Those of us who regard Dr. Emmanuel V. Soriano, former President of the University of the Philippines, as one of the UP’s most prominent alumni resent Mr. Hilarion Henres’ continual labeling of Dr. Soriano as an "Ateneo rah-rah boy" (Special Edition, Jan. 17).

Unlike Mr. Henares, Dr. Soriano never had the dubious benefits of a Catholic or even a Jesuit (let alone, an Ateneo) education: he finished the elementary grades at Cebu Normal School, high school at the University of Southern Philippines, college (mechanical engineering) at the U.P., and doctorate (management) at Harvard.

Dr. Soriano does have a high personal admiration for the late Rev. John P. Delaney, SJ and, may I add, for the late Rev. Pacifico A. Ortiz, SJ, but not the kind of admiration a student has for a teacher. Dr. Soriano knew the two Jesuits as the chaplains of the UP Catholic Community and the spiritual advisoers of the UP Students’ Catholic Action (UPSCA).

Dr. Soriano’s presidency of the UPSCA is the only anomaly on an otherwise unblemished non-sectarian record.

JORDAN O. DY