SAN SEBASTIAN COLLEGE-RECOLETOS MANILA TURNS 60

“SA NAKARAAN AT SA NAKALAAN, SAN SEBASTIAN MAGPAKAILANMAN”

FR. LAURO LARLAR TALKS ABUT THE THEME THROUGH A HOMILY

“Looking back, looking through” essentially became the focus of the celebration of San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Manila when it observed its 60th Foundation Week last January 17-20, 2007.

Marking the first spark of the weeklong affair was the Mass at the school quadrangle which was officiated by Rev. Fr. Lauro Larlar (Prior Provincial), 8 am last January 17. His homily centered on the foundation theme “SA NAKARAAN AT SA NAKALAAN, SAN SEBASTIAN MAGPAKAILANMAN”. He said “ we have a big reason to celebrate because we have a rich memory that will strengthen our vision. However, the gift of memory and the gift of love should be used especially in this times of elections.”

In his analogy, he paralleled the 60th year of existence to a retiring employee. The period of retirement, according to him, blesses a person with a gift of solitute, having more time for himself and with others, an involvement to be closer to God and be conscious on the alarming form of paralysis. He encouraged everyone to put more determination in serving people and be more involved for the love of God and be more sensitive with the needs of others.

MOTORCADE

Proudly queuing an array of vehicles and floats in red and yellow balloons and tarps, the SSC-R community made a public parade via a motorcade right after the mass held at the school quadrangle. Starting from the center gate, the motorcade made a stretch to Ayala Bridge, then took Quirino, Pedro Gil, Taft, Quiapo Bridge all the way to Dimasalang, Maceda, right To Espana, left to Morayta, left to Recto, right to Legarda, and back to Plaza del Carmen. The motorcade was participated by the different student groups, grade school, high school, college, MBA and Law.

BLESSING OF THE COLLEGE CATWALK, AUDITORIUM AND EXHIBIT

Responding to the welfare of the students and to the plans of the school, the Alumni Association provided for the construction of the College Catwalk which serves as an extended structure for the new College Library. The said project was given the blessing along with the newly-renovated College Auditorium. Also blessed was the institutional exhibit which commenced after the motorcade. Fr. Cris Palomar, OAR initiated the rites while Fr. Dionisio C. Cachero , OAR (College president) and Atty. Ramon Victor Alzon (Alumni president) led the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The affair was attended by some priest and lay administrators, faculty, employees and students.

ANNUAL COMMUNITY SPORTSFEST

The day stirred excitements with the Annual Community Sportsfest which featured Basketball Championship match. The event hailed the following winners: Champion – Athletics Group, 1st Runner-Up – Recoletos Fathers, 2nd Runner-Up – CABACS(College of Accountancy, Business Administration and Computer Studies)


BATTLE OF THE BANDS

Taking the limelight were some bands competing for the Battle of the Bands. Emerging winners as finalists were Chikiting ni Pedro, Rose Quartz, Ensemble, Pokemox, Black Label, and Kachichas Meets Kulafu. Guest band from Davao City, SIDE CRASH performed numbers to the delight of the crowd.

LIVE FEATURE SEGMENT OF MUB OVER ABS-CBN2

January 18 put SSC-R Manila live via “Magandung Umaga Pilipinas” over ABS-CBN2 with Louie Villaruz’s “Gimik Republik” segment. Featured were the Korean visitors (students from Chonbuk National University of Korea) which were invited for a cultural exchange program of the school, the high school students doing a field dance of the eighties, STONE FREE Band with SSC-R students as crowd, and the Basketball and Volleybal athletes. The coverage was facilitated by Mr. Albert Danan, the school’s Public Relations Officer.

CELEBRITY BREAKFAST

Successful alumni, past administrators, and achievers were invited and tendered with sumptuous meal during the “Celebrity Breakfast”. Celebrating with the lay and priest administrators, the audience were presented with the school’s future prospects and plans which intend to elicit support. Fr. Dionisio C. Cachero (president) presented the school’s vision for the next years which includes the full establishment of SSC-R Canlubang (prioritizing the construction of the chapel within the school site). In his tallk, he also stressed on some developmental priorities in physical and academic forms. The need for the building of the Athletes’ Quarter and setting and upgrading of laboratories are on the list. Moving towards academic excellence, he also mentioned plans to improve faculty line-up, instructional programs, and alumni relations. All these are in the offing in order to elevate the school into a higher level. This year, SSC-R Manila is set for PAASCU accreditation for level 3. Hopefully, it could apply for a university status.

Giving prominence to the affair were some of the alumni and former administrators like Ramon Ereneta, Arnold Adante, Lamberto Alvares, Alfredo Dimaculangan, Victor Ferrer, Jr., Maria Eden Gonzales, Zandro Hernandez, Fr. Mario Jose Ladra, Gerardo Lantoria, Jr., Orlando Maddela, Jr., Froilan Maglaya, Jose Median, Karl Miranda, Jan Ordaveza, Robert Paguia, Reynaldo Parco, Wilfredo Quibael, Gerardo Sapalaran, Elpidio Soriano, Jose Tan Jr., Ma. Theresa Balagtas-Gupo, Gov. Rogelio Espina, Alexander Gusto, Anjo Yllana, Leonardo Matignas, Luzviminda Hernandez, Marco Antonio Montes, Benjamin Bernardo, Christopher Macabuhay, Ernesto Garcia, Cesario Ilagan, Thelma Repedro, Teresita Permejo, Aida Autajay, Delia Bunag, Dominador Gamboa, Edgardo Peralta, Alexander Salvador, Mercedes Leuterio, Francis Kong, Noel Ajero, Bernardo Pacheco, Ruby Senatin, Samuel Bernal, Evelyn Enejosa, Aido Torio, Danilo Deterala, Archie “Matt’ Ranillo,and Ernie Garcia.

INSTITUTIONAL SEMINAR

Following the Celebrity Breakfast was the Institutional Seminar which inspired the audience with talks on the past, the present and the future of San Sebastian College. Past adminstrator Aida Torio gave a recollection of the school as she dealt with passion and an unquestionable commitment. Known alumni, Francis Kong eloquently inspired the crowd with his distinct thoughts on what it is being a Sebastinian. Fr. Jorge D. Peligro, OAR (VP-Academics) laid his message by presenting the challenges ahead, an invitation for everybody to flap a wave of greater commitment that will enable SSC-R to fly high.

CULTURAL SHOW

As always, the Cultural Show managed to entertain the audience with different presentation repertoire coming from the different departments such as grade school, high school, college, and non-teaching personnel. This year’s show concept brought back music and scenarios of the past, showcased the present and captured a vignette of the future SSC-R scenario in all artistry. This year’s presentation was not done in a competitive fashion. This is to emphasize unity and oneness through a single and internalized goal.

EXHIBITION GAMES/INTRAMS/QUIZ BEE

Past NCAA veterans in volleyball and basketball took time to play with present athletes to wow the crowd. Ex NCAA players expectedly displayed the winning moves and strategies.

Meanwhile, the High School Intramurals concluded with the following champions in Basketball event.
First Year I – Wisdom
Second Year II – Our Lady of Fatima
Third Year III – St. Luke
Fourth Year iv – St. John De La Salle

A community quiz bee organized by the grade school and high school declared the following as winners: Mr. Eduard B. Noda, Jr. (faculty) – First Place, Ceejay C. Buison (First Year – Faith) – Second Place, and Gissele C. Arellano (Grade VI-St. Augustine) – Third Place.

STUDENTS’ NIGHT

The night glittered with musicalities of emerging pinoy band genre. Taking center stage were known bands like HALE, CALLA LILY, PROTEIN SHAGE, STONE FREE, and PEDICAB.

SERVICE AWARDS

As always, keeping a tradition (by celebrating a foundation) necessitates honoring the services rendered by the employees. For this year, a 35-year in service topped the honorees. Known as Ma’am Luz, Miss Luzviminda I. Hernandez had this in her speech.

“Having San Sebastian College-Recoletos, what more can we ask for?” Her gratitude extended to recognizing the efforts of the religious administrators, the inspiration from important colleagues like Dean Mercedes Leuterio, and members of the community and her family. She parted a message with this line.. “My dear Sebastinians, this Service Awards is a celebration of life and commitment!”

Tendering the final remarks of the program, Fr. Dionisio C. Cachero had the following message:

“A very pleasant evening to all the religious and lay administrators, teachers, guests, and friends, and most especially our awardees. This Service Awards Night is a very important activity for giving acknowledgment and appreciation for the services rendered by our people in the academe and support services. These are the people who have stayed and worked with us for considerable years.. five years to thirty years or more.

Receiving of the service awards, though, is not solely seen on length of service extended by the person to the school but it is more on the loyalty of the person to the school and extension of genuine service to the populace it wants to serve. Loyalty is more on the willful submission of the individual concerns to the good of each member in the same community . Once genuine loyalty prevails, institutional loyalty could easily be achieved and one it is firmly established, internal division, petty quarrel, professional jealousy and bickering would not be experienced, thus, discipline becomes a personal choice and something obliged or super-imposed freely. Presence of institutional loyalty likewise, results to upright service which is beyond reproach. If this exists, there and then we can build an environment of individual trust and respect, enabling all of us to realize our full potential as a person and as a Christian being – a truly son and daughters of the Almighty God. With its existence, we can create a sense of pride and long-term commitment that could ensure the realizaton of our goal. How I wish this is what San Sebastian College-Recoletos is now.

This is the dream of any institution… This is also my dream for our school… This is what San Sebastian College-Recoletos should be working for.. to make music together in this world… so that the institution can provide the climate, the structure and knowledge for the total development of people, animated by faith, for the service of God, the Church and people.

My dear awardees, thank you very much for assisting us in our mission for an education apostolate. To the faculty members, thank you very much for nurturing and molding the minds of our students and to the support services, thank you so much for your assistance in providing their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. To all of you thank you for enabling our students to soar high, free and strong and imbued with determination to reach their ambitions in life. Thank you for consecrating several years of your productive life in educating the students – a lofty and noble manifestation of service.

This year’s theme of the celebration “Sa Nakaraan at sa Nakalaan, San Sebastian Magpakailanman”, truly speaks of what San Sebastian is; what the school has achieved in the past would be its inspiration to work for the future of our school… stronger, more fruitful and bearers of noble standard.

Once again, thank you, congratulations and good evening!

FIELD DEMO/BINGO AND PROCESSION

Day 4 of the celebration displayed a colorful dances as grade school and high school students brought back the time with music and grooves of the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and the present. This was followed by the Jubilee Bingo in the afternoon. Cash prizes ranging from P2,000 up to P10,000 were given away including some appliances.

In the evening, a mass for the Feast of St. Sebastian was held at the Basilica with Bishop Teodoro Buhain, D.D. as the main celebrant. Bishop Buhain praised the Recoletos missionaries for the meaningful efforts they have demonstrated in restoring faith among Filipinos through martyrdom and silent hardwork. In his homily, he reminded the community of Jesus’ sacrifice and death to restore life. He cited San Sebastian for giving up his life to restore faith and that others may live. He stressed that “in order to give life, we must die”. This, according to him, exemplifies the Recoletos spirit. He concluded by sending everyone this message “live a life of service and love”. The traditional procession in honor of St. Sebastian proceeded with the parishioners, NSTP students, and other members of the community.

THE 60TH FOUNDATION WEEK CELEBRATION COMMITTEES
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Overall Chair Rev. Fr. Joel S. Naranja, OAR
Members Ms. Ceres Alcantara
Dean Leonardo Martin Bunag
Atty. Ramon victor Alzona, Jr.
Mr. Albert Danan
Mr. Aaron Saludo
THE WORKING COMMITTEES
Alumni Activity Atty. Ramon Alzona, Jr.
Dean Leonardo Martin Bunag
Mrs. Cristina Aliwalas
Booths and Physical Arrangement Rev. Fr. Edwin G. Macmac, OAR
Mr. Arnold Elima
Community Involvement Ms. Charlene Santos
Cultural Presentation Dr. Lolita A. De Guzman
Mr. Mario Maranan
Evaluation Committee Dr. Winston Sirug
SDPC Staff
Exhibits Mrs. Jane Bautista
SDPC Staff
Field Demonstation Mrs. Olga Paguia
Mrs. Cristina Aliwalas
Liturgy Rev. Fr. Cris A. Palomar, OAR
Campus Ministry Staff
Motorcade Mr. Arnold Elima
Mr. Louie Empleo
Publicity, Program and Invitation Mr. Albert Danan
Ms. Arcie Yanquiling
Ms. Aimee Cabrido
Mrs. Rebecca Minas
Seminars Dr. Corazon Reyes
Service Awards Ms. Grace Poblete
HRDC/Acctg. Staff/ARMACOM
Sports Mr. Frank Gusi
Student Activity Dean Leonardo Martin Bunag
Miss RJ Abrencillo

MESSAGE FROM THE OVER-ALL CHAIR (REV. FR. JOEL S. NARANJA, OAR
VP for Student Welfare)

The success of any endeavor greatly lies on the commitment of its workforce. As always, San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Manila has been consistently displaying a strong and productive communitarian spirit which has been responsible in the accomplishment of its mission and vision. I am extremely grateful for all the committees who have been working hard despite the very limited time given for preparations. Your unquestionable determination to achieve a planned activity is something that really leaves a mark in our image as a total community of love and labor. Truly, we deserve to celebrate. And the more we move collectively towards a single goal, the more we create that impact that has been binding us through the years. Suffice it to say, the achievements from the past and the strength we gather today will all lead to perpetuate a commitment that was founded on the Recoletos spirit. “SA NAKARAAN AT SA NAKALAAN, SAN SEBASTIAN MAGPAKAILANMAN”.