Colegio de Sta. Teresita
Laoang, Northern Samar

Colegio de Sta. Teresita (CST) Shines

By: Sr. Querubina Cabillon, AR.

As the new school year usher in, new looks and improvements are evident in CST. The past two month summer vacation was spent and utilized for a thorough repairs and improvements of the school and its facilities. Through the effort of our hired electrical engineering student in UEP, Sam Visere, all electrical wirings and connections were fixed and replaced with new ones. This time we don’t anymore have to worry of the short circuit connections, just as what we have experienced in the past years due to the installations of substandard electrical wirings. Now our school lightings and outlets are all functioning well.
       
The computer room floorings, which were before just glossy cement covered with linoleum, are now changed to vinyl material. The ground floor of the building look bright and clean with its new paint. All areas were thoroughly cleaned through the joint effort of the AR Sisters, employees and interns. We really see to it that at the opening of classes, CST would be more conducive for learning.
         
Physical improvements are not enough as preparations to welcome the new school year. What equally matters most is the spiritual enhancement of the teachers and employees to be ready for another year of challenge. To realize this, a Recollection for all CST employees was set by the School Administrative Board (SAB) on June 2, 2007 with Rev. Fr. Elizardo “Bong” Uno as the Recollection Master. According to Fr. Bong, a Catholic school teacher is different from other teachers in the sense that our purpose in life is not just impart knowledge to the students but most of all to guide the youth in their spiritual journey and that we aim in bringing them closer to God. He also explained the following qualities of a good teacher: 1) Dedication, 2) Personal touch, 3) conviction, 4) Mutual understanding among colleagues. Fr. Bong believes that a teacher who possesses these qualities can be considered great. 
        
The 4th day of June was the formal opening of classes for the S.Y 2007-2008.The quite atmosphere of CST campus during the past 2 months, now shifted to echoes of joy and laughter as the students old and new started to come in, greeting and saying “hello” to one another. A total of 248 students found their lines in the campus and joined the morning spiritual exercise and Bible Enthronement. All Bibles to be used and enthroned in the different classrooms and offices were blessed.
         
On June 9, a Mass in honor of the Holy Spirit was hosted by the school with Msgr.. Romeo Infante as the celebrant and presider. Candles to symbolize the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit were kept lighted throughout the Eucharistic Celebration. After the Mass, Msgr. Romy blessed the newly built grotto of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, a project of the COLC for the past 2 years. Now, our Lady is visibly viewed in that beautiful spot between the school canteen and the Carmel hall.
        
After the election of ARSC officers and re-organizations of  different interests clubs, an exciting  acquaintance party followed. Students were divided into four groups according to their team color. Older members of each team welcomed the new members who are the first year students and transferees. Team presentations and games led by the local ARSC officers were among the activities done during the acquaintance program.
       
This year’s Month of Nutrition started with the first “Oikos” of  the students. This oikos or a prayer  gathering of students is divided into 20 families comprising of 11 or 12 members for each family. They gather every first Wednesday of the month for a prayer meeting. The first Friday devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is also observed by the school community.
      
Because of conflict of schedule with the Church’s Marian festivities, this year’s  COLC celebration was done on the 9th of July instead of having it on the 16th  the feast day of our Lady of Mt. Carmel. During that day, the Induction of COLC officers, Investiture and Reception of the new members of Confraternity of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (COLC) was done within the Mass with Rev. Fr. Gervacio “Batchoi” Osias as the presider. After the Mass, different booths were opened at the school campus which made this Marian day celebration an enjoyable one for the students.
       
CST participated actively in the 3 day Parish celebration (July 14-16) of the 50th Anniversary of Barangay san Birhen.  The different activities were as follows: July 14- Marian Congress and Cultural Show, July 15- Eucharistic Congress, July 16- Standing parade followed with a Pontifical Mass with Bishop Emmanuel C. Trance, the bishop of Catarman as the main celebrant. In the evening was the coronation of Mutya ng Parokya.
       
The first general PTA meeting and election of PTA officers was held last July 22. Parents were oriented in the use and the content of the revised Students’ Handbook. It was followed with homeroom PTA meeting and election of Homeroom PTA officers. The induction of officers was held within the Mass last 29th of July with Fr. Jonathan Loverita as the celebrant. The following inducting officers and guests were present: Board Member Alfredo Dulay, Board Member Albert Lucero, Sr., Vice Mayor Fred Deananeas, Kgd. Nida Tang, Kgd. Democrito Aquino and Rev. Fr. Gervacio Osias.
      
July 27th is usually set for the celebration of P.M. Geta Day in honor of the late Pantaleon Modrigo Geta, a great philanthropist of Laoang who donated different school sites including our CST lot and the town’s hospital lot. Mass was offered for him at PM Geta Memorial Elementary School grounds with Laoang National High School as this year’s host entity.
       
To close the month of July, Nutrition month culminating activities were held with the theme: “Healthy Lifestyle ng Kabataan, Landas ng Kinabukasan”. Cooking contests and program were presented with Ms. Iris Joy Diu, a nurse, as the guest speaker.
       
On this same day of July 30, the new Boys Quarters of CST was blessed by Fr. Batchoi Osias, after the Mass offered by CFC’s Handmaids held at CST Carmel’s hall.