St. Robert Bellarmine Center for Learning

The month of September is regarded as SRBCL’s founding month and this year’s celebration was scheduled to coincide with St. Robert Bellarmine’s Feast Day. The school commemorated its anniversary by hosting a 10th year “birthday party” for the SRBCL community. September 18, Friday proved the best time for the celebration.

The party, held at Bellarmine Hall started at 9:00 in the morning with the SRBCL faculty singing and interpreting in sign language the song, “Give Thanks.” As the party progressed with the children and faculty providing the entertainment, the pupils were likewise provided a chance to win token prizes with the enjoyable party games that were prepared for them.

A group of girls from all grade levels (Grades I – VI) presented a dance number entitled “Fire.” The group was trained by Teachers Sol Mislang and Ritchelle Caguya.  Teachers Leslie Salindong and Nanette Padlan guided the boys’ group in their Michael Jackson number, “Beat It.” For this dance number, the teachers were assisted by Grade VI pupil Raymond Bernal.  An interpretative number conceptualized and taught by Teachers Aleli Mejia and Venus Cera was presented by a mixed group of boys and girls from all grade levels. The message- laden number was entitled “If You Can Dream.”

Two of SRBCL’s resident songbirds enthralled the audience with their solos and duet. Angela Kyle Barrozo and Alea Jan Quinto, both of the Grade IV class once again proved their singing mettle with their song numbers. Their versatility as singers was showcased in their self- chosen numbers. Alea sang “Poker Face,” while Kyle sang the upbeat, “Just Dance.” Both girls ably belted out the song “When You Believe.”

For this year’s celebration, the faculty prepared not only one but two surprise numbers for the pupils, not counting their doxology number. The preschool group of Teachers Anna Aguinaldo, Diana Aguinaldo, Rodith Veloria, Grace Tuanan and Joan Malicdem presented a song number from the Disney movie, “Pocahontas”. Their “Colors of the Wind” song number was interpreted through dance and sign language by a select group of girls from the grade school levels. Teacher Joan guided the girls in their interpretative number.

Not to be outdone, the grade school teachers presented the finale, a modern dance number that drew much applause and praise from both parents and pupils. Their “Nobody” dance number made Teachers Sol, Ritchelle, Leslie, Aleli, Venus and Nanette experience “opening night jitters” before the party but later gave them cause for satisfaction after the much deserved approbation.

Given the attendance and interest the party generated, the hall overflowed with guests, a problem the school promises to address in its future occasions. Space constraints and the heat notwithstanding, it was quite evident that the pupils enjoyed this time out from their studies. The many laughing and contented faces after the party proved the activity was a success.

The girls who interpreted “Colors of the Wind” were: Mary Rose Aque, Queenie Estrada, Jamina Joaquin, Stephanie Laforteza, Faith Magno and Shatze Ramos. The mixed boys and girls group who interpreted “If You Can Dream” was composed of: Christian Decano, Chelsea Gonzales, Miguel Maramba, Deanne Torio and Jamie Tuazon of the Grade I class; Angela Aguinaldo, Katharina Angeles, Sean Basto, Elizabeth Eden, Carl Gonzales, David Peregrino and Francis Tinquico of the Grade II class; Cris Laforteza and CJ Sta. Maria of the Grade III class; Bea Estrada and Stefi Foronda of the Grade V class, and Charina Pinlac of the Grade VI class.

The all female dance group was composed of:  Jazlyn Quinto of the Grade I; Sabrina Bernal and Trisha Sta. Maria of the Grade II; Kim Barrozo of the Grade III; Ggyn Agbayani, Ericka Elegores and Nysa Pulmano of the Grade IV; Geowela Carrerra, Nikolle Fernandez and Hershey Soy of the Grade V; and Loren Peregrino and Diane Sta. Maria of the Grade VI class.  The all male dance group was composed of: William Eden and Warren Pulmano of the Grade III; Gino Bernal, JM de Vera, TJ Fernandez, Joseph Gutierrez, AJ Ponciano and Terence Rosario of the Grade IV; Karlo Cabotaje, Bryle Lopez and Izeiah Medalle of the Grade V; and Edward Rosario of the Grade VI class.

View Pictures of SRBCL 10th Anniversary Party.

September 17 is recognized by Roman Catholics as St. Robert Bellarmine’s Feast Day and it is only fitting that it be given extra attention by SRBCL. The school held a Holy Mass on said date, celebrated by Rev. Fr. Mario R. Morales, Rector of the Mary Help of Christians College Seminary in Bonuan Gueset. Present for the 8:30 Mass were SRBCL’s Catholic grade school populace and their parents. Seminarian James Quinto served as Fr. Morales’ attendant.

The solemn Mass was made more special by the active participation of the pupils and faculty as readers and Mass offerors. The Mass readers were Matthew Barredo, Sabrina Bernal, Cris Laforteza, Carl Gonzales, Teachers Sol, Anna and Renee, and the offerors were, Ken Chua, Jamie Tuazon, Elizabeth Eden, Christian Decano, Faith Magno, Stephanie Laforteza, Angela Aguinaldo, Mary Rose Aque, Jann Quinto and Raymond Bernal.

A small group from the choirs of Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral of Calasiao lent their voices to serve as the choir for the occasion. The choir members for the Feast Day Mass were Diana Aguinaldo, Jophel Caragay, May Ann Caragay, Michael Maramba, Tess Maramba, Mirasol Nacar, Richard Ramos, Virgibal Silang, Sonny Untalan, Jun Urayan, Iris Ann Vallo and Val.

View Pictures of SRBCL Feast Day Mass.

SRBCL pupils had a different taste of Buwan Ng Wika celebrations last August 28, Friday. Doing away with the regular program format, the school held a fiesta cum cultural event for the pupils.

The day started with an assembly where the grade school pupils were joined by the preschoolers in their regular M-W-F school assembly. The pupils were mostly in their Filipiniana costumes or souvenir shirts from the many beautiful tourist spots of the Philippines.

After the regular singing of the “Lupang Hinirang” and the recitation of the “Panatang Makabayan” and the school pledge, a short message was delivered by SRBCL directress, Ms. Renee Andrea Aguinaldo. Teachers Sol Mislang and Nanette Padlan then announced the day’s activities which comprised of the arts and crafting projects for all levels, an interactive exhibit of Philippine antiquities and viewing of crafts and products from all over the country. A display of national symbols was likewise prepared for the pupils to enjoy. They were also encouraged to sample some of the delectable native rice cakes that were on sale that day. Another highlight enjoyed by the grade school pupils was the short lecture on the life of national hero, Jose Rizal. The lecture was based on some scenes from the award-winning movie of Cesar Montano, Rizal.

The interactive exhibit of Philippine antiquities dew much interest among the pupils that they could hardly contain their wonder as each item was explained to them and were allowed to touch, try and use them as they were used hundreds of years ago.

Given the more than enthusiastic response and participation of the pupils in the initial activities, practically no time was left for one of the features of the day which was the “Larong Pinoy.” Nevertheless, the pupils were promised to be given the opportunity to enjoy said activity in their MAPE and HELE classes.

View pictures of Buwan Ng Wika.

Grade I pupil, Christian Judge Javier Decano was welcomed in school last Tuesday, August 25 fresh from his participation in the 7th International Wado Ryu Karate-do Championships held in Tokyo, Japan last August 20 – 25, 2009.

A relative new-comer to the sport, Christian did us proud with his more than decent showing in the competition, in a field of more than 30 competitors in his age group alone. Understandably proud father, Atty. Clarence G. Decano was there to support him all the way, and was much enthused by the relaxed manner by which Christian approached the competition. He on the other hand he says was anxious and nervous every time Christian’s turn came considering that many from his son’s age group were much taller or heftier.

Spectators, both Filipino compatriots and foreigners alike were surprised with the good showing of the Filipino team despite the short preparation time and setbacks like lack of regulation equipment and communication problems.

The team is positive that with proper training, sufficient support and exposure, Filipinos have a very good chance of doing well in this sport and be considered the world’s best.

View pictures of 7th International Wado Ryu Karate-do Championships held in Tokyo.

Visit www.filipinaswadoryu.com

The Nutrition Month’s tail-end activity was the Cook Fest held last August 4, Tuesday. All grade school levels were assigned a particular food item that they had to prepare or cook for the whole grade school population.

This yearly activity is particularly enjoyed by the intermediate pupils (Grades IV- VI) because it gives them the chance to try out their newly acquired skills from their HELE classes. The Grades I- III are however very much part of the activity.

The Grades II and III were this year’s hosts for the snack time, preparing sandwiches and sago’t gulaman for everybody. The Grades IV- VI cooked the lunch fare while the Grade I class prepared the dessert.

The pupils’ enjoyment in preparing the food was equally matched with the gusto with which they finished off their food. Parents were even surprised that their kids ate the vegetables that they normally would not eat at home.

This year’s cookfest was truly a sumptuous success!

View pictures of Cookfest 2009.