Blue Heights

SSAM turns 50
By Paola Torres, Ma. Chalina Pilapil & Cristhia Salvador

Like any golden year anniversary, St. Scholastica’s Academy’s 50th year in  Marikina deserves a grand celebration.
Anchoring on the theme, “Benedictine Education in the Ways of Peace: Building the Future”, the special occasion last July 16, signified the core values such as integrity of creation, truth, peace and justice that SSAM has been instilling in every
Scholastican.

Fifty vehicles joined the motorcade around the community to signal a three-day festival of rides, fairs and cultural programs.

Invited guests were ushered to the high school building to catch a glimpse of the past in an exhibit of old photographs
and video presentations. Best projects of the students were also displayed to define their creativity and artistic skills.

Reviving the famous title “Putok sa Bundok” in the early years of St. Scholastica Academy, the golden jubilee celebration put up booths and fun rides capturing the same name. The school grounds were brimmed with exciting booths, that includes inflatable kiddie attractions and kalesa ride, and stalls selling food and memorabilia.

The gymnasium was jam-packed with spectators, excited to watch unique presentations of the selected students, staff, faculty members and school administrators.

The cultural program highlighted the fifty golden years of St. Scholastica’s Academy, the success stories of the Kulasas, the numerous awards and citations that SSAM had reaped through the years, and, most of all, the Benedictine values that have become instrumental in the lives of the Scholasticans.

Urania Lindo, a Student Council Organization president in the high school department, was chosen as the program host while grade school English coordinator Mrs. Jenny Medina took charge in the narration of the school’s history.

School directress Sister Roseve Balagat, OSB, together with other Benedictine nuns, led the faculty and staff in a heart-warming ditty, “One Voice”.

On the second day of festivities, a special mass was offered to St. Scholastica and St. Benedict, the school’s patron saints, at the high school quadrangle.

Present during the affair were the different school heads, retired teachers, PTA officers and members, Alumni Association officers and members, and Benedictine Sisters.

Also spotted were Marikina vice mayor Dr. Fabian Cadiz, Mother Mary John Mananzan, OSB, and Mother Irene Debalus, OSB.

Abbot Tarcisius Maria Narciso, OSB, and six other concelebrants from the different congregations, officiated in the Holy Eucharist.

Selected teachers and personnel represented the core values such as integrity of creation, caring for the sick and elderly, transparency, among others, in the presentation of gifts. These Benedictine values have since been emphasized in the
academic subjects.

After the mass, all the students and selected teachers dressed in their thematic outfits prepared themselves for a field demonstration.

The freshmen showed varied movements of hands and legs in an upbeat dance called Salsa, the sophomores displayed their authentic presentation of Subli, the
juniors demonstrated their dance
skills in a Neo Ethnic dance, and the seniors proved their agility in gymnastics. Selected teachers from the elementary and high school units presented a folk dance Lerion.

Call it an afternoon delight, the guests were treated to a small time bingo. Cash prizes and cool gadgets were up for grabs. Proceeds of this event shall be used for faculty development and improvement of school infrastructures.

Music teacher Mr. Daniel Guerrero, together with his students, spearheaded a grand musical concert. Capping the party that day was the fireworks display.

The third day was exclusively reserved for the alumnae. Assigned high school students ushered fellow Scholasticans to the SECC to prepare for the Grand Alumni Homecoming.

Special activities such as the Healthy Lifestyle and Wellness Fair, Digital Yearbook Batch Photo Shoots were offered to the participants as a way of expressing deep gratitude for their continued support to their alma mater. Cocktail dresses paraded at the SICC for the much awaited Kulasas Got Talent. Hosted by Agot Isidro and Amy Perez, the show highlighted awesome stage performances of the Kulasas, and some faculty members.