Featured Alumnus: Lorenzo Relente

Claret School of Quezon City is an institution that aims to hone the academic excellence, skills, and talents of its students. Claretians have always been envisioned to be excellent people who are also virtuous and faithful servants of the Lord. The mission and vision of this institution has been the heart of the Claretian education. Driven by this goal, Claret School has produced exceptional Claretians who are successful in the fields they are in, be it in athletics, academics, journalism, leadership, music and arts, or religious endeavors.

A perfect example of a Claretian pride is Batch Magnus Alumnus, Lorenzo Miguel A. Relente. Lorenzo Relente can be considered a jack of all trades. Since his grade school years, Mr. Relente has traversed the many paths of excellence. He was a basketball and chess varsity player. He became the president of the Samahang Barangayette ng Claret, the editor-in-chief of the Claretian Magazine, and a Claretian Peace Weaver. In his high school years, he became the President of the Central Board of Students for School Year 2013- 2014. Alongside this, he became the Secretary of the Children’s Museums and Libraries, Inc. for 2013 and became its President the following year. He is also the President of the CSQC Batch 2014 (Magnus) Alumni Association. He has also exhibited excellent academic performance, graduating high school with Third Honors. He is currently pursuing BA Psychology at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. He is a member of the UP Bukluran sa Sikolohiyang Filipino or the UP Buklod-isip and a member of the UP Kalipunan para sa Agham Panlipunan at Pilosopiyang Pilipino or the UP KAPPP since 2015. He is also a member of the UP Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katuwiran at Kaunlaran or the UP Alyansa, the Director for Education and Resarch for the UP Buklod College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP), and the Councilor of the UP- Diliman CSSP Student Council.

In an interview, Lorenzo said that he is who he is now because of being a Claretian. He is a product of his alma mater and being a Claretian will always be a part of his identity.

Lorenzo told us that he was surprised to be this issue’s featured alumnus “because during our time, Tanglaw features older, more successful Claretians. So when my brother told me that I'll be this edition's featured alumnus, I can't help but feel old. I'd like to believe that I'm still young and fresh and undeserving to be on my alma mater's paper, but of course, I'll take this honor any day of the week.”

He said that it is from being a Claretian that he learned to be a humble person who still exudes confidence. “We Claretians are proud gentlemen not just because of our innately dashing looks, but also because of how confident we are with our principles, talents, and skills. If you have none, well, we Claretians possess this talent called ‘kapal ng mukha’ and ‘tibay ng dibdib’.” According to him, this certain balance of pride and humility enables us Claretians to socialize well with people, show our talents, skills, and principles, and be bold in our own ways.

When asked about what he will never forget about being a Claretian, he said, “I will always cherish the memories and relationships I have built in Claret. I remember crying in front of the principal when I was in Grade 1 because I wanted to transfer to another club. I can vividly remember as well how I bullied and coerced my best friend into giving me his baon, the teachers I had a crush on and how it felt like forever, the numerous times I had been reprimanded and received those colorful slips that aren't that colorful at all, my first medals, my first varsity game, my last speech, my first and last community service, my last Claret School March.” He said that throughout the years, Claret has changed but the special brotherhood that Claretians have, will always be there—the Claretian fellows who will be always with us through thick and thin, always being the beacon of joy even in the darkest of our days.

His message to all Claretians was, “Be proud Claretians. Be very, very proud. Our school is not perfect, but so are you. But love, serve, and protect it will all your heart because it is your home. More than the accolades, the facilities, and all the successes and failures of this institution, we Claretians are the treasures of our alma matter. Therefore, dance, sing, run, kick, jump, and swim until you can't, all for this school. Study well, make friends, lead, and take charge.”

Besides being the place where we learn and hone our skills and talents, Claret becomes something that digs deeper in our hearts—a home. This home will be a part of who you are once it becomes a part of your heart. For Lorenzo Relente, the key to his success from being a Claretian is how it made him grow as a person of virtue and excellence, a person of friendship and camaraderie, and, most importantly, a person who lives life in every moment.

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