SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — In their Alma Mater, Sydney Sillimanians find a reason to live and believe.
This is true to all Sillimanians across space and over time. This is the Silliman narrative. Going 114. Keeps going now, and always to live and give. To be.
Call him Ephraim. In Hebrew, to carry the name is to be fruitful. He knows what it means to be called Ephraim by his parents Rev. Vitaliano D. Delfin and Gregoria A. Delfin of Manjuyod, Negros Oriental. To be fruitful. Instead of being weighed down by the burden, he takes full responsibility to be worthy of his name and calling.
In his high school and college days at Silliman, he explored and honed his gifts and talents. He splashed in on-the-spot drawing contests. Blended in choir competitions and stage plays. Sharpened his aims/goals in life in archery.
Together with his sister Eunice Delfa and brod Eleazar John, they reinforced the Silliman U Archery Team’s reputation to be reckoned with in national and international competitions.
Ephraim earned his HS ‘81 and BBA ‘86 at Silliman. Fruitful in his student life, he is grateful for the moral values instilled in him while at Silliman.
Now he is here in Sydney with his family. With his wife Gina Refe and daughters Daniella and Alessandra, they came over to Australia in August 2009.
Last Saturday was the sixth anniversary of their Aussie stay. They fittingly observed it with relatives, friends, and fellow Sillimanians with a house warming in Ropes Crossing. After six years, they have a new house they can call their own.
However, the house is not yet a home. In its dedication and blessing, the family took the lead in claiming authority over every section and facet of the new building. Guests followed in applying oil to doors and windows, as they claimed authority in the name of Jesus as stewards of the new home.
Sillimanians who joined in the blessings were: Dr. Alice Dumlao, Engr. Enrico Garcia, Lily Garcia, Evie Villegas, Shelibeth Hanz, and Arnie Capilitan. They represent the Sydney Silliman Alumni Chapter who carry in their hearts the Silliman story. A mere pixel of the Silliman narrative physically and spiritually.
Etched in every Sillimanian heart is the founding of the institution in 1901 in the dark aftermath of the Phillipine-American war. It started with 15 boys enrolled at the Silliman Institute. It was built on a rock-solid foundation on a personal love relationship with Jesus, somewhat materially-complicated but somehow spiritually- nourishing and flourishing.
It survived and emerged as a jungle university in World War II. It outlived martial law when its open campus was fenced off from the outside world.
Now the University is home to some 10,000 students, with 300 of them from foreign countries.
Another time, another challenge for today’s Silliman stakeholders. What are all the Sillimanians who have roamed the world o’er near and far living for?
It is the time to heed the call of SU President Ben Malayang III to meet the K-12 financial gaping hole, and the University’s medical mission upgrade in the town of Dauin, south of Dumaguete.
Healing is Silliman University’s reason for being. SU is US, the alumni. Now and always.
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Author’s email: [email protected]
