Manila, who graduated with a degree in Organizational Communication. Before officially joining GMA, he appeared in television commercials at a young age and worked as a freelance host in his early years.
Ryan, with his wife Judy, opened the first branch of their restaurant Angrydobo near his alma mater, which he described as a business venture born out of a lovers’ quarrel. He now helps out in attending to their customers at Angrydobo online, inviting in customers with the same energy he delivers on Eat Bulaga every day.