GE10 – BB
Silliman Seal and Logo — Reflection

The seal of Silliman University is actually Christ-centered in its design. What many may not know is that its iconic imagery of a lighted lamp resting atop a book is a direct reference to a specific Bible verse. I know this because I can still remember it being discussed around grade 3/4 CLVE class in Silliman University Elementary School, though the details may be a bit hazy.

The lamp and book is a reference to Psalm 119:105, where it is written, “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”

The book can be understood as a representation of Silliman’s education, academics, knowledge, etc., but it can also be seen as the Bible containing the words of Jesus Christ, of which the principles of the University are founded upon. The lamp is quite literally God’s Word which guides all members of the university in all pursuits beyond mere academics. I forgot the specific term for the string of leaves around the book (laurel?), but it is meant to represent everlasting life through Jesus Christ.

As for the school’s motto ‘Via, Veritas, Vita’ (translated from Latin as ‘The Way, the Truth, and the Life’), we must look back on the chapter and Bible verse it originally came from to truly understand and appreciate its significance.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

— John 14:1-7

I find it very beautiful. When we recite Silliman’s motto, we are really inviting Jesus into our lives. Silliman University’s motto is actually saying that the university means to live by Jesus’ principles and similarly provide guidance and direction to its students. The way, the truth, and the life are all connected. If we know the way, that is, making the right decisions, maintaining a high standard of morality and social consciousness, we will get to know the truth. For me, I see the truth as being those essential values and principles we learn and establish throughout the course of our lives that then leads us to the life. The life is not merely a life well lived from the fruits of our efforts, but even more so an everlasting life with Jesus, as He promised in John 14:1-7 should we choose to know Him and follow His ways. Of course, because this motto is taken from the Bible, we should never forget Jesus as the foundation of this whole institution. After all, if it weren’t for the church and the Protestant missionaries, the school would have never been established in the first place and would not continue to thrive to this day.