pergola e-dyaryo, october 2010 special edition part 2

8/8/2019 Pergola E-Dyaryo, October 2010 Special Edition Part 2

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Special Edition Part

SCHOLASTICANS INVESTING IN EDUCATION

Steering Committee

Daisy BarawidanLala DavidSherry DavidMarita LegaspiCecile LowlichtSol OcaMike PalileoEmma Villa-Real

Pergola Contributors

(this issue) Sr Soledad OSBSr Mary Bernard OSBElenita S.A. SandejasTeresita N. Chandler Chell J. Bengzon

Ana Reyes-de VriesJudy Lou-LimLouella Pena-RoseteMary Ann ProsperoNeni SR CruzDaisy BarawidanBeann C.Loeber

Ana Q. Syquia

Editors

Mike PalileoYvette Jarencio

GIVING TO ST SCHOLASTICA RESEARCH ANDDEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION (SSRDF)

Several classes marking their jubilees of graduationincreased their scholarship funds with newdonations. These included the Golden JubilariansHS ’60 and Coll ‘60. The Silver Belles ‘70 markedtheir pearl anniversary with an addition to their

scholarship fund, and HS ’47 did likewise.

SSC alumnae in California headed by Eva PascualCullen put up a new fund, the SSAA California 2009Reunion Scholarship Fund.

Last year Ma. Fe Perez Agudo, BSC graduate „83and SSRDF scholar during her college years,sponsored a scholar in accounting. This year Ms

Agudo, now President and Chief Executive Officer of Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc., added two morescholarships. The new grants can be for any degreecourse.

Another recent recipient of a scholarship fund in her honor was Sister Fe Andrea Collantes OSB, whocelebrated her golden jubilee of monastic professionlast May 9, 2010. The Sr Fe Andrea Scholarship Fundwas the gift of her former students. Sister Fe Andreawas visibly and happily moved by the thoughtfulnessand love behind it all.

MORE HONORS FOR SSRDF SCHOLARS

The following SSRDF scholars graduated witacademic honors in 2010:Rose Ann de la Cruz , BSIT cum laudeAda Eufemiano , BSHRM cum laudeNeriza Joyce Recinto , BS Psych and AB Guidancand Counseling cum laudeAdelina Gay Uy , BSIT cum laude

Mary Ann Aure , who graduated with a Bachelordegree in biology, was chosen one of Ten OutstandinStudents of the Philippines in 2009. Mary Ann was threcipient of the scholarship sponsored by Dr. CarmeIntengan, former head of SSC‘S Nutrition Departmenand the National Institute of Nutrition and Dietetics.Charisse Mendoza was one of four members of thteam that produced the Best Video production in contest sponsored by De La Salle University.Jacelle Soleil Manara won second place in the FirsNational Youth Songwriting Contest. She was finalisin the competition for the 2009 Bayer YounEnvironmentalist Envoys, and was named one of 10Outstanding Young Leaders for Knowledge anDevelopment (YLKD), sponsored by the AteneSchool of Government and World Bank Knowledge foDevelopment Seminar.



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Dr Jose “Lito” Sison Sandejas, SSRDF CHAIR: “NOTHING LESS THAN A TRUE SCHOLASTICAN”

by Elenita San Agustin-Sandejas, HS ‘56, AB ‗60

When asked to write

about the Chairmanof the St. ScholasticaResearch and

DevelopmentFoundation, my firstreaction was "Unfair !‖Why me? Writingabout this man whohas been myroommate for the last48 years, 3 months,and 13 days (to date)

is like writing about myself. Someone else can dothe job, I thought. If I let time lapse, nothing willhappen. But dear Sr. Soledad called again with agentle reminder: ―Your article is rather overdue for publication.‖ Rather overdue! So here I am with amission to describe my husband, Jose ―Lito‖ SisonSandejas.

Lito is a Scholastican husband, that is, he ismarried to a Scholastican alumna. By now he isactually more Scholastican than his wife, if wecount the number of years he has spent in his

simultaneous tenure as trustee at the St.Scholastica's College (SSC) and the St.Scholastica Research and DevelopmentFoundation (SSRDF) Board of Trustees. Lito hasserved under Sr. Soledad, Sr. Bellarmine, Sr. MaryJohn, and now Sr. Angelica. We can, I think, evensay he is a silver jubilarian by now. In all theseyears, he has faithfully attended all boardmeetings—only foreign trips or illness would bereason enough for any absence.

When asked what might be the significance of hisinvolvement with these two institutions, he says that

honestly, for him it is the joy and privilege to workwith a group of dedicated women, our dedicatedBenedictine nuns, in the Board. He is edified by theway they are so focused in providing qualityeducation not only for those who can afford, butmore especially for those who cannot afford thisquality education. Thus, he totally commends therole of the SSRDF in this educational mission.

Occasionally, when asked how his meeting wenthis reply would be "Refreshing! " These encounters

with educators have been a welcome respite fromhis professional work in the corporate world wherehe is Chairman and President of a group calledProfessional Managers, Inc. and his familybusiness. At this stage in his life he calls himself"semi-retired" while still putting in a daily 10-12 hourday‘s work in both profit and not-for-profiorganizations or foundations. Most of these not-forprofit foundations are educational in nature, suchas the two Scholastican institutions, the Parents foEducation Foundation, Marubeni ScholarshipFoundation and Meralco Foundation. The others

are focused on science and research, and someothers on charity. Lately his passion has beenadvocacy in defense of family and life. His love forlearning is evident in his active involvement inthese foundations where he always makes time tocontribute whatever little (he says) he can.

In any endeavor he never leaves any stoneunturned. He is ever relentless to exhaust almeans until a task or project is achieved and hedoes a good job to get everyone to move alongtowards the same goals.

Family man? Yes, he is . . . a husband to one, aScholastican, a father to 6, and a grandfather to 8,going 9. He is known for his bias for science whenconversing with the children. He always has greatlistening ears, very patient. All his life he hasalways been an exercise man . . . in his youngerdays basketball, jogging, squash, lately gym or golfor occasional walking his wife (not dog), who coulddo with any exercise.

In sum, Jose "Lito" Sandejas is nothing less than atrue Scholastican , defined, as we all know, as onewho believes that all prayer and work of each dayshould be done that in all things God may beglorified.



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BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERSST SCHOLASTICA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

Chair: Dr. Jose Sandejas; Vice-Chair: Atty. Domingo Fregillana, Jr.Board Members: Sister Angelica Leviste, OSB; Sister Mary Thomas Prado, OSB; Sister Soledad Hilado

OSB; Sister Vida Mones, OSB; Mrs. Lourdes Castro-Roa (current President, SSC Alumnae

Association).Officers:

President: Sister M. Angelica Leviste, OSBSecretary: Sister Mary Thomas Prado, OSBTreasurer: Sister M Vida Mones, OSBExecutive Director: Sister M. Soledad Hilado, OSB

Dr Jose Sandejas, SSRDF Chair Sr Vida Mones, SSRDF Treasurer

Lourdes Castro-Roa, SSRDF Board Member Sr Mary Thomas Prado, SSRDF Secretary



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GIVING TO SSRDF

The St ScholasticaResearch and

DevelopmentFoundation(SSRDF) enablesacademicallyqualified studentsto study at St.Scholastica‘sCollege (Manila)through financialassistance.

The move to put up such a Foundation was inresponse to the thrust of the MissionaryBenedictine Sisters who own and operate theCollege. Completing the roster of incorporatorsare equally generous laymen and laywomen whobelieve that quality education is a lifetimeinvestment for all.

The initial donors to SSRDF were alumnae andfriends of SSC Manila as well as jubilariangraduates who have been actively augmentingthe annual Fund on Alumnae Day, the Feast of

St. Scholastica every February 10.During the mid-1980s, students had the option tohold fundraising events as part of SSC‘s on-campus festivities. Proceeds were donated tothe SSRDF to help sustain the scholars. Hardeconomic times, however, became a drawback.The College faced a number of economicchallenges, and it was not long before the annualFund Drives were cancelled. It was not until1999 when SSRDF received its first pledgeddonation. The endowment was an amount set

aside for a five-year memorial scholarship fund.Later this grant was extended for five moreyears.

Today, through SSC‘s distinguished benefactors,alumnae, and friends, SSRDF continues tosupport scholars in selected degree programs.Scholasticans and family are invited to be a partof this rewarding engagement.

For inquiries on how to invest in the education oa scholar at SSC, send an email t

Sr. Soledad Hilado, OSB, SSRDF ExecutivDirector , at [email protected] may also call her at (632) 524-7686, loca593 or 197, or send a fax to (063) 521-2593.

SSRDF Target Revisited

In 1986 when SSRDF was initiated, part of its aim(enunciating the Manila Priory‘s aim to be of greate

service to the poor in the area of education) was tinclude 20% of its school population at SScholastica‘s College Manila from among thfinancially disadvantaged. The financial picture of thcountry then as well as tuition rates at the time wersuch that the SSRDF Board considered that a fund oP20,000 would generate an annual interest incomsufficient to fund a financially disadvantaged studenthrough college. Solicitations for funds were madaccordingly.

The situation very soon changed. Money had beedonated by a number of generous donors but interes

rates plunged drastically. Tuition rates in schools ancolleges very soon rose just as dramatically to matcthe financial needs of families. Today the SSRDF daring to revive the aim. With the invaluable help oalumnae, friends, and other benefactors, it aims tmove from the present less than 10% to the targete20%! With prayers for God‘s blessings on each anevery benefactor!



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Gifts in Memory Of

Many Scholastican alumnae, parents, and friends choose to memorialize their

loved ones by giving to SSC in their names. The following individuals were remembered with gifts to SSRDF.



October 2010

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Gifts in Honor of

In recognition of mentors to generations of Scholastican students, the following individuals were honored through gifts to SSRDF.



October 2010

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WOMEN WITH A MISSIONby Sr. Mary Bernard Lansang, OSB

For Scholasticans, Octoberis the month of the Rosary,

the month for the Missions.Remember the days whenwe Scholasticans wereencouraged to drop a coinin the mission box?Remember that box wherea small boy would nod hishead when you dropped acoin? Those were the dayswhen we were reminded of

our commitment to the Propagation of the Faith. Rememberhow we were asked to fill in a piece of paper that asked―How many Masses did you attend, how many ejaculatoryprayers did you say, how many visits did you make to the

Blessed Sacrament, how many rosaries, how manyStations of the Cross, and how many times did you give upa soft drink for the missions‖? My dear Scholasticans, youwere trained to become WOMEN WITH A MISSION.

HISTORY OF OUR FOUNDATION AS MISSIONARYBENEDICTINE SISTERS

A week ago, on September 24, 2010, the MissionaryBenedictine Sisters all over the world celebrated the 125thJubilee of the Foundation of our Congregation. Our founder,Fr. Andreas Amrhein, OSB, from the BenedictineMonastery of Beuron (Germany) was moved by a desire tofound a congregation that would bring back the missionarylife of the early Benedictine monks who brought the

Christian faith to the many countries of the world. (You willrecall how the play ORA et LABORA depicted theseBenedictine missionaries.) Yes, our life as MissionaryBenedictine Sisters is a blending of the Benedictinemonastic life of prayer and work, rooted in the life and HolyRule of St. Benedict, with a strong sense of commitment tothe Mission of the Church.

When we recall the early beginnings of our congregation,we remember the hard and difficult experiences of our earlymissionaries. Our first mission was in AFRICA. The tropicalheat in the continent of Africa and the mosquitoes thatplagued the people caused the death and sickness of ourearly missionary sisters. More horrifying than this was the

attack of the pagan Arabs who attacked our earlymissionaries, setting their huts on fire, and killing them withdaggers and deadly weapons. Thus, some of ourmissionary sisters suffered a MARTYR‘s death. But as it issaid in the history of the Church, the blood of the martyrsbecame the seed for the growth of the Church. Our historyas a congregation attests to the fact that the news ofmartyrdom reached Germany and that awakened the senseof mission of the young German women. In a short while,150 German women joined our congregation.

MISSIONARY BENEDICTINE SISTERS IN THEPHILIPPINES

You will recall that four years ago, in the year 2006, StScholastica‘s College held her centennial celebration: 100YEARS OF BENEDICTINE PRESENCE IN THEPHILIPPINES . The year-long celebration in theatrepresentations, field demonstrations, outstanding alumnaeawards, publication of a book on the history of theBenedictine mission, recognition of lay partners andemployees, the production of souvenir items, and manymore activities were all in praise of the glories of ourmission in the Philippines.

Yet, we cannot and will not forget the pains and thedifficulties in the early beginnings of this mission. The firsfive German sisters who came as pioneers in the

Philippines mission had to hurdle a lot of difficulties. Theyboarded the German vessel S.S. Gneisenau in Genoa onAugust 15, 1906 and landed on our shores on September14, 1906, THE FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THECROSS. I would like to underline the significance of theliturgical feast: the Triumph of the CROSS. The mission oour pioneering Benedictine sisters was marked by theCROSS and yet by God‘s GRACE, the mission flourished.

BENEDICTINE EDUCATION AT ST. SCHOLASTICA’SCOLLEGE

Whenever Scholastican alumnae get together, they enjoyrecalling their student days at St. Scholastica‘s CollegeMemories of sisters so dear to us come alive: Sister LiguoriSister Caridad, Sister Soledad, Sister Lieou, SisterKuniberta, Sister Odiliana, Sister Paz, and then the youngsisters who took prominent positions of leadership inschool. You will recall the discipline in and out of theclassroom, the training in prayer, the academicrequirements, and all the details that went into yourformation as responsible Christian women. Remember theConduct Sheets? As you lined up for class, the classadviser or the student leader held a conduct sheet, markingon the checklist the time for lining up, the silence in the linegoing up and down the stairs, the length of the skirt, and soon. Remember your training in prayer? During the month ofOctober: Rosary in the chapel—checking the rosary beadsFirst Friday adoration—the double genuflection, the propedecorum for kneeling down, the veil; in Lent—the Stationsof the Cross, and many more.

Hand in hand with the strict academic requirements, thesisters put up a systematic program for the ScholasticansMission Awaremess: Christmas Drive, the CatecheticaMission in Rafael Palma‘s School, the visit with the deafand dumb, the regular trips to Welfareville in the oldweapons carrier, and during the summer months, Project saPag-unlad for the needy in the neighborhood. All thesewere a part of the Scholastican curriculum: a wholisticapproach to the education of Christian women.



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WOMEN AT THE SERVICE OF THE CHURCH AND OFTHE WORLD

This week we are celebrating in the Philippines the Weekfor the Laity. It is my joy to remind you that you, the laity,have a special role in the Church. His Holiness, Pope John

Paul II wrote an Apostolic Exhortation, CHRISTI FIDELESLAICI, On the Vocation and the MISSION of the LayFaithful in the Church and in the World. Let me quote aportion of the Papal exhortation:

The basic meaning of this Synod and the most preciousfruit desired, is the lay faithful hearkening to the call of Christ the Lord to work in his vineyard, to take an active, conscientious and responsible part in the mission of the Church . . . . A new state of affairs today,both in the church and in social, economic, political andcultural life, calls with particular urgency for the action of the lay people . The voice of the Lord clearlyresounds in the depths of each of Christ‘s followers, who, through faith and the sacraments of Christian

initiation, is made like to Jesus Christ, is incorporatedas a living member in the Church and has an active part in her mission of salvation (italics mine).

My dear Scholasticans, your Christian formation in school,built on the foundation you received from your parents athome, has prepared you to become Women at the Service of the Church and the World. In his article on ―BenedictineValues in an Educational Environment,‖ Fr. John Klassen,OSB explains how Benedictine education enables a personto live with a sacramental view of the world. By variousexperiences, we encounter God and God is given anopportunity to respond to us. Changes can occur over time;insights into the human condition emerge; intuitions about

our lives clarify; priorities are ordered differently; our angergives way to compassion and freedom; fear is replaced bya trusting embrace; despair yields to hope. We call thesemoments sacramental. They are graced moments.

We have seen time and again a readiness in ouralumnae to help others. After the ferocious typhoonONDOY that brought destruction to hundreds of lives anddestruction of houses in the Philippines, we recall the readyhelp alumnae sent through Sister Lydia and through SisterPauline Triviño, who at that time was in the USA. Weremember how alumnae came through once again whentyphoon REMING swept over the Bicol region. Indeed,these are manifestations of the Scholastican character:WOMEN OF COMPASSION. We know that alumnae arealso involved in various movements for justice and peace,confronting structures of injustice, laws and practices thatkeep poor people disempowered, and that in their variousprofessions, alumnae demand accountability, transparency,and good governance.

Allow me to put a word of caution in your work ofhelping the poor. During your student days, you worked forthe Christmas Drive with a strong drive for your class to win. That was good at that point in your life as a student.But now it is good to remind yourselves that your effortstoward helping the poor comes from a strong desire to love

and to serve others and not from a false ambition for powerThere is a difference in wanting to raise ourselves andwanting to lift up the condition of our brothers and sisters.

In his book The Selfless Way of Christ, Henri Nouwentalks about the lure of upward mobility:

There is the temptation to be relevant : to do somethingthat is needed and can be appreciated by people, thusmaking productivity the basis of our ministry. Thistouches us at the center of our identity. We deceiveourselves and make believe that we are calledproductive, successful people, working hard for theReign of God. But this is giving in to the temptation tobe relevant and respectable in the eyes of the world.

There is the temptation to be spectacular : We tend toassess the success of a movement by the number ofthose who come or the presence of television camerasWe want to be seen, praised, and recognized for ouachievements or for our selfhood. Sadly this hunger is

never satisfied. The more praise we receive, the morewe desire praise and recognition.

Finally, we have the temptation to be powerful : Powecan take many forms: money, connections, fameintellectual ability, skills.

Nouwen adds:

But the mystery of our ministry is that we are called toserve not with our power but by our powerlessness. It isthrough powerlessness that we can enter into solidaritywith our fellow human beings, form a community withthe weak, and thus reveal the healing, guiding, andsustaining mercy of God. . . .As followers of Christ, weare sent to the world naked, vulnerable, weak and thusbe able to reach out to people in their pain and agony.

To be able to get into the root of the motives behind all ouactions and good deeds, we need to become Women with aListening Heart and a Discerning Spirit.

Here is where your training in school comes in veryhandy. As you go through your mission of serving thepeople, be on the watch about the changing moods of thehuman heart. Do you feel any resentment towards one oranother member of your Church group? Do you sincerelyrejoice when one member in your officemates getscommended for her work? Do you bear resentment towardsyour manager in the office for his seeming indifference

toward your accomplishment? And at home, do you gefurious when your husband offers a counter suggestion toyour project or plans for the children? When you discoverthis weakness of a thirst for power within you, when youplumb the depths of your insecurity, then you discover howpowerless you are. Then you know the weakness in yourcrumbling ego . . . This is your Cross. . . a bitter Cross. . but it is in facing this weakness and in accepting yourpowerlessness that you will find your strength andgrace in the Power of Christ.

*****



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THE DONORS: A TALE OF FOUR FRIENDSby Neni Sta Romana Cruz, Daisy Barawidan,

Beann Castro Loeber, Ana Quintos SyQuia (Coll '67)

Maria Corazon Lucero Sta. RomanaScholarship Fund

In 1988, a year that was supposed to bring luck, I lost my onlysister Chona, then all of 35 years old, with a five-year old sonwho could only wonder out loud after the funeral, “I will never see my mommy again?” A loss is always difficult to accept , nomatter the circumstances. But how does one cope with thesenseless murder of Chona, a parricide case the court hassince ruled after I was initially misled into believing andaccepting that she took her own life yet with no convictionsafter all these years? Just many unanswered lingeringquestions.

I cannot imagine how I lived through the nightmare of it all.

How every new day made me angry, for how could the rhythmof life go on undisturbed for everyone else, when my universehad been shattered? How the coming of dusk and nightfall—innormal times, my favorite parts of every day—became thesaddest moments for me, for it meant another day of futilityand frustration. I could not bear the thought of Chonabecoming just a distant and fleeting memory.

Dr. Clemente O. Sta. Romana, an uncle who was a surrogatefather to us after we had lost our parents, refused to be atChona‟s wake and I respected his way of grieving. He hadbeen there the night of the autopsy and saw for himself thatshe died from an inflicted gunshot. But he did tell me that I

should make sure that the family initiates a scholarship inChona‟s name at St. Scholastica‟s College immediately,preferably in psychology or guidance and counseling, Chona‟sown academic background. I had only been vaguely familiar with the SSRDF before this.

It helped that overseeing the Foundation then and now is adear confidante and friend, Sr. Soledad. She understood mysense of urgency about the scholarship being in place as soonas possible, four months after our loss, when the new schoolyear would begin. She was thoughtful, compassionate, andunderstanding, never once asking how much cash we had tobegin with, considering how imperiously demanding I musthave sounded. SSRDF has welcomed all donations big or small—yes, even my daughter Aina‟s donation of her gradeschool allowance of P30. Thus was born the Maria CorazonLucero Sta. Romana Commemorative Scholarship. How thatgesture eased the burden and somehow soothed the pain, for it was the only certainty and ray of light in the context of investigations and legal processes that seemed slow andleading nowhere.

It was also reassuring to see how the SSRDF has beenprofessionally run over the years. A printed annual report

which lists all professorial chairs and scholarships is mailed tothe donors to give a financial report and lists of graduates. Thisis in itself a clever marketing strategy for it shows that its

scholarship funds are not flash-in-the pan endeavors, thusencouraging new donors each time. A large and revereduniversity in Manila had asked me for a copy of such a reportbecause it admitted “not being that good in record-keeping.” Atribute to Sr. Soledad‟s management style!

The fund had modest beginnings and several collegegraduates later has grown, thanks to the thoughtfulness ofriends who continue to remember Chona. All those dear toChona know that her memory will continue to live on with thisscholarship. Often, when I am asked what present I wouldlike, any donation to Chona‟s scholarship fund tops my wish

list. Not only because of Chona alone but because I know whata priceless investment education is.

SSRDF has become my favorite lasting tribute for anyone—and the classes I belong to (HS 63/College 67) have initiatedmany such memorial scholarships for cherished mentors, bothliving and deceased. We are far from an avid fundraisingbatch, mind you—yet we have dared start many such tributes.

And who says time heals, even 22 years after. I have learnedto accept that the pain will always be there. It only gains apatina of meaning when transformed into something positive. could not have found a better way to sublimate anunspeakable grief.

Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with themorning. That did not seem possible at all, but SSRDF hasallowed me to see beyond my tears.

Aunario-Barawidan Scholarship Fund

In the early 1990s, Daisy Barawidan helped with her nephew‟stuition when her brother went on disability due to kidney failureThe experience led to an opportunity to start supporting ascholar at Ateneo de Naga after friend Fr Joel TaboraPresident of Ateneo de Naga, came to New York in 2002Eventually, during the Sweet Sixties ball of HS „63 class in

2004, Daisy‟s cousin, Ginia (now deceased) wanted to give agift that would last. Daisy shared her idea of starting ascholarship in memory of her parents. Ginia loved the idea andmatched the initial $200.

Every year thereafter Daisy has been adding $200 here, $100there, to her parents‟ Scholarship Fund. So far, two othefriends have also contributed to the Fund. Today a scholar hasgraduated, thanks to a combined scholarship from the CorazonLucero Sta. Romana Memorial Fund and the AunarioBarawidan Scholarship Fund. Truly a gift that keeps on giving!



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Jose C. Castro Scholarship Fund

The Castro patriarch, Jose C. Castro, father of six SSC Castroachievers and two young boys, has taught us all a lesson: tolive life to the fullest. In his late years, Papa stubbornlychallenged various illnesses that crept up. He was challengedto outlive and outlast the statistics of throat cancer when hehad four operations at Memorial Sloan Kettering, and after thefirst one he returned with optimism and determination.

During that time Papa had been involved in the canonizationefforts for the first Filipino saint San Lorenzo Ruiz. In fact, hissurvival of that first bout was attributed to San Lorenzo Ruiz‟s miraculous intervention.

But after ten years, in January 1992, the cancer returned, thistime in the esophagus. The aggressive treatment of chemoand radiation was too much. He was rushed to Cabrini Hospitalwhere he was in the ICU for six months. On July 23, 1992,

his doctor said he would have to be transferred to the generalward as there was nothing more they could do. His wife Alicewas inconsolable because in the ICU, there were two nurseson duty for the four patients. The family was assured that hewould get constant attention. He passed away at 1:00 am thatnight. The children all thought it was just like him to preventany additional grief for my Mom. The entire Scholasticancontingent in the New York area came to visit him before hereturned to Manila for the last time.

In honor of the loyal and selfless nurses, the Castro familymade a lasting commitment of a Scholarship Fund for Nurses.

The students who have been funded by the Jose CastroScholarship Program are Bernadette Roberto, CristinaCabezas, Maricar Belen, and Patrick Dollete.

Bernadette Roberto was the first nursing student under thescholarship program. She graduated from Baliuag Universityand worked at St. Luke‟s Medical Center where she wasinitially assigned at the nursery. Because of her dedication andperseverance, she was recruited to work in a hospital inEngland where she is still working up to now in the critical careunit of the nursery. Meanwhile in recognition of her hard workand dedication, the hospital sent her to school to earn aMaster ‟s degree in Nursing. Bernadette now co-owns a flat

with three other Filipino nurses in London. She built acomfortable house for her parents in Barrio Taal, Pulilan,Bulacan, and continues to support her parents. CristinaCabezas and Maricar Belen have both graduated while PatrickDollete is on his fourth year of Nursing.

Gloria Aspillera Quintos Scholarship Fund

My mother Gloria Aspillera-Quintos died on November 262006. She went to St. Scholastica‟s College for grade schooand graduated from high school in 1927. For college she wen

to the University of Santo Tomas and graduated magna cumlaude with a Bachelor of Science in Education, major inPhysics and minor in Math.

We are a family of four boys and ten girls. My father, being analumnus of De La Salle College, who later became its collegephysician, wanted his sons to go to DLSC. My mother wantedus girls to go to SSC. But being a big family, it was nofinancially possible. So my father and mother compromisedthe girls would study in a parochial school for grade school andhigh school, but for college we would go to SSC.

St. Scholastica‟s College must have had an impact on he

such that she had a special love for SSC. Mama wassomehow very close to the nuns. When our eldest sister wento college, the nuns offered to give our sister a partiascholarship so as to fulfill our mother‟s dream. This assistancecontinued as each one of us went to college—all ten of us. Fothis, we are very grateful to the sisters of St. Scholastica‟sCollege.

It is no wonder that Mama wished that someday she could puup a scholarship fund for SSC. But becoming a widow at 51years old and with still nine children ages ranging from 6 to 18to support by herself, it was a distant dream.

When Mama died in November 2006, Neni Sta. Romana Cruztold us that our class (SSC 63/Coll 67) was donating a smalsum of money for my mother. She asked if our family wouldwant to set up a scholarship fund in her name with that as astart-up fund. I asked Neni if we could set up a scholarshipfund with that amount and she assured me that any amounwould do. She said it can always start small and can grow intime. Of course, my siblings and I liked the idea. That startedthe Gloria Aspillera Quintos Scholarship Fund under the StScholastica Research and Development Foundation.

Last March 2010 one of the college graduates was abeneficiary of the Gloria Aspillera Quintos Scholarship Fund

The GAQSF was only a fraction of the entire scholarship, butmy siblings and I felt good that our mother‟s scholarship fundhelped a student somehow. What our mother was not able toachieve in life she was able to achieve in death.

The Gloria Aspillera Quintos Scholarship Fund is a tribute toour mother who was an educator who loved to teach andcontinued to tutor students even long after she retired. Evenher great grandson would go to her for tutoring lessons in Mathwith his friends in tow, saying, “Halika, sama kayo! Tuturuantayo ng lola ko. Magaling iyon magturo.”



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PROFILE:AMPARITO LLAMAS LHUILLIER EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION, INC. (ALLEF)

The scarcity of educational opportunities for deservingstudents to enroll in quality schools has been a growingconcern in the Philippines, Cebu included. While someselective assistance is afforded valedictorians and otherhonor students who excel in the academic domains, rarehelp is extended to average students with special skillsin the theatre, journalism, or computer/accountingtechnology.

With a teaching background and a passion for the artsand culture, Amparito Llamas Lhuillier crafted aFoundation that included scholarships for qualifiedcollege students and faculty. In 1994 the AMPARITO

LLAMAS LHUILLIER EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION,INC. (ALLEF) was formally launched and the first batchof college scholars, after passing the qualifyingexaminations/interview and submission of requireddocuments (including a Memo of Agreement among thestudents, their parents, and ALLEF Chair Amparito L.Lhuillier, with the concurrence of the trustees of theFoundation) received their tuition assistance categorizedin various levels. Consequently, faculty researchers whoneeded subsidy for their final defense and the printing oftheir thesis/dissertations were given financial grants.

One outstanding alumna, Anna Fegi, was given fulltuition for her ETEAP course (similar to distance

education). Educator Dr. Milagros C. Espina, CEO ofSpeechcom International and professor at the Universityof San Jose-Recoletos was appointed by ALLEF asExecutive Director, in charge of monitoring qualifyinginterviews, periodic evaluation of the grade schooldepartment, directing cultural performances, andconducting learning seminars and practicum.

A valuable component of the ALLEF scholarship is the job opportunity awaiting the qualified scholar who upon

graduation becomes eligible to work in the Lhuillier

group of companies.

Far and wide, the ALLEF scholarship has producedmany graduates who have succeeded in their variousfields of endeavor including teaching, call centersbusiness establishments, banks, and marketing andtraining firms. A good number like Anna Feji, MariaDonna, and Jimmy Marquez, pursued careers in theartistic entertainment arena and have become famouslocally and internationally. A few, transformingthemselves into achievers and role models, havebecome entrepreneurs and political leaders. To dateALLEF has produced close to 400 alumni who havetaken the four or five-year baccalaureate programs as

well as thesis grantees.

The school year 2010-2011 has seen 25 collegescholars enrolled in various business careers. ALLEFhas extended high school scholarships to the topstudents of M. Lhuillier Financial Inc. employees fromLuzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. 140 children have adream to accomplish for their future employment.

Amparito Llamas-Lhuillier is a true blue Scholastican(SSC HS ’59). Her desire to provide avenues for theneedy to create and to work for their dreams with faith inGod and their fellows has served as an inspiration no

only to her scholars but to theyouth in the Philippines.

“I am very proud of my ALLEF IncEducational Foundation andscholars,” Amparito writes toclassmate Chell Jarencio-Bengzonin an email on August 14, 2010“Some scholars are employed withour company and the rest areabroad and on their own. It’s awonderful feeling to be able to

sponsor their college careers.”



October 2010

12

The Beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman by Pope Benedict XVI

Teresita Nolasco Chandler (HS’61, AB’65)

who lives in Horley, Surrey, UK, wrote a report for her parish newsletter on the recent beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newmanat Cofton Park, Birmingham, UK on Sunday 19 September 2010.

“The Beatification Mass was an unforgettable and movingoccasion, and I felt humbled, honoured, proud and extremely

privileged to have taken part in a once-in-a-lifetime event in the presence of the Holy Father and in the company of thousandsof pilgrims, many of whom were FilipinosI “

We left St Bede‟s School, Redhill, Surrey at1.30 am and arrived at Cofton Park 3 hourslater after a short stop at a Welcome Breakin Oxford. It was still dark and it had begunto rain when we got to the gates. In themiddle of the 130-acre park was thespecially constructed altar with two largewings on either side for the choir. Therewere several giant screens andloudspeakers and facing the altar somedistance away was a huge platform andsome smaller ones on the sides for the

press and the media.While we waited, the screens showed images of CardinalNewman and various announcements.

As the morning progressed, the activity around the altar increased and the choir started to fill the wings.

At around 8 am it was announced that the Pope was on hisway and eventually his helicopter came into view. There wasexcited anticipation as everyone watched the screens and sawthe Holy Father transfer from the helicopter to a waiting car.Miraculously the rain stopped and the sun appeared. Not longafter he was among us in his Popemobile. We were asked not

to move from our places so everyone would get a good view o

him. I was lucky to be just next to the barrier as the Popeapproached, his Popemobile flanked by several security menPeople cheered and waved their flags and shouted „PapaPapa!‟

All too quickly the Holy Father disappeared behind huge doorsunder the choir wing and moments later he reappeared at the

Altar. He was welcomed by the Archbishop of Birmingham, theMost Reverend Bernard Longley. The welcome was followedby the exchanging of gifts. The Archbishop of Birmingham thenrequested of the Holy Father that Cardinal Newman bebeatified.

The Holy Father declared the beatification and there was

joyous applause from everyone as the portrait of BlesseNewman was unveiled and his relic placed on the Altar.

We sang „Praise to the Holiest in the Height‟ the words thaCardinal Newman had written, in hearty voices. Thebeatification was followed by the Kiss of Peace, the processionof the Reliquary, members of the Newman family, andmembers of the Oratory.

The Gospel was read by Deacon Jack Sullivan from Bostonwhose miraculous cure from a spinal condition was attributedto Blessed Newman.



October 2010

13

WEST COAST COOLASA REUNION 2010:“A HAPPY ENDING TO A VERY GOOD STORY”

by Louella Pena-Rosete, HS ‗70

First of all, I'd like to ask all of you to google or better yet, go toa library and read Marcia Brown's book Stone Soup whichwas published in 1947. It will take you about three minutes tofinish reading it. The only reason why I'm familiar with this bookis because it was my first library book in the secondgrade. Back then we couldn't choose the book(s) we wanted toread. The teacher handed out the books to us, calling outnames in alphabetical order, and by the time she got to “Pena,”all the classic fairy tales were gone and I got this ancient,forlorn-looking book with a tattered spine held together withduct tape.

Just like any other seven-year-old, I flipped the pages to check

out the pictures, and to my dismay, not only where there noseven dwarfs nor an ugly giant chasing after a boy with agoose, they were all sketched in black and red, with blackbeing the dominant noncolor! We were to do our first bookreport so I had no choice but to read it. I'm glad I did, becausethe story stuck with me like gooey guava jam on a spoon.

From the moment Mary Ann Prospero (HS ‟77) and I came outwith the first email announcing the reunion, it really was likeputting stones in a huge pot of water. We didn't have a cluehow coolasas would take to the idea. Between the two of us,we were confident that 25 coolasas would show up, onlybecause they were our classmates.

When it seemed that we could get about 50, we thought of holding the reunion in a rented house or a social hall. We wereplanning a small private affair until someone offered her brother's band to play for us for free. From then on, things gotbigger and to Mary Ann's consternation, the budget doubled.When we finally decided on the venue, we knew that it wasgoing to be a gamble. What made it even more difficult wasthat we had to meet coolasa standards. Anything less wasverboten or it would result in a blitzkrieg of negativecomment(s). Talk about years of being under German tutelage!

Once we got that pot of water boiling, coolasas from all

batches rose to the occasion. Some offered their homes to out-of-towners. We had more volunteers than we asked for. Out of the six coolasas from Pampanga, three offered to work in anyof the committees. A classmate did the name tags whilesomeone from Mary Ann's batch printed the program. It isinteresting that the two ladies never consulted each other butboth came up with their finished products bearing the schoollogo. The fans were also a gift.

Most of all the words of encouragement pushed us to workharder. Just knowing that people wanted us to succeed keptthe thought of failure in check. And on the day itself, the

moment the volunteers started arriving ahead of schedule andwere impatiently waiting to start, I knew that nothing could gowrong from then on.

Almost everyone was in blue and white and the more avidones even had their nails painted blue. Every time I would takea glance at the collage(s) of pictures that MaryAnn did(definitely a labor of love) there would be coolasas studying thefaces or posing for pictures beside them.

But what really showed the coolasa's penchant for beinggenerous were the bags of gifts that they brought as prizes forthe games and there were just too many that we had to givethem away in batches. Everyone was talking at the same time

and we couldn't keep them quiet long enough to say gracebefore meals. Once the band hit the first few notes of theBeatle's song, “Bus Stop” there was a mad rush f or the dancefloor while some stood on chairs and their dancing andgyrating were so reminiscent of the 60s show, “Nineteeners.”

We had a game that brought the house down with everyoneparticipating and all that screaming and animal sounds senthe kitchen help running out to check if there was some kind oftrouble. Funnybone Ruth Stankiewiz HS'68 (Pampanga) hadeveryone in stitches laughing at her antics on the dance floorBy the way, her group, the CATS, won the prize because shedid the choreography. The stifling heat didn't stop them fromdancing. Janet Cordero (Coll'83), a professional danceinstructor, led the line dancing about ten times because thegirls couldn't have enough of it. I just settled for watching thewhole show from the sideline.

Asuni del Gallego (HS'71) gifted Mary Ann and me with a hugeheart-shaped, two-layered cake coated in tiffany blue marsipanicing with “SSC.....” and probably something else on it becauseby the time we saw it, the cake was two thirds gone. Someonemade a mistake of putting it on the dessert table.

Even if it was way past 6 in the evening, the girls wouldn't stopdancing and by the time I asked the DJ to pull the plug, I heard

a collective whining of disappointment emanating from thedance floor. By the time I left, the ladies (HS'54-HS'59) at mytable weren't budging. Even if I bid them adieu, they said could go but they were staying. Mga coolasa nga!!

So the reunion ended on a happy note, with almost all batchesheading for post party mini reunions while the rest are planningto reconnect with classmates they haven't seen in years. As fothe stone soup, as always, it turned out great.

Seconds, anyone?



October 2010

14

LOILY PENA ROSETE, Organizer

West Coast Coolasa 2010 reunion

Group photos of Coolasa 2010 attendees



October 2010

15

Golden Girls Gear Up for 2011By Naida Gonda-Reyes

“Where are youuuuu ?‖ is the present cry of HS61.

We need you for our golden jubilee celebration inFeb. 2011:

Purificacion ArenasMyrna BattoAsuncion BuenconsejoCorazon de JesusRozanne Peralta

Would any of our readers know?

We have done nothing much yet. We are asking

everybody to hand in a write-up of their "life afterHigh School," high school pictures and familypictures.

We plan to come up with a Golden Jubilee Book andwe want to cover everyone. Naida Reyes is in

charge of this project and Teresita Salazar Haab isthe editor-in-chief.

We hope to meet in Florida in October to work onthe book. Just like what HS'60 did, we will featureapos and other members of the family. There areonly a few of us (49 graduates - 6 have passed onand 5 are missing).

Emilie Verzosa-Tiongco is overall in charge of all theactivities for this homecoming. She is meeting withthe Homecoming commitee. Many of us from abroad

are planning to attend the homecoming in February2011 and we are coordinating our travel schedule.

MORE GOLDEN GIRLS REUNION IN FLORIDABy Marilou F. Vicencio



October 2010

16

Time Is Ticking for the St. Scho Swatch

Gift Gate Phil Inc. President Virginia Ramosannounced the ongoing production of a limitededition St. Scholastica‘s College commemorativeSwatch watch. Gift Gate has undertaken this projectas a joint venture with St. Scholastica‘s College(SSC) Manila High School Batch 1986 as part of its

25th Silver Jubilee anniversary celebration.

The watch strap design features symbols of theScholastican ideals of ―Ora et Labora‖ and ―Pax‖ inthe school‘s colors of blue and white.

Under the agreement signed between Ms. Ramosand SSC Batch 86 representatives Aurora Legardaand Myra Castillo, 500 numbered pieces of thiscommemorative watch will be produced which willbe exclusively sold through authorized Swatchoutlets.

Upon the sale of all 500 commemorative timepieces,Gift Gate will donate part of the sale proceeds to St.Scholastica's College Research and DevelopmentFoundation (SSRDF) to fund a Corazon C. AquinoProfessorial Scholarship.

The cost of the SSC Swatch watch is P3,500.00. Fora fee of P2,000.00, one can reserve a watch at anySwatch branch or kiosk in Manila. Payment of thebalance of P1,500.00 can be made after the launchof the watch in September.

The Silver Jubilarians of 2011 have planned a targetdonation to SSRDF of P250,000.00 for the PresidentCorazon Aquino Professorial Chair and ScholarshipFund. US and Canada alumnae are assured thatpurchasing a St Scho Swatch watch contributes toan increased donation to SSRDF.

On September 10, 2010, the much awaited dreamproject of SSC High School Batch ‘86 saw its fruitionat The Gallery of Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center inMakati City.

http://sscbatch86.blogspot.com/2010/03/time-is-ticking.html

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dJ7TtS5eqxc/S6IKbfQZFKI/AAAAAAAAADE/2q7XAKY2JkU/s1600-h/-1.jpg

http://sscbatch86.blogspot.com/2010/03/time-is-ticking.html



October 2010

17

MERIENDA RECIPES FOR DIETERSby Judy Lou-Lim, BA Nutrition ‘69, MS Food and Nutrition ‗72

A Dieter’s Minatamis na Saging

1 c. water¼ c. sugar3 to 4 packets Splenda10 – 12 boiled saba bananasProcedure:

Mix water, sugar, and Splenda. Boil. Peel the boiled saba.bananas. Add to the simmering syrup. Simmer for a fewminutes till liquid becomes slightly syrupy. Turn bananasoccasionally. Remove from fire and cool.

To serve:

Slice bananas thinly and soak well in the syrup.Put a pitcher of skimmed milk and a bowl of shaved orcrushed ice on the side.

Fill individual glasses or bowls with banana slices andsyrup.

Top with crushed ice.

Pour some milk over it.

Mix and ENJOY!

*****

Cassava Bibingka

3 eggs slightly beaten3 c. sugar, or use ½ of this amount and replace the otherhalf with Splenda.3 c. coconut milk¼ c. melted butter5 c. grated cassava

Mix all the above. Pour in a pan 9x13 or slightly smallerpan or pyrex dish. Bake 375 for 40 minutes.

Topping:

Combine in double broiler and cook till thick:

2 tbsp. flour1 c. pure coconut cream1 can condensed milk; lessen to ½ if less sweet productis desired.Pour over the baked cassava. Broil for 5 min or till lightlybrowned.

Lighter Apple Crisp

5 apples, peel, core, and cut into thin wedges2 tbsp. fresh orange or lemon juice2 tbsp. zest of orange or lemon¼ c. sugar1 tsp. cinnamon and ½ tsp. nutmeg

Toss well to coat all wedges with the other ingredients.

Pour into a deep baking dish or spoon apples intoindividual ramekins.

Topping:

1 c. AP flour1 c. quick cooking oatmeal½ c. brown sugar ½ tsp. salt10 packets Splenda½ c. butter 1 c. walnutsPulse all the above in a food processor till they resemblecoarse crumbs. Sprinkle and gently press over the top ofthe apples.

Bake 350 for 1 hour. Serve warm with a scoop of fat-freevanilla ice cream.

*****

Profiteroles

Boil 1 c. waterAdd ½ c. butterAdd 1 c. flour – remove pan from fire.

Stir with a wooden spoon till mixture forms a ball andpulls away from the sides of the pan. Pour mixture into amixing bowl. Beat using the paddle attachment. Add 4eggs one at a time till batter is very smooth and satinyDrop rounded tspfuls in a baking tray 1½ inches apart.

Bake 400 for 20 min. Lower to 325 and bake 20 minmore. Cool.

Gently cut the top half off. Scoop in vanilla or chocolatefat-free ice cream. Cover with the top half of theprofiterole. Arrange nicely in a platter and freeze. Beforeserving, squeeze fat-free chocolate syrup on top of eachprofiterole.



October 2010

18

Travel News

OBERAMMERGAU 2010by Ana de los Reyes de Vries, BM „67

The village of Oberammergau is located in the foothills of theAlps in the state of Bavaria in southeast Germany. Literally,Oberammergau means ―Ober‖=over; ―Ammer‖=river;―Gau‖=district area. It is the ―area or district over the river‖ andone that is breathtakingly picturesque. As early as the sixteenthcentury, the Oberammergau arts and crafts were knownworldwide. Eventually glass painting and waxworks became partof their artwork. Oberammergau artists were employed in othercities to work on churches and palaces that abound in Europe.The villagers love to paint the façade of their houses. This localway of decorating is known as ―Luftlmalerei.‖

Oberammergau is most famous for her Passion Play staged

every ten years. In 1632 during the 30 Year War, the ―BlackDeath‖ was rampant in the Ammer Valley. The people of Oberammergau tried desperately to protect themselves from theplague by posting guards all around the village in the hope thatno one with the plague would enter their village. To their dismaya day laborer Kaspar Schisler sneaked in on the day of theparish fair. He brought in the plague. Consequently manypeople died. In 1633 amidst war, famine, and plague, the peopleof Oberammergau asked for God‘s help and vowed to stageevery ten years the ―Play of the Suffering and Death of Our Lord.‖ No more deaths from the plague was reported after thatvow. The Passion Play was staged for the first time one yearlater.

The original text of the Passion Play came from more than onesource and saw several revisions in the course of its 350-yearhistory. Using the texts by Othmar Weis OSB and the ReverendJoseph Alois Daisenberger (1799-1883), the 2010 Play wasextensively edited and expanded by Christian Stuckl and OttoHuber. The Oberammergau Passion music composed byRochus Dedler (1779-1822), edited in 1950 by Prof. EugenPapst (1886-1956), was newly revised and expanded by MarkusSwink for the 2010 Play. The Play begins with Jesus‘ entry toJerusalem and ends with his resurrection.

Up to 1810 the Passion Plays were performed in the cemeteryin front of the parish church. In 1830 they were moved to themeadow outside the village. A large hall that couldaccommodate 4000 spectators was built in 1900. The stage andthe hall were redesigned and enlarged in 1930. Measuring 40meters in width, the Oberammergau Passion stage is one of the

largest open air stages in the world.

Only villagers may participate in the Play. Stefanie Kalbl, a 90-year-old villager who first performed in the play in 1930, said:―All the people live with the play always.‖ In a village of about

5000 people, about 2400 are involved in the production of thePlay. The rest of the people do their share by serving thevisitors and catering to the many tourists who flock to the villagefor the Play. Much of the revenue from the Play sustains thevillage until the next Play comes along. The 2010 Play is theforty-first production. It runs from May to October 2010 for atotal of 102 presentations. The village expects some 500,000visitors, according to Arno Nunn, mayor of Oberammergau.

Traveling with a pilgrim tour group called ―Travel, Travel‖ whichwas sponsored by St Basil Church in Vallejo, California, westayed in a family-run hotel (Das Johannesbad) in BadKohlgrub, a little town some 13 kms outside the village ofOberammergau. At the hotel, each of us was supplied with atextbook (in German and English) of the Play. Having received

our 150-Euro tickets, we proceeded to Oberammergau the nextday (July 1, 2010) to watch the Play. The Play started at 2:30pm until 4:30 for Part I. This was followed by a long break fodinner. The Play resumed at 8 pm for Part II, which lasted threehours. It was close to midnight by the time we reached ouhotel.

The hall sat about 4700 people from different parts of the worldThe entire Play was in German. The staging was impressivethe production colossal, the singing and orchestral music simplybeautiful. However, for us who are English-speaking, it was verydifficult to follow the German text in our English Textbook. Latein the evening, it was too dark to even read the text. One mustremember that the Play was performed in an open air stageThe lights were focused on the actors.

Happily I was able to stay awake until the end. After all is said

and done, being there, watching the Play, taking in whatOberammergau had to offer, was an experience of a lifetime. am truly grateful!

pergola e-dyaryo, october 2010 special edition part 2

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