Founding The La Sallian was first introduced as the official student publication of then-De La Salle College (DLSC) on October 24, 1960, under its first editor-in-chief (EIC), Polo Santiago Pantaleon. Its name was given by Ernido Agustin in a contest. In December 1961, the publication released
The Judean Journal, its first
lampoon issue. In 1963, under EIC Ramon Henson,
The La Sallian received "an A1 rating for makeup and photography" from the Columbian Press Association of
Columbian University. In 1967, EIC Jesus Manalastas opens
Guest Writer, a column space for editors of student publications outside De La Salle College. During the decade, the publication prominently featured articles on student activism and academic freedom.
Under the Marcos regime From 1972 to 1973, EIC Calixto Chikiamco, rumored to be the leader of the
League of Filipino Students, introduced a Filipinization of the publication by tackling, among other topics,
nationalism,
radicalism,
Communism, and
Maoism. As De La Salle College became
co-educational during this period, Irmina Nobleza and Josefina Sayoc became the first female writers of
The La Sallian. DLSC becomes DLSU in 1975. In 1976, Carmen Reyes became the first female editor-in-chief of TLS. During the Martial Law period in the Philippines, press freedom was heavily restricted by the
Department of Education and Culture. As a result, student publications at DLSU were allowed to operate operated under the oversight of the University Board Review (UBR), which required prior approval for the printing and distribution of issues. In December 1977, TLS inadvertently distributed an issue containing an editorial critical of Ferdinand Marcos and the
1977 Philippine presidential referendum without securing UBR approval. The incident led the UBR to accuse TLS of violating established procedure, which the publication countered as censorship. The controversy, along with other cited concerns—including a fire in the Student Affairs Center and the publication of an editorial titled "Press Freedom Is Dead"—led to the suspension of TLS operations. The publication resumed in February 1978 after reaching an agreement with the university administration.
The LaSallian was named Best Non-Weekly Newspaper by the United States’ Associated Collegiate Press. A TLS website was opened by succeeding EIC Isabelle Yujuico, but was later closed after being hacked. In 2004, a disciplinary case involving EIC Meryll Yan opened the issue of bureaucracy in student services. A year later, she became the first editor to be awarded as Most Outstanding Student Leader in Gawad Mag-aaral's history. TLS became the first to give details of the new General Education Curriculum (which was eventually implemented in 2006-2007). Poptown is transferred from the Menagerie magazine to the broadsheet. In 2005, EIC Paul Garilao and University Editor Donelle Gan exposed the exploits of a sexually harassing faculty member. TLS covered the University's lead role in the movement to oust President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from office, and reports of DLSU's suspension from the UAAP (for fielding ineligible
Green Archers). The Multi-Sectoral Committee on Budget set the lowest ever tuition fee increase at 3.828 percent. TLS releases a tribute in honor of Br.
Andrew Gonzalez, who died in February 2006. In 2006, under EIC Donelle Gan, The LaSallian detailed the formation of
De La Salle Philippines, the newly formed overseeing body of all Lasallian schools in the country. Paulo Mutuc and Ross Delantar, through the 2005 The LaSallian anniversary special article Corporate Academics, bagged The LaSallian’s first Lasallian Scholarum Award for Outstanding Feature Story on Youth and Education in a School Organ. The LaSallian's website is re-launched. In February 2008, the publication briefly adopted a
news magazine layout, drawing controversy with its readers. TLS affirmed that the publication did not release an official stand on the bill to respect "every person's right to have his or her own informed opinion" and to encourage staffers to think critically while respecting other people's right to different opinions. It cited
Pope John Paul II's encylical letter
Ex corde Ecclesiae, which challenges Catholic universities to follow Catholic teachings, but never to impose on the freedom of conscience of others. The publication also criticized the editorial for its "method of expression", which it argues "should stick to the issues, and backing conclusions with substantial, objective arguments". In 2014,
The LaSallian was named the third Best Four-year Non-weekly Newspaper by the United States-based
Associated Collegiate Press at the 2014 Best of the Midwest Best of Show awards. A feature story award was also given to Menagerie Editor Ysmael Suarez at the Individual Awards. In 2015, EIC Ronaldo Manzano spearheaded TLS’ coverage of
Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines. All TLS social media accounts grew exponentially, with the Facebook page first breaking 100,000, then 150,000 likes. The Layout section is separated from the Arts & Graphics section while the Web section is formalized, with Marinel Mamac and Angelika Tirona serving as the first Layout and Web editors, respectively. Under succeeding EIC Marinel Mamac, TLS delivered live updates and extended coverage of both President
Noynoy Aquino's last
state of the nation address, and the
2016 Philippine national elections. TLS bagged several prizes in the Philippine Student Quill Awards. In 2017, TLS 57 provided live coverage of The Lasallian initiatives and protests against
President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.'s burial in the Libingan ng mga Bayani. The Editorial Board successfully launched PressPlay 2017 in partnership with The GUIDON after previous efforts to discontinue the event.
TLS 60 to present In 2023, a full copy of The LaSallian's maiden issue was retrieved from its first EIC, Polo Pantaleon, by the TLS 63 Editorial Board, led by TLS 63 EIC Kim Balasabas. The retrieval and eventual digital archiving of the issue were spearheaded by TLS 63 Circulations Manager Christopher Go. In 2025, The LaSallian published a satirical April Fools’ Day spoof titled "I’m a LaSallian, of course…", which drew attention of social media. A meme from the spoof showing students hesitating to cross the road with a campus security guard circulated widely online and prompted online discussion on road safety and fatalities along Taft Avenue. In 2024, TLS 64 Layout Editor Gabe Mempin led a visual rebranding, replacing the publication's long-standing Myriad Pro typeface with Hex Franklin. In June 30, 2025, The LaSallian and
The GUIDON ended their annual PressPlay partnership, as announced through a notice on Facebook and subsequently shared by both publications on their respective social media accounts. In September 2025, The LaSallian's social media presence included 254,000 followers on Facebook, 20,500 followers on Instagram, 214,100 followers on Twitter, and 3,500 subscribers on Telegram. ==Sections==