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MANILA PRIORY NEWSLETTER
S t . S c h o l a s t i c a ’ s P r i o r y 2 5 6 0 L e o n G u i n t o S t r e e t M a l a t e , M a n i l a , P h i l i p p i n e s
Vol. IV No. 2 Mar. - Apr. 2014
My dear Sisters,
Images like the photo we have here, or a mist
-covered scenery, have always held a fascination for me.
Light breaking through dark clouds, hazy forms and shapes
behind a veil or a mist gives me the sense that things are not
always what they seem, and somehow opens me up to the
hope that lies behind the image, taking me beyond what I can
see. The dark clouds will give way to the light, the haze
clears, and we see the world – and life – in a totally new way.
Easter is such an experience. The events of Holy Week as reflected in the readings: of Jesus’ unjust trial and
condemnation, his cruel and painful passion, and finally, his
ignominious death on the Cross are but necessary backdrops
to what lies ahead - a triumph foretold by Jesus in several
instances in the gospel, like this one in John 12: 23 "Now the
time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. I tell
you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil
and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many
new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.” But it was a
truth we could not see nor grasp clearly.
But now, the dark clouds break at last, as Jesus
promised, and the Light shines victorious through the
darkness. This phrase of “light shining through the darkness” fits very well here, but, interestingly, is actually first told of
the newborn Savior: “Whatever has come to be, found life in
him; life, which for human beings was also light, light that
shines in the darkness, light that darkness could not
overcome.” (John 1:5) In Jesus’ resurrection, the mission of
the Messiah comes full circle: it is for this that He came into
the world.
Imagine, though, what it was like for Mary, Jesus’
mother, at this time. She, who loved her Son into adulthood,
now saw him condemned and put to death. Surely, her world
was crushed by this experience. And what about the disciples
who put their faith in him? They, too, saw him humiliated,
ground to the dust, treated like a criminal. They must have
felt their hopes dashed. And the women. They showed their
love and respect for him nonetheless, but surely, they must have felt disappointed that it ended this way. It was not
supposed to end this way!
Have we not, at one time or another in our life, felt
like this? Anyone who has ever experienced the loss of
someone significant, or of everything she held dear, the
breakdown of one’s expectations, the shattering of one’s
dreams, will resonate with these personages in the Gospel.
We think of the many victims of calamities everywhere
(Yolanda victims, the families of those lost in the MH370
plane, the victims of the siege in Zamboanga and the
earthquake in Bohol, of the civil war in Syria and the Central
African Republic), and of their great loss. Their experience must echo the hopelessness and finality symbolized by Jesus’
tomb!
Yet, Jesus’ death and resurrection show us that the
tomb/death has not the last word. He accepted death for our
sake, and now that He has been raised, He invites us to a new
covenant, to a new way of being community where death,
hatred, division, prejudice don’t have the last word. He is
alive and is in our midst, and we know He is still with us
when unity, life, love and peace reign among us.
HAPPY EASTER! May the PEACE, JOY and
HOPE of Easter flourish in our hearts.
Lovingly,
MANILA PRIORY Page 2
Five (5) months after super typhoon Yolanda
wrought destruction in Central Visayas, SSC-Manila
relief operations have now moved on to
rehabilitation and recovery efforts. Mindful of the
urgent call to respond towards normalization of life
of the poor in Tacloban after the November disaster,
Sr. Mary Thomas, OSB, SSC-Manila President,
spearheaded and organized the adopt-a-school
program aimed at assisting public school children
and teachers get back to their classrooms and start
their regular teaching-learning interactions.
Hence, on January 19-21, 2014, the 5th
OplanYolly@st.scho team led by Sr. Mary Thomas,
OSB accompanied by S. Regina David, OSB, Dean
Becky Marquez and Prof. Aurora Lumibao travelled
to Tacloban and distributed relief goods and at the
same time conducted initial consultations with the
school principal of Tanauan II Central Elementary
School, Palo, Leyte and the parish priest of the
community to assess their needs where assistance
can be extended. Seeking for financial and moral
support, Sr. Tammy invited the Benedictine
community to generously provide support to this
project Yakap-Eskwela which has become a
consortium of Benedictine Colleges in Metro Manila
– SSC-Manila, San Beda College- Alabang, San
Beda College-Mendiola and San Beda
College-Taytay.
Having solicited sufficient donations from
generous benefactors and donors for the project, the
6th team of a huge contingent composed of 24
administrators, faculty, staff, and alumnae headed by
Sr. Tammy and S. Celine Saplala, OSB flew to
Tacloban for the signing of the Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) for the Yakap-Eskwela project of
the consortium of Benedictine Colleges in Metro
Manila held on March 28, 2014 at Tanauan II
Central School. The signatories of the MOA were Sr.
Mary Thomas Prado, OSB, SSC-Manila President,
Sr. Celine Saplala, OSB, Yakap-Eskwela Project
manager, and Ms. Elena Latoza, Principal, Tanauan
II Central, Fr. Ronel Taboso, Parish Priest of Tanauan,
and Mr. Wilbert Namoc, representative, San Beda
College, Alabang. In addition, the group distributed a
principal’s kit, teaching tool kits for teachers and school
supplies for all the students. Likewise, the school was
given tables and chairs, balls, stuffed toys among others
for its use.
Rising from ashes to a well-spring of hope for
the teachers and children of Tacloban who lost so much
from the devastation of super typhoon Yolanda, we
have high hope that Yakap-Eskwela project will expand
its reach to other schools in Central Visayas who are in
dire need of immediate rehabilitation and recovery.
Moreover, we continue to call on generous-hearted
people to rally behind the completion of the SSC-M
housing and resettlement project, dubbed as the
“Sambayanan ni San Benito,” for the homeless
survivors of typhoon Yolanda. In sum, we invite all to
join forces with the Scholastican community to embrace
the adopt-a-school and the resettlement projects that in
all things God may be glorified.
By: Sr. Rosalina Fajardo, OSB
Page 3 Vol. IV No. 2 Mar. - Apr. 2014
The Formation for Formators Series (FFS) 11:
Formation for Local Superiors: Skills and Leadership of
Emmaus Center for Psycho-Spiritual Formation was
conceived primarily to provide an oasis and an
opportunity to hone one’s self in the task of leadership.
The five-day module aims to provide the leader with the
skills and disposition in carrying out his/her
responsibilities.
The Formation for Local Superiors: Skills and
Leadership (FFS II) was held last March 10-14, 2014 at
the Spiritual-Pastoral Center, Ateneo de Manila Campus,
Q.C. Seventeen (17) Benedictine Local Superiors
attended the said seminar: S. Lydia Villegas, OSB, S.
Angelica Leviste, OSB, S. Celine Saplala, OSB, S. Edna
Quiambao, OSB, S. Mary Rose Zamudio, OSB, S. Adela
Arabia, OSB, S. Mary Frances Dizon, OSB, S. Baptista
Busmente, OSB, S. Rosario Obiniana, OSB, S. Mary
James Mujar, OSB, S. Evangeline Madayag, OSB, OSB,
S. Odilia Bulayungan, OSB S. Leonor Barrion, OSB, S.
Ana Maria Raca, OSB, S. Vicenta Anuran, OSB, S. Rita
Tullao, OSB, and S. Ma. Luisa Villanueva, OSB
There were three main perspectives that the
module presented – the systems-thinking perspective, the
facilitative leadership perspective, and the leadership of
individuals including the self. First, the systems
perspective presented the leader with the challenge of
looking at the congregation as a system embedded in a
world of complex reality. The task was to be able to see
the whole picture and see how the different aspect of the
congregation affects each other. Second, the facilitative
leadership perspective walked the leader through the
different skills necessary in handling groups. This
perspective brings home the point that one crucial task of
the leader is to be able to manage groups of individuals.
When individuals come and live and work in groups,
certain dynamics arise. These dynamics call for the
leader’s group skills such as feedback-giving, conflict
management, running a meeting. An important tool
presented to the leaders is the process observation
analysis, which is simply a systematic and detailed
process of observing the group. Lastly, the leadership
of individuals. As leaders, one is called to manage and
attend to different personalities, sometimes, difficult
ones. The Enneagram was used as a tool in
understanding different personality types or
dispositions, encouraging leaders not simply to look at
the strengths and weaknesses of each type/disposition
but more importantly to look at possible motivations
why some individuals do what they do. The Enneagram
was also used to initiate reflection on the leader’s self
as to his/her style of leadership. The module ended with
the invitation to the person of the leader for “self
-leadership” by attending to one’s self-care. The whole
module was capped with time to plan concrete steps of
action in the short, medium and long term.
One of the most helpful points for the group
was not only defining leadership but being able to
nuance the difference between leadership and
management and the tasks and dispositions each
require. As superiors, one is often asked to be both – as
a manager who attends to the operations and
administrative matters and as a leader who sets the
direction for the community s/he leads.
According to Mrs. Paz Bacquiran, the
Coordinator, Formation Program also an alumna of
SSC-Manila, this year’s run of FFS 11: Formation for
Local Superiors: Leadership and Skills attracted a big
number of participants who came in groups. Total
attendees was 55 participants with the following
demographics:
41 women, 14 men
12 nationalities (Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam,
South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Scotland,
Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, India,
Puerto Rico)
MANILA PRIORY Page 4
14 congregations
Filipino participants came from Luzon, Visayas,
Mindanao
Ages ranged from early 30’s-late 70s
The diverse composition of the group and the
varied experiences provided a rich opportunity to learn
from one another – may it be from a long number of
years as a religious with the many varied assignments
and experiences, from the nuances coming from
different cultures and personalities, from simply
interacting with each other not only as “superiors and
leaders” but simply themselves gaining friends and
acquaintances.
Hopefully, the 5 day module not only equipped
the participants with skills and perspectives but also
renewed their passion for the call of leadership.
By: SR. M. ROSARIO R. OBINIANA, OSB
That was the theme of the Mission Congress
organized by the Pontifical Mission Societies held last
January 18, 2014, a day before Holy Childhood Sunday of the
feast of Senor Santo Nino. The sisters running St. Paul’ s
College – Pasig were very kind offer their new and spacious
gymnasium and other facilities to accommodate more than a
thousand young students from schools in the different
dioceses as far as Candelaria, Quezon.
St. Scholastica’s College, Manila was represented by
twelve Grade 3, 4 and 5 pupils and nine (9) Grades 7 and 8
students and Fred Lachica, Mrs. Royalyn de la Cruz and S.
Isabel Orito, OSB as chaperones.
The morning was spent watching cultural
presentations from assigned schools and listening to the
sharing from our youth representative to the World Youth
Day 2013 at Rio de Janeiro. At 11:00 A.M. the Eucharistic
celebration was presided over by His Excellency Most Rev.
Arturo M. Bastes, SVD, Bishop of the Diocese of Sorsogon
and Chairperson of the Episcopal Commission on Mission,
CBCP. His booming and melodious speaking as well as
singing voice caught the attention of all. He told his young
audience how the child Jesus can be their model in living the
Christian life.
After lunch and some animations, Rev. Fr. Xavier
‘Javy’ Alpasa, SJ gave a talk developing the theme of the
Mission Congress. His talk was interspersed with heartwarm-
ing video clips which made a connection with the young
people. More cultural presentations followed and the day was
punctuated by picture taking of every delegation which took
quite a long time. Nevertheless, our girls and even adults
found the experience worthwhile and challenging.
By. Sr. Isabel Orito, OSB
SSC-Manila delegation to the Mission Congress held at St. Paul’s College, Pasig last January 18, 2014
Page 5 Vol. IV No. 2 Mar. - Apr. 2014
The JPIC-MBS (Justice, Peace & Integrity of
Creation - Missionary Benedictine Sisters) sponsored a
JPIC Orientation and Disaster Risk Reduction Seminar on
March 6-8, 2014 at the Barrion Hall of St. Scholastica College
with more than 50 participants composed of Sisters, lay
partners and oblates representing all our Benedictine
Communities except Legaspi and Tabunok and Pambujan.
After the message of M. Adelaida Ygrubay to the
assembly, S. Cecille Ido, presented the JPIC Orientation.
This was followed by a resource facilitator from the Center of
Ecological Concern who shared on the State of Philippine
Environment. Testimonies came from a representative of
PEOPLE’S SURGE, a 17,000 strong organization of Yolanda
survivors .
On the second day, March 7, the Main speaker on
Disaster Risk Reduction was Mr. Raul Bermudez from the
Paseo Study Center For Academic And Personal Formation.
Raul Bermudez, Ph.D., is a doctor of criminology. He foiled
the assassination attempt to Pope John Paul II in the World
Youth Day in Manila. He apprehended the mastermind of the
1993 failed bombing of World Trade Center, Ramir Yousef.
As a former FBI agent, he has been part of the team usually
sent to help victims in earthquake and tsunami areas. He was
one among the first group who responded to the needs of
Yolanda victims.
Before the end of the seminar, participants shared
and submitted their team plans, to be implemented in their
different regions. The seminar culminated with a Mission
Sending Liturgy followed by lunch.
By: S. M. Cecille Ido, OSB
In response to the recent natural disasters in our
country which underscored the need for a concerted action to
protect and sustain our natural resources, key leaders from
different faith groups (e.g., Catholics, Protestant
denominations, Muslims, Buddhist, etc.) converged on March
14, 2014 for a 2nd Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change, at
the Social Hall, Mabini Hall, Malacanang Palace from 8AM –
5PM. Sister Aida Velasquez, OSB, Sister Cecille Ido and S.
Theodora Bilocura, OSB represented our priory as part of the
AMRSWP delegation.
As a follow-up of the first dialogue held on Nov. 25,
2010 the Dialogue hoped to assess the progress of the
intervention and the plan of action in promoting climate
change consciousness. Furthermore, it hopes to intensify its
engagement to climate change particularly in environmental
issues related to Agriculture, Water and Food Security,
Appropriate Transportation, Safe Power Generation, and
Disaster Risk Reduction and Rehabilitation. These issues
represented the workshop groups in the afternoon session.
After the Interfaith Prayers led by Aleem Said
Ahmed Basher, Venerable Miao Jing, Rev. Dr. Timoteo
Gener and Sr. Angie Villanueva, the group was welcomed by
Bishop Efraim Tendero, of the Philippine Council of
Evangelical Churches. Several in-puts followed on the
following themes:
“Earth in Peril: a Climate Change Situationer”
by Comm. Heherzon T. Alvarez, CCC
“Mobilizing Faith Communities”
by Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ, DD
“How Faith Communities can lead the Secular
Environmental Movement”
by Ed Brown, MDiv, Creative Care
“Best Practices in Islamic Communities”
by Amina Rasul Bernardo, PCID
“The Business of Building Green”
by Atty. Teresita Lacerna, IFC-World
“Green Image Nation”
by Ernalou A. del Rosario, Canon
A similar dialogue has been planned to be conducted in the
different regions of the country.
After A Commemorative Declaration of Commitment, Amina
Rasul Bernardo gave the closing remarks followed by a
Thanksgiving Prayer.
By: Sr. M. Cecille Ido, OSB
Mother Adelaida Ygrubay, OSB
Sr. Cecille Ido, OSB Mr. Raul Bermudez
MANILA PRIORY Page 6
A hundred and one Grade 6 boys and 193 girls
joyfully went up on stage of the St. Scholastica’s – San
Fernando covered court to get their certificates. That was
March 25 – a day of triumph for them, having hurdled
eight years of education in their young age. A fitting
presider of the Thanksgiving Mass of these 294 graduates
was a Grade 6 Scholastican graduate of 18 years ago.
Father Eisen John Cruz with his stirring homily during
the well-celebrated Mass did his Alma Mater proud.
But happiest and overflowing with pride,
together with his parents, was Don Nikolai Salonga,
class valedictorian, who received ten medals and
seventeen certificates. All these represented his
excellent academic performances, his achievements in
various clubs and organizations, his winnings in contests
in and out of school, and most of all, his being a
Scholastican of the Year awardee.
Having no boys in high school, SSA – SF is
only too willing to pass him on to our Holy Family
Academy – Angeles, where he intends to pursue his
secondary education.
The next day, March 26, the High School
department graduated 312 young ladies with varying
awards, citations, and honors. Leading the group was
class valedictorian and Scholastican awardee, Clare
Feliz David. A gifted writer and speaker, she delivered
one of the most impressive valedictory addresses in
years. This and her nine medals give testimony to her
being the best of her batch.
By: Sr. Lucy Togle, OSB
Page 7 Vol. IV No. 2 Mar. - Apr. 2014
MANILA PRIORY SCHOOLS
GRADUATION STATISTICS
SCHOOL GRADE SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE GRADUATE SCHOOL
(M.A.)
HFA, Angeles 325 345
SSA, Bacolod 205 137
HFHS, Sumag - 76
SAA, Legaspi 229 284
SSC, Manila 233 284 322 4
NSS, Manila 19
SSA, Marikina 268 312
SPC, Ormoc 78 193 78
SSA, San Fernando 294 312
SSA, Tabunok - 256
SSC,Tacloban School - - 128
SSC,Westgrove 64 100
Following an orientation on what being an
oblate is all about, ten ladies expressed the wish to
join the program. All ten school personnel of
SSA – SF have worked with the Benedictine
Sisters for from 4 to 30 years. Two are middle
administrators, one is the school registrar, two are
librarians, three are teachers, another is a nurse,
and the youngest is the secretary of the St
Benedict’s Social Action Center.
Having stayed for years in this
institution, they have imbibed the mission of the
school, its thrust and philosophy, and immersed
themselves in its social and religious
orientation.
One can safely say they have firmly and
securely planted themselves on Scholastican soil
and may soon bear or have already borne fruit ripe
for the picking. However, still being candidate
oblates and scheduled for training, they go by their
group name COBLATES and will hopefully soon
become full-fledged Benedictine Oblates.
By: Sr. Lucy Togle, OSB
MANILA PRIORY Page 8
After attending the "Women’s Leaders Forum 2014: An
Asia – Pacific Top Business Women Meeting" in Saigon – Viet
Nam (6-8 March 2014) to share her insights and experiences on
the two topics: "Transformative Academic Leadership" and
"Towards Empowering Women Leadership," Sister Mary John
Mananzan, OSB came to visit the Dominican Sisters of St. Catha-
rine of Siena in Tam Hiep on 13 March 2014.
Accompanying her were Sr. Magdalene Tran Thanh Loc,
a Benedictine Sister and Miss Maria Dam Thi Thu Ngan, a
former Benedictine Novice.
Wholeheartedly welcomed by Sr. Theresa Nguyen Thi
Huy, Prioress General of the Congregation, Sr. Maria Dinh Thi
Sang, a General Councilor responsible for the Congregation’s
study programs, and Sister Theresa Nguyen Thi Ngoc Ha,
Secretary General, in simplicity and fraternal love, Sr. Mananzan
enthusiastically shared her yearning for a project to support
women facing difficulties and crises in the Asia-Pacific Ocean
area, empowering them to restore their dignity. She encouraged
the Congregation to send its members to attend Formation Courses
at The Women's Crisis Center and Women's Studies at St.
Scholastica College in the Philippines, one of the organizations
founded and directed by her, so that they can deepen their
knowledge and enrich their faith and experiences together with
other women from different countries. She also showed a great
interest in the formation of future sisters and will give some
lectures for Leadership Courses run by the Dominicans in the Asia
-Pacific region at the Caleruega Centre in Nasugbu, Batangas,
Philippines (from 10/3 to 6/4), which Sr. Maria Nguyen Thi Ngoc
Han and Sr. Maria Nguyen Thi Ngoc Lan will be attending.
After more than one hour sharing with us some of her
works and concerns, Sr. Mananzan visited our Chapel, Tradition
Room, Library, Postulant House, Infirmity, Clinic and Kindergar-
ten Mang-Non, Kitchen situated within the Congregation’s
Motherhouse. Being an ardent activist of many education and
social empowerment programs, especially those for women's
rights and dignity, Sr. Mananzan has brought warmth, care, joy,
graciousness and love to all and every sisters, postulants,
children and the infirm sisters she met around the convent.
Before saying goodbye to us for other places, she
gifted us with her new book published in 2012 entitled
“Nonsense: the Spiritual Journey of a Feminist Activist,” a
narrative of the spiritual journey of a Sister who works
untiringly for women’s rights. It is her 5th published book,
among her other published works.
It should be mentioned that after two terms serving as
Prioress (2004-2011) of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters,
Manila Priory, Sr. Mary John Mananzan is still counted as a
notable women's rights activist on an international scale.
Trusting in the Lord's loving providence, we hope that
this meeting with Sr. Mary John is a charming opening to
fruitful encounters in the near future, so that, in the end, God
may be better known and loved, and thus, women may be able
to live up to the true dignity and vocation that Jesus Christ has
promised in the Beatitudes.
By Sr. Maria Dinh Thi Sang
Translated by Sr. Elizabeth Nguyen Thi Buu Loc, OSB
Sr. Scholastica Nguyen Thi Thiet, OSB
How can one write history? Where can one write history?
Over and on a hundred pages or so of print material? Would that I
am able to aptly answer my own queries…but just this once, let me
tell you in writing what I remembered of the three-day celebration
of SPC’s 100th year of existence here in Ormoc City, Leyte.
February 19, this being the eve of the three-day
celebrations, our Sisters from various communities arrived at
different times: in the first big batch were Mo. Angelica, Sr. Fatima
(Marikina Community), Sr. Catalina (Bacolod), Sr. Edigna
(Tagaytay), Sr. Lucy and Sr. Barbara Martha (San Fernando), Sr.
Susan (Baguio), Sr. Rita (Formation House), Sr. Trinidad (SBH),
Sr. Carmela, Sr. Shirley (Priory House), Sr. Roseve (Tabunok), Sr.
Aurora (Mati). They were lodged in the sisters’ convent.
February 20, early in the morning, those who came from
Tacloban hospital and school communities were Sr. Julia, Sr.
Baptista, Sr. Lia, Sr. Martha, Sr. Ma Lourdes. There were the
DOLST sisters from Lapu-lapu, who came with their staff to be in
solidarity with us as well. They joined with the rest of the sisters
from the previous day in the motorcade. They all rode the big SPC
bus with some teachers and employees to go around the City of
Ormoc in a long convoy of cars and floats representing the three
units of the Grade School, High School and the College. At the
head of the motorcade the SPC Band led as they played the SPC
Hymn and other marching tunes. There were also two hired bands
who played the sinulog drum motifs. When the motorcade ended
and the participants had gone back to SPC, there was a short break
during which, the students and guests could take their snacks and
prepare for the next round of activities.
At. 9:00 a.m. the opening salvo began. It was a prayer
-dance number to introduce the theme of the centennial celebra-
tion; the statues of St. Peter and St. Benedict were placed predomi-
nantly on the stage, and were blessed after the Mass. Bishop
Crispin Varquez of Borongan, Samar officiated at the opening
Mass with 8 concelebrants, some of whom were alumni of SPC.
Bishop Varquez emphasized that the legacy of proclaiming the faith
and teaching what Christ taught is both the challenge and mission
for SPC now and in the years to come.
After Holy Mass, the blessing of the new College
building was done. Though not yet fully furnished, the second floor
could already accommodate guests sisters at the rooms prepared for
them. These are the future rooms of the mini-school hotel of the
BSHRM department. This new four storey building will have ten
classroom, offices, the faculty room, a café- lobby and the entire
HRM laboratory.
The rest of the morning till noon was for Family Day and
for amateur contest like SPC Got Talent. Lunch was served at the
Sr. Editha Wydorski Hall. In the afternoon was the Musical Dance
Concert which lasted from 3 till 6 p.m. At supper time, another
batch of sisters arrived: Sr. Lydia, Sr. Josefina, (Priory House), Sr.
Celine, (Manila Com) Sr. Remedios, Sr. Esperanza (Baguio), Sr.
Michaela, Sr. Mechtild (Legazpi). Vespers - Compline punctuated
the day’s end. Some sisters slept at IAL Lodge which is owned by
Iñaki and Leni Larrazabal.
Page 9 Vol. IV No. 2 Mar. - Apr. 2014
February 21: At 5:30 in the morning with the sun not yet
risen and with the cool breeze of amihan, participants for the Fun
Run (with bikers) assembled at SPC grounds. Leading the fun-run
bikers was Sr. Zita Jamisola, the SPC Registrar. That is a boost to
vocation promotion. More sisters arrived: Sr. Ana Maria, Sr. Sarah,
Sr. Eliza, Sr. Andrea, Sr. Jessica. Much later in the morning Sr. Mary
Vincent and Ms. Gladys Rapay also arrived.
When all fun runners have returned to SPC, the meditative
prayer-dance for Morning Praise was led by selected student leaders.
To balance with the spiritual upliftment of the meditative prayer
- dance, it was followed by the physical exercise Mob dance with Mrs.
Gregoria Palapar, the Grade School principal leading it and assisted
by Year IV-St. John.
At 8:30 the field demo started. The Grade School unit had
the Kinder 1 & 2 till Grades 3-4 do a variety of Remix dances which
includes cha-cha, gangnam, waltz, boggie, whoops keri dance. The
Grades 5-6 did a interpretation dance at the tune of song: Rainbow
Connection. SPC employees consisting of faculty and non-teaching
personnel did an intricate but breathtakingly executed Maranao
Wedding dance called the Singkil. The College Unit summed up
dances from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao in a dance collage entitled:
Piliin Mo ang Plipinas. It was performed by selected college students.
Finally the High School Unit from Grade 7-8 and Year III and IV gave
stunning group dances and martial arts demo that ranged from Arnis,
Subli, Mexican Dance and Paso Doble. The music, the movements
and the colors blended in graceful and exquisite as well as
suspense-filled group presentations that spelled artistry and finesse.
Kudos to the trainors and performers. What a fitting tribute to a
beloved school for her centenary.
The highlight of this day was the Eucharistic celebration
which was officiated by Archbishop John Du of Palo. He couldn’t
thank SPC enough, repeatedly he expressed his gratitude to the
Missionary Benedictine Sisters for their presence and service to SPC
and the Ormocanons particularly. He read a list of the sisters who
were past directresses/presidents of SPC both the living and those who
have died already. He expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the
Service Awardees and enjoined the entire SPC school community to
continue to witness to the gospel values and to further the work of
evangelization in a world that is getting highly secularized. The final
song for the Mass reverberated and filled the gym as all sung: “Now
thank we all our God……”
The Mass was followed by the awarding ceremony and
fellowship. All who were present partook of the simple but tasteful
dinner that was served. There were surprise raffle games and prizes, a
kuratsa danced by Dr. Flordeliza Navarete and Mr. Willie Laho-lahoy
of the business office. The Archbishop obliged and brought his
donation to the kuratsa dancers as others followed him. Sr. Mary
Frances distributed envelopes with “surprise” (bonus) for the employ-
ees. How happy were all who received an envelope. Such happiness
cannot be bought….it just oozed and flows from grateful hearts. Dr.
Flordeliza Navarete and Mrs. Ivy Lapinid, the school nurse, were
designated to give the words of gratitude. The closing prayer was in
the form of sinulog blessing. Thus the day ended-joy-filled, and
wrapped in awesome graced thanksgiving.
MANILA PRIORY Page 10
February 22 –Feast of the Chair of St. Peter: As befitting
a gesture to honor its founder, Fr. Cataag, the Grade School Unit had
the First Holy Communion for its Grade Two students. Fr. Urbina had
lined up a pictorial after the Holy Mass: Missionary Benedictine
Sisters with the communicants and with the Grade School teachers in
separate groups. By noontime, the Grade School faculty and non
-teaching staff and some guests together with the Sisters had lunch
together at the Sr. Edita Wydorski Hall.
The outer quadrangle was arranged with beautifully
decorated outdoor fine-dining sets for the Juniors-Seniors’ Prom. The
students agreed to hold it early in the day because of the danger of
going home late with many parts of Ormoc that is still poor lighted.
Despite the downpour, they continued to hold their turnover ceremony
at the gym. After lunch, the program went on and the dancing as well
till late afternoon. This is just a once-in-a lifetime JS Prom.....this
event, surely their hearts would want to remember, these memories
they will take along till one day in some later years of their
homecoming at SPC, they will be able to relish and share once again.
February 23- we bid goodbye to the last group of sisters who
came to celebrate with us. We couldn’t thank them enough for their
support. It had just been over a 100 days since supertyphoon Yolanda
delivered a devastating blow to Region 8. SPC’s simple, dignified yet
happy celebration of its centennary stands to proclaim that indeed we
will rise again.....
By: Sr. Therese Bulatao, OSB
We express our gratitude to all who have
contributed to this newsletter.
Sr. Virginia Ferino, OSB Priory Secretariat
Stella Marie Martinez Layout Editor
Bishop Crispin Varquez , assisted by Msgr. Villanueva, blessed the new college building; Sr. Baptista, OSB and some faculty members and
non-teaching staff joined in the praying and lighting of candles.
Sr. Jeanette Baek, OSB From Daegu
for studies
March 3, 2014
Sr. Gabriella Urian, OSB
From Rome for homeleave
March 28, 2014
Sr. Barbara Batac, OSB From Norfolk
for Golden Jubilee
April 16, 2014
Sr. Sarah Gocela, OSB Missioned to Windhoek, Namibia
April 5, 2014
Oblate Tomasa Mercedes Dait To Hawaii
April 22, 2014
Manila Priory Sisters and Ormoc Community at SPC’s Centennial Celebration
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