Dear Sis,
At some point since you began your sorority life, you and I must have shared a personal moment together, be it at a party where we danced like high school girls, or at a videoke bar where we sang like pros (well at least I’d like to believe so). You and I must have attended a sorority meeting where we have either agreed or violently opposed on a certain matter. We may have had seemingly irreconcilable differences too. We may have found our outreach activities and teambuilding seminars absolutely fulfilling or utterly dull. We must have shared bonding moments at our HQ during the Bar Operations or the more typical "tsismisan stop-over" at the halls of Beda or at the law library. I must have spilled a genuinely hilarious joke and you must have laughed at it real hard (I wish!). Whatever, wherever and whenever that moment is, I really enjoyed and treasure it, and so I look forward to sharing that moment with you again and again and again.
Born to a family who aridly envisioned a sorority as a mere group of popular girls whose concerns were less important than the purpose for which I was sent to school, I never thought I’d feel the need to join one. But since day one in Beda, I got my share of recruitment tactical speeches. And yes I’ve been convinced since day one that survival in law school would require having a support group who can rally with you as you face the daily difficulties, academically and emotionally speaking, which law school has in stored for us. It was only until two of my closest girlfriends (Jaja and Nadine) were already members of SRJ that I decided to jump in.
Like everyone else, I was also once a neophyte. But my desire to become a member shown by my active involvement during the service week was not enough to prove myself worthy. I was given an emotionally burdensome task which I would rather not talk about, but which I was able to surpass with much pride. So please accept my sincerest apologies for being the thorn amidst the cotton-soft treatment you supposed you’d get during the service week and the final rites. Like I always say, we are only playing roles.
Of course you know that by now. You’ve hurdled the enigma of instigation but along with my apologies, please be reminded of the lessons learned during the whole initiation process. Remember that you excruciatingly recited the pledge over and over, even as you cried for pain.
So what exactly am I driving at? I wanted to take this opportunity to speak to you about how we may nourish the commitment we all pledged to offer.
After barely four months since I assumed this post, we’ve had several activities and I think it’s safe to say that all were generally successful, but there is more to do. There is a lot more to accomplish.
As a proud member of your exalted sorority, do not find satisfaction in merely listening whilst you attend the meetings. Do not content yourself in simply signing up for attendance during the activities to maintain your active status. You have the responsibility to take part, to share your thoughts and visions, to lend a helping hand, to make your presence felt. Listen to Clemmer: "Get passionate or get out."
Ever heard of the Victimitis Virus? You have it if you ask questions like "How can I actively participate with SRJ events when I have plenty of reading assignments due for my afternoon class?" How about the widely but not favorably known "we-they" mentality? You have it when you tell yourself "I’d rather not go if my friends won’t".
Let’s admit it, we might have been infected with it, at one time or another. Or some may still be carrying the virus or the false mentality. When confronted with such, you only have two options: you either snap out of it because you pledged to get involved unconditionally, or you may simply ignore the call of duty. If you choose the latter, please be kind enough to let me know. I hate twiddling my thumbs and repeating myself.
The good news is, the doors are wide-opened. Take a moment to recognize your faults, what you have done wrong and what you have not done to uphold your vow. I shall do the same, and I won’t mind if you tell me if I have gravely abused my discretion. I am among you. It just so happened that a body has to have a head.
Let’s yield to our burning desire to do more, to achieve more. There is no divine secret of sisterhood to speak of. Let’s just endeavor to avoid ‘I’m sorries’ and utter more "SRJ Best!" as we turn our dreams into reality. Be there when duty calls… never doze off.
Sis, we’re just starting. Even now, as I envision the pitfalls along our path to success, a shiver runs through my veins. Be not afraid to fall in love, and that means having the desire to see SRJ grow to its full potential.
I am hoping for your heartfelt consideration.
Be ever and always: SORORITAS REGINAE JURIS!
*** This is actually LP Joyz’s blog entry in her multiply site ( www.JoyceFelisa.multiply.com ). I asked her if I could re-post this in here and good thing she consented.
Although this was written months ago, I think (as every sorority have) this is an ever-growing problem within us… I am not pinpointing on anyone, but may this open letter serve us a reminder of our pledge to Sororitas. I would like to still believe that each and everyone of us still remembers it…
Long Live Sororitas, Long Live the Queens!
