New scholarship honors Fr Salty de la Rama SJ

Fr Emerito Salustiano ‘Salty’ de la Rama SJ’s time was short, but his legacy —kept alive by his family, friends, and loved ones—lives on.  

In his memory, the Ateneo de Manila University has launched the Fr Salty de la Rama SJ Grade School Scholarship Fund to help deserving grade school students receive renowned and life-changing Jesuit education and formation. A virtual turnover ceremony was held on 1 May 2021.

When he passed away in March 2021, Fr Salty’s batchmates at Ateneo de Manila quickly realized that starting a scholarship fund is the best way to honor his memory. Shortly after, they were able to raise PhP 1.765,000.00, with PhP500,000 from GS'75/HS’79, PhP600,000.00 from HS'80, and PhP665,000.00 from College'85. The Fr Salty de la Rama SJ Grade School Scholarship Fund will support students who have demonstrated academic achievements but do not have the financial means to complete the Middle School (Grades 4-6) program of AGS.

Three of Fr Salty’s batchmates and fund champions, spoke on behalf of the group.

“On behalf of GS75 and HS79, I would like to extend our appreciation to the Ateneo community and the family of Fr Salty, for helping us to the pathway that our members now feel happy to tread. Our ‘One Big Fight’ shout-out goes to Fr Salty who made us realize that it is always an unseen hand that brings us to joy in living for others,” said Rodolfo Narciso.

“Today, as we continue our personal journeys, we, his HS’80 batchmates, together with our counterparts in GS’75 and College’ 85, pledge to keep his mission and his memory alive by helping raise future leaders and mentors through this Ateneo Grade School memorial scholarship in his name,” said Rafael Jose.

“For College ’85, it is this overflowing gratitude that moved us to share to the future beneficiaries of this fund the blessing that Fr Salty is to all of us.  My profuse thanks to all my batchmates who have generously contributed to this Scholarship Fund and for keeping the memory of Fr. Salty alive,” said Rafael Lopa.

De la Rama’s education and vocation brought him to many places, but the last four years of his life were spent with students, faculty, and staff at the Ateneo Grade School (AGS), where he played a significant role as the school’s headmaster.
 
Speaking on behalf of the de la Rama family was Jojo, Fr Salty’s brother. The scholarship, he recalled, has a profound impact on their family, given that their grandfather—who Fr Salty was named after—was also an Ateneo scholar more than a century ago.

 

“As we launch this scholarship fund, we have come full circle from the scholarship. We, as a community, are paying back ina scholarship fund under Salty's name. It will ensure scholarship for another generation of AGS boys for a chance to chase their dreams like my grandfather—to make a name for themselves and help improve their lives.”

University President Fr Roberto Yap SJ expressed his gratitude for the scholarship, which he believes will continue Fr Salty’s impact on generations of young Ateneans.

“We assure you that we will take good care of the fund and help ensure that it will go to the intentions that you wanted so that Fr Salty’s memory and legacy will continue to live on, especially to the students of AGS whom he served and loved,” he said.  “Fr Salty was able to show a special commitment to the goodness and uniqueness of each individual that he served. I’d like to thank Fr Salty for the kindness that he showed, for the friendship that he shared. Thank you, Fr Salty for the cura personalis you brought into the lives of people that you served, especially our AGS students.”