EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY OF DON SALVADOR Z.

ARANETA

By: Dr. Ma. Corazon V. Tadena

The cornerstones of Dr. Salvador Araneta’s educational philosophy are contained in the
speeches he delivered during certain periods in his life as an educator, as president of the Araneta
University Foundation, now De La Salle Araneta University.

Training the Minds, Hands and Hearts

On his salutation address to the first graduates of the Araneta Institute of Agriculture in
March 1948 Dr. Salvador Araneta reminded the Deans and Faculty that by our fruits we shall be
judged by history. He professed although primarily the Institute is expected to train agricultural
scientists and successful farmers, they must not forget that they must train also the hearts of their
students and let their training reach the souls of their students

Dr. Araneta believed that the good qualities that are imparted are more important than the
knowledge that might be transmitted to them. He advised that the field and laboratory hours of
students shall be carefully planned out, in a way that their future problems and battles in life will be
reenacted and previewed. He added that, in agriculture courses where field and laboratory hours
take the greater time of the class, the professors have the greatest opportunity not only to transmit
knowledge but also to impart the qualities necessary for a successful career and a good citizenship. He
also wished that students and alumni should always remain close to the land, finding joy in being co-
partners with God in the creation of life, destined to become food-providers for their countrymen, and
that although they may not become famous but prayed that not a single one of them becomes
infamous.

On the graduation day in March 1948, Dr. Araneta wished the graduates a life fruitful of good
deeds and for them to be faithful stewards of the talents they have received from God.

Crowning Education with Love of God and Nation

In his inaugural address as the third President of the Araneta Institute of Agriculture on
March 24, 1956, Dr. Salvador Araneta professed his faith to GOD, COUNTRY, TO HUMANITY, TO
DEMOCRACY, TO THE YOUTH OF THE NATION, TO EDUCATION AND RESEARCH and to the
FUNDAMENTALITY OF AGRICULTURE. He emphasized that we must fight intellectual indolence
among our students, eradicate moral turpitude by disciplining their muscles, their hearts, their minds,
and their character and crowning their education with fire of love of God and nation.

Dr. Araneta believed that the discipline necessary for leadership, gentlemanliness, alertness,
responsibility, thriftiness and determination must be nurtured not so much by formal education, but
by constant example of correct attitudes on the campus, in the church, laboratories, in the fields, in all
extracurricular activities that should be fostered by the school to provide opportunities for character
building.
 Conscious of the need to provide a blended liberal-technical education that will produce
scientists as well as job-givers for the country, Dr. Araneta believed that only by patronizing research
shall we provide on the campus the necessary environment for training in the sciences and
advancement of agriculture. His concern for the agriculture is farsighted and based on the love for
our land, and the preservation of its basic and fundamental wealth-its soil, water and forest resources.

Dr. Araneta has faith in the youth and that they can take active role to play in nation building. His
faith in our youth is just the same faith of Jose Rizal who called them the fairest promise of our
fatherland. Because of that faith, Dr. Araneta dedicated his remaining years by participating actively
and directly in the moulding of youth by providing AIA conceived to train students the art and
science of cultivating the land. He led the management of AIA as an instrument of both education
and agriculture, an institution conceived for service to science, agriculture, youth, country and God.

EDUCATION IS NEVER ENDING PROCESS.

“If you wish to succeed in life, continue to grow spiritually, intellectually and socially,”
advised by Dr. Araneta to the graduating class of Araneta Institute of Agriculture in 1957. According
to him, one will achieve a more meaningful life by enriching his soul with a constant commune with
God through the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. By enriching the intellect, he meant that by
reading one can build a progressive life. By understanding people and knowing how to please them,
one can enjoy a hearty life.

Dr. Araneta repeated this advice to the graduates of the University in 1959, he said,
“Continue studying even after College; Please remember that man never remains the same. He
either moves forward or falls backward.” He explained that one does not necessarily have to go back
to the University to study but on the bigger campus of life itself. He should read books and
magazines; listen to associates and learn from them for learning should be a life-long endeavor.

Further, he advised that graduates to like our jobs for he who likes his job has the enthusiasm to
do his task well. It is he who gets promoted, not the griper, nor the man who dislikes his work.

“Stick to integrity and remain righteous” Dr. Araneta added. It demands the finest type of
discipline to remain righteous. Provided you have integrity, and are honest in all your dealings, and
people find that they can trust you, you will find that more and more responsibilities are thrown
upon you. When one weakens morally, he should turn to God to overcome temptation. Lastly, he
said, “Success without integrity is hollow and empty.”

TEACHING OF RELIGION IS TEACHING LOVE FOR GOD AND NEIGHBORS

In a speech delivered at the conference of Catholic Schools Association of Dagupan Diocese,

February 15, 1958, Dr. Araneta professed that prayer is important to attain intense love for Jesus
which is the essence of Religion. He stresses that prayer is necessary to be on the road to
sanctification which is the immediate end of Christian Education. He pointed out that prayer, mental
or silent prayer should take more importance not only in religion classes, but in all classrooms and in
all contacts with students. This explains why at Araneta University, classes start and end with a short
prayer.
 According to Dr. Araneta, Christian education must not be compartmentalized, into
education for God and education for country. Hence, our school cannot be a non-sectarian. We are a
Catholic school as stated in the Articles of incorporation and we do our best to be, by deeds, a
Catholic institution. In essence, according to Dr. Araneta, real and comprehensive education for God,
covers education for country and vice versa. And so the best way a student will learn his religion is by
practicing religion and teaching religion. He suggested that students in Catholic Schools should teach
religion in the public schools.

Dr. Araneta quoted F.J. Sheed on the teaching of Religion. According to Sheed, Religion is to be
taught not only to impart doctrine, but more to impart sanctity. The teacher is not simply handling
out information like a post office girl handling out stamps. The teacher must give herself with the
truth adhering. Corollary to this principle are the following suggestions made by Sheed:

1. The teacher must regard religion class as a kind of sacrament. This attitude would ouster
insincerity in teaching religion. The teacher must be well prepared for class and must
know and believe what he is teaching.
2. There should be no harshness in the class of Religion. If students learn nothing else from
their religion classes, let them learn and retain that religion is love. Sheed advises against
punishing students in Religion Class.
3. Religion is taught not only by what the teacher says, but also by what he is. The latter
form of teaching lasts longer and is more permanent.
4. A Religion teacher should be soaked in the New Testament
5. The teacher should not only be well-versed in the dogmas of the Church but be
possessed by the dogmas.

At this point, Dr. Araneta advised that teachers should teach their students to pray with the
mind, the mouth, the heart and the soul.

The Four L’s

Dr. Araneta reminded the graduates in 1960 to keep in mind the motto of their Alma Mater-
God and Country. To live that motto, remember the four L’s – Love, Labor, Loyalty and Leadership.

To love God and country, to labor for the glory of God, the welfare of our country and the
happiness of their family; to be loyal to the principles and teachings of the Alma Mater; and to
practice leadership in all their activities. He advised them to think boldly, plan carefully, act diligently,
perseveringly, and wisely.

The Four Absolutes

Dr. Araneta said that there are four absolute standards for human values just as there are for
engineering. These are: Absolute honesty, Absolute purity, absolute unselfishness, and absolute love.

Dr. Araneta commented that because we do not apply absolute standards to our living, society
is in danger to collapse. It has to be absolute because it is not a standard if it is not absolute.
 An honest apology is the best way to understanding, communication and peace. If nations do
not practice absolute honesty they will keep on suspecting each other.

Absolute purity inspires a great cleansing force through the nations. Absolute unselfishness
makes one nation experience greater joy in giving than in receiving.

Absolute love, not self-seeking but selfless love, makes the caring for people a more satisfying
experience.

Dr. Araneta explained that practicing the absolute standard is not difficult if one sincerely puts
himself in the presence of God and asks for daily guidance. In that way all his thoughts and actions are
in accordance with the will of God.

One will know that they come from God if they are in line with HONESTY, PURITY, UNSELFISHNESS, and
LOVE. If everyone practices the four absolutes then the world can be changed to a better place to live in.

Everyone wants to see the other persons change. Every nation wants to see the other nations change.
Everyone is waiting for others to begin. Dr. Araneta advised, “If you want an answer for the world, the
best place to start is with yourself.”

The change in ourselves starts when we can be honest, truthful, and humble with someone we want to
change. Only when we achieve a unity of soul, peace of mind and spirit can we build a new world.

THOROUGHNESS - an invaluable asset

In his message to the graduates of 1961, Dr. Araneta emphasized the value of thoroughness. He
shared his impression about the Japanese which he noted when he attended an Educators’ Conference
in Japan. He revealed that the Japanese do not have a keener intelligence than Filipinos, but that the
former are generally more thorough than the latter.

The value of thoroughness is difficult to impart in the classroom. Hence, to acquire this asset, he
encouraged the members of the faculty to organize and undertake small service projects to provide the
students practice on thoroughness.

It is most fortunate if one’s training takes place under efficient superiors. Thoroughness and
Efficiency can be acquired not only from superiors but also from workers in the job. So, when choosing
future employment, one should not consider the initial salary alone but the training he would get from
the job and the inspiration he would get from the boss.

THE FUNDAMENTAL LAW IN LIFE

During the incumbency of Dr. Araneta as President, he usually treated the graduates’ breakfast in his
residence, the White House as they call it.

In one of the traditional breakfasts in March 1962, he advised the graduates: From now on, be not on
the receiving end only but should start to be on the giving side of the world: to give yourselves to your
families, to your communities, to your Alma Mater, to your country and to God.
 Prayers must be of offering not only of petitions. For Don Salvador, we should ask God what we
can do for others to serve Him; by serving others, we would be serving God.

“Indeed,” Dr. Araneta said, “you have many things to give-your time, your expertise, your
services- you have your whole self to give. The sooner you start giving yourself, the sooner you will
receive in return.

During the traditional breakfast, he pointed out to the graduates to remember one fundamental
law in life- in this world, one must give in order to receive back; no one can all the time be on the
receiving end, for he who has a beggar mentality will never raise himself above the status of a beggar.

BASIC AND COMPLETE EDUCATION

“To be successful in life, the important thing is to get in college a basic and a complete
education,” Dr. Salvador’s advised to the incoming freshmen during the Convocation at the Araneta
University Gymnasium on August 26, 1964. One who has a basic and complete education, later on can
learn many other things and become useful and efficient, even though he may not be pursuing the
profession which he originally intended to take.

BASIC EDUCATION

A basic education requires five basic elements:

- a good command of the modern universal language

- logic, philosophy, and religion;

- mathematics

-social sciences

- physical sciences

One must know English to be able to keep abreast with the progress of the sciences- social and physical
sciences.

One needs a good command of the English language to be able to show others what he knows and to be
able to communicate them clearly.

Logic, fundamentals of correct thinking and reasoning, enables one to distinguish what is essential and
what is accidental.

On the other hand, Mathematics trains the mind and broadens the reasoning power, so with social and
physical sciences. All these provide the student skills to learn major and professional subjects.

COMPLETE EDUCATION

Dr. Araneta says that complete education looks at education from another perspective.
It is the education of the mind, of the heart , of the will, and of the body.

A perfect complete education produces a good leader. The education of the mind is the one that is given
in the classroom.

The education of the heart and the will is given by good examples. It is best acquired by deeds and
practices and not by words.

Extracurricular activities are important to educate the heart and the will; while athletics and physical
education provide the education of the body.

During his incumbency as President, Dr. Araneta introduced yoga and jujitsu as part of the Physical
Education curriculum.

Yoga is an Indian discipline of controlling the nerves and controlling even the mind. It is an
exercise of the interior organs of the body and a system of postures.

Rather than having gymnastics, he wanted students to learn yoga postures that will improve their health
and teach them to have self-control, better poise and temperament.

Also, he wanted students to take seriously yoga and jujitsu exercises to be able to know how to defend
themselves. He did not encourage boxing, though. Further he discouraged students from acquiring the
bad habit of smoking and going to bad movies because it would not teach them any good.

They will save a lot of money throughout their life by not smoking and by accumulating all these
savings.

He asked the students to figure out how much they can save everyday by not smoking, multiply it by 365
days, and multiply by the average length of their lifetime and he said, “ if you invest this amount in
business and this is managed diligently and grow, you will become a millionaire by just no smoking.

The advice of Dr. Araneta against smoking had been communicated from one generation to
another generation of students, that today we have a strict prohibition of smoking inside the campus of
the University.

Long before the enactment of the NO SMOKING POLICY in public places, Dr. Araneta had been
constantly advising his students and faculty not to develop the bad habit of smoking.

PLAN YOUR PROGRAM OF ACTION

Dr. Araneta stressed the importance of getting things done being a conscientious, thorough, efficient,
diligent executive and doer.

To be able to do this, we must have a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly plan of program of action and
periodically checkup what they have failed to accomplish, to analyze the reasons, and to try again by a
more determined effort to reach their short term and long term goals.

Further, he advised them to keep a notebook where they can write immediately everytime they realize a
particular thing to be done.
Up to this time I do not remember how I have developed a habit of always having a small notebook or
diary in my bag, to keep track of my activities. In my younger days, I used it to record vocabulary words I
picked during conversation and reading newspapers.

Later on, I used it to record some reminders, even passages I encountered. The small notebook had kept
track of my dates, activities and plans for the day, weeks, and even months. Even now that as
administrator I have a huge executive diary to record important agenda during administrative meetings,
yet I keep a small notebook in my bag to keep my private and public life organized.

Lastly, he advises them to seek inspiration from the Lord in their offering prayer at the start of the day
when they ask Him what to do as His instrument in this world.

“Always keep your vision and ambition high, and your feet down to earth, and you will be a worthy son
of your Alma Mater”

EDUCATION IN AND FOR BAYANICRACY AND UNIVERSAL PEACE

Bayanicracy is a word compounded from the word “BAYANIHAN” and the Greek word “Kratos”.

“Kratos” means power, while “Bayanihan” is the ancient Filipino spirit of organized togetherness, of
caring, and sharing, of love and charity for our neighbor. Bayanihan starts in the hearts of people, bound
together in a spirit of caring and sharing.

Education in and for bayanicracy and universal peace is the answer to the confused and divided world.
Dr. Araneta pointed out that bayanicracy should not try to flight directly the four horsemen of the world
in turmoil: Economic Imperialism, International Subversion, Militarism, and Materialism, but should
promote a way of life that requires changes in human values, and great changes in the organization and
institutions of society.

He said that, because we nurture in our hearts negative and divisive values, man has reached the lake of
tranquility in the moon through the efficient use of modern equipment but he may not reach the lake of
peace in his own heart.

To make education in and for bayanicracy and universal peace effective, it has to be a continuing
process from cradle to grave.

Hence, all people who are involved in the molding of a person; like the mother, baby sitter, the
members of the family, the teachers, the society in which he lives, are all contributory to the molding of
his heart and attitude.

Hence, education in and for bayanicracy and universal peace is partly due to personal values and partly
to external institutions in the cultural, educational, social, economic and political sectors.

The concept of education should not be limited though, to the formal education inside the classroom
and in the halls of the university. There is a need for universal, comprehensive and life-long education.

The role of educators must be jointly performed by mothers, religious leaders, academicians, journalists,
and members of mass media; to blend into the fabric of society the best of the East and West, the best
of the capitalist world and the best of socialist world, and in the process improve the spiritual human
fiber of the people of all nations of this world.

Believing that bayanicracy and peace start in the minds of men, Dr. Araneta envisioned a pluralistic
world with different socio-economic systems providing the background to peaceful evolution, with the
common universal end, the attainment of world prosperity and peace.

This can only be realized if the material progress of the world is matched by a parallel spiritual
advancement.

Education For World Citizenship

In line with the significant advancement in the physical sciences and economics, there should be
advancement in social sciences.

The armament race must and will stop and worldwide cooperation must and will take place.

All of these can be made possible not by the advent of new higher race of men brought about by science
changing the minds, the hearts and the souls of man, but because man himself will ask God to change
his outlook and purpose in life, and give him a new faith and a new-found ideology.

Our faith should be the conviction that with worldwide cooperation, without an armament race, with
the present knowledge in science and technology, and with new discoveries in the science of economics,
unemployment and poverty can be eradicated from the world and world peace can be secured.

He encouraged the big powers to help with self-imposed export restrictions to new emerging nations,
especially to countries with developing economies, so that their path to industrialization and
diversification may not be obstructed by foreign vested interests more interested in making money with
imports than in developing the economy of the country.

The new-found ideology is world brotherhood, a burning desire to rebuild the world, which has become
one Great neighborhood, in which we are all neighbors and brothers under God.

Along this line, he envisioned that this faith and new found ideology be advocated by all educational
institutions not only in Asia but throughout the whole world.

Dr. Araneta recommended that Education for World Citizenship must be a basic subject in all modern
universities. This would teach students that our first and greater loyalty in this modern world is no
longer to the head of the state, but to the faith and that ideology that will usher in the age of the
Kingdom of God on earth.

This advocacy was confirmed by the bulk of foreign students enrolled in Araneta during his time, which
included Thais, Nigerians, Indonesians, Chinese, Iranians, Nepalese and Americans.

They were provided convenient accommodations at the dormitories of the University.

Dr. Araneta and the institution had made contributions not only to the improvement of agriculture in
the home countries of its students but in the inculcation of world citizenship.